052213: Move Closer to Daddy

 

My pastor tells the story of needing to discipline his children. Like me and many other parents who love their children, he still believes it necessary and in order to use spanking as one of the corrective measures God placed at a parent’s disposal (See Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14; and 29:15). As his boys faced their upcoming spanking due to a transgression of theirs, the younger one was overheard giving the older one some sage advice: If you move closer to Daddy while he spanks you, it won’t hurt as much.

During the time of Isaiah, the children of Israel were being disciplined for turning against God. As God allowed other nations to rise up and punish them, the prophet writes, “For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, nor do they seek the LORD of hosts” Isaiah 9:13 (NKJ). The only One who could help them was the One they continued to reject.

It’s difficult to turn toward the one disciplining us. Teenagers are especially good at holding grudges against a parent who has placed them on punishment, or against teachers who dole out a discipline for their wrongdoing. Adults are no better. We are ready to defend ourselves when a mistake or a wrong is pointed out, rather than accept the rebuke, correct our erroneous word or deed, and make the appropriate apologies if necessary. Teens and adults alike turn away from the disciplinarian rather than toward the one who loves us enough to point out that we are wrong.

Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (NKJ). And Proverbs 27:6a says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” (NKJ). The NIV Bible translates that Proverbs verse as, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…” Like God, parents, teachers, and even friends who discipline and correct us are doing so because they love us. They simply do not want us to continue to act a fool.

My pastor’s son had the right idea. The next time you are being disciplined by someone who loves you, move closer. From up close, you’ll experience the love in the chastisement, and by changing your ways, you’ll experience the peace that right living (righteousness) can bring. And especially remember the advice when God is disciplining you. Be a quick study and “move closer to Daddy.”

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

 

 

052113: Music and Prophesy

 

The entire 25^th chapter of I Chronicles is a list of the names of the musicians who served in the tabernacle. Several times it is emphasized that they were skilled at performing their service. What piqued my interest more than that, though, is the fact that the passage says they “should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals” (vs. 1).

The word “prophesy” used here comes from the Hebrew word “naba’” which means “to speak or sing by inspiration in prediction or simple discourse.” It is the same word as is used in Joel 2:28, “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (NKJ). The Greek word in the New Testament is “propheteuo” which also means “to foretell events and speak under inspiration.” Simply put, these musicians sang forth to God’s people God’s message accompanied by their musical instruments.

As one who plays a musical instrument, I know what it takes to become skilled at performing. Like the old joke says, “What does it take to get into Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.” However, this chapter sheds a whole new light on those chosen to the music ministry. Musicians stand as prophets. Not only must they practice to be skilled with their instruments, they must keep their spiritual ears open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to what their lyrics should communicate to the people of God. Songs become easy ways to rehearse God’s truth and turn head knowledge into heart knowledge.

First Corinthians 14:1 and 3 say, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men” (NKJ). As you enjoy your choir, church soloists, praise teams, church bands, and Christian CD’s, remember the importance of their calling as prophets to us, skillfully communicating God’s word in song.

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

 

5/10: On Eating and Exercise

 

Nutritious food and proper exercise go hand-in-hand when it comes to our having a healthy body. We are not doing all we can if we neglect either. If we eat good food but never exercise, we will be fat and prone to all kinds of diseases and problems that overweight brings on. If we exercise all the time yet don’t eat nutritious food, we’ll lack the energy necessary to get the things done which we should and we still open ourselves to diseases and problems that a poor diet brings on. The balance of the right food and the right exercise leads to health.

As it is with the body, so it is with the spirit. Some of us diligently spend our weeks in “spiritual” activity (reading the Bible, praying, attending church service on Sunday, and mid-week Bible study and prayer meeting), “eating” the Word, but not exercising it in our daily walk. On the flip side, some of us know a few Scriptures and “exercise” them as a cure-all for everything, never being eager to go deeper in God and learn more.

We will only reach Christian maturity if we feed our spiritual senses from the deep wells of God, and then exercise or put to use in our daily lives what we have learned. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJ). Only as we diligently digest God’s word will we be in a position to discern the difference between what pleases God and what provokes Him.

And we don’t get there by sucking the bottle of “Christianity Lite,” by being unbalanced with our intake and choice of spiritual food, or by being lax in our exercise of obedience to God’s word. Spiritual good health happens “by reason of use.” We get the Word, and then as we use it – apply it – to our everyday lives, we mature and are able to discern between good and evil.

So what’s our word for today?

• Eat right – no matter what God’s word is saying, take it in.
• Exercise – make it your determination to discern good from evil and make the right living choices that will honor God.

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

 

5/9: On Knowing Names

 

After having taught school for 30 years, there are a lot of previous students in my past. From time to time, I meet them at an event or in a store. Inevitably I usually know their faces but I can’t remember their names and they always expect me to. I’m thinking, Come on, now. The mathematical comparison is completely lopsided between how many teachers’ names you had to remember in 13 years and how many students’ names I had to remember in 30. Numerous memories of the great times we shared are indelibly printed, but I humbly request that they please don’t hold it against me if I can’t remember every name.

On the rare occasion when I can remember a former student’s name, I see an amazing grin flash across his or her face. That smile reminds me of how special I feel knowing that this child remembered me fondly. And that special feeling speaks to the worth of what I do as an educator and mentor of young people, which in turn encourages my worth as a human being and a Christian.

It’s nice to be remembered by name. In chapter 16 of the book of Romans, Paul impressed me by giving shout-outs to people he knew by name. And he had some names to remember like Priscilla and Aquila, Epaenetus, Andronicus, Junia, Amplias, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, etc. But not only that, Paul remembered something about each one of them as well:

• Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. (verses 3-5a)
• Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. (verse 5b)
• Greet Mary, who labored much for us. (verse 6)
• Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (verse 7)
• Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. (verse 8)
• Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. (verse 9)
• Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. (verse 10a)
• Greet Herodion, my countryman. (verse 11a)
• Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. (verse 12)
• Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. (verse 13)

Charge it to my head and not my heart that I can’t remember the names of all my former students, but be encouraged today to know that once you’re a part of God’s family, He will never forget your name. He’s smart. He writes them all down in a book, the Book of Life. And He keeps a record there of stuff about you (see Revelation 20:12-15). Be encouraged by Luke 10:20b which says, “…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Hmmm. Writing things down to remember them. What a novel idea. Now if only I could remember where I put my pen…

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

 

 

5/8: On Learning

 

I have spent almost my entire life in school. After a short stint in pre-school – the only school I recall not liking – came kindergarten and the elementary years. Junior high was divided between two schools, and my wonderful high school years were spent as a Los Angeles High School Roman. Then for two years I was a Trojan at U.S.C. (the University of Southern California), and my final two undergraduate years were spent working really hard to earn my bachelor’s degree from Biola University. Then I actually started teaching school three months before I graduated and I’ve been “in school” ever since.

Over the years, I’ve attended numerous teachers’ conferences and have heard a lot about teaching, but I’ve come to understand that my teaching will mean nothing if I don’t focus on whether or not my students are learning. A learned piece of information is a building block; it has its own use, plus it’s placed so that another piece of information can be added to it at a later date. It is my job as an educator to communicate my new pieces of information in a way that connects with and builds upon an old piece that’s already been placed. When I can accomplish that, learning happens.

The problem I face is chinks in the wall or missing information blocks. If vital blocks have not been laid in advance of a student coming to me, my information blocks simply become heavy weights that serve to crush rather than build. Whose fault was it that the student missed the former building blocks? Who knows? It could have been the home environment, a faulty school system, a lazy instructor, an extended absence, or even something in the student’s own make-up. Whatever the case, if the former building blocks aren’t there, they aren’t there, and learning won’t occur. Successful students are those who learn; who can connect the new information to the old and use it effectively to progress from grade to grade toward graduation.

The Bible tells us that learning happens in small chunks. Isaiah says, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” Isaiah 28:10 (NKJ). What works for school children in regular school is also true of us as we learn of God and His ways in the school of life. We should be gaining new information daily from God, incorporating what He says into our lives, and growing in our walk with Him. Or are we like those Paul spoke about to Timothy who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” 2 Timothy 3:7 (NKJ)?

It’s easy to tell the difference between a kindergartener and a college graduate. Here’s a test to see if you are progressing adequately toward graduation. 1. How long have you known God? 2. What spiritual grade are you in? 3. What have you learned of Him and His ways that you effectively use? 4. Did you add a new “block” of learning today, either from reading the textbook (the Bible), listening to one of His lectures (a sermon or Bible study), or attending one of His life-lesson labs?

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

5/7: On the Discipline of Children

 

My friends, Tammy and Cintia, and I were all at different stages in the parenting process when we entered a discussion about the discipline of children. My children were all grown and out of the house; Tammy was in the throes of dealing with an eight-year-old, strong-willed daughter; and Cintia was just starting out with a baby girl and a boy toddler.

As we moms had lunch one day, Cintia asked, “How old should your kids be when you start disciplining them, and do you spank, use time-outs, give stern looks, or what?” Tammy and I agreed that you start as soon as your kids exhibit a behavior or attitude that needs to be adjusted. We also agreed that the discipline must fit the behavior and the personality of the child. For example, as nursing babies, they each needed a little pluck on the cheek to signal that it wasn’t a good idea or in their best interest to bite down on the nipple that was supplying them with their necessary nourishment. Sometimes we noticed that we can just give “that look” to our kids and they know to cease and desist with whatever they are doing. But both Tammy and I realized that the power of “that look” exists because of some groundwork that has been laid beforehand. We both followed the Biblical discipline method of corporal punishment when defiance sparked the infractions. The following verses are our back-up on this point:

• Proverbs 13:24      He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. (NIV)
• Proverbs 22:15      Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. (NIV)
• Proverbs 23:13-14      Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. (NIV)
• Proverbs 29:15      The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. (NIV)

We love our children and that’s why we discipline them, even if discipline involves spanking from time to time. One of the parents’ roles is to be the disciplinarian for the purpose of developing disciplined individuals when our kids become adults.

God does the same with us for the same reason. He desires for us to “grow up into Him in all things” (Eph 4:15 KJV). Sometimes, the mere reminder that we have broken His heart is enough to bring about the necessary change; but then there are times when we’re strong-willed against Him and He needs to give us some real pain before we’ll obey. As with God and us, so it should be with us and our children: “Woe to him who strives with His maker” Isaiah 45:9a.

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!

5/6: Our Vows

 

We use our words much too loosely and thoughtlessly. I especially cringe when I hear people evoke God’s name in their fits of rage. Besides the blatantly blasphemous outcry of the name of Jesus to show frustration, or attaching God’s name to a curse word, I’m particularly offended when someone declares, “I swear to God,” and then continues by asserting what he/she will or won’t do.

The words of our mouths are important, especially when we make vows to God. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 says, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed–Better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (NKJ).

What vows have you made to God?

• I’m going to stop smoking, overeating, drinking in excess, fornicating, etc. since I know my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
• I’m going to start exercising, drinking water, eliminating salt, etc. for the same reason as above.
• I’m going to read my Bible every day.
• I’m going to pray more diligently.
• I’m going to be a better husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, student, employee, church member, etc.
• I’m going to tithe regularly.
• God, if you just get me out of this one I’ll…

God says we are fools when we make vows to Him and then don’t follow through. Why? Because He’s true to His word. When we call on Him in a vow, He starts to move in our direction to assist us. He puts things in motion in the heavenly realm to bring about the blessings associated with the carrying out of those vows. For example:

• When we seek God for help by vowing to turn away from evil, God starts the health machine working because He says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” Proverbs 3:7-8.
• When we vow to read our Bibles regularly, God starts to send stronger faith our way because “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.
• And when we vow to tithe, God starts binding up that which would seek to destroy us as He indicates when He says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field…” Malachi 3:10-11 (NKJ).

You see, God’s not like us. He actually takes us at our word (contrary to how we don’t take Him at His). Therefore, when we renege on our vows, we throw a wrench in the works of the very machine that has already started to manufacture blessings for us. Foolish!

So let’s not vow unless we mean it. And the next time we feel the need to make a vow to God, let’s remember the seriousness of what we are saying, and the lengths God Himself will go to in order to help us see it through. This knowledge should spur us on to successfully fulfill that vow, and engender a heart of gratefulness to God.

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©2013 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website, and now also available on Kindle!