Proverbs 3:11-12 – “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” NASB

Isaiah 13:11 – “Thus I will punish the world for its evil And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless.” NASB

It is my opinion that far too many people in every aspect of life misunderstand the difference between discipline and punishment.  Too many people administer punishment where discipline is called for not realizing that discipline is designed to bring to repentance.  They fail to understand that punishment is the ultimate result of an offense of the rebellious that refuses to modify behavior, repent, and return to the correct path. 

Punishment is punitive whereas discipline is administered with reconciliation as the primary focus.  Hell is punishment!  Chastisement is discipline!  When my children were young my objective in what some called punishment and God called discipline was to shape their attitudes and behavior to bring them to the right path. 

The objective was to teach them the error of their ways and help them understand not only the consequences but the proper way.  It was to bring them to an understanding that their actions not only affected them, their parents but frequently other people as well.  It was to enable them to develop a solid foundation and moral base upon which to build their lives.

For the most part, our penal institutions are designed for punishment rather than discipline.  Most of our churches administer neither for fear of losing a member and not fully understanding either the authority of the church or the responsibility of the church in this area.  Too often, when the Lord disciplines us, we accuse Him of punishing us and develop a mentality of God as this Giant Ogre who is waiting for us to slip up just a little so He can whack us over the head. 

I remember as a child hearing the phrase when we were acting up, “God’s watching and He’s going to get you for that.”  God’s objective is not to get us for that but to reconcile us to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous.  God is more interested in reconciliation than condemnation.  He is more interested in restoration than retribution.  God wants us to be Free and live in the “Peace that passes all understanding” not live in “Fear that is torment and paralyzes.”

Therefore, when the Lord disciplines you do not despise it, reject it, resist it, but embrace it, learn from it, and allow it to move you ever closer to His presence, person, and character.  You do not want to experience punishment those standing at the Great White Throne will know that.  Satan knows that.  The Angels that fell know that.  The demons know that. 

Know that God’s discipline is based on love with the desire to bring you to Him in a greater measure and a deeper relationship.  It is to teach you His character, His heart, His love, and His way.  Love is the basis of discipline.  You will experience it and it is important that you understand the difference between discipline and punishment.  It never means that God is through with you, it means He sees enough in you to continue to invest His time, energy, and effort to bring you into total conformity to His image.  It is a sign of His love!  Rejoice in it and be thankful.

May God richly bless you as you move past whatever obstacle is in your way and move toward the prize of the High Calling!

John 8:31-32 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NKJV The NASU lists it as “… if you continue in My word….”  NIV – “…If you hold to My teachings…”  NLT – “…if you keep obeying my teachings….”

It is surprising how many times we fail to notice simple little phrases in what the Bible teaches and either ignore them to fit our doctrine or miss them because we are reading with a preconceived notion of what it should say or should mean.  Here is a most powerful statement by our Lord that contains an “if” or a Conditional Phrase. 

Jesus said to His followers regarding their relationship with Him that IF you Abide, “continue”, “obey”, or “continue obeying” my word, my doctrine, my teachings, my truth You are or Shall Be “My Disciples Indeed”.  Then He adds an addendum that is absolute without price in its value – – “You shall “know” the truth, and the truth shall “make you free”. 

Spiritual freedom comes through relationship and relationship comes through obedience to Him and His word.  That is inescapable!  The idea presented here is continued obedience, not one-time acceptance.  It is a maintained relationship not signing a membership card and paying regular dues like a club membership.  It is a personal relationship that is maintained through communication, communion, and commitment.  In too many ways and too many situations, we seem to have lost that and it’s time for the church and God’s people to return to their “First Love” and restore that relationship and commitment to the Lord of Lord and King of Kings!

May God bless you as you continue your brand-new week of opportunity in His service and Kingdom!  Blessings!

Psalms 23:1-6 – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.” NKJV

Some time back I was troubled in my spirit most of the night, some of it was from physical pain but most of it was in my spirit, and could not sleep.  I arose and spent some time in prayer and meditating before beginning my day.  As I mused on the Lord, He began to speak to me about Psalm 23 and this is what I heard in my spirit:

1. THE LORD IS…   Not has “is”.  Not does “is’.  Not might be “is”.  The Lord IS “my” shepherd.  He is the one watching over my soul and caring for me.  No other person, power, or entity – THE LORD!  I’ve heard people say for all my life, “Well you’ve got to look out for old number one, meaning themselves.”  My take, since becoming a Christian is that “old number one” is THE LORD and He is to be sought above and before everything else including self, family, church, job, relationship, etc.  HE IS!

• BECAUSE HE IS…  I shall not be in Lack!  He is my provider and as David declared in Psalms 37:25-26 – “I have been young, and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful and lends, and his descendants are blessed.” NKJV

Paul echoed that sentiment in Philippians 4:19-20 – “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” NKJV Jesus confirmed this in Matthew 7:7-9 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” NKJV Therefore, if He Is then among the things He Is, is “my supply.”

• THE PROCESS OF HIS CARE AND KEEPING…
• Causes me to rest in Green (plenteous) Pastures.
• Directs me to Still (refreshing) waters for nourishment to quench my thirst, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
• Guides me in Righteous Paths.
• Guards Me against all enemies (Foreign and Domestic or External and Internal).
• Even in the Face of Death, He gives a Calm Assurance.
• He provides not only Grace but the Anointing to accomplish His purposes.
• I walk the Abundant Life filled with His Goodness & His Mercy.
• I spend my entire days with my Permanent Residence in His Presence.

That is the picture of what it is like to serve The God Who Is!  It is the picture of the Normal Christian Life!  Most think it is the abnormal and unusual Christian Life that I have described but according to the Bible, it is the Norman Christian Life serving The God Who Is!  Therefore, I urge you to allow the Holy Spirit to immerse you into that life today and learn to live in His Abundant Life and Presence daily.

Blessings as you enter your day on the rest of your journey! 

Isaiah 26:3-4 – “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. 4 ” Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” NASB

In considering this passage I find it interesting to look at the Hebrew “in perfect peace” [Shaalowm] = “peace, peace” i.e. – {peace upon peace -all kinds of prosperity-happiness in this world and the world to come.”  It depicts the ultimate of peace, calmness of the mind, body, soul, and spirit.  It is an absolute steadfast assurance.  It is a rock-solid ability to stand in the face of anything and everything. 

It is more than being steadfast it is being concreted in with a sure foundation.  It is something that will weather all the storms of life.  Perfect Peace!  How many have known this type of peace for more than brief moments in their lives?

Of course, there is a key to having this peace:

1. You must have a Steadfast Mind.  Your mind cannot be fixed on the Lord, seeking Him first at one moment and in fret-land and worry city the next.  You must be consistent, constant, continual, committed, and consecrated.  You must become like Jesus when His face was set like a flint determined that He would move on to the next point of mission and ministry.  There must be a fixation of the heart and mind upon the Lord.  “Seek first the Kingdom…. Seek second the Kingdom… Seek third the Kingdom…. But seek the Kingdom of God.”
2. You must Trust Him.  Not a mental assent and a verbal assertion that you trust Him but a demonstrated life that says, “God is my source, my strength, my sustenance, my life, my foundation, my core.”  Without Him, I can do nothing, but through Him, I can do all things.  If He says it, I believe it and it is forever settled in my heart, mind, spirit, and soul.  He does not, cannot, and will not lie, therefore Case Closed! 
3. Remember that our God is an Everlasting Rock.  Nothing can move Him, overcome Him, defeat Him, change Him, or usurp His authority or power.  He Is GOD!  He is “I AM, THAT I AM!”

In considering this passage last night and this morning as I prayed my heart began to cry out and say, “Lord, I’ve known that place and I want to make my “permanent dwelling in that place in you.”  I don’t know what it will take but it is the passion of my heart.  I want to be a living epistle, known and read among men demonstrating you!  Therefore, I set my heart to attaining Perfect Peace all the time!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  May the Lord bless you as you see your week wind down and the weekend looming on the horizon!  May the richest and best of the blessings of the Lord overflow into your lives on this and every day!

1 Samuel 1:24-28 – “Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”  NKJV

The words leap off the page at me when I read, “…as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD.”  Imagine a mother whose heart was so heavy that she had no children and her fervent prayer resulted in a prophetic word and a miraculous work of God to provide her that child, a son, she had so desire.  Now, imagine that mother being willing to totally dedicate that son to God and giving him physically as well as spiritually to the LORD. 

I have had people tell me they thought less of Hannah because she gave up the child but remember her vow in v.11, “…O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”   Her vow was her covenant with God and the life that was produced in Samuel is nothing short of extraordinary.

She kept him in the early formative years of his life before taking him to Eli, the priest.  That calls to mind the words of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Her vow indicated that Samuel would act and serve as a Levite but would be raised as a Nazarite or one who willing dedicates himself to God. This was signifying that he would be totally dedicated to God and I am convinced that is the message she conveyed to him in those formative years. 

She taught him God’s covenant and instilled in him the importance of keeping vows made to God and in pursuing God’s purposes in life. She taught him through her words and actions that God was supreme above all things.  Then when she takes him to Eli he has been saturated with the Word of God, Prayers, and the impact that his godly mother would have the rest of his days.

Of course, that is only one side of the equation for we dare not omit personal responsibility and personal commitment.  Samuel could have resisted and rebelled, but he didn’t.  He didn’t because the method and message of his mother resonated in his heart.  She had kindled in him a desire to serve God and while I’m sure that her leaving him with the priest was somewhat traumatic or would have been for most children.  I’m sure her heart was torn from her chest as she walked away.  I’m equally sure that God saw both their hearts and through His Spirit, Power, and Love provided a balm of peace in their hearts.  Samuel had to decide to fulfill the vow of his mother and he did.

Would Samuel have become the mighty prophet of God and man of the hour had she not made that vow and kept it?  Probably not.  Would Samuel have become a strong pillar in Israel had his mother not instilled in him from his birth the purpose of his life and the purpose of God?  Probably not. I cannot emphasize the value and importance of godly parents in raising children.  One of the most significant problems in our world today, especially in America, is the lack of two-parent homes and the lack of godly parenting.  Thank God for those who view their role and responsibility as parents as a ministry and mandate from God to fulfill the first part of Proverbs 22:6 so that the latter part can become a sure reality. 

If you have children, they are your responsibility, and you are accountable to God for the training and example they receive.  You are their role model, not Hollywood, Athletes, or Entertainers.  You Are!  Your value in the shaping of their lives is almost incalculable.

God bless you as you fulfill your purposes for this day in Jesus!

Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”  NKJV

I love the story of Balak and Balaam.  Balak was paying Balaam to curse Israel and each time Balaam would stand to do what he was being paid to do the Lord would put a blessing in his mouth.  This infuriated Balak and finally, Balaam uttered the words of our text. 

Remember when Saul, the King disobeyed the directive of Samuel the prophet in 1 Samuel.  I love Samuel’s way of approaching issues.  Saul had defeated the Amalekites and Agag their king and rather than being obedient he spared the king and took his livestock for spoil contrary to God’s directive through the prophet.  Samuel showed up and Saul gloated about his great victory and his obedience to God’s directive.  Samuel, looked around and asked, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”  Simply, “Saul if you had been truly obedient I wouldn’t be hearing this.” 

Saul protested that he did it to bring the livestock to sacrifice to the Lord and the prophet said, “Be quiet!”  He let Saul know that God was not the least bit interested in his justifications for disobedience and in 1 Samuel 15:22 he uttered words that should resonate with us daily, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” 

It reminds me of the story of the pastor struggling about what to do and one of his little ladies said, “Pastor if God tells me to jump through a hole in the wall it is my business to jump and His business to make the hole.”  William Burton McCafferty used to say, “God can pull us through anything if we can stand the pull.”  Obedience is our business making the way where there seems to be no way Gods.  

Paul’s message to the Philippian church is revealed in his declaration in 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and in 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”  It is our responsibility to OBEY!           We do not have to understand it all or even see clearly how it is all going to work out.  We are to OBEY!  That obedience is out of a heart of love and a confidence that God is God and will do what He does and NEVER FAILS!

Let me caution you.  I have tried to jump through some walls I wanted God to tell me to jump through and He had not.  The result was some severe headaches and pains from trying to run through a troop and leap over a wall He had not directed me to do.  However, there have been many times when I knew in my spirit that He had given me a directive and it seemed impossible.  In those times when I leaped, he made the hole, and victory was realized. 

Our problem, too often, is we are not listening to that still small voice of the Spirit of God and going on what we think ought to happen or what we’ve been told ought to happen.  We need to develop ‘spiritual hearing’ and become Obedient in all things and at all times.  It is daunting to see the wall, hear the directive to jump, and see no hole through which to go.  Yet, it is incredibly exhilarating to take a flying leap and suddenly there is a hole for you to go through, a supernatural move of God.

If we can trust Him for our salvation.  If we can believe He created the heavens and the earth.  If we can believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our sins.  If we can believe that He loves us with an everlasting love and it truly is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom.  Why, is it difficult to be obedient?  I need no credit for anything attributed to me as having accomplished in life for all that I am, all that I have, and all that I have done is the result of being Obedient and His moving on my behalf.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

Judges 2:7 – “So the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD which He had done for Israel.”  NKJV

There was an old country preacher that I knew who often said regarding the presence of God, “It is better felt than telt…”  I love feeling the presence of God and basking in the sunlight of His presence, power, and love.  And, as I reflect on that preacher’s words, I find there is something in it worthy of consideration regarding experience.  I personally, do not want to ever reach the place that I base my relationship with God on an emotional experience, but I never want to discount or discontinue that either.  I long to make my permeant residence In His Presence both Here and in Eternity!

In this passage, there is a realization that is important in life.  I have heard about some of the great revivals of days gone by but did not experience them.  However, I have been in the presence of God and had some incredible experiences, and witnessed some powerful moves of God’s Spirit that lasted long in churches, communities, and people.  I treasure those. 

However, who among us is not cognizant of the fact that historical experiences we did not participate in do not captivate us as those we did?  This passage reveals that so long as Joshua the Moses mentored leader who lead the nation into the Promised Land and the elders who were also eyewitnesses lived GOD Reigned in the hearts of people.  When they died, there were no longer those who had experiential first-hand knowledge of God’s mighty deliverance and fulfilling His promise to bring them to the Land of Milk and Honey.  When experience died there was a gradual erosion of commitment and a turning away or growing cold in dedication.

Every revival of the church lasted until the generation that witnessed and experienced it died and then it began to wane.  The fervor and fire of that revival kept the Church on track pursuing the truth that revival revealed and/or restored but when there were none who had experienced it around those who had heard about it could not embrace it with the same devotion nor feel the same compulsion to comply with the directives of the Spirit of God. 

It had become, to them, theoretical rather than experiential.  Sadly, many identify themselves as Christians in much the same way, theoretical rather than experiential.  We talk about God being able to “do all things” but if we have not witnessed or experienced His miraculous it is, to us, theory and when the chips are down, we cannot stand on the promise with confidence.

I know some who grew up in Church and in homes where there was a fervent dedication to God, prayer was a staple, and the Bible was the guide.  They heard about it from their parents and grandparents but never truly experienced it for themselves and as those who had the experience received their eternal promotion the devotion and practices that kept the fire burning waned and diminished. 

That reminds me of the truth that “You cannot get to heaven on Mama or Papas faith or experience.”  Christianity is a personal experience and relationship, not something that is inherited like property.  Growing up going to church may help you establish some important moral principles and ethics but will not save your soul.  The fact that Mama or Papa had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life does not automatically inscribe yours there.  It is an individual and personal experience.  “If we (each individual) confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 

Experience or having a spiritual encounter with God personally is incredibly valuable in helping us to resist temptation and maintain our dedication as we “seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.”   If you do not personally know Jesus, I urge you to go into your prayer closet and call upon Him in repentance and receive His pardon and grace transforming you from darkness unto light.  Jesus has promised that if ANYONE will call upon Him, He will not reject us.  Today is the day of salvation and now is the accepted time.  Experience God for yourself and the Bible will no longer be a theory but reality.

God bless you as you open the door to today with all its problems, promises, and potential.  Have a Great Day!

Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”  NKJV

The gospel song “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand” has been on my heart and mind for days.  Most of us make plans for the future and sometimes we talk about what we are going to do in the days ahead.  We should take to heart this passage and the wise words of wisdom offered in James 4:13-17 where the apostle instructs us not to boast about the future as though it were dependent upon us.  Our lives are like a vapor and as Job declared we are of few days and our days are filled with difficulty. 

Although we cannot know what tomorrow holds, we can know who holds tomorrow and that is the most important thing.  An important truth in this is doing daily what we know we should and doing it.  It is living life to the full in obedience to the directive of Scripture and the Spirit of God.  It is walking with a clear conscience.  It is savoring each moment of this fleeting thing called life.

I’ve had people say to me, “I wish I knew what tomorrow holds” and each time I’ve suggested that rather than focusing on ‘knowing the unknown’ it is more important to know the one who ‘controls the unknown’.  If I know God and trust Him, then tomorrow will take care of itself and I do not have to spend one second fretting over it.  God promises that He will NEVER leave us, nor will He forsake us and when I read such passages as Psalm 91, I face all my tomorrows and today with complete confidence that I am sheltered safely in the arms of God and that provides perfect peace.

I wake up each day with the declaration, ‘this is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it” and then get out of bed and prepared to experience the day.  I do not endure life I live it.  I do not cope I enjoy life.  My shepherd leads me through all things and to all things and I have complete confidence in His ability to keep me and navigate the troubled waters of life. 

Therefore, as you go into this new day go with a renewed confidence that God is there with you every step of the way and no matter what comes HE IS THERE!   If He is there you have no reason to be anything but thankful, joyous, and anticipatory of the unfolding of this day!  

May God be with you as you go through your day!