Brace Yourself!


Crooked teeth need straightening.  Orthodontist use devices known as braces to straighten and position teeth according to a person's bite.  Molds and impressions are made to create the proper appliance to produce the desired outcome, a perfect set of teeth.  There are no one size fits all braces. Each is customized for a specific patient.  Braces are adjusted periodically to shift teeth into the correct alignment.  The entire process causes discomfort which is to be expected.  Where there is not pain, there is no gain.  

Hebrews 12:7-11

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 Crooked lives need staightening.  God corrects or disciplines His children to becomes as much like Him as possible.  The desired outcome is holiness allowing us to live eternally with Him.  We must submit to His work in us and on us.  Do not compare your correction to how He corrects others.  The uncomfortable tightening and chipping away was designed just for you.  Discipline is an extension of love and not a punishment.  Yes it hurts, but pain comes with the territory when moving crooked live toward holiness.  A perfect God applying perfect correction produces eternal perfection.  Brace yourself, there is gain in pain.

 Inspired by Past Chuck Swindoll

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Podcast Going Live!

Image
I have moved from blog to Podcast.  Bridgewrks is still the name on Spotify, Apple Podcast and other platforms.  See the trailer below for info.  Now in spoken voice in place of the written word.  We'll see how this goes. Linda Howelton
Read more

Are you dirty?

I slept in this morning.   My hotel room was dark and cozy, my shower warm and invigorating.   It was time to get dressed and head home.   I retrieved my undergarments from the dresser, put them on and finished dressing.   When I pulled out my luggage, what did I find?   My clean underwear neatly rolled lay sitting in the bottom of my overnight bag which meant I was wearing day old, dirty underwear.   Why change? Who would know?   I’m just driving home alone.   No one would see my dirty self. Colossians 3:1-10 3  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  2  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  3  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  4  When Christ, who is your [  life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5  Put to death, t...
Read more
Image
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the words right out of my mouth.   The words she spoke are similar to what I used for my sons and also use to guide the parents of my patients.   These four words can make or break the trajectory of a child’s life.   Evidently, the same four words are able to corral an incorrigible President as well.   Just speaking the words is not enough.   They must be backed up with prompt action without a hint of fear.   I share the four words with parents at the two week check-up.   The earlier parents comprehend the importance of relaying these words to a child, the better it is not only for the parent but for society in general.   What four words you ask?   THE ANSWER IS NO! Proverbs 29:15 15  The rod and reproof give wisdom,      but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. Speaker Pelosi told President Trump “No!”   She undergirded that no by making sure e...
Read more