Daily Thought for Tuesday, March 15 2011

March 15, 2011

Discipline

Today’s Thought:

“There is no limit to how complicated things can get, on account of one thing leading to another.”– E. B. White

Today’s Question

Are you aware that, “Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences?” – Frank Gannon

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Do not consider painful what is good for you.”

                        Euripides

Discipline is not a politically correct concept to address in today’s world.

Thus we must surmise that I am not a politically correct person, nor do I desire to be.

While society tells us that we must not bruise little Johnny’s ego or threaten his self-esteem, I think little Johnny needs something to be applied to his seat of knowledge so he can obtain a little greater wisdom.  “Crime is not corrected in the electric, but the high chair.” - Unknown   We need to keep in mind that spoiled kids soon become little stinkers.

It seems “Discipline, once considered ‘standard household equipment, has fallen on hard times, and in its place permissiveness reigns.” – Unknown

Sadly this same delusional way of thinking has crept into our spiritual world too.

Church leaders, by in large have adopted a Daffy Duck philosophy when it comes to their preaching; “Consequences, schmonsequences, as long as I’m rich.” – Daffy Duck

And as followers of Christ we seem to want to buy into this concept.  As long as we are blessed we don’t want to be held accountable, made to feel conviction or be expected to change our ways.

But God does not work that way.  He still holds to the old school traditions; where a little trip to the wood shed and a good dose of an old fashion spanking is still good for the soul.  “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” - The Bible (Proverbs 3:11-12)

It would seem in God’s economy if you want to dance the dance, you are going to have to pay the musician.  John Barrymore said, “A man must properly pay the fiddler.  In my case it so happened that a whole symphony orchestra had to be subsidized.”  Sometimes, spiritually speaking, the same could be said of us.

We need to realize, unlike with people, we cannot hide our bad behaviors from God.  He sees and knows all.  And He loves us enough that when He sees us getting out-of-line; He plans to do something about it.

But God is a God of redemption thus He is always willing to give us another chance.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” – The Bible (Proverbs 28:13)

That does not always mean that discipline will not be measured out, but it does mean that He will forgive us and help us to improve and do better, if we will only let Him.

Today’s Verses:

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 13:24

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

                               Proverbs 29:15-17

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 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?  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. 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 12:6-11

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to learn to listen the first time, and help me to avoid the need for extreme discipline, but help me endure it and learn from it if and when it does become necessary.