“Divine Discipline”

Monday, November 18

Why would a loving heavenly Father allow pain and hardship in the lives of His children? Shouldn’t a good God rescue us from suffering? Not necessarily. Every parent knows that withholding the pain of discipline from children is not the best thing for them. And that’s also true of our relationship with our heavenly Father. 

God disciplines us “so that we may share His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Although believers are holy positionally through Christ and have been set free from the dominion of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit, we still struggle with sin and the temptations of the devil. Therefore, the Father trains us to recognize sin in our life, resist temptations, and pursue holiness. Without His loving intervention, our spiritual growth would be stunted.

Sometimes God’s discipline can be painful, just as a spanking is to a child. But what matters most is how we respond. When our Father’s correcting hand falls on a certain area of our life, we need to address the situation and make needed changes in order to mature in our faith. To respond defiantly will only make things worse. 

The writer of Hebrews warns us not to take God’s discipline lightly by refusing to repent of sin or ignoring what He is trying to teach us. But we are also told not to be disheartened by it. The fact that we are being disciplined should encourage us because it proves that we are God’s beloved children. Without His correction, we would tolerate sin in our life and never experience the freedom of walking in obedience.

Memory verse: Hebrews 11:6.”Success is nothing more than a simple discipline, practiced everyday.” Jim John

“Understanding God’s Truth”

Friday, November 15.

The Lord speaks to us in such a way that we may fully grasp His truth. He doesn’t speak in riddles but instead communicates so that we can comprehend.

Now, we may not always understand everything He says to us. All of us struggle to interpret His message at times. However, we must realize that this difficulty is not because the message is foggy. Rather, it is because something in our own life is getting in the way of His truth. 

Unforgiveness may prevent us from hearing the Lord correctly. Fear, anxiety, doubt, and prayerlessness can also create spiritual “static” that clogs our ears. At times, though, the biggest distraction is our own minds—that is, our human tendency to figure things out for ourselves. That attitude can create a wall between our ears and the Father’s voice, and it is a wall we must tear down. 

Remember, the reason we can hear the Lord is because He put His own Holy Spirit in the heart of every person who trusts in Christ. You see, nonbelievers aren’t able to understand the things of God because they have only their human mind to use when interpreting. As Christians, however, we have the Spirit of God, who works to make the Lord’s communication clear to us. 

Do you struggle to comprehend God’s message? If you approach every challenge with determination to understand and master all aspects of the situation, the answer may be yes. Slow down. Surrender your anxious thoughts to Him, letting His wisdom fill your spirit—and your mind.

Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3

“All truth passes through three phases: First, it is exposed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer

“Be Compassionate”

Thursday, November 14.

Colossians 3:12-14

Have you ever noticed that some people are more naturally compassionate than others? Maybe it’s their personality or upbringing. Nevertheless, in the church, every believer is told to “put on a heart of compassion” (Col. 3:12). When empathy doesn’t come naturally, some Christians may wonder if something is wrong with them. So, what can we do to develop a greater sense of caring?

While emotions cannot be manufactured on demand, we can change our thoughts, which in turn affect our emotions. Compassion, like all the other qualities listed in today’s passage, is possible only when we think of others before ourselves. Self-centeredness keeps us from seeing the needs and hurts of those around us and acting on their behalf. What we need is a renewed mind. 

We are all born with a selfish, sinful nature, referred to as the “old self.” But when a person puts his trust in Jesus, he receives a “new self” created in righteousness by God. As our minds are renewed with His Word and we grow in obedience, Christ’s love and compassion begin to flow through us. Instead of our being oblivious to the pain and suffering around us, God will open our eyes and use us to comfort those in need. 

A heart of compassion is achieved not through self-effort but through a God-focused life. As we draw near to Him through His Word and His Son, He transforms our focus, thoughts, and feelings. What a relief to know that God has provided everything we need to follow Jesus’ example of caring. He always equips us to obey His every command.

Memory verse: Ephesians 4:22

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal,” Steve Maraboli.

“Praying when in Need”

Wednesday, October 9.

James 1:1-5.

What do you do when you lack clarity on a particular matter? What do you do when you are faced with decision making on matters you do not clearly understand? Often times, we are tempted to do anything. We do not seek God’s will for our lives? The best thing to do is to pray and watch, and wait for the Lord’s direction.

Prayer starts with changing our thoughts from the situation on hand to the Lord.