Discipline & Its Harvest

Don't forget the encouraging words God speaks to you as his children. He says,
"My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline. Don't reject it. Don't be upset and give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines and corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. The Lord our God disciplines us for our own good. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? His discipline is good, for it leads to life and health.
For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! It always feels like it is going against the grain. But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ- for this will bring much glory and praise to God.This righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confident trust forever.
The Kingdom of God is a matter of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.
So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Look straight ahead with purpose, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Don't get sidetracked; consider well the path of your feet. Let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Keep your feet from following evil. Mark this straight path for your feet so that those (yours and others) who are weak and lame will not fall and be disabled. Rather, they will become healed and strong, instead of getting worse.

Hebrews 12:5-7,9-13, Proverbs 3:11-12, Deuteronomy 8:5, Isaiah 38:16, Philippians 1:11, Isaiah 32:17, Romans 14:17, Proverbs 4:25-27

Loving quiet times these summer mornings....

...the house is so quiet! I've been reading Hebrews and feel like I need to soak it in more so I don't forget what's there.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses whose lives tell us what faith means, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily, deftly, and cleverly trips us up, clings to and entangles us. And let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the race God has set before us. Let's never give up. (*Run to win! Run with purpose in every step. Look away from all distractions. Press on. Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead...your heavenly prize through Christ Jesus.) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
*1 Corinthians 9:24,26, Philippians 3:13-14