Not many people face severe outcomes like this when given the choice whether or not to follow God. Rarely is there immediate judgment for choosing not to follow God. Yet we still disobey, and willful disobedience will have its consequences.
Because of the violent nature of God’s response in this passage to the worship of idols, it is easy to overlook the third form of punishment declared by God.
Read More sacrifice, discipline, judgment
It is an invigorating sight to watch the billowing sails on a yacht glide effortlessly through the water on a glorious summer day. Yet the boat needs more than the gentle breezes to make its journey. It also depends on the strength and stability of that which is unseen; the rudder and keel below the waterline.
Read More strength, discipline, gentlenessI knew exactly what I was doing. How difficult could downhill skiing be? After ignoring the instructor’s lesson on how to ski, I made my way up the hill and started going down. Panic set in when I realized that I did not know how to slow down, stop, turn, etc. What do you do when you realize that you are in trouble on skis? You just fall down and tear the cartilage in your knee. Did I mention I was on the bunny hill and my ego was forever damaged?
Read More humility, discipline, instruction, teachablenessI know a lot of people who others characterize as lazy: homeless men and women, who sit on the sidewalk and beg. But they’re not actually lazy – they spend more hours each day just trying to survive than most people do at their jobs. And if you think panhandling is easy, just try squatting on the concrete with your hat out until you have enough to buy food, pay the rent, clothe yourself and so on.
Read More discipline, lazinessAs I write this the United States just won the Women’s World Cup of Soccer. I am always struck by the irony of thousands of undisciplined fans cheering wildly for a team of athletes who have had to undergo years of disciplined practice, exercise and self-control. These are people who have submitted to regular sacrifice and disciplined preparation for a common goal, while their rowdy fans drink lots of beer, avoid exercise themselves, yet take pride in their team when it wins!
Read More parenting, hard work, disciplineChildren seem to understand that getting it right takes practice. I was watching my 2 year old grandson recently threading a toy screw into a busy board. Round and round, over and over again he tried it without a hint of giving up. From time to time one of the adults would offer guidance. A verbal hint or a guiding hand was given.
Read More learning, discipline, children, correctionAs they humble themselves to pray, a keen awareness of God’s orchestration of events now dawns upon his people.
It is important to see what underlies their discernment. Both Cornelius and Peter were men who made it their regular habit to pray, and we have a written record of the Lord’s extraordinary answers to them.
Read More grace, prayer, discipline, habit
I was picking up grandchildren after school and one of them hurt a brother, so, being the babysitter, I enforced their mother’s rule and took away the day’s allowance from the offending party. He didn’t like it but accepted it.
Discipline is not meant to be liked, it is meant to change.
Read More friends, discipline, rebuke
This passage preserves for us the account of the beginning of the great missionary movement that has continued to our day. It is a watershed moment in the book of Acts. Within a matter of years, Paul was able to say, “The good news is spreading all over the world with great success” (Colossians 1:6).
Read More prayer, discipline, God’s will, participants
On Keats Island in British Columbia I was speaking to junior high schoolers at a camp. (My respect for junior high teachers grew exponentially after this experience.) However, I captured their attention by asking them to keep a secret with me. On Wednesday of that week, I had arranged to have a deadly weapon brought onto the island.
Read More discipline, tongue, weapon