Posts Tagged ‘ Discipline ’
the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3, ESV
Just as Israel walked away and God – through disciplining them in the wilderness and then the Exile – was faithful and brought them home, He may discipline us to drive out our sin and make us more like Christ.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalms 1:1-2, ESV
We are called to be different from this world, even the way we were born. The only way to do this is to read and think about God’s Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to let it change our way of thinking and living.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8, ESV
Joshua meant the Torah -the five books of Moses- here, but for the Christian we should be thinking about all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.
Our success, though, is not based on worldly goods or measurements. It is based on obedience to Christ.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12, ESV
What you do matters.
What you think matters.
If you are consistently thinking impure and evil thoughts, if you are doing what you know God does not approve of, do not expect Him to answer your prayers nor rescue you from challenges.
Odds are, you created those challenges.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7, ESV
Jesus is not promising a “Name-It-and-Claim-It” kind of wishful thinking.
Jesus is following through on what many other parts of the Bible, including His own words, promise: When your character is becoming so in tune with His and you are living by the Holy Spirit, then you will ask for things according to His will.
And then your requests will be given.
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
In Christ we are overcomers of fear, weakness, and hatred. In Him we have power over the enemy, hatred, and our faults. We’d have His love flowing through us. We learn to control ourselves in all things.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:6-8, ESV
How easily we get caught up in our worries, wants, and walking. (Being indifferent. Alliteration is fun.)
These times are active rebellion against God. We should pay for the Father to give us the strength and wisdom to overcome in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
