“GOD DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN TO TEACH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” Hebrews chapter 12:11-15 (NIV) paraphrased
Since we are surrounded by a myriad of witnesses, we need to discard hindering things and abstain from sin that easily entangles. Then let us run the race marked out for us,with perseverance and patience, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Choose Him as your example, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Remember 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 ones he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. Is it abnormal when children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. In our lives, we have all had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them for it: so how much more should we submit to the Heavenly Father Almighty and live! Earthly fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time. At some point, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (It doesn’t bring joy at first. It is painful; but looking back at it, we recognize changes in our lives. That is, peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
It is childish to act hurt when instructions strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to (vs. 14) live in peace with everyone and to be holy; because “without holiness no one will see the Lord.”See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Let us watch out for each other to keep us from falling from God’s grace. We must discard contamination, bitterness, hatred, and all roots of resentment which spring forth to hurt others. You surely understand knowing how situations affect you. The grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Feeling lost in the forest? Follow the PLAIN PATH OF THE LORD” DESCRIBED HERE! AMEN.
The Traveler Weekly 