God's Discipline

God's Exceptional Choice  God Calls Abraham's Family Jacob Called Israel Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)  Hebrews 12:7-17 New International Version 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 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 spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 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. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[a] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Warning and Encouragement 14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done. For Reflection Have you ever considered that when life has not treated you well or your decision seemed to take a downward turn, that the uncomfortable result was God suggesting that you have taken a wrong turn? Is it possible that God is trying to tell you something, to discipline you, train you, or lead you forward into a more spiritually mature person? If we did not experience frustration or suffering, would we ever be moved to change? Out of love, God disciplines us. God always has our best interest as God's first interest. God will lead us into spiritual maturity, where we can grow into the person God meant us to be.   Pray Pray when you fall into frustration and know that God is waiting for you on the other side to welcome you. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!