SOAP Devotional 2014-01-20

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SOAP Devotional 2014-01-20

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

Scripture:

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord ’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? (Hebrews 12:5-9 NLT)

Observation:

Our God is our Heavenly Father, he will discipline us if and when we need to be disciplined. He does this to all his children. If you are never disciplined by God, then you are not really his children at all. So, since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, we should submit even more to the discipline of our Father God.

Application:

Discipline is a part of growing up, both physically and spiritually. The purpose of discipline is not to punish, although punishment may have to be applied. The purpose of discipline is to teach proper behavior. My earthly father did not walk around with a belt in his hand hoping for a chance to use it on me and neither did I as a father. God does not either. Discipline is dealt out in many forms, sometimes only verbal warnings, other times by withholding privileges, and only when absolutely necessary were more harsh disciplines used. As an earthly father, I probably erred at times on which discipline to use, but God never does. My children would have done better if they would have stopped with a verbal warning… so would I. Discipline should not be required as much as we grow older, although spiritual teenage years are tough because that is when we think we know everything. However, God does not stop until you are fully mature in Christ's image.

Prayer:

Father, as we grow older help us to stop and listen when you speak. I understand that your discipline is not intended for harm toward me, but to teach me to do things the proper way. I thank you for taking the time to discipline me so that I can continue to grow into the person you would have me to be.

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