Hebrews 12:4-13 (NIV)
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And
you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make
light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a
son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by
his father? If you are not disciplined (and
everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children
and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How
much more should we submit to
the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought
best; but God disciplines us
for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant
at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level
paths for your feet,"so that
the lame may not be disabled, but rather
healed.
Could it be that what we see as "trouble" or
"difficulties"...be the
discipline of God? Our God ultimately wants us to be changed...it's a process that seems to take forever....a
lifetime if you will. As we hit
those "walls" we might cry out and say "what did I do"....sometimes
even say "the enemy of my soul is attacking
me"....but could it be that God
has allowed this for our benefit...for our correction. Often we won't change
on our own...we won't leave the
comfortable place of ministry we are in because we are content, it's easy...but he has required more and wants
to take us to another place...another level
of maturity .....we often won't leave those "things" that God hates...we want to do it our way. But God LOVES US!! He does not want to leave us stagnate,
idle...he doesn't want us damaged as we walk
on our own....he does not want us so comfortable doing what we do...that we no longer
hear him...see him...need
him...or obey him......
If it brings the Father Glory...let it
come.....change us.......move us....transform
us...to your image oh Lord!
I pray you can see God moving in you...and submit to the Lord's guidance.
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
