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What’s Your First Thought When You Hear the Word “Discipline?”–Hebrews 12:6

December 20, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Christian Living, Discipleship, Health, Hebrews, Parenting, righteous living, Spiritual Disciplines, Workplace with 3 Comments

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Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

What’s your first thought when you hear the word discipline?

  • Pain
  • A spanking as a kid
  • Self-control or the  lack thereof

How about extreme love?

Love = discipline

Discipline = love

…that’s what the Bible says.

God’s discipline proves His love for us.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one

he accepts as his child.  –Hebrews 12:6

So if…

  • God doesn’t give us everything we want, exactly when we want it, and allows hard things to come into our lives to make us strong
  • Parents hold their children accountable to daily chores, respect for adults, and keeping their word
  • Employers expect an honest day’s work for a day’s pay, which includes completing tasks on time with a high degree of excellence
  • Humans push away from fleshly addictions (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, caffeine, T.V., Computers, etc) and implement healthy habits such as exercise, life-long learning, and helping others

…we are somehow loved by God, others, and ourselves?

Hummmm…

What are your thoughts on the connection between love, discipline and a healthy, productive life?

Heavenly Father, the average person in today’s world doesn’t want to discipline themselves or others and they certainly don’t want to be disciplined by anyone, including You.  Holy Spirit, show us the importance of loving and being loved through discipline. Help us to hold out for the greater good rather than settling for a mediocre life.  Help us to follow your example Jesus. Lord, help us to accept Your discipline.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:1-25, 1 Peter 1:1-2:3

Who Are You Motivating? Hebrews 10:24

December 19, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Christian Living, Encouragement, Hebrews, leadership with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

We all enjoy being around inspiring people.  I have loved attending motivational classes and workshops, since my first experience at a Mary Kay meeting, twenty-seven years ago.  In today’s reading, the Lord tells us that we’re to think of ways to motivate one another.

 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.–Hebrews 10:24

Does this surprise you?

Christians are supposed to think of ways to motivate other Christians to acts of love and good works.

Isn’t that the preacher’s job?

When I look around the average church in America, most people walk through the doors like a cement statue, daring the pastor to “move” them. Today’s Christian looks to the church and the pastors to meet their needs and if they don’t, they quickly look for a place that does. It’s quite different from what the writer of Hebrews instructed.

How do we motivate another person?

By inspiring them to take action.

I think there are two ways to do this:

  1. Give inspirational and instructional messages
  2. Live a life that inspires

The greatest leadership principle I’ve ever learned is the importance of leading by example.  Most of us aren’t gifted to inspire with words, but everyone can inspire by example.

If all the world were just like you, would there be acts of love and good works taking place?

Heavenly Father, help us to realize our purpose on this earth is bigger than just having a comfortable life.  Help us to realize other people need us; other people need our example.  Use us for Your Kingdom today.  Fill us so that we can motivate others to acts of love and good works.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Are You Giving Your Children “The Gift of Obedience?” –Hebrews 5:8

December 18, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Family, Hebrews, leadership, Obedience, Parenting with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28

I watched my granddaughter Ayla huff and puff as she got sent to her room this past week for refusing to obey her mother.  While it makes my heart hurt to see Ayla sad, I know my daughter is doing the right thing when she punishes her disobedience.  Teaching our children obedience is the gift that keeps on giving.  It’s a gift our Heavenly Father gave His Son.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. –Hebrews 5:8

In today’s culture, we seem to have gotten things a bit mixed up. During this Christmas season, parents everywhere are running around looking for the latest and greatest toys, when the things their children need most are boundaries, safety nets and safeguards. These things can  only come through the teaching them obedience.

Jesus Christ learned obedience from the things he suffered and we do too. It’s a tough world out there and having our children “suffer” when they willfully disobey will teach them obedience. Allowing them to experience the consequences of their disobedience causes them to think twice the next time they are tempted to disobey.

Teaching children to obey their parents has multiple benefits.

    • It teaches them to respect authority
    • It teaches them to be good parents
    • It develops their code of ethics
    • It develops a healthy work ethic
    • It teaches them to be obedient to their Heavenly Father and His Word

As you prepare your children’s gifts this Christmas, make plans to give them the gift of obedience. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us.

Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Spirit.  Teach us how to be the parents you would have us to be.  Help us to be parents whose yes is yes and no is no.  Help us to follow Your example and teach obedience through love. Thank You for the gift of obedience.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Does God Really See Everything? Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)

December 17, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Biblical Principles, Hebrews with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 4:19-22, Hebrews 1:1-4:13

Naked and Exposed, no thanks!  I’ll keep myself covered and hidden!”

We do have a choice, right?

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. –Hebrews 4:13

We humans love to think we have a choice about EVERYTHING, but when it comes to God’s  watchful eye, which the writer of Hebrews tells us about in today’s reading, there are no multiple choices–everything about you and me is naked and exposed to God.

We can hide our physical, emotional, and spiritual flaws from people but we cannot hide them from God.

When my husband Harry was four or five years old he thought he was hiding a late night visit to his sister’s room from his parents.

To keep his parents from seeing him walk across the top of the stairs, he hid behind a small pillow that covered his face.  Harry thought his parents couldn’t see him because he couldn’t see them. They saw the pillow with legs walking across the upstairs landing and immediately knew who it was and where he was going!

Aren’t we the same way with God,  we try to use all kinds of “pillows” to hide our disobedience and sin.  We think that if we can’t see God, He can’t see us…it’s just as crazy as Harry thinking his parents didn’t know he was behind the pillow.

What are you hiding behind the pillow today?

Blessings in Jesus!

 

© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28


Can You Talk to God for Me? Exodus 20:19

February 7, 2012 in 2 Kings, Galatians, Hebrews, Jeremiah, Zechariah with 1 Comment


Today’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-22:15

When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.

And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”

“Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”

As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

–Exodus 20:18-21

As I read these words my first thought was one of judgment.  “Those dumb Israelites, they had the privilege of being in the “literal” presence of the one and only living God and they let fear steal that awesome experience.”

But once again observing the Israelites is like looking at ourselves in a mirror.

What keeps you from experiencing God?

  • Fear of being convicted of sinful choices
  • God is at the bottom of your priorities
  • You don’t really believe He hears you
  • “God time” doesn’t fit into your plans
  • It doesn’t seem like God is there
  • God’s always there, I’ll catch Him later
  • Distractions by media (phone, computer, TV, etc)
  • A busy brain, can’t seem to focus (this is me)

We have it so much better than the Israelites.  We have Jesus as our mediator.  He’s our constant connection to our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit is our constant connection to Jesus.

Yet, we would prefer to hear our preacher give us a one hour, once-a-week God update and then be on our way to the important things; pleasure and making a living.

What keeps you from experiencing God?

Heavenly Father, forgive us for being like the Israelites. Forgive us for all the missed opportunities.  Holy Spirit, don’t stop calling us, don’t stop reminding us.  Help us to overcome the carefully crafted distractions of our day, designed by our enemy to keep up from spending time with You.   Lord, teach us and guide us as we seek to know You more.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

Click here to visit blog

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 22:16-24:18

Love, Discipline, and a Healthy Lifestyle–Hebrews 12:6

December 20, 2011 in Discipleship, Giving Our Best to God, Hebrews, Parenting, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

What’s your first thought when you hear the word discipline?

  • Pain
  • A spanking as a kid
  • Self-control or the  lack thereof

How about extreme love?

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Love = discipline

Discipline = love

…that’s what the Bible says.

God’s discipline proves His love for us.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one

he accepts as his child.  –Hebrews 12:6

So if…

  • God doesn’t give us everything we want, exactly when we want it, and allows hard things to come into our lives to make us strong
  • Parents hold their children accountable to daily chores, respect for adults, and keeping their word
  • Employers expect an honest day’s work for a day’s pay, which includes completing tasks on time with a high degree of excellence
  • Humans push away from fleshly addictions (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, caffeine, T.V., Computers, etc) and implement healthy habits such as exercise, life-long learning, and helping others

…we are somehow loved by God, others, and ourselves?

Hummmm…

What are your thoughts on the connection between love, discipline and a healthy, productive life?

Heavenly Father, the average person in today’s world doesn’t want to discipline themselves or others and they certainly don’t want to be disciplined by anyone, including You.  Holy Spirit, show us the importance of loving and being loved through discipline. Help us to hold out for the greater good rather than settling for a mediocre life.  Help us to follow your example Jesus. Lord, help us to accept Your discipline.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

Click here to visit blog

©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:1-25, 1 Peter 1:1-2:3

Who Are You Motivating? Hebrews 10:24

December 19, 2011 in Christian Living, Christmas, Encouragement, Hebrews, Living a Life that reflects the Son, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 1 Comment

We all enjoy being around inspiring people.  I have loved attending motivational classes and workshops, since my first experience at a Mary Kay meeting, twenty-six years ago.  In today’s reading, the Lord tells us that we’re to think of ways to motivate one another.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

–Hebrews 10:24

Does this surprise you?

Christians are supposed to think of ways to motivate other Christians to acts of love and good works. Isn’t that the preacher’s job?

When I look around the average church in America, most people walk through the doors like a cement statue, daring the pastor to “move” them. Today’s Christian looks to the church and the pastors to meet their needs and if they don’t, they quickly look for a place that does. It’s quite different from what the writer of Hebrews instructed.

How do we motivate another person?

By inspiring them to take action.

I think there are two ways to do this:

  1. Give inspirational and instructional messages
  2. Live a life that inspires

The greatest leadership principle I’ve ever learned is the importance of leading by example.  Most of us aren’t gifted to inspire with words, but everyone can inspire by example.

If all the world were just like you, would there be acts of love and good works taking place?

Heavenly Father, help us to realize our purpose on this earth is bigger than just having a comfortable life.  Help us to realize other people need us; other people need our example.  Use us for Your Kingdom today.  Fill us so that we can motivate others to acts of love and good works.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

Click here to visit blog

©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Are You Giving Your Children The Gift of Obedience? Hebrews 5:8

December 18, 2011 in Family, Hebrews, leadership, Parenting, The 2011 Prayer Journey, The Journey to Knowing Him More with 1 Comment

I watched my granddaughter Ayla huff and puff as she got sent to her room this past week for refusing to obey her mother.  While it makes my heart hurt to see Ayla sad, I know my daughter is doing the right thing when she punishes her disobedience.  Teaching our children obedience is the gift that keeps on giving.  It’s a gift our Heavenly Father gave His Son.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 

–Hebrews 5:8

In today’s culture, we seem to have gotten things a bit mixed up. During this Christmas season, parents everywhere are running around looking for the latest and greatest toys, when the things their children need most are boundaries, safety nets and safeguards. These things can  only come through the gift of obedience.

Jesus Christ learned obedience from the things he suffered and we do too. It’s a tough world out there and having our children “suffer” when they willfully disobey will teach them obedience. Allowing them to experience the consequences of their disobedience causes them to think twice the next time they are tempted to disobey.

Teaching children to obey their parents has multiple benefits.

    • It teaches them to respect authority
    • It teaches them to be good parents
    • It develops their code of ethics
    • It develops a healthy work ethic
    • It teaches them to be obedient to their Heavenly Father and His Word

As you prepare your children’s gifts this Christmas, make plans to give them the gift of obedience. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us.

Heavenly Father, fill us with Your Spirit.  Teach us how to be the parents you would have us to be.  Help us to be parents whose yes is yes and no is no.  Help us to follow Your example and teach obedience through love. Thank You for the gift of obedience.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

Click here to visit blog

©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Does God Really See Everything? Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)

December 17, 2011 in God's Merciful Ways, Hebrews, righteous living, The 2011 Prayer Journey with 0 Comments

Naked and Exposed, no thanks!  I’ll keep myself covered and hidden!”  We do have a choice right?

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 4:19-22, Hebrews 1:1-4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:13

We humans love to think we have a choice about EVERYTHING, but when it comes to God’s  watchful eye, which the writer of Hebrews tells us about in today’s reading, there are no multiple choices–everything about you and me is naked and exposed to God.

We can hide our physical, emotional, and spiritual flaws from people but we cannot hide them from God.

When my husband Harry was four or five years old he thought he was hiding a late night visit to his sister’s room from his parents.

To keep his parents from seeing him walk across the top of the stairs, he hid behind a small pillow that covered his face.  Harry thought his parents couldn’t see him because he couldn’t see them. They saw the pillow with legs walking across the upstairs landing and immediately knew who it was and where he was going!

Aren’t we the same way with God,  we try to use all kinds of “pillows” to hide our disobedience and sin.  We think that if we can’t see God, He can’t see us…it’s just as crazy as Harry thinking his parents didn’t know he was behind the pillow.

What are you hiding behind the pillow today?

Blessings in Jesus!

Click here to visit blog

©2011, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-7:28


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