by PamFord Davis
I was young; yet, I knew the difference between right and wrong. Choosing good behavior was always the right thing to do. If I behaved, my parents and teachers would give their approval. On the other hand; my bad behavior resulted in disapproval and discipline.
It wasn’t enough to know what was right and wrong. Sometimes, I made bad choices.
“You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons,
‘My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him;
For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].’
You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all]. Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose] (Hebrews 12:4-11 AMP Bible).”
Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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