Jimericks - Discipline

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 22 November 2012

Hi all,

Today’s Scriptures focus on discipline, and its application. Discipline is always difficult to observe. Generally speaking women find this more difficult to apply than men. I think this is due to the soft and gentle nature usually found in women rather the cold logic of most men. The poems are written in Limerick style except that the first and second line don’t rhyme. For convenience I’ve called them Jimericks so that In future I won’t have to explain.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 22 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	Jimericks - Discipline
All over the world, particularly the Western World, Satan is attacking the family. He hates any form of family life. It reminds him of the Unity within the Trinity. It’s a love relationship and all love is a contradiction of everything he represents. We know the Father loves The Son; The Son Loves the Spirit; The Spirit loves the Father. And so on it goes, in a never ending circle of infinitely perfect love and understanding from eternity to eternity. To you and me, it’s incomprehensible. But it’s probably the most beautiful thing eternity has known. Before his fall, Lucifer was considered to be the most beautiful “thing” in creation. After his fall he became Satan, the grand adversary of man; the devil or prince of darkness; the adversary; the enemy; the accuser. So great is his hatred for God and His children, it exceeds anything we could imagine. It would be “perfect” hatred apart from the fact that a created being cannot be perfect, not even in hatred! It doesn’t exist. His attack on the family focusses primarily on the male gender. Fatherhood and all fathers to him are anathema; he hates women, but not quite as much. He knows God appointed the man as the head of the family. So if he can destroy or weaken this Divine order, he will do so. We still see this in the 21st century. The one parent family has become common. As a general rule, children remain with their mother. So by attacking husbands, he achieves his purposes; families dissolve. I had a good father. By no means was he perfect. But he set a good example and I was always able to look up to him and respect him. I’d like to think that I am at least as good as he was. History will decide! As a general but not inflexible rule, fathers should take care of discipline within the family. I know this statement is offensive some ladies. All the same, it’s better for all concerned. My example or this comes from God’s Word. Jesus is seldom seen as a disciplinarian. He wasn’t soft on sin but there was a gentleness about the way He dealt with sinners that I would love to emulate. The story in John 8 of the woman taken in “the very act of adultery” illustrates this. According to the Law of Moses she should have been stoned to death. So should the man concerned, but he was somehow “missing”! It was a “perfect trap” for Him. Whichever side He took they would “have” Him. His answer could only have come from the heart of God. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." John 8:10-11 ESV Such wise gentle compassion! She had been caught. His Father’s law said “stone her”. That would be the correct discipline. Jesus had compassion. She had suffered enough! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			7 "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Job 14:7 ESV	If you chop a tree down, it may not be its end. It might revive, And hence survive. In fact, it just might mend.		It’s roots may still continue, unless you rip them out. How well they do, Depends on you. Do you want them to sprout?
			3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; Isaiah 42:3 TNIV	The Lord is very gentle. He does not want to harm. A reed that’s bruised, Cannot be used, To signal an alarm.		So He is very tender. A wick He won’t snuff out. Instead He blows, Until it glows, And fire comes about!
			3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3 ESV	The Shepherd loves His people, And so He has a goal. To feed His flock, And always block, That which could harm their soul.		Upon the paths of righteousness, is how He always leads. His Name is True For me and you, In all His mighty deeds!
			10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV	Sorrow brings repentance when God is in control. But you can bet, Mankind’s regret, Can never make you whole.		But genuine contrition is needed to repent. He won’t condone An empty groan, Unless it’s truly meant.
			11 We don't enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right. Hebrews 12:11 GW	Discipline’s unpleasant. It always gives us pain. It stings a bit. But don’t “knock” it. Without it, there’s no gain!		But later, on reflection, we see what we have learned. We find His peace, Has been released, And for our good it’s turned.
			67 I used to wander off until You disciplined me; but now I closely follow Your word. Psalm 119:67 NLT	When we’re being wayward, we wander far away. Then we’re restored, By Christ the Lord, With Him we wish to stay.		And so He gives us something on which we can rely. We have His word. When seen and heard, We needn’t go awry.
			13 "Now we are being punished because of our wickedness and our great guilt. But we have actually been punished far less than we deserve, for You, our God, have allowed some of us to survive as a remnant. Ezra 9:13 NLT	Oh God we’ve sinned against you in many different ways. They’re piled up high, They reach the sky. We don’t deserve Your praise.		And now we’re being punished, But it is far less, Than what is right, Within Your sight. A remnant you will bless.
			8 Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. 9 I will be patient as the LORD punishes me, for I have sinned against Him. But after that, He will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The LORD will bring me into the light, and I will see His righteousness. Micah 7:8-9 NLT	My enemies, stop gloating. I’ve fallen, but I’ll rise. It may be dark, But God’s the spark, That comes before my eyes.		And though I’m being punished, I will wait patiently I’ll be restored, By Christ my Lord. That’s when He’ll deal with thee!
				Jim Strickland  Written 22nd November 2012