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Greg Laurie Daily Devotion - Apr. 21, 2008

 

Monday, April 21, 2008

Divine Discipline

“God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12)

Why does God bring tests into our lives?  Is it because He wants to give us a hard time or embarrass us?  No.  It is because God wants us to learn.  He wants us to mature spiritually.  God wants us to learn to trust Him, even when we don’t understand Him.  He wants us to be patient with Him, even when He doesn’t work according to our schedules.

The Bible says, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens . . .” (Hebrews 12:6 nkjv).  Although God will discipline you when necessary, the word chasten also means “to train.”  God wants to teach you.  He wants you to grow.  He loves you so much that He will bring a series of tests and lessons into your life to whip you into shape.  Those very tests, those very difficulties, and those very obstacles all can be indications of God’s love for you.

When you start to cross the line and do something you shouldn’t, God's Holy Spirit will be there to convict you.  When you try to do something that you know is wrong and God puts an obstacle in your path, it is because He loves you.

The times you should be concerned are when you can do things that you know are wrong and feel no remorse.  But when you know something is wrong and struggle with it, that is a sign you are a child of God and He loves you enough to show you when you are going astray.  Instead of seeing God’s chastening as an intrusion in your life, welcome it.  And be thankful He is looking out for you.

Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries.  All rights reserved.  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved. 

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to  www.harvest.org.



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