Discipline…whether experiencing it growing up, or applying it as a parent, is never fun. I remember as a child one of my Dad’s favorite methods of correction in the middle of Church was to quietly reach for a little ear lobe and squeeze … Oh, did we squirm, but we got the message quick! So when I became a parent, I learned that discipline was different for each child. One, all I had to do was give him “the look”, and he would immediately stop…while the other child demanded a completely different approach. As God’s children, we are all disciplined…for our good…to produce righteousness and peace.
Month: July 2015
I Kings 22: 13-14 ” The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, ‘Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.’ But Micaiah said, ‘ As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.’ “
I Kings 22: 13-14 ” The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, ‘Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.’ But Micaiah said, ‘ As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.’ “
The kings of Judah and Israel were debating whether to join forces and attack the king of Aram. They called together 400 prophets who all proclaimed victory for them. But then Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah asked, ” Is there not a prophet of the Lord?” The king of Israel replied, ” Yes, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.” Micaiah could of taken the politically correct route rather than speaking the truth of God. He could of agreed with the other prophets, and in doing so ,compromised his integrity to be part of the popular crowd. Instead, he didn’t allow fear or intimidation to dissuade him from boldly speaking God’s words.
Isaiah 29:16 ” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me?’ Can a pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing?’ “
Humans can be so very conceited and presumptuous…thinking that we know more than the Lord. We walk around so self-important, acting like we have more authority than God in matters that are so far out of our realm of reasoning. Job 9:12 said it well, “Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?” We don’t have the right to question God, nor should we be arrogant enough to dispute His wisdom. As it says in Romans 9:20, ” But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?”
Amos 4:1 ” Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, ‘ Bring us some drinks!’ “
The prophet Amos was using a metaphor in comparing the upper class Samaritan women to the sleek, fat cattle found in Bashan. These women had no problem in oppressing the poor to get what they wanted…and nagging their husbands into submission to get it. Amos warned them that in the end, they would be treated like cattle…herded by their captors to places they didn’t want to go.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 ” The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.”
Loud clamoring does not necessarily make for prudent prose…especially if the noise is coming from a person lacking good judgment and common sense. In contrast, a wise person need not yell if his information is sensible, rational, and intelligent…people will listen.
Mark 4:33 ” With similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.”
Jesus taught the crowds with parables. Many times, He would make comparisons between spiritual things and things found in nature. Now to the carnal ear, it was just a nice story…but to the searching ear, it moved and resounded within their souls. Later in verse 34 it states, “But when He was alone with the disciples, He would explain everything.” In the evenings around the fire, Jesus would then reiterate very clearly to the disciples what He meant with the parables…giving eternal implication and significance to each one.
Isaiah 40:26 ” Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?…”
Today, take a moment and go outside and look around you. All you see was created just for your viewing pleasure. That flower will probably be wilted tomorrow…the clouds will never appear the very same as they do today. God’s creative exuberance is on display for you…go out and take a look at what He’s made just for you.
II Peter 3:10 ” But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
No one knows the time or date…it will happen instantly…no one can predict with certainty the ominous day of the Lord. It will come as a complete surprise and with shock as the world as we know it will melt and dissolve – burned up completely by Holy fire. No one knows when it will take place…the fateful day of the Lord.
II Peter 3:9 ” The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
The Lord is not hesitating because of fear…He is not wavering out of doubt. He is instead calmly, quietly waiting. Waiting for all on their own free will to repent…for in the end, He knows that the time is coming when every knee will bow before Him in judgment.
Safetypinlove 