My House is Real
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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 When I was in Thailand recently I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the reality of heaven. I have always believed in heaven, but it seemed so intangible and distant. I struggled to view it as concrete as my house or the grocery store. My view gradually changed as I meditated on heaven while on a short term mission half way around the world. I loved the beautiful sites and adventure that I found in Thailand. The Thai people are warm and friendly. The country is beautiful. I was travelling and serving with a great team of people. God prepared the way and the work we did added to the Kingdom. People heard the good news and trusted Jesus as their personal Savior. In all of this excitement you would think that I would be so happy and content that I would not mind being so far from home. That was not the case.I thought about home a lot. I missed my family and friends. I contemplated the special beauty and uniqueness of the desert I live in, including the benefits of a dry climate. I wondered how the ladies at Bible study were doing. I also felt out of place at times. The food was quite different and I don’t speak Thai! The cultural and language barriers made me even more homesick as time went on. I did not regret going on the trip. In fact I enjoyed it and was thrilled to have been given the opportunity. There were even times that I was having so much fun that I thought I could just stay here and not go back. That feeling was short lived though. I knew I was a foreigner and I did miss home.This is what encouraged me to think about heaven. I know that we have all become tired of the old clichés about Christians being foreigners in this world. We know we don’t fit in and that we don’t belong. It becomes more obvious every day that our thoughts and ideas are considered alien and strange compared to the cultural norms.This isn’t what hit me on this trip. This time, as I was far from home, I understood how real my house was. There was a real house, with real treasure (at least it is treasure to me) in the Arizona desert. That house has my name on it and belongs to me. I couldn’t see it. I didn’t have any pictures of it with me. It was in no way tangible while I was in Thailand but it was still real. It was there waiting for me when my journey ended. Although I didn’t have physical possession of it, it was still mine. During the time I was in Thailand, my house was only a thought in my head to me. It was not accessible and I was unable to enjoy it fully. It was still useful to me. It held my treasure. It gave me a sense of belonging and something to call mine. From what I knew about my home, I knew I would be comfortable and safe when I got back. I knew I would find peace and joy within its walls. I knew that it was a place of rest.This is how I started contemplating about heaven and its reality. I can’t see it. I don’t have any pictures. I am not free to go there right now but that doesn’t mean it isn’t as real as my house. Jesus is preparing a place for me, a designated spot in the Father’s house. I have a place that has my name on it. It isn’t yet tangible but it will be. It holds my real treasure, Jesus lives there. It gives me a sense of belonging and I can already call it mine because my name is written there. I know it will be comfortable and safe. My heavenly home is a place of peace and joy. It will be a place of rest. My friends and family will be near and so will my Abba. I can look forward to the day when my journey ends. I can think about my home. The Bible describes the splendor and comfort of my home. As I journey through a beautiful world with warm and friendly people, I will enjoy my time. I will look at the scenery and take time to notice its beauty. I will be thrilled every time God allows me to work for the glory of the Kingdom. My heart will burst with joy as I see others turning to my Lord and Savior for salvation and freedom from sin. But as I travel along, feeling like an alien and stranger, I will think about my home. I will remember that there is a place that I will go that is safe, joyful and relaxed. I will meditate on my home with my Father. I will set my mind on things above. Thank you, Father for giving me a home. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you, Jesus for preparing the home for me and for giving me a glimpse into what it will be like when I get there. You will be there so it will be safe and joyful. You will be there so there will be peace. You alone could provide such a wonderful gift and I thank you. I look forward to the day when you say come home from your travels and relax. In you and you alone we find true Sabbath rest and we find it at home, in heaven with you. Keep my heart and mind focused on what is real and true even when it is not tangible at the moment. I am so looking forward to resting in your presence.
I Can Persevere
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"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17) I have often wondered how the Biblical characters were able to follow the Lord even when life was unimaginably hard. Would I be able to do the same? When the most unexpected difficulties arise, will I be able to persevere and follow? How did David do it? What did Joseph know? Where was Ruth’s hope? Why did Paul keep preaching? Who did they know? Indeed, Who did they know? That was the answer to my question. They didn’t need more intellect, strength, or resolve; they needed to be intimately acquainted with the One who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and completely steadfast. I realized each one persevered because they chose to live through all of life, the good and bad, with the “Lord their God in their midst”. David relied on God’s faithfulness when men had been untrustworthy. In Psalm 55 he says, "For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend” (Psalm 55:12-13). He didn’t stop and let discouragement overwhelm him. He cried out to his Savior. David knows that God hears, saves, and redeems. David kept going because he had learned he could depend on God. He ends the song with “I will trust in You”. Joseph was called on to answer questions that he did not know the answers to! He was summoned to appear before Pharaoh and interpret his dreams. To disappoint this powerful ruler could mean death, but Joseph was honest and said “I don’t know the answer”. But it helped that Joseph knew the omniscient God who knows a man’s every thought. "“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires”" (Genesis 41:16). Joseph did not have all the answers but he knew the One who did. Ruth left everything she had ever known to care for her discouraged mother-in-law Naomi. Naomi had lost her husband, her sons and was stuck in a foreign land. She would be travelling home to Israel to live as a poor widow among people she hadn’t seen in years. She didn’t even know how she would be received. She tried to dissuade Ruth from following because she had no hope. She did not see a bright future. So why would Ruth go with her? "But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). She had placed her hope and future in the hands of the God of Israel. She could go anywhere and face anything. Her hope was in the Lord. Paul kept preaching and spreading the good news about Jesus great love, because he knew God. He didn’t just know about him, but he had a relationship with him. He knew him intimately. He had experience, knowledge, and understanding of God’s ways because he had lived with God. So he could proclaim with confidence, "… do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day" (2 Timothy 1:8-12). He kept preaching because he had experienced God’s grace, love, and comfort. I can keep going. I know God. His mighty power has saved me. He rejoices over me with gladness. I have been and continue to be quieted by His love. He exults, rejoices over me with songs because of his great love for me. He is faithful. He knows the answers. In Him I have hope. I am persuaded that he is able to keep me. I can persevere. I know whom I have believed! Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. You are a great God. Getting to know you, day by day, is a joy and privilege. Thank you for revealing yourself to me. Thank you for a love so great and unimaginable that You, the Creator of the universe would become open and intimate with me. My desire now is to exult and rejoice over you in song. “Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.” Amen and Amen
Adding Sweetener
Print View“My heart was grieved and my spirit embittered…” (Psalm 73:21)
In Psalm 73, the author discusses his frustration with the way he perceives the world. The wicked seem to have an easy life and everything seems to go their way. The author of this Psalm had a bitter taste in his mouth. This perception left him dissatisfied and longing for something sweet.
He found it in the sanctuary of the Lord. There, in the presence of God, he heard truth. Truth is sweet. It can change the bitter into something good. In Psalm 73 we learn that the best way to change bitterness into something sweet is to add God’s truth to the situation and everything becomes palatable and good.
Chocolate alone is bitter and distasteful. Add sweetness and it becomes palatable and good. Many of life’s circumstances are bitter and distasteful. Add God’s Word, His Truth, and everything becomes palatable and good.
I too tend to get a bitter taste in my mouth when I look at the world! I need to go to God and listen to His Truth. I need His Words to add sweetness to the bitterness I have to swallow. I need to stop trying to choke down the bitter chocolate without adding God’s sugar, cream, and butter. I need to go into the sanctuary of the Lord and add the sweet words of truth. Life will taste much better this way.
Thank you, Lord, for speaking sweet words of truth. Your Word is always available and accessible and there is plenty of it. I only have to come to the sanctuary and get all the sweetener that I need. It is a free and gracious gift from you Father because you want me to live an abundant and flavorful life.
Enjoying Chocolate
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“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14 I was eating chocolate the other night. Actually, I eat a little chocolate almost every night. More accurately then, I was thinking about the chocolate as I ate it the other night. I was eating an intensely dark chocolate. It had a much stronger bitter flavor than I had anticipated. I still liked it. I thought about how my tastes had changed over the years.I thought back to when I was a child. I always liked chocolate. As a child I was shocked when people served dessert without chocolate. It seemed pointless. My attitude was, “If you can have chocolate, why have anything else?” But back then, I loved sweet chocolate. As I got older I discovered the joy of semi-sweet chocolate chips. I started enjoying the bitter more. I don’t know why things changed, I just know they did. As time has gone on, I have tried a lot more chocolate and have come to enjoy some pretty dark bitter flavors. I still have to have some sweetness and creaminess but I appreciate the bitter with the sweet.I realized that this same change has happened in my Christian life. When I was a child I thought living for Jesus was always creamy and very sweet. It was wonderful. I didn’t understand people who didn’t live for Jesus. “If you can have Jesus, why have anything else?” I loved the sweet life I had with the Lord. But as I got older, I discovered that life isn’t always that sweet.So as I got older things have changed some. I discovered that I could enjoy a life that is semi-sweet and sometimes even bitter. I can’t say I really enjoyed the semi-sweet or bitter like I should have. I forgot what makes the naturally unpleasant, palatable. It needs cream, butter, and sugar. Most of the time I tried to eat the chocolate of life without those essential ingredients.The cream, butter, and sugar that make the bitterness of life not just palatable but actually enjoyable are Jesus love, his promises, and the sweet fellowship we have with him. When we take the unpleasant and add Jesus love we enjoy a sweetness that we would not have otherwise tasted. When in the midst of bitter times we focus on his promises and seek to enjoy fellowship with him, we experience a richness and creaminess that is completely and totally delicious. I read through Ephesians 1. It was a reminder of the butter, cream, and sugar that we as believers have been given. Life is meant to be enjoyable. I need to remember to add Jesus to the bitter things in life to make them more palatable, or dare I say it, delicious! Thank you, Jesus, for being the richness and sweetness in my life. You make the bitter, delicious when we add you to the situation. You make all things palatable and in you we can have a life of abundance. Thank you for the good things in life!
Comforted
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"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," (2 Corinthians 1:3, NIV) According to the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the person who gives comfort gives strength, hope and cheers. They ease grief and trouble. Comfort as a noun is defined as strengthening aid and consolation in a time of worry. It is a feeling of relief or encouragement, contented well-being, a satisfying experience, or the person who brings this comfort. Wow! Today, I was enjoying myself and I used the word comfort to describe what I was feeling. I was encouraged and able to lay aside my worry. I was encouraged about my future and God’s plan for me. After eating my favorite breakfast, bacon, fried potatoes, eggs (over medium), a bagel with cream cheese, and coffee, I felt a sense of contented well-being. I was satisfied. I felt comfort. My house was cool, although the temperature outside was quite warm. I heard the sounds of the birds and kids playing outside. I had plenty of work to do but there was nothing that had to be done. There was nothing pressing on my heart or mind. It was a beautiful, peaceful morning. I realized that I was feeling comfort based on what was going on right at the moment. Although I liked the feeling and was happy that the events of life were pleasant, if my comfort was dependent on my circumstances alone, I could lose that sense of well-being at any moment because my circumstances could change (and probably would) in an instant. If instead, I found my comfort in God, my sense of well-being and contentment would never change because he is unchanging ("Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17, NIV). He is a constant I can depend on. He is the person that gives strength, hope, and cheer. He eases grief and trouble ("You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry," Psalm 10:17, NIV). He gives strengthening aid and consolation to relieve my worry ("When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19, NIV). When I depend completely and wholly on God, I find relief and encouragement. I enjoy a sense of contented well-being. A relationship with God is a satisfying experience that brings comfort, true comfort that transcends our circumstances. Knowing God is comforting. Lord,Today I felt comfort in the familiar. I felt comfort in my breakfast. I want to taste and see that you are good. I want to become so familiar with you and your ways that I know that coming to you will bring pleasure and contentment and a sense of peace. I want to hear you and enjoy the happy sounds of your words playing and singing in my head. I desire cooling and soothing calm in the midst of the heat of the day. I know that your Spirit is the cool breeze that blows on my life when life becomes uncomfortably hot and unbearable. Fill me this day and let me live in the comfort of your presence. Let me find strength, hope, and cheer in you.
Lay it Down
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 During a time of reflection this past week, I confessed sin. It was during a Good Friday service. We were asked to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and consider the sins that we have committed that sent him to the cross. I was at the foot of a cross and wrote down a sin that was weighing very heavy on me in the moment. I laid the scrap of paper, on which I had written my confessed sin, in the pile near the cross. I left there contemplative and thankful for what Jesus had done.The next day I was again contemplating the service and Jesus sacrifice. I thought about what Jesus had done for me on the cross. I thought about my sin that sent him there. I felt guilty and overwhelmed as I reflected on his glory and my sin. I desperately wanted to be different, better for him! I wanted to change my wrong attitudes and sinful behavior and become more holy. I sat there trying to think of the sin I had written on that scrap of paper so I could work on it. I wanted to change and be better for Jesus, but I couldn’t remember the sin that I had written down. I started to cry. I was distraught and I didn’t know exactly why. I sat there praying for God to help me. He did help me! But, he helped me in a very different way than I expected.I thought God would remind me of my sin so I could start to change it. I was disappointed that I was not going to be able to work on my problem. I felt defeated. I didn’t know how I would ever get better if I couldn’t change things. Amazingly, the Lord revealed my arrogance and my unhealthy focus on self through this situation. This helped me but it was hard.I wanted to serve him but I wanted it to be what I gave him. Instead he wanted to work in and through me. It isn’t ever about what I can do for him or give him. It is always about who he is for me. I needed to confess that sin on Good Friday. I needed to lay it at the cross. I also needed to let it go and let God cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Since I had confessed my sin I had done what he asked me to do. It is God’s job to cleanse me and he will.I do not need to remember it. I do not need to work on it specifically. I need to know God and learn to walk in obedience to his will. I need to continue serving, loving, learning, and growing. He will continue to change me and make me more like Jesus.Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to forgive me and change me. You are merciful and kind. I pray that you will help me to remember what I need to know and allow me to forget and let go of the things that will hinder me.
Disciplined by a Loving Father
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My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. Prov 3:11-12 I used to think of discipline as scary punishment. I feared doing the wrong thing. I feared upsetting the Father because I thought it would bring scary discipline and punishment. I have learned to view God’s discipline in a more mature way as I am growing in Him. He delights in me so he disciplines me. He doesn’t discipline me because He is disappointed in me or because He thinks poorly of me. He does it because he delights, enjoys, finds pleasure, and revels in me!I can look back over my Christian walk and I see things that I did that were wrong. Although they were wrong, many were done with the best intentions. I wanted to please my Heavenly Father so I would try to do things that would honor him. I can see now I made mistakes. I am embarrassed. But I’m not afraid anymore, I’m just embarrassed. The Lord reminded me that he “disciplines those that he loves, as a father the son he delights in”. I have children that I delight in. I disciplined them. The Lord reminded me of one event that made it clear that he delights in me and understood my immaturity. One of my children had gone up to wash his hands and had splashed water all over. He made a mess on the mirror. He noticed it and felt bad that he had made the mess and he decided to help out and clean it up. He used toothpaste. When I came in the bathroom he had toothpaste all over the mirror. He explained the situation and I listened with joy and I delighted in him. I was thrilled by his concern, his effort, and his love. He really intended to help me. Of course the mess was now bigger than it would have been if he had left it alone. Nevertheless, the mess was actually a gift from the heart. I appreciated it as such. I still had to deal with the mess. I used the opportunity. I spent time training and disciplining. We talked about the right cleaning solution for the mirror. We worked together to clean up the toothpaste mess. All things “worked together for good”. We got a lot of cleaning done and we enjoyed the time together.When I thought about this situation, I realized that this is exactly how God works with me. My efforts are misguided and immature at times but God can still “work all things together for good”. He will get the mirror clean and he will even let me help. He will not be scary but patient and loving. He delights in me. I can depend on this. If I was able to work things together for good when they were a mess, think what God can do with His power, love and discipline. He can certainly fix my messes. This is why I should submit willingly to God’s discipline. It is a time to learn. It is also a time to spend with the Father who delights in me. I will grow to maturity and learn to do the jobs in a right way. I may still be embarrassed when I act immaturely. It is normal. It is also normal for my Loving Father to use my messes as a time of discipline and training while delighting in me. Thank you Father. I am so glad to know that you delight in me. Let me remember discipline from you is not heavy-handed, scary punishment from an angry, tyrannical, authoritarian parent. Rather it is loving correction from my Devoted Father who delights in me and my little efforts to please. I need to continue trying to honor you by my efforts even if you have to fix them later. You are big enough and smart enough to correct any mistakes I make. Thank you for your patience and compassion. I love you.
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. Prov 3:11-12 I used to think of discipline as scary punishment. I feared doing the wrong thing. I feared upsetting the Father because I thought it would bring scary discipline and punishment. I have learned to view God’s discipline in a more mature way as I am growing in Him. He delights in me so he disciplines me. He doesn’t discipline me because He is disappointed in me or because He thinks poorly of me. He does it because he delights, enjoys, finds pleasure, and revels in me!I can look back over my Christian walk and I see things that I did that were wrong. Although they were wrong, many were done with the best intentions. I wanted to please my Heavenly Father so I would try to do things that would honor him. I can see now I made mistakes. I am embarrassed. But I’m not afraid anymore, I’m just embarrassed. The Lord reminded me that he “disciplines those that he loves, as a father the son he delights in”. I have children that I delight in. I disciplined them. The Lord reminded me of one event that made it clear that he delights in me and understood my immaturity. One of my children had gone up to wash his hands and had splashed water all over. He made a mess on the mirror. He noticed it and felt bad that he had made the mess and he decided to help out and clean it up. He used toothpaste. When I came in the bathroom he had toothpaste all over the mirror. He explained the situation and I listened with joy and I delighted in him. I was thrilled by his concern, his effort, and his love. He really intended to help me. Of course the mess was now bigger than it would have been if he had left it alone. Nevertheless, the mess was actually a gift from the heart. I appreciated it as such. I still had to deal with the mess. I used the opportunity. I spent time training and disciplining. We talked about the right cleaning solution for the mirror. We worked together to clean up the toothpaste mess. All things “worked together for good”. We got a lot of cleaning done and we enjoyed the time together.When I thought about this situation, I realized that this is exactly how God works with me. My efforts are misguided and immature at times but God can still “work all things together for good”. He will get the mirror clean and he will even let me help. He will not be scary but patient and loving. He delights in me. I can depend on this. If I was able to work things together for good when they were a mess, think what God can do with His power, love and discipline. He can certainly fix my messes. This is why I should submit willingly to God’s discipline. It is a time to learn. It is also a time to spend with the Father who delights in me. I will grow to maturity and learn to do the jobs in a right way. I may still be embarrassed when I act immaturely. It is normal. It is also normal for my Loving Father to use my messes as a time of discipline and training while delighting in me. Thank you Father. I am so glad to know that you delight in me. Let me remember discipline from you is not heavy-handed, scary punishment from an angry, tyrannical, authoritarian parent. Rather it is loving correction from my Devoted Father who delights in me and my little efforts to please. I need to continue trying to honor you by my efforts even if you have to fix them later. You are big enough and smart enough to correct any mistakes I make. Thank you for your patience and compassion. I love you.
Disciplined by a Loving Father
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My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. Prov 3:11-12 I used to think of discipline as scary punishment. I feared doing the wrong thing. I feared upsetting the Father because I thought it would bring scary discipline and punishment. I have learned to view God’s discipline in a more mature way as I am growing in Him. He delights in me so he disciplines me. He doesn’t discipline me because He is disappointed in me or because He thinks poorly of me. He does it because he delights, enjoys, finds pleasure, and revels in me!I can look back over my Christian walk and I see things that I did that were wrong. Although they were wrong, many were done with the best intentions. I wanted to please my Heavenly Father so I would try to do things that would honor him. I can see now I made mistakes. I am embarrassed. But I’m not afraid anymore, I’m just embarrassed. The Lord reminded me that he “disciplines those that he loves, as a father the son he delights in”. I have children that I delight in. I disciplined them. The Lord reminded me of one event that made it clear that he delights in me and understood my immaturity. One of my children had gone up to wash his hands and had splashed water all over. He made a mess on the mirror. He noticed it and felt bad that he had made the mess and he decided to help out and clean it up. He used toothpaste. When I came in the bathroom he had toothpaste all over the mirror. He explained the situation and I listened with joy and I delighted in him. I was thrilled by his concern, his effort, and his love. He really intended to help me. Of course the mess was now bigger than it would have been if he had left it alone. Nevertheless, the mess was actually a gift from the heart. I appreciated it as such. I still had to deal with the mess. I used the opportunity. I spent time training and disciplining. We talked about the right cleaning solution for the mirror. We worked together to clean up the toothpaste mess. All things “worked together for good”. We got a lot of cleaning done and we enjoyed the time together.When I thought about this situation, I realized that this is exactly how God works with me. My efforts are misguided and immature at times but God can still “work all things together for good”. He will get the mirror clean and he will even let me help. He will not be scary but patient and loving. He delights in me. I can depend on this. If I was able to work things together for good when they were a mess, think what God can do with His power, love and discipline. He can certainly fix my messes. This is why I should submit willingly to God’s discipline. It is a time to learn. It is also a time to spend with the Father who delights in me. I will grow to maturity and learn to do the jobs in a right way. I may still be embarrassed when I act immaturely. It is normal. It is also normal for my Loving Father to use my messes as a time of discipline and training while delighting in me. Thank you Father. I am so glad to know that you delight in me. Let me remember discipline from you is not heavy-handed, scary punishment from an angry, tyrannical, authoritarian parent. Rather it is loving correction from my Devoted Father who delights in me and my little efforts to please. I need to continue trying to honor you by my efforts even if you have to fix them later. You are big enough and smart enough to correct any mistakes I make. Thank you for your patience and compassion. I love you.
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. Prov 3:11-12 I used to think of discipline as scary punishment. I feared doing the wrong thing. I feared upsetting the Father because I thought it would bring scary discipline and punishment. I have learned to view God’s discipline in a more mature way as I am growing in Him. He delights in me so he disciplines me. He doesn’t discipline me because He is disappointed in me or because He thinks poorly of me. He does it because he delights, enjoys, finds pleasure, and revels in me!I can look back over my Christian walk and I see things that I did that were wrong. Although they were wrong, many were done with the best intentions. I wanted to please my Heavenly Father so I would try to do things that would honor him. I can see now I made mistakes. I am embarrassed. But I’m not afraid anymore, I’m just embarrassed. The Lord reminded me that he “disciplines those that he loves, as a father the son he delights in”. I have children that I delight in. I disciplined them. The Lord reminded me of one event that made it clear that he delights in me and understood my immaturity. One of my children had gone up to wash his hands and had splashed water all over. He made a mess on the mirror. He noticed it and felt bad that he had made the mess and he decided to help out and clean it up. He used toothpaste. When I came in the bathroom he had toothpaste all over the mirror. He explained the situation and I listened with joy and I delighted in him. I was thrilled by his concern, his effort, and his love. He really intended to help me. Of course the mess was now bigger than it would have been if he had left it alone. Nevertheless, the mess was actually a gift from the heart. I appreciated it as such. I still had to deal with the mess. I used the opportunity. I spent time training and disciplining. We talked about the right cleaning solution for the mirror. We worked together to clean up the toothpaste mess. All things “worked together for good”. We got a lot of cleaning done and we enjoyed the time together.When I thought about this situation, I realized that this is exactly how God works with me. My efforts are misguided and immature at times but God can still “work all things together for good”. He will get the mirror clean and he will even let me help. He will not be scary but patient and loving. He delights in me. I can depend on this. If I was able to work things together for good when they were a mess, think what God can do with His power, love and discipline. He can certainly fix my messes. This is why I should submit willingly to God’s discipline. It is a time to learn. It is also a time to spend with the Father who delights in me. I will grow to maturity and learn to do the jobs in a right way. I may still be embarrassed when I act immaturely. It is normal. It is also normal for my Loving Father to use my messes as a time of discipline and training while delighting in me. Thank you Father. I am so glad to know that you delight in me. Let me remember discipline from you is not heavy-handed, scary punishment from an angry, tyrannical, authoritarian parent. Rather it is loving correction from my Devoted Father who delights in me and my little efforts to please. I need to continue trying to honor you by my efforts even if you have to fix them later. You are big enough and smart enough to correct any mistakes I make. Thank you for your patience and compassion. I love you.
Welcome to Glorify and Enjoy God
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