The word "Discipline" conjures up a lot of emotions for most of us, and possibly some bad memories. I certainly was on the receiving end of some discipline in my younger years, I might add some well-deserved/earned discipline. I can't say that I ever "enjoyed" it, but I always knew my parents were doing it for my good.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12 that the Lord "disciplines those He loves" and that "no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." This past week I experienced a bit of discipline from the Lord.

My daughter Paige and I were at my son Zac's high school basketball game. He attends a Christian school but we were playing against a public high school. While sitting in the stands, waiting for the game to begin, I was observing (ok, people watching) those around us. Two rows in front of me there sat several teenagers and as I listened to their loud conversation, I heard them ridiculing our team because of it being "Christian". They were saying things like, "they can't do this & that, they're Christian" and "I bet they even prayed before the game" laughing as they were talking. I wish I could say that I looked on these kids with compassion as it seemed evident they didn't know Jesus as Lord. Instead, I sat there feeling angry thinking how unGodly these children were and how glad I was that my son didn't have to be around such rebellious kids. That mama bear instinct in me began to kick in and I was ready to fight!

Then it happened, just as I was feeling smug about who we were in Christ, the Lord, gently but firmly said to me, "don't be upset with how they're acting, it would be strange if they didn't act that way, it's not in their nature to reverence Me." I was expecting them to act like Christian children should act which is impossible because as the Word tells us in Romans, without Christ, we are ALL slaves to sin. Why would I show disdain for the lost for behaving the only way that comes "natural"? What would be much more "unnatural" is for a "believer" to act habitually & willfully sinful.

Rather than sitting in those stands with a self-righteous attitude, I should have been praying that the Lord would give me an opportunity in some tangible way to show the love of Christ. I'm quite certain the scowl on my face did not endear me to any of them as I sat there cheering for my Christian school! I have asked the Lord to forgive me and so I don't sit feeling condemned, rather, as a result of the discipline, I will face the rest of our basketball season with a new perspective, that of Jesus Christ who came to "seek and to save that which was lost". Yes, I'm thankful for the Lord's discipline because it reminds me that I am His child and that He does love me!

Kellie Williams

Have you ever had one of those days when you felt like everyone and every thing was against you? Of course you have, because we all go through trials and difficulties and we forget "whose" we are.

Recently in my life, there arose several circumstances in which I was feeling overwhelmed. I knew better than to feel this way ,but the truth is, I was still "feeling" it. I know I'm not the only one who has these feelings from time to time, so it's not really a question of "if" they will come, but when they do come, how should you handle it? Why was I one day "feeling" ok and optimistic, and the next feeling hopeless? As I began to share with my husband my emotions, he asked me the probing question, "What's changed about your situation from a few days ago"? He knew that a few days ago I was feeling on top of the world! Of course, nothing had changed, so what was the reason for my despair and how could I overcome my feelings of hopelessness?

First of all, the reason for my despair was the fact that I had forgotten "whose" child I was and what my Father has promised me in His Word. Instead of doing what I knew I should (pray and read the Word), I decided to dwell on my circumstances. I know we can't control our thoughts but we can CHOOSE to think right thoughts! Once Grant got me on the right track again (thank the Lord for a husband who knows truth!) my eyes could focus on the privileges and promises that I have as a Daughter of the King! Romans Chapter 8 is a tremendous source of encouragement when we're going through any difficulty. It reminds us that: 1) If God is for us, who can be against us?; 2) Nothing can separate us from the love of God; 3) Who dares to accuse us whom God has chosen?; and finally, 4) Despite all these things (trials), we are MORE than conquerors through Him who loved us!

Let me encourage you today, if you are going through one of life's difficulties, whether it be financial, marital, relational or anything else that seeks to rob you of your joy and hope, take comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul found in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Be strong in the Lord today and in His mighty power!

Reaching for the Prize With You,

Kellie

Kellie Williams