CORRECTION

But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Hebrews 12:8 NKJV

When I was younger I remember I would try to get out of being disciplined through tears, sometime it would work and my dad would have pity on me but more times than not I was disciplined. A parent that truly loves and understands the importance would. I was always outside, hanging with friends, we seldom ever stayed inside that was not the era we grew up in. Being outside was not the problem, my friends were not the problem; the problem was I did not fulfill my responsibilities at home. I was told before going outside to make sure the room was clean, the dishes were washed and to take my younger sister with me. I was horrified by the latter. This was my time, I did not want to be responsible for my baby sister. My sister was four years my junior and in my sight at the time super annoying. Before leaving I would give her instructions to go over to her friend and I would get her when I am going home. That never worked as I had anticipated because she was more reserved and I was a little more rambunctious than she was, well maybe a lot more. She would usually get home earlier than I would, meaning she would be home alone or possibly with my brothers and their many friends. When I would hear my name ringing in the air I knew I was in trouble. My dad would stand on the front porch and call my name from the depth of his soul "MEEEEEKKKKKEEEEELLLLLEEE" Should I stay and maybe he would forget, but that may make him angry. With my tail between my legs, I would slowly walk home ready to be scolded, I was always prepared with full-on theatrics and a sad story. My brother on the other hand would be giggling and making fun of me. "Daddy I had to stay at my friend's house...trying to find a story, then he simply says Mekelle you cannot leave Mechelle at home by herself suppose she turned on the stove?" I never thought of those things. Proverbs 15:5 says a fool despises a father's correction. At that time I hated it, I could not understand it but just like our heavenly Father, our parents can see further than we can. In 2 Timothy Paul sends Timothy a letter with a command. Tell people to be ready and although God will judge all people you must tell them when they are wrong, have patience and be able to teach. Having a parent, pastor, mentor or someone ahead of you in the faith correct you is scriptural but it is never a good feeling. In Matthew 16:22-23, Jesus was discussing with his friends the future, what will happen to Him in Jerusalem. Peter knew that He was Lord and could not imagine such a thing happening to Jesus. He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him-Jesus, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan!" Did Jesus not realize that this was Peter? Peter's misunderstanding needed to be corrected, it could detour someone from the actual plans that God had. Jesus said to him, "you are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Remember this was Jesus' boy and continued to be but He had to correct him, when you know God has given you a vision and someone comes along telling all the reasons you should not do it; correct them. Matthew 17 A man came to Jesus pleading for mercy for his son who was an epileptic explaining would sometimes fall into fire and water he was brought to the disciples but they could not heal the boy. Jesus responded, "You people have no faith" then Jesus spoke to the demon in the boy commanding that it come out and the boy was healed. In addition, we have spoken a lot about Elijah over the last few weeks but even Elijah was rebuked and corrected. We are never too big or small for correction. Remember the story with King Ahab and Jezebel? Well the famine was bad there was no rain and God told Elijah to go and meet Ahab. On the way to meet Ahab Elijah met Obadiah. This guy was the person that hid 100 prophets when Jezebel was killing the Lord's prophets and was also in charge of the palace. Obadiah was asked to go with the king as they looked for grass for the animals, while looking he met Elijah. Elijah told him he wanted to meet with King Ahab which was a bold move because Jezebel could kill him. He met with King Ahab and later with the prophets of Baal. They all prayed to and whatever God would answer that would be the God to follow, instructed Elijah. There were about 450 prophets of Baal they all prayed, lumped around, screamed, cut themselves and nothing happened. Elijah prayed and fire came down from heaven and they all bowed down to the ground and said, "The Lord is God! The Lord is God!" The prophets of Baal were sent to be killed. The rain came and Ahab went home told Jezebel what happened. I am certain she was furious, her prophets not only had been killed but killed by a prophet of the Lord. Shouldn't he have already been killed? She sent him a warning, "you will be dead by this time tomorrow." When Elijah heard this he was afraid and ran for his life. But why? If God answered his prayer brought down fire, brought the dead back to life what more in this situation. Elijah was so afraid he asked God to let him die, an angel came fed him, God came and asked what was his problem why are you hiding here in a cave? He was crippled by the words of Jezebel. At that point, God knew he could no longer use Elijah and Elijah was replaced. He was sent to anoint Elisha as a replacement this is very familiar to the story of Jonah when he went the other way and king Saul disobeyed God and was also replaced. Elijah had so much opportunity to level up but he continued to wallow in fear, God used that time to show him His love by sending angels to feed him and correct Elijah when he said to let me talk to you, stand in front of me. Elijah continued talking about what happened, he did remind himself of how God moved, all those miracles and testimonies. God corrects those he loves like a loving Father should. I want to remind you that it is okay when you are being corrected by the Holy Spirit, it is okay when the Lord says No, wait! You know that you are a part of His children and He is protecting you. God could no longer use Elijah, fear is not of God and it is stifling and can cause a person to see things that are not there. Have you ever been afraid at night with the lights off and it looks like someone standing near the door or you hear someone walking down the hall but you later realize that the person was a shadow from a lamp or tree and the footsteps were a chair? Did you want to stand before that person and ask them why were they in your house? No, you probably covered your eyes and prayed that it would go away. Fear did not allow you to be bold and confident. Moreover, Moses was corrected by his father-in-law Jethro in Exodus 18. Moses freed the Israelites from the Egyptians but Jethro came to visit bringing Moses' family to him. Jethro was able to witness Moses leading and realized that yes he was doing an excellent job but what would make the job much easier was him appointing leaders who would assist with minor issues and things that were more pressing would go directly to Moses. Had Moses been conceited he could've argued, gotten offended and even throw a temper tantrum about how everyone needs him but no he was humble and wise and heeded the advice. There are stories after stories of correction, advice and words of wisdom. Submission and humility come through correction and chastising. Remember Peter was a close friend of Jesus and he was corrected and scolded, some could no longer be used because of God's love. To be a vessel God can use you will have to first be proved, corrected, and crushed.

#crushed #proned #corrected #discipline