God lives and works today.
We can see this especially when we think
about the time and effort He takes to
discipline us.
God is love, and He has only the
best in mind for His children.
However, just like all children, we need to
be educated and disciplined so that we can
receive the inheritance and heritage of our Father.
Listen to the following meditation by Basilia Schlink
called, God's Ways of Discipline.
In Hebrews chapter 12, the Apostle writes to
his congregations, It's for discipline that you have
to endure.
God is treating you as sons.
For what son is there whom his Father
doesn't discipline?
But how does God discipline His children?
Most of the time, He disciplines us through
other people, and through the troubles and difficulties
they bring us.
Who brings you the most trouble in your
life?
Have you ever thanked God for this person?
When we're in God's school of discipline, that
is, when other people start to cause us
problems, a battle begins.
Something rises up in our hearts to rebel
or to lash out.
Or perhaps we become discouraged and want to
give up.
When a person doesn't understand us, treats us
unjustly or simply causes us distress, the Lord
has a definite goal in mind.
What is this goal?
God wants to show us our sins.
Therefore, let us pray, Lord, let me recognize
my sins and come to repentance over them.
Help me to stop looking so much at
the sins of other people.
Under the burden of my own sins, help
me to learn to love and bear those
around me.
Then our own suffering and irritation will decrease,
and the Father in heaven will provide a
solution for all of our difficulties.
When God disciplines us in this way, we
shouldn't give up, but patiently endure.
God is dealing with us as true sons.
Therefore, when people make life difficult for us,
to rebel is foolishness.
We should give thanks.
God has thought up such ways of discipline
for us because He cares so much about
us.
He wants to transform us into His image.
So let's say yes to the Father for
His ways of discipline, and let's thank Him
for this, His great love to us.
Father, I thank You for guiding my way.
Father, I thank You for care every day.
Father, I thank You for all I can
see.
Father, I thank You for thinking of me.
Father, I thank You in midst of my
pain, for You turn suffering and grief into
gain.
It is in love that You discipline me.
Goodness and blessing the ending will be.
I will abide by whatever You do, dying
and suffering, accepting anew.
I kiss the hand that is chastening me,
for it is training and healing I see.
You have been listening to a program written
by Basile Schlink of the Little Land of
Canaan.
To learn more about how God lives and
works today, visit us at our website, www
.canaan.org.
If you contact us, we would be happy
to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the
web, please contact this radio station for our
postal address.
God bless you.