Time with Jesus - Friday, 07 December 2012
Hi all,
“Correction”: Why is the word more acceptable than
“discipline”? In South Africa we speak about “correctional services” and not
“disciplinary services”. I can’t prove this but I think it has a lot to do with
society’s reluctance to discipline. “Don’t smack a child’s bottom! He/she may
be traumatised. Worse than that! You may have violated the child’s human
rights! So we don’t discipline our children and wonder why school children are
undisciplined and violent and why children are being raped at school. Today’s
meditation looks at discipline and correction.
Blessings,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Friday, 07 December 2012
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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These
devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it
is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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CORRECTION
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There
is an English proverb that states, “Children should be seen and not heard”.
Most of those who are 45 plus are probably familiar with it. Our parents
quoted it and on occasions, when we were growing up, enforced it. It doesn’t
seem to be observed any longer. In most homes we visit, children barge into
the room where adults are talking. These children then interrupt the
conversation. In the end, the only thing to do is leave and go home. Now it’s
no concern of ours what others allow in their own homes. That’s entirely up
to them. Unfortunately, allowing children to interrupt is another symptom in
the general lack of discipline in society today; particularly among school
children!
The
teaching profession in some societies has been seriously affected by bad
behaviour in schools. Good teachers have left the profession, due to
children’s rudeness; in some case through intimidation. In the main, this has
come about by a distortion of this proverb. It has been revised to be,
“Children should be seen and not hurt!” Obviously there is a difference
between abuse and discipline. But the fact is, if children are not brought up
with defined boundaries, they are unloved!
Freedom
has nothing to do with indiscipline. No one in South Africa is permitted to
drive on the wrong side of the road. No one is permitted to steal or murder.
These laws are in place for the benefit of society in general. We are not
free to ignore them. Men are not permitted to use the women’s toilets and
vice versa. If you park a vehicle in a “no parking” zone, you will be dealt
with in terms of the law. To say you do not agree with the law will not
exonerate you.
The
Bible is very clear about anti-social behaviour. It’s a definite No-No. God
gave us 10 Commandments not 10 Suggestions. The Bible is also very clear
about disciplining children. Read the following Scriptures: - Prov. 22:15, Prov.10:13, Prov.23:13-14, Prov.26:3,
Prov.29:15. For the sake of space and clarity, the following more or
less sums them all up. 15 Folly is
bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far
away. Prov. 22:15 TNIV
The
Lord has told us what to do. But we have freedom of choice, so we are not
compelled to obey. There are always consequences to disobedience. Adam lost
the Kingdom for disobeying one command. The same applies to us. It follows
that if we obey Him, we will be rewarded. If we don’t, we won’t! He tells us
what to do because He loves His children. He disciplines us in order to
correct us that we may grow into mature men and women of God. But He will not
discipline those who are not His children. He calls such people “bastards”
and says they are illegitimate. The only question remaining is, “Are you sure
you are His child?”
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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11 As
you know, we count as blessed those who have
persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what
the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:11 TNIV
3 More
than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing
that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces
hope, 5 and hope does not put
us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5 ESV
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's
painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for
those who are trained in this way.
Hebrews 12:11 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your
endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So
let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect
and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4 NLT
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and
temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12 NLT
9 Each
time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why
I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions,
and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I
am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
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If you’ve been corrected, please know that you are blessed.
You must have the answer right, for you to pass the test.
Two plus two is four we know. But if you say it’s seven;
You might have a problem with entrance into heaven.
If you are a baby and have never been to school,
You won’t be affected by this mathematics rule.
But, if you’ve sat in classes and dreamed your life away,
God will be demanding about the things you say!
If it’s purely laziness, heaven’s not your place.
You won’t stand the pressure of the things you’ll have to face!
Heaven’s not a hospital for lazy, idle, saints.
That is not the picture, the Holy Bible paints.
We will all be busy, with lots of work to do.
That’s why the Lord is training folk, the likes of me and you.
Training will be difficult, in this world and the next.
Do not curl your lip up and say this makes you vexed.
The Lord will surely test you. If you don’t get it right,
You will have to start again. It’s possible He might,
Use the rod of discipline, to change your attitude.
Know that it will sting a bit, for a short interlude.
He does this ’cause He loves you. You really mustn’t fail,
Or He will send His discipline to gently warm your tail!
But if you are compliant and want to get along,
He’ll build your endurance and make you firm and strong.
This will mould your character and reinforce your hope,
Shame will never bother you. His love will help you cope!
Discipline is painful. That’s what He intended.
He will carry on with it until the problem’s mended.
When you’ve learned the lesson you’ll experience His peace.
The related discipline, incredibly will cease,
‘til there’s another lesson the Lord wants you to learn.
Then you must acquire it, or His discipline will burn!
It isn’t any easier, when we become mature.
There’s only one solution; learn quickly or endure,
Another round of discipline. But keep this fact in mind.
If there is no discipline, it’s possible you’ll find,
That you are illegitimate and not His child at all! Heb. 12:8 NLT
The only way to find this out is on His Name to call.
Jim Strickland
Written
7th December
2012
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