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Voices Together

Hebrews 12:3-11

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

It seems strange. Lord, to ask for discipline, yet that is what this passage is suggesting that I do. To seek Your discipline is to ask for a sign that You love me and want to draw me closer to You. And this is not in a spirit of self-flagellation, some perverse sense that I will gain favor from You by abasing myself, but a recognition You want to bring me into Your holiness and fully sanctify me.

Therefore, Lord, help me to see that all trials and tribulations will be used by You as essential parts of Your plan for me. It is part of that Jeremiah 29:11 promise.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 62

Mid-day: 119:73-80

Evening: Psalm 138

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John Nunnikhoven

John Nunnikhoven is a member of The Fellowship of Ailbe and has begun working toward what, Lord willing, will become a re-awakening of the Church as a body directed into living the Kingdom in the here and now as it awaits the yet to come.
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