Kansas City, Missouri, Untied States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Spare the Rod . . .” – Thursday, 27 March 2014 - Scripture: Job 5: 15-27

Kansas City, Missouri, Untied States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Spare the Rod . . .” – Thursday, 27 March 2014 - 
    Scripture: Job 5: 15 But he saves from the sword of their mouth,even the needy from the hand of the mighty.
16 So the poor has hope,
    and injustice shuts her mouth.
17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects.
    Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
18 For he wounds, and binds up.
    He injures, and his hands make whole.
19 He will deliver you in six troubles;
    yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death;
    in war, from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
    neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
    neither shall you be afraid of the animals of the earth.
23 For you shall be allied with the stones of the field.
    The animals of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your tent is in peace.
    You shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring[a] shall be great,
    Your offspring as the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in a full age,
    like a shock of grain comes in its season.
27 Look this, we have searched it, so it is.
    Hear it, and know it for your good.”
Footnotes:
a. Job 5:25 or, seed
“Spare the Rod …” by Mallory Sauer
Throughout my years of school, I always had in my class at least one of those kids—the spoiled, haughty, mean-tempered kind with no concern for others. These children boldly disrespected authority or acted as though they were better than everyone else due to one reason: a lack of discipline. They knew their parents would not punish them, so they were free to behave terribly without any consequences.
With that in mind, would you consider it a blessing to be disciplined? Enduring punishment is never pleasant at the time, but in retrospect, I am so thankful that my parents disciplined me. It taught me right from wrong and prevented me from developing the same attitudes as some of my old classmates.
How is it any different with God? He is our Father, and a good parent disciplines his child out of love. Can you imagine the destruction that would result from a life lived with absolutely no rules and no guidance from God? He cares for us too much to let us ruin our lives with Satan’s weapons of selfishness. The next time I am humbled by God’s correction, I will remember to be thankful!
Hymn for Today:
“Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” by George Croly 
1. Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart, 
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. 
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are, 
and make me love you as I ought to love. 
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, 
no sudden rending of the veil of clay, 
no angel visitant, no opening skies; 
but take the dimness of my soul away. 
3. Did you not bid us love you, God and King, 
love you with all our heart and strength and mind? 
I see the cross there teach my heart to cling. 
O let me seek you and O let me find! 
4. Teach me to feel that you are always nigh; 
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear, 
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; 
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer. 
5. Teach me to love you as your angels love, 
one holy passion filling all my frame: 
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove; 
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.
Thought for Today:
“[God] is there to guide us away from misguided answers and lead us to hope”(James Edlin and Janelle Mackay).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Papua New Guinea!
-------
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------