Looking at sinful bitterness through the lens of God’s Fatherly discipline is one of those principles that will give us an ability to stand firm in the face of trials and difficulties. So often sinful bitterness could be avoided if we would choose to view our situation through the lens of sanctifying purposes of our loving heavenly Father. Hebrews 12:15 reminds us, “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by this many become defiled;” As we see purpose in our circumstances, we can bear up under the weight of the trial. The bottom line is that bitter people will be in regular turmoil with themselves, with the Lord, and with the other peo[le around them. If we allow God’s discipline to have its intended effect, the resulting sanctification will make it far easier to live at peace with others. … READ MORE

Every child needs parents to help them learn to walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, and their community. In the same way we need God’s discipline in our lives to expose the potential idolatry in my often-wandering heart as quickly as possible. The fact that God is willing to provide the right balance of trials and blessings in my life is proof that I am one of His children. the negative effects from the lack of a father who loves his children enough to discipline them are apparent in many ways in our society. Every time we choose to become sinfully bitter about something that is not going our way, we have forgotten the blessing of his fatherly discipline. God disciplines us not only because He loves us, but because we have been adopted into His family. As our heavenly Father, God will help to prepare us to serve Him, and to demonstrate who He is to our community. … READ MORE

Why doesn’t God give us immediate and endless helpings of what we want? The same reason why parents don’t give their children endless meals of candy and sweets. It is not good for them! The value of Fatherly discipline is that it is first of all a proof of God’s love for us. This principle has the potential to completely change the way we view events which we could easily become bitter over. Learning to remember that our loving heavenly Father is allowing this event for both His glory and our good helps us to ignore the red stuff and seek the birthright. God’s discipline is an essential component to demonstrating that we are a part of God’s family. We often go to the idea that God disciplines us because He is attempting to get even with us, but the reality is that God does this because He loves us enough to be involved in making us more like His Son. The next time you are tempted to think that God doesn’t care about you, remember the words of Hebrews 12:6 “the Lord disciplines those He loves.” Remember that for those who are his enemies, in due season, His wrath … READ MORE