BIBLE IN A YEAR: Luk. 18-21
CHASTISEMENT
MEMORIZE: "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12:7)
READ: Hebrews 12:5-11
The way God demonstrates that you are loved and special to Him, is by correcting you whenever you make a mistake. When a man singles his child from his peers, and gives him the beating he will never forget for wrong doing, it is because he has a lot at stake in that child. God has a lot at stake in you hence He will never sweep any offense under the carpet. You can gauge God’s love and presence in your life by the frequency and type of chastening you are exposed to whenever you veer off from the path of righteousness. If you are sinning but without divine reprimand, it is most likely God has rejected you!
Moses was beloved by God. He walked so close to Him that it is recorded he had face to face discussions with the Almighty God. When he slipped at the waters of Meribah, God brought out His cane: he was to terminate his ministry before its completion, and forfeit the promised land that he had embarked on some 40 years before. That’s tough. The closer you get to God, the farther you should be from anything He detests. Remember, being the loving and merciful God does not make Him any less the Consuming fire. While ascending the ladder in your relationship with God, ensure you are not taking any sinful habit with you. You could be burnt!
A pastor was informed that one of his ministers had lost his only son. Disturbed, he asked God, Why, as he prepared to go to the hospital. God told him that it was as a result of the minister’s disobedience, and warned him not to pray for the deceased. On getting to the hospital, amidst the serene atmosphere, he saw the lifeless baby on the bed. With everyone staring at him wondering what he would do, he felt they might think he is not caring. So he laid hands on the child and prayed for about 30 minutes, but nothing happened. Later, he observed that certain graces in his life disappeared. About a year later, during a programme where there was strong repentance and calls for mercy, the Spirit asked him if he noticed that he stopped feeling the fire in his right hand for a while. And he said Yes. The Spirit told him that grace was withdrawn the day he disobeyed and prayed for the baby. However, it had been restored. You can avoid divine reprimand.
ACTIONPOINT
Total obedience to God is the way to prevent divine reprimand. How obedient are you?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment