Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 16 August 2015 - "The Necessity of Discipline" Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 16 August 2015 - "The Necessity of Discipline" Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22RG AUDIO 081615

Revelation 3:14 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Laodicea, write: ‘Here is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Ruler of God’s creation: 15 “I know what you are doing: you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth! 17 For you keep saying, ‘I am rich, I have gotten rich,[Revelation 3:17 Hosea 12:9(8)] I don’t need a thing!’ You don’t know that you are the one who is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked! 18 My advice to you is to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be dressed and not have to be ashamed of your nakedness; and eyesalve to rub on your eyes, so that you may see. 19 As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins! 20 Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. 21 I will let him who wins the victory sit with me on my throne, just as I myself also won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’”

"The Necessity of Discipline" by Author: Michael Palmer

Discipline is difficult. It’s painful. It’s embarrassing. If we are being disciplined we have been caught, found out, and called to account for the pain we have caused ourselves and others. We like to think that we are beyond discipline, or that we can out-run the consequences created by our actions. We want others to believe that we have everything together and that God would be making better use of his time by focusing on someone else.
Discipline, correction and rebuke are a vital part of the Christian life. As a person moves through life, they are formed, molded and shaped by the people around them. They accumulate, like clothes, the patterns, behaviors and beliefs of others. While some of these actions are healthy, however, many of these patterns are broken and in need of repair or removal.
It's this important work of the Holy Spirit that allows us to live in the freedom and health of the Kingdom of God. If we are to be like Christ, we must be willing to do the hard work of self-reflection, and self-reflection is spurred on through the catalyst of the Holy Spirit’s loving rebuke.
Hymn for Today: "Nearer, Still Nearer" by Lelia Morris

1. Nearer, still nearer, close to thy heart,

draw me, my Savior, so precious thou art.

Fold me, O fold me close to thy breast;

shelter me safe in that haven of rest,

shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

2. Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,

naught as an offering to Jesus my King -

only my sinful, now contrite heart;

grant me the cleansing thy blood doth impart,

grant me the cleansing thy blood doth impart.

3. Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be thine,

sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,

all of its pleasures, pomp and its pride,

give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified,

give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

4. Nearer, still nearer, while lift shall last,

till safe in glory my anchor is cast;

through endless ages, ever to be

nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee,

nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee.

Thought for Today:
"My son, don’t despise Adonai’s discipline

or resent his reproof;

for Adonai corrects those he loves

like a father who delights in his son." [Proverbs 3:11-12].
Please pray:

That many people in Togo will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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