Tag Archives: discipline

August 12
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“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17, NIV)

In what things do we display “discipline”?

Is it in the practice of unceasing prayer?  Is it in the practice of hospitality?  Is it in the practice of humility?  Is it in the practice of valuing time in worship with others?

Know it or not; like it or not, our children, and our peers, and our co-workers, and our neighbors, and the casual stranger are watching us live our lives.  Do they see within us a discipline that “shows the way to life”?

Conversely, when we ignore discipline and correction, our lives shift to a path that leads nowhere — and know it or not; like it or not, others follow.

Heeding the discipline of healthy and holy habits not only delivers us, but it delivers others to life, as well.  – Luther

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May 20
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“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” (John 6:35, NIV)

Whether in the physical sphere — or in the spiritual sphere — hunger and thirst are normal. We feel the pangs of hunger and the dryness of thirst in reaction to need.

The challenge for all of humanity is to properly satisfy this need — whether physical or spiritual.

Only Jesus permanently and properly satisfies the hunger of the human spirit.  Only Jesus permanently and properly satisfies the thirst of the human soul. The other things, activities, and people we rely on to meet our spiritual needs are only temporary and a diversion when time is critically short.

As disciples of Jesus, we must guard against the temptation to consider anything other than God’s provision to satisfy any spiritual need. God has given us His only begotten Son — Jesus.  He is the bread of life.  He is the living water.  – Luther

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March 14
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“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” (Proverbs 10:17, NLT)

Those of us who have lived more than half of our allotted years are at heightened risk of “going astray” in two basic ways: (1) Because we’ve “seen it all,” we are less open to a corrective word from someone else, especially if they are younger or less experienced than us; and (2) people who can help may be put-off when we don’t appear approachable or teachable.

Truth is truth, whether from the lips of an angel or from the mouth of a jackass (that is, the jackass of Numbers 22); and help is help, whether from a brother or from a stranger.

Today, work at being open to God’s discipline and His words of correction.  The Lord uses many personalities, agents, and circumstances to guide His people in the way that leads to life!  – Luther

Note: Remember, Daily Encouragement is on break tomorrow. Have a great day in worship. Hoping to see you again on Monday! 

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