Tag: Hebrews

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

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

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“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

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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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Good Dads Discipline Their Kids. Hebrews 12:7-8.

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

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Hebrews 12:7-8

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Explanation:

This text points to a clear practical experience that relates to our relationship with God. A good father corrects his kids. A good father disciplines his kids. A good father uses a little stinging of the backside to keep his children from permanent damage. This is not abuse. In fact, it is abuse not to utilize some form of discipline. If a father does not correct his kids, then he is not being loving to them. God is a loving father, so God must correct his kids. Verse 8 tells us that if we never experience correction, then we are kids without a father. 

Paul gives fathers further instructions in Ephesians 6:4.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

This instruction given to fathers is exemplified by our Father. God does not ask us to do something as Fathers that He is not doing as our heavenly father. He admonishes and nurtures His kids. If you are not experiencing that, then you may not be his kid.

Application:

What is needed when I experience chastening?

Prayer and Introspection

It is so important to learn from the chastening of the Lord. If you are experiencing difficulty, the question that you need to be praying is, “Lord, what are you trying to teach me?” Psalm 51 is particularly helpful in this sense.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

Repentance and Submission

When sin is pointed out by the Holy Spirit, then repentance and obedience are what is necessary. Again, Psalm 51 is helpful.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 51:16-17

Response:

God, please give me the strength today to obey. Give me the awareness of my own walk with you to respond the way you would have me to respond. I don’t want to waste the time trying to serve you and be effective for you and doing it apart from you because of sin in my life. Without you I can do nothing. Amen