Time with Jesus - Monday, 28 January 2013
Hi all,
According to the law in UK and certain other parts of
the world, at one time, it was lawful for a father to beat his daughter, or a
husband to beat his wife. I seem to recall that the “stick” had to be less than
a certain diameter because these women were not to be killed. On the other
hand, men and boys were caned on the instruction of the law. All this was a bit
sadistic. I find it very difficult to think of ladies being disciplined with a
cane. All these laws have been repealed. The trouble is, no alternative
disciplinary method was introduced. Discipline originates from God. The consequence
of discarding it, we see all around us. 18 When
people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Proverbs 29:18 NLT. Look at God’s instruction to
us in Proverbs. It makes it very clear. To obey the laws of God makes us
joyful! It really does! It’s today’s meditation.
Blessings,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Monday, 28 January 2013
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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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Discipline
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In the course of writing these meditations, I’ve placed great emphasis
on discipline. We have seen how God disciplines His children. In fact God’s
Word tells us that if you are not being disciplined by the Lord, you are
probably not one of His children! Sure, that’s hard to believe when just
about every non-believer in the world is convinced that he/she is one of
God’s children.
We tend to forget that life today has a disciplinary system. Try
driving around the streets and motorways on the wrong side of the road. You
will quickly get the point. If the airplane to London leaves at 18h30, don’t
pitch up at 19h00 and expect it to be still there. We are constantly subjected
to society’s rules. Can you imagine an army that doesn’t follow orders?
“Don’t wake me up now sergeant. I’m still sleeping! Marching would also be
chaotic. Some would and some wouldn’t. What about direction? Where would they
march to? How about Church services? When will they start? Even more
important, when will they end?
Most of society’s norms are learned when we are young. Get to school
late and there is a problem! In my day we were encouraged not to be late by a
stick wielding headmaster. It’s amazing how his stick made sure we were there
in good time. Yes, discipline was “beaten” into us. But it seems to have done
me more good than harm.
It rather reminds me of a story about a company who were hiring
people. There was a notice saying “No Hospital Visits. You had it all when we
hired all of you. If you have anything removed you aren’t the person we
hired.” And “No being late and no Time Off. The only acceptable excuse is
death – yours. Two weeks’ notice required.” Now that’s discipline!
Today’s meditation looks at the 2011 rioting in London where “kids”
did their best to destroy anything and everything. Looting, burning and all
sorts of anti-social behaviour were carried out in public. There was one case
where a young lady who had just qualified with a University degree walked
into a shop and helped herself to items of clothing. Subsequently she was
horrified by her own action. But this only underscores the fact that discipline
was absent in that mob. It had become redundant. Caning was thrown away.
Along with it went discipline. Scripture describes it as follows; 18
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run
wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. Prov.
29:18 NLT God’s Word gives Divine Guidance. If we do not accept it or
if we cast it aside, people run wild. That’s what happened. Even the young University
Graduate was “caught up with the mob”. Mobs riot and run wild. The “Marikana”
incident confirms this. Actions were ungodly and mob rule ensued.
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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16 Awake, north wind!
Rise up, south wind! Blow on my garden and spread
its fragrance all around. Come into your garden, my love; taste its
finest fruits.
SoS 4:16 NLT
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.
Heb 12:11 NLT
22 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that
fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others,
exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with
things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic
holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal
commitments,
Gal 5:22 MSG
8 No, but He exiled
Israel to call her to account. She was exiled from her land as though blown
away in a storm from the east.
Isaiah 27:8 NLT
13 As a father shows
compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear
him.
Psalm 103:13 ESV
16 So we do not lose heart. Though
our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this light momentary affliction
is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18
as we look not to the things that are seen but to
the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient,
but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Cor. 4:16-18 ESV
8 Although he was a son,
he learned obedience through what he suffered
Heb 5:8 ESV
15 We have a high priest who can feel it when we are weak
and hurting. We have a high priest who has been
tempted in every way, just as we are. But he did not sin.
Heb 4:15 NIrV
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Just about a year ago, we saw on the
TV,
People in a riot, where none should
ever be.
Youngsters going crazy, burning down
the stores.
Rushing in and looting; they couldn’t
carry more.
That this was in London came as a
surprise.
We found it very difficult to see
before our eyes.
Sadly it was noted, that they were not
all “yobs”.
‘Though they stated vocally, that
there weren’t any jobs.
They were disappointed and had nothing
else to do,
But vandalise the neighbourhood and
leave it all askew.
The viewers were astonished and
couldn’t comprehend,
What the world was coming to. When
would the violence end?
It wasn’t many years ago that life in
the UK,
Was very, very different, from what it
is today.
The children were well disciplined,
were courteous and kind.
But when we look at them right now,
what is it now we find?
A culture grossly different from what
it used to be.
For discipline has ended; so children
can be free!
Many are uneducated; some can hardly
read.
They thrive on TV programmes, that concentrate on greed.
Violence is normal. So grab what you
can get.
The norms of our society no longer can
be met.
But I could see it happening in
nineteen sixty six.
The teachers could no longer give
anyone the stick.
They said it was inhuman, to beat a
little child.
The fact that it restrained them, from
truly running wild,
Was not even considered! For we had
“spared the rod”.
And didn’t seek to follow the sound
advice from God.
“Spare the rod and spoil the child”,
was simply not believed.
Psychologists knew better! But they
had been deceived!
Discipline moulds character. It’s
plain as plain can be.
That’s why it’s not surprising at what
we all can see.
There wasn’t any discipline and as the
Lord has said
The little brats had all been spoiled
and this in turn had led,
To what we are now seeing. God’s word
had been ignored;
And those who do not follow Him, will
perish by the sword.
Discipline is needed according to
God’s Book.
If we’re disobedient, then Lucifer
will cook,
A situation up for us that few of us
desire;
And when it’s at maturity, the thing
will then backfire.
So let’s make a decision to do what God’s
Word says.
Then we will find our children act
according to His ways.
Jim Strickland
Written
28th January
2012
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