Discipline

Just got back from having lunch with some friends, something I think I really needed. Opportunities for fellowship are hard to come by during the week. It's a very good reminder that I need to not forsake the brethren (Hebrews 10:25), as we are called to care for and pray for one another.

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I was on Facebook a little while ago and I saw that a friend had posted Proverbs 3:11-12: "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."

That verse stuck in me like a knife. It also connects directly to something I've been dealing with in my walk with the Lord this past week.

This week, I had a realization, a moment of clarity that I've been praying for. For a long while, I've been struggling with the idea of finding joy in trials. This is an issue with which I've greatly struggled inasmuch as I haven't really understood how to have joy in the midst of such difficulties. I read an article on Facebook that talked about how we as believers can be confident in the love of God in the midst of trials. The point that stuck out most to me was that Jesus Himself suffered, so also must His own. if we are suffering for His sake, then we are His.

Also, going back to my original point, if (or rather, since) God loves me, He will correct me as He conforms me to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). Sometimes, it will be very uncomfortable, as that involves dealing with sin. Lately, it seems like a lot of old bitterness is raising out of me, as well as old anger at Gold ans at others. It has often been very wearying, emotionally and physically.

I needed the scriptural reminder that God loves me and is doing His good work in me, and though it may be uncomfortable at times, it is for my good and for His glory.

Lord, forgive me for despising Your discipline.

A decision to be made and a need for wisdom

I nearly forgot about this week's post. These past few weeks, I've surprised myself in remembering that it's Sunday, which means it's time for an update.

I find that as time goes on, I'm having to really force myself to sit down and write these posts. It just seems like it's becoming more and more of a chore to write these things. Maybe it's just the updating only once a week; maybe it's the simple fact that traffic has never really taken off in any meaningful way. Maybe it's just that I'm still not doing what I really wanted to do with this blog. I find that I've been reverting to the bad habit I developed with my previous blog, simply regurgitating what's been going on in my life.

Here's what I want to do: I promise that for next week's post that I will have something prepared to write about. This is something that should be meaningful if I'm going to invest the time and effort, and I realize that I'm not making the most of the opportunity. Most importantly, my mind keeps coming back to the thought that whatever I do, I should be seeking to glorify the Lord in what I do. Shouldn't we all?

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I sometimes get asked questions regarding some biblical question (what does this mean? What book should I read that deals with this issue?) and I must admit that sometimes I try my best to give an answer, but I don't always know (in fact, I often don't know) what the answer is. The other day, a friend asked for a book in the Bible that would help remind her not to take the Lord for granted. Stumped for an answer, I took it to God in prayer. In so doing, it was made clear to me that I should direct her to the book I've been reading through lately, Genesis. From beginning to end, Genesis is filled with examples of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, from creation to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob and his sons, to Joseph in Egypt.

If there's anything I'd leave here to wrap this all up, there's Philippians 4:6, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God", and James 1:5, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (both verses New International Version). If you're not sure for the answers, ask God for wisdom and understanding, and He will freely and eagerly give it to you. Pray for wisdom and discernment in reading and searching the Scriptures. Also, seek out the wisdom of others As Proverbs 24:14 says, "Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Parties and needing prayer

I didn't have any time to write a post last Sunday, but last week was the Master's Seminary graduation, and I knew a few of the guys who were graduating. We had a celebration afterward, hoping and praying that God would bless their faithfulness in ministry. Fairly soon, these men are moving on throughout the country (and world) to begin their pulpit ministries. May the Lord bless them, and may they be faithful to proclaim the gospel accurately and truthfully.

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Today, I attended a going-away party for David and Amy Ice, who are moving to the Bay Area next weekend. I got to see a bunch of people from our old Bible study that I haven't seen lately. I had a good time, but it wasn't until I'd been home a few hours that I realized that I left my jacket at the party. Oh well.

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I'm having trouble getting started this entry written tonight. My thoughts are elsewhere this evening. I've been confronted with a couple of major sin issues in my life, both of which have got me discouraged. I could use some prayer on dealing with these issues. One of them is pride and how it hinders my trusting God as I should, the other is too personal to discuss here. Pray that God would grant me wisdom, self-control, and patience and diligence in dealing with these sins.

Also pray that I would choose to take pleasure in God, and in seeking after His will. So often, I find myself growing frustrated with my own struggles and getting angry with God over my spiritual growth (or lack, thereof). I know that's wrong, and I've had to confess and turn from it. What's been so discouraging is that I keep having to do it. It keeps coming up. It's those persistent sins that are so discouraging.

A potent reminder

Got hurt at work this week. Thumb in a splint, may need to be re-bandaged, etc., etc. I don't really want to talk about that since it's not a big deal. There's other, more important things on my mind right now.

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All I want to say today is that God is good. I have very badly needed to be reminded of this basic spiritual truth. I've been struggling spiritually as of late, and have often felt quite lost.

At church this morning, the message was from Colossians 2, specifically verses 6 and 7 (NIV):

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

One of the things I really took away from this message on working with God was the necessity and value of discipline in our daily lives. Specifically, we need the discipline to remember what Christ accomplished for us on the cross, setting us free from the curse of sin. We need the discipline to cultivate a right understanding of the gospel, along with wisdom from the Lord. Finally, we need the discipline to meditate on what God has accomplished for us and in us that we may be grateful for what He has done.

I must readily confess that my spiritual life has been suffering of late because I haven't really been doing any of these things as i should be. I have to be responsible for cultivating spiritual growth, even as God has been doing His work in me. 

Earlier, I had a realization. I think one of the reasons why God has not yet allowed me to move on from the printing company is that He was trying to teach me something.  I think He's been trying to teach me patience and trust, but I wasn't having it. Ironically, I think i was trying to be patient and trusting, but I was trying to do it completely by my own effort, so obviously, I was failing miserably. I realize that in particularly trying circumstances, my patience can be severely tested, and that my trusting God in those circumstances can be rather weak. In essence, I think God was growing me, but I was resisting Him. I had to confess and turn from it. 

I feel like a load has been lifted from me. A chance to start anew. Wouldn't we all want that, and aren't we as belivers in the Lord Jesus blessed to have that?