Inspiration for days: Lord’s discipline
Each and every day we live by rules and as human beings, we make sure that everyone who matters to us are in peace with us. When there is a wedding of a close relative or friend we automatically feel that we are obligated to do something about it. Either we feel that we are entitled to contribute to the wedding, others say ‘I have to bring a gift or at least show myself by giving the traditional “pelekani pelekani” contribution.’ When you find out the reasons why people do this you would find out that it’s because they want to be considered as people who show support but deep down it’s for when their turn comes; when they also hold a wedding, funeral or major event which will need help from others. It is a traditional or cultural discipline that must be observed to avoid others from thinking that you are inconsiderate.
Overall, what is the Lord’s discipline? As Christians and children of God, we are expected to follow God’s example, to live with Christ-like characters, to know and take our action by faith on what we need to do on a daily basis. My curiosity is on you. Do you know the Lord’s discipline upon your life, family, income, business, job, fellowship, relationship, as a friend, a sister or as a parent? Or have you set your own rules on what you believe is right or must be done? Or do you live your life by traditional and cultural guidelines?
Well, as far as the Lord is concerned, He has His principles that He requires of His children, He rebukes us all because He loves us. He disciplines us so that we do not perish or lead to destruction. But this is only to those who have the revelation to listen to God and to live by His guidelines and purpose. If we live by our own guidelines we will not succeed to the fullest capacity as God intends us to live because man’s wisdom is minimal as compared to the wisdom of the Lord.
Most believers expect that as long as they pray things will happen and when the answer is delayed they start blaming God for not answering their prayers. This is a total misunderstanding of what the Lord asks us to be like in order to live a full life and enjoy the grace and favour that is assigned to each one of us. If we want more to us, we are asked to give to others. If we fail to give then we have just failed to receive. The Lord challenges us to be givers.
The Lord requires us to give tithes and offerings to His house so that it may have food. When was the last time you gave a tithe in the house of God or simply gave something to someone regardless of your closeness or relation? We have been asked to follow God’s example, to help and love our enemies because that is what God does. He loves unconditionally the wicked and the undeserving and requires of us to do the same. The Lord’s discipline is hard to bear because it is not ordinary, it asks for us all to do above and beyond the norm for others the same way we would go above and beyond for ourselves realising that we are all God’s children and we need I have godly characters. Seek Him more and He will reveal Himself to you so that you can obey His commands and His will that you may be pleasing to Him.
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