Devotional: ‘Working Out in God’s Gym’

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

I have never been a great athlete. Though I played a few sports in high-school, I was never the star. But although I am not a great athlete, I do value being in good shape.

One thing I have learned about working out – in order to improve you have to push yourself beyond what is comfortable and convenient. Years ago there was a saying that floated around locker rooms and gyms – “No Pain, No Gain.” That is true, both physically and spiritually.

Devotional: ‘What Does God Want to Accomplish in My Life?’

Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

How do you respond whenever difficulty enters into your life? I suppose the most natural reaction for many of us is to become discouraged and maybe even angry. It is because of this human tendency that the writer of Hebrews gives us these words of encouragement-

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” ESV

Devotional: ‘A Reflection of His Character’

The book of Hebrews was originally written to people who were suffering. They were suffering, not because they were bad people being punished for their disobedience, but because they were good people being persecuted for their faith. Because they were suffering, some were beginning to question the rationality of walking with God. Perhaps some were even tempted to ask – “What’s the use of trying to do what is right if this is what it’s going to get us?”

No doubt some of us have at times asked a similar question. Warren Wiersbe writes – “Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite is true.” According to today’s passage, the chastening these believers were experiencing was actually proof of God’s love and involvement in their lives.

Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

According to Hebrews 12, spiritual chastening has at least two very important purposes:

Devotional: ‘Be Your Child’s Best Parent’

The Apostle Paul gives us a very important truth about God’s activity in our lives.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

God is not pleased to have us go through life, acting like a bunch of spoiled brats. God wants His children to reverence His authority and to reflect His character. The writer of Hebrews tells us this-

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Devotional: ‘God is Not a Permissive Parent’

Hebrews 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

We live in a day when the concept of discipline and correction are often heavily frowned upon. Part of this is due to the fact that there have been times when an adult has used excessive force and abused a child. There is no excuse for abuse in any form; whether it is physical, verbal or emotional. Scripture never encourages the mistreatment of others. As a matter of fact, the Bible says that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us and that we should love others as we love ourselves.

Devotional: ‘Consider Those Who Have Already Endured’

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…ESV

We spent several days last week studying this verse of scripture and therefore we will not at this time go into any great detail again. However, I thought it would be a blessing to take a moment and follow up yesterday’s study with this important verse.

Hebrews 11:36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated– 38 of whom the world was not worthy–wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth… 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…ESV

Devotional: ‘Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy’

Who is the greatest person you have met or known? Perhaps some of us would name a politician or a famous entertainer. Maybe some of us would refer to someone who was a multimillionaire. Each of these may be great in their own way, but the Bible says the greatest who have ever lived upon this earth are those who have faithfully suffered for the cause of Christ.

Hebrews 11:35 …and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.