ODJ: resisting the boot
October 19, 2009
READ: Hebrews 12:6-11
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way (v.11).
British builder Ian Taylor tried to make a point by sawing his Ford Fiesta in half after parking officers “booted” the car. It was parked a measly 2 inches over the line, and he would have had to fork over $400 to free the $100 car he planned to give to his stepson. In case you’re siding with this guy, let me finish the story. As Mr. Taylor sawed away, the car eventually caught on fire. This required firefighters and police to douse the flames and secure the area to keep bystanders safe.
When we refuse correction, consequences follow. But, accepting discipline—either from God or earthly authorities—“yields a peaceful harvest of right living” (Hebrews 12:11), and it has a meaningful payoff when it comes to disciplining our own children.
Our response to correction sets an example for our kids. As Solomon said, “If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding” (Proverbs 15:32). When we mess up, our kids need to see us humbly accept and learn from the consequences. That way, they’ll know what to do when we discipline them.
Our own submission to authority not only models how our kids should respond to our discipline, but it also teaches them to respect God’s correction as they grow older. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share
in His holiness” (12:10).
Experiencing the correction that God allows has tons of benefits: assurance of His love (v.6), a sense of belonging (v.7), and even the peace that comes from right living (v.11). But for parents, there’s more. The key to correcting our children may begin with accepting discipline, not resisting the “boot.” —Jennifer Benson Schuldt
How are you responding to God’s correction in your life? How should you respond based on God’s Word?
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Loading ...ODB: retirement time
October 19, 2009
READ: Matthew 16:24-28
Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. —Matthew 16:25
After working for 40 years as a teacher, Jane Hanson retired. She and her husband were looking forward to the arrival of their first grandchild.
Retirement is that time of life when many people simply relax, travel, or enjoy hobbies. But Jane heard about a ministry to at-risk youth in a city near her home, and she knew she had to get involved. “I realized there are kids just waiting, and I could make a difference,” she said. She began teaching English to a young Liberian man who had been forced to flee his home country because of civil war. Though he was in a safe environment, he didn’t understand the new language. Of this ministry opportunity, Jane said with a smile, “I could just go shopping to stay busy, but what fun would that be?”
Jane is making a difference. Perhaps she has learned a little of what Jesus meant when He said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Giving ourselves to the Lord through helping others takes self-denial, yet one day Jesus will reward that effort (v.27).
Let’s follow Jane’s example of love for God and others—no matter what our stage of life may be. — Anne Cetas
Work for the Lord—His retirement plan is out of this world.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Altar And The Door
By Sophie Otiende, Kenya
I cannot recall how many times I have responded to an altar call in church or a crusade. With tears in my eyes, and my heart convicted and broken, I would cry and ask God to forgive me at the altar. I would ask Him to work in me to help me change—only to forget all that as soon as I left the altar. It seemed like I was “born again” countless times; only to go back to my former ways that did not reflect the power that I had felt at the altar.
Just the other day, I started asking myself why the messages that are tirelessly ministered at the altars in our churches (even while increasing our faith) rarely translate into real changes in our lifestyle. Most of us, in this generation, struggle with our faith because it does not seem have any effect on our lives. We talk about loving everyone but still harbor hate toward someone in our congregation. We sing about hope and yet everything about us speaks of how hopeless we feel. The truth is: Most Christians genuinely have no clue as to how they can translate their knowledge of God into something to live by.
It is possible for one to know about God, and yet, not really know Him. I was a good example. For years, I went back and forth in my Christian life and I hated myself for it. It took knowing God personally for any real change to happen. My life dramatically changed when my perspective about Christianity changed. What perspective? you may ask. It is the perspective that “Christianity is NOT a religion.” It is not about a set of rules that we follow without a revelation. Rather, it is about having a relationship with God Himself. Knowing this, my visits to the altar and the messages at the altar took a new turn. It is this that led me to the quest of knowing God.
I know what I am saying is not something new. But something can be said so many times that we stop thinking about the real meaning of what is being said. So, hear me out.
What does it really mean to have a relationship with God? I believe most people who claim to “have a relationship with God” are just simply playing religion.
The first is to understand that “God is a Person.” He is not an object. He is not a force or power lingering somewhere in the air—He is a Person! Most of us, unknowingly, treat and deal with God as an object rather than a Person. The knowledge that God is a Person makes having a relationship with Him easier because it is human nature to have relationships with people.
Knowing God as a Person also changed my perspective about prayer, worship, and reading the Bible. These stopped being just activities that I do. These become the means I communicate with God as a Person, whom I am just getting to know. The Word of God becomes more alive. I, now know, that I am not just reading words but God is speaking to me through the Bible—His Word.
How would you feel if you realized that the only reason why your friends spend time with you is because they had to? I am sure it would break your heart. Yet often, most of us spend time with God, not because it’s our heart’s desire, but because we are obligated to do it. How do you think He feels? Since He is a Person, He is capable of feeling. It is only knowing Him—truly knowing Him—that can make us desire to be with Him, and to trust what He asks of us.
We are certain that we know God when we keep His commands (1 John 2:3). 1 John 5:3 adds that loving God is keeping His commandments and finding those commands not burdensome. The only way the commands will not be burdensome is when we know the Person giving them, and that His intentions toward us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). God is a Person and He is Love.
So, my question today is: Do you really know God? Get to know Him as a Person and everything will fall into place.
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