Disciplined And Loving It

Oh how I love the Father’s Discipline.  Sound awkward? … ahhh, okay, sort of, I guess.  But oh what Love involved when Father takes me from that which is destroying me!   Accepting and even grateful for this kind of love is not something I’ve always known; I suppose I’ve grown to realize its value from its work and life within me.

But, have you ever watched a parent work with a child and thought, “If they would just discipline their child? That child would be so much happier, as well as the parent.”  You can see right through the situation as an observer. 

Discipline challenges, yes; but correction - smothered in care, and I’m saved!  It watches constantly and has full pure intention of making certain my affairs do not get out of hand.  No limit of giving up; it works strong and believe it or not, joy’s fulfillment as its end for both Father and me.  Amazing…!  

The results are for the ultimate reward; Father and I have oneness like He and His Son. 

Often I speak of my weaknesses as Discipline will reveal, but swiftly His Spirit carry’s me off to understand better His strength and how to obtain it as my own.  Oh, such love involved.  Not only do I hear His love come pouring in the salvation of Discipline, but I am carried away; just as He has promised, love as my reward from the Father who seeks my heart as His own.  Hebrews 12 is a wonderful chapter to study on this challenging subject.

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV)

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

The ‘ONE’ He loves… This statement has such extreme depth to my soul that finds struggling day after day to renew my life to be the example Jesus teaches.  He Loves those He disciplines, His Word says. Over and over, every disciplined moment brings in enormous amounts of health and refreshment to my soul. 

I give my acknowledgement and sorrow - He gives me His strength and love.  I give my weakness to change - He gives me the ability to want differently.  I surrender my will in bits and pieces - He takes my heart that remains and builds His Kingdom.  I am changed from glory to glory as His love works this tower of His pureness. 

Why would I ever run from His Discipline, such love that intends to show me a better way?  I have sorrow - He has joy.  I have discomfort - He has luxury.  I have pity - He has salvation.  I have mistrust - He has Faithfulness.  I have brokenness - He has Oneness. 

I've learned to call this love for His Discipline, eyes to see weakness.  For to see our weakness and not faint must come from knowing His love covers it all.  The safety of His love will direct us to the Oneness between He and His Son and us, through His Spirit so kind.

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Oh Father, I love Your Discipline that carry’s me into Your arms of life.  I weep for Your kindness that visits me often with such love.  I am so grateful that I am loved.  I return all my love to You and know it has been built upon such kindness.   Condemnation wants us to feel condemned and lost in our weakness; but Your Discipline takes each failure and offers a replacement that will act upon Your Spirit and give eternal security of love unmerited, but in abundance.  Condemned says there is no hope; but Your Discipline (eyes to see weakness) has the Wonders of heaven as the reward.  I continue to pray for such a work to be welcome within my soul that harbors such weariness in constant want for self.    Take hold of those things I hang on to so tightly, You must shake to get it lose.  I have found love for I have found Your Discipline.  I yearn in a new way this strength that has Your promises of passion for me.  Thank You for giving me ‘eyes to see weakness’ and Your Spirit and Word that wars for me.  Thank You for the life in Your Word of truth, Jesus who taught us of You.

Hebrews 12:22-24  (NIV)

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.  (NIV)

1. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3. he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

4. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 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 overflows.

6. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.