DISCIPLINED?- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: John 4-6
DISCIPLINED?
MEMORIZE: “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17) READ: Proverbs 29:15-19 The type of relationship existing between God and you will determine whether you will be disciplined or not, and how it will be done. Attached to every right or privilege is some responsibility. When a servant misbehaves, you may ignore his offence but when a son commits the same offence, he will not get away with it. It is the goal of every reasonable father to ensure that his children are better versions of himself. On the other hand, some extreme parents may want to crush their up and coming children. I heard of a man who killed his daughter just because she was becoming too fervent. Being high handed is applying discipline the other way round. Matthew 5:48 says, we should be as perfect as our Heavenly Father. God wants us to be as good as Himself. Jesus, the Prince of Peace wants us to be even better hence, He says we will do greater works than He did. My joy as the General Overseer of this Mission is in seeing my spiritual children excel and achieve greater heights than I. Recently, during a particular conference, I went to celebrate with one of our churches in London. The pastor was glad to receive me and informed me that a particular important personality would be celebrating in his church and they would be expecting me. I declined saying it was his show and I had no intention of stealing it from him. He argued that he may not know what to say so I assured him that he can count on my prayer support. Dumbfounded, he told me he doubts if there is any other father like me. I am only trying to resemble my Heavenly Father. However, to be like God, you must prepare for discipline. Proverbs 22:15 says children are naturally naughty. Since Adam’s fall, this has been the trend. You do not need to teach a child to be angry before he or she manifests it, even at infancy. It is innate. So when a father wants his child to become like him, he would have to employ his rod of correction. How often do you correct your children? Proverbs 29:15 says any child left to himself will bring shame on the parents. But Proverbs 29:17 says the child that is disciplined will give joy and peace to the parents. Don’t over pamper your children. Don’t spoil them using love as disguise. Many ladies do not know how to cook or handle domestic chores because everything was left for the house help while they were growing up. You are undoing your children if you deny them good home training and discipline. Before you train your children, how trainable are you? ACTION POINT: One thing you owe your children is discipline. If you fail to give it to them, the result of their indisciplined life will haunt you in later years.