Day of Praise

Mo, 11/10/14, "Day of Praise"

"Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." - Proverbs 10:17

Little in life is harder...

Than the giving...

And receiving...

Of rebuke, counsel, and discipline.

But little in life is more important.

This is not some obscure teaching. Instead, in the Bible, God repeatedly speaks of the love, life, and wisdom that are gained and imparted from the receiving and giving of rebuke, counsel, and discipline.

It is hard to receive rebuke, counsel, and discipline because we don't want anymore "bosses" than are required to get our paycheck.

It is hard to give rebuke, counsel, and discipline because we don't want conflict as much as we want "friends," that is, people who like us.

But, praise God, there is more to life than paychecks and people liking us.

In today's verse, God calls us to value two things: 1) "the way to life" as greater than a paycheck and 2) not "leading others astray" as greater than people liking us.

As with all these Days of Praise, there is so much more we could say, but the bottom line is this: God's word plainly and repeatedly tells us that no man or woman is wise unto the truly good life in and of themselves.

God himself made us this way, that is, God made us to need one another for the giving and receiving of God's word.

So today, as you interact with others, listen intently for God's rebuke, counsel, and discipline. And when it's your turn to speak, do so boldly, with confidence in the Lord and love for the person.

Praise God!



Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson