Today's Passage - Hebrews 12:9-13

Hebrews 12:9-13   Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!  They 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, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.  "Make level paths for your feet,"so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.   We all have experienced being disciplined by our parents when we were growing up.  I recall that that one time when I was young I didn't feel like going to school, so that I went out to wander around with some classmates.   My teacher found out and when I went home I was disciplined by my parents, so I never did it again.  Disciplining is helpful for a child who's growing up, and it's the same for spiritual matters.  It says this passage that the fathers "disciplined us for a little while as they thought best."  Disciplining by earthly fathers sometimes enrage the children, but when the true almighty God and father of all spirits disciplines us, He is guiding us as a father who's all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful.  This is truly precious!  The author taught us to have these attitudes when we are being disciplined:   Frist, even though we might not be happy when we are disciplined, we must understand that it will produce fruit of peace.  I recall that years ago a brother was indicted by the court for financial issues, so he hid in Taiwan and would not come back.  One day I received a phone call from his wife in Taiwan, saying that the brother was arrested.  I immediately called him, and to my surprise he told me: "pastor, all these years when came to the US, I would be filled with fear and unease; but now that I'm arrested, I'm now filled with peace."  After we're disciplined, our hearts will bear fruit of peace.  Thanks the Lord that this brother is now free to enter Taiwan and US because his case has been closed, and God's grace had indeed come upon him.  You might not feel that it's beneficial when you are disciplined, but afterwards you'll discover that you have true peace and joy inside.   Next, we must "strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees," which means do not be frustrated.  We must see that God's will is good when we are disciplined, and thus we need to continue to dash forward.  We must not just focus on the circumstance of today, but rather focus on what God can accomplish for us.  We can be filled with excitement knowing that God can turn our circumstance around and accomplish great things in our lives.  May God help us to completely depend on Him in our daily life so that we can experience His victory!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you because you are a faithful God.  Even though we are disciplined by you, your disciplining always brings us true peace and joy, and you help us to strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees.  I pray for the brothers and sisters who are weak and being disciplined right now.  May the Spirit of deliverance from the Lord come upon them so that they will no longer be accused by the enemy in their lives and instead have tremendous strength from you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!