Tag: Discipline

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Make Plans for a Successful Run. Hebrews 12:12-13

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Highlight:

“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”

Hebrews 12:12-13

Explanation:

The author goes back to the race metaphor that he started back in verse 1.  Here he appeals to the runner (the reader, his audience) to discipline themselves.  He asks us to not give up or give in.  He is appealing to self-discipline and self-care so that chastisement does not need to be continued.  When he says “make straight paths for your feet” he is appealing to making a plan for righteous living.  When he says “lest that which is lame be turned out of he way” he is talking about the runner that doesn’t take care of himself through self-discipline.  The consequence is dropping out of the race prematurely.  Instead of doing that, get healed!  What a beautiful verse.

Application:

There is a consequence to not submitting to the Lord’s discipline.  Chastening of the Lord can help us towards the kind of discipline that will sustain us- through HIm- to do what it is he has called us to do.  I would rather choose healing than disability.  

Response:

What behavior or thinking will cause me to “drop out of the race” prematurely?  

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The Fruit of Discipline- Hebrews 12:11

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Highlight

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:11

Explanation:

The word “chastening” here speaks of a discipline that is external, coming from our heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to do right. We do not love to be disciplined.  But a loving father sees a lack of self-discipline and must enforce that discipline upon his kids. This is what that chastening is. It is not something that we naturally come to with joyfulness. Here the word that describes it is grievous. 

Yet, discipline is freedom.  It brings about amazing effects- hear called “the peaceable fruit of righteousness”.  Life (think prosperity, health, wellness) comes from the discipline that is exercised toward righteousness. The person who is disciplined in what they eat and how they exercise can do more with their body for longer periods of time. The person who is disciplined with their mind can accomplish more in terms of their capacity to think and reason. 

Application:

We tend to think that we can be undisciplined and it will not catch up with us. We tend to think that we can escape the effects of sin, and enjoy it for a season. Yet, the wages of sin is death. Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. If God is “chastening” you, don’t hate it. Don’t waste it. Use it to help you to grow and be better.

Response

Who do you need to have a conversation with about an area where you are undisciplined? You can have the pain of accountability or the pain of the fruit of un-discipline. The pain of accountability is far better.

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The Discipline of a Father- Hebrews 12:9-10

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews 12:9-10

Explanation:

Today’s text makes the comparison of our earthly father to our Heavenly Father.

ComparisonEarthly Father Heavenly Father
Discipline? Corrected us?Yes.Yes.
Obedience and Honor?Yes. “gave them reverence”We should. “much rather in subjection”
Which is worthy of morehonor and obedience?He is!
Duration“few days”- Our childhoodFor our whole saved lives
Motivation“after their own pleasure”“for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness”

Application:

We should listen and obey our heavenly father who wants us to grow into His holiness. He wants us to be obedient. He wants us to live! He isn’t just with us for a time, He is in us all the time. We should be obedient, trusting that God knows and wants what is best for us.

Response:

Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to love you and live for you today. Thank you for chastening me when I need it. Amen

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Restraint- Proverbs- Session 12- Day 4

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

Song of Solomon 3:1-4

Explanation:
In today’s text the maiden has a dream. In her dream she cannot find her beloved. She is going about the city streets looking to no avail. She asks for others to help her and they do not know about where her beloved one is. Finally she finds him. Notice the passion in her search, and in her finding him. She describes him as “him whom my soul loveth.” She is describing her love as the innermost love that someone can have as it comes from her soul. She says that she “held him” and “would not let him go.” This is a very passionate description.
But even with this much passion in her description, notice where she takes him in the dream. She does not take him to her bedroom. She takes him to her mother’s house and her mother’s room. This demonstrates restraint on her part. She does not yet give herself physically to him. She is anticipating their marriage to each other, but is restraining herself from getting involved sexually before the wedding day.

Application:
So many people tend to think of freedom as a lack of restraint. But the truth of the matter is that true freedom comes from discipline. Restraint and discipline bring freedom. God’s design for sex and intimacy is to restrain it to marriage. Marriage relationships are based on trust. Would you trust a spouse more who was restrained and committed to you before their marriage or one who was unrestrained? Who would you be able to trust more, and therefore be more intimate with? Certainly the one who had been trustworthy before marriage.

Response:
• Is there any area of your life that is unrestrained when it comes to God’s will?
• Where do you need more discipline in your life?