Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Identity – Hebrews 12:5-6 – Disciplines Those He Loves – Growing As Disciples
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (NIV)
Disciplined
You’ve never liked to be disciplined very much have you? No, not really, who does? But, I have noticed that you are especially sensitive to discipline. How is that? When I have disciplined you, you have held wrong thoughts about it. Like what? For one, you have gotten discouraged and wanted to give up. You have felt life is too hard and that nobody else is experiencing what you are going through. Then there has reached a point where you have felt like you have had enough and have become defensive. That’s when it has become very difficult to teach you anything. Well, I’m sorry for all the wrong attitudes that I’ve held. I do want to be taught by you no matter how hard it might get. Are you saying that you will welcome my discipline into your life as you would a friend? I might not be quite ready to say something like that. I thought so. But, you do know that I want to be fully trained by you? Yes, I can see that. Do I really have to be glad about your discipline when it comes? Your attitude about my discipline is very important. You must not resist it. You must not take it lightly. You will need to trust me most of all. You do know that I love you? Yes, I do. You do know that I always have your best in mind? Yes, I do. When my discipline comes you will need to remember that I love you and I am training you as my child. Yes Lord, I will remember your love for me.
You have asked a lot from me. Yes, I have. You have asked me to bless your life. You have told me that you don’t want to miss out on anything that I have prepared for you, is that right? Yes, that’s right. Can you understand that many of my blessings will only come to you through my discipline? Not fully, but I will try to understand. I will definitely need your wisdom and help. Yes, you will and you will have it. There is something I want you to know right now. What’s that? You will not always understand my discipline.
My discipline may seem unpleasant at the time. Yes, I am well aware of these times. There is one thing that I want you to know for certain. What’s that? I will discipline you only because I love you. My discipline will help you to live your life fully for me. You have told me that you want your life to bear abundant fruit for my glory, haven’t you? Yes, I have. Much of the fruit that you will bear for me will come through how I have disciplined and trained you. Then, sign me up. What do you mean by that? Is there something that you want to say to me? Yes Lord, I will welcome your discipline into my life as a friend. Discipline, teach and train me however you see fit. Very good, I’m glad to hear you say that.
Lord, help me to welcome your discipline into my life. I know that you discipline me because you love me and desire something better for me. Help me to learn from your discipline so that I will live in ways that honor you. Amen
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Identity – Hebrews 12-5-6 – Disciplines Those He Loves – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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