Discipline

The transcript discusses the critical role of discipline, drawing parallels between earthly fatherhood and divine guidance.

Main Thesis: The speaker argues that discipline, both from an earthly father and from God, is essential for proper development and a sign of true belonging. A lack of discipline leads to lawlessness and spiritual illegitimacy.

Key Arguments:

Consequences of Lacking Earthly Discipline: The speaker observes that a lack of paternal discipline in childhood leads to widespread lawlessness, imprisonment, and significant adult suffering.

Divine Discipline as a Mark of Sonship: Drawing from scripture (referenced as verse 8, likely Hebrews 12:8), the speaker states that God disciplines all His children. If an individual does not experience divine discipline, it implies they are "illegitimate" and not truly God's children.

Purpose of Divine Discipline: God's discipline is presented as an act of love, intended to foster spiritual growth and help individuals embody the character and likeness of Christ. This discipline can manifest through His Word, through others, or through affliction.

Finding Comfort in Discipline: Rather than being a source of distress, discipline from God should be a source of comfort, as it confirms His love and His desire for the individual's spiritual maturation.

Submission to God's Discipline: The speaker questions why individuals would respect and submit to the discipline of earthly fathers, yet be hesitant to submit even more profoundly to the discipline of the "Father of our spirits," which is presented as a path to eternal life (referenced as verse 9, likely Hebrews 12:9).

Lean Not On Your Own Understanding

The other day I had written that I need to not lean on my own understanding. So I must have been right because God confirmed it today in my reading from my Devotional "MY UPMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST"

Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard—we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God’s name to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5–6).

The waiting strategy

Tuesday 24th June 2025

'I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me.' Psalm 40:1 NKJV

When you're up against a problem that seems too big and you don't know what to do or which way to go, use the waiting strategy. That's the one David the psalmist used. And it worked for him: 'I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God...Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust...My ears you have opened' (Psalm 40:1-4, 6 NKJV).

Waiting is hard to do when you are anxious. And waiting patiently is even harder. Stop and think who you are waiting for: the Lord. He is Lord of every situation, including yours. Perhaps this illustration will help... Arthur McKinsey writes: 'If you think of a...problem as being like a medieval walled city, then a lot of people will attack it head on, like a battering ram. They will storm the gates and try to smash through the defences with sheer intellectual power and brilliance...just camp outside the city. I wait. And I think. Until one day - maybe after I've turned to a completely different problem - the drawbridge comes down and the defenders say, "We surrender." The answer to the problem comes all at once.'

Waiting for God works this way... while you wait, he's working on your behalf.

Celebrate Recovery Devotional

Changing The Narative.

Changing the narrative" means altering the way a story is told, perceived, or framed, often to achieve a specific outcome. It can involve shifting how people view a situation, changing the shared understanding of an issue, or influencing public opinion. Essentially, it's about redefining the dominant story being told about something. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Changing the Story:

This involves presenting a different version of events, offering new perspectives, or highlighting alternative viewpoints. 

Changing the Perception:

It can also mean influencing how people think about something, whether it's an issue, a problem, or a situation. 

Don't Compare

MAY 28 YOU ARE UNIQUE 

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function. —ROMANS 12:4 ESV 

We are all unique, just as each part of our physical body is unique and has a unique function. We all look different, and we have different temperaments, abilities, and talents. Our enemy, Satan, often tries to make us feel that something is wrong with us if we are not like people around us, but that is absolutely not true. God has uniquely created each of us with His own hand for a special purpose, and we need to embrace who we are and not try to be like someone else. Although other people may set good examples that we want to follow, it’s a big mistake to reject ourselves and try to be someone other than who we are. God’s Word clearly says that He gives each of us different abilities and that we are to use them (Romans 12:6). We cannot be someone else, and trying to do so only frustrates us. I encourage you not to compare yourself with other people, but to be fully your own special, unique self.

 “Father, thank You for making me unique. Help me use my abilities to glorify You and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

13th May Morning Reading

MAY 13 KEEP THE JUDGMENT DOOR CLOSED

 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. —MATTHEW 7:1–2 

Most of us know that thinking critically about others and being judgmental is not kind or loving. But do we understand that it actually harms us and makes us vulnerable to the enemy? I believe that’s what Matthew 7:1–6 teaches. This passage simply instructs us not to judge or criticize others. This certainly applies to our words, and to our thoughts as well. When we judge others, Matthew 7:1 says, we will be judged too. In Matthew 7:2, we see that we will be judged the same way we judge others. The Amplified Bible says that “in accordance with your standard of measure … judgment will be measured to you.” For example, if you are very harsh and strict in judging others and cannot overlook even the slightest imperfection, others will judge you just as harshly. I believe that judging other people opens the door for the devil, our enemy, to judge and accuse us. When we criticize or judge them, we are saying that we see nothing wrong with criticism and judgment. The enemy takes advantage of that attitude and turns it back on us. We all need to do our best to keep the doors of our lives closed to the enemy. One way to do it is to walk in love, mercy, and grace toward others, refusing to criticize and judge them. “Father, help me keep the judgment door to the enemy closed in my life by not criticizing or judging others. In Jesus’ name. Amen

My Upmost For His Highest....May 13 The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience 

“Strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts 24:16

 God’s commands to us are actually given to the life of His Son in us. Consequently, to our human nature in which God’s Son has been formed (see Galatians 4:19), His commands are difficult. But they become divinely easy once we obey. Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God’s standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God’s perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey? I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I can live without any offense toward anyone. I should be living in such perfect harmony with God’s Son that the spirit of my mind is being renewed through every circumstance of life, and that I may be able to quickly “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2; also see Ephesians 4:23). God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do? “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30). He does not speak with a voice like thunder—His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do this?” You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is—drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear.