Discipline OUCH

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

Interruptions

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:13-21 (NIV)

It's interesting that every time I read the Word of God even a familiar passage as this something new "pops" out at me. Let's see, Jesus just lost his friend, cousin, forerunner to his ministry; not just any kind of death but beheaded. Jesus departs to a quiet place.

I believe as in other times he was going to the Father to pray, to talk. regain strength, and allow the Father to speak to him. BUT, what happens he gets "interrupted" and crowds of people surround him? 

Now, lets be honest what would we have done? We don't always take "interruptions" as appointments sent by God. So the Word says that Jesus had compassion. He begins to minister to the crowds when he himself is dealing with his own grief. THEN he proceeds to  feeds them, gives the crowd dinner (miraculously). I know there is more to this passage.  I pray that we would always be on the ALERT to see what "interruption" God is sending our way.

I pray we may be used by him to bring compassion, an ear to listen, a gentle word of encouragement, perhaps a shared cup of tea. 

MAYBE, God will use us to lay hands on the sick.  Just imagine our surprise when we take the interruptions as assignments from God.  We'll see God in the midst of it!

I still have much to learn.

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com