Think of that word, discipline and what comes to mind. I believe that most think of punishment and accountability as in; “He was disciplined for speaking negatively about a classmate”. But what about the other meaning of care and determination; “His discipline kept him on track when the weather turned difficult”.

“⁵Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. ⁶So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.” – Deuteronomy 8:5-6 (ESV)

Moses refers to both meanings here in these two verses. We are responsible for disciplining our children when things are not right, and we are also responsible for demonstrating and teaching a disciplined walk, which is likely more important.

I think of my wife’s grandfather and the discipline he demonstrated through life. He is an amateur woodworker who collected his tools of the trade over the years (about 40) from my wife and her mother. At 96, he is now handing those tools back to them in great condition to be used by me and my boys. This would not be possible if there was not disciplined care for those over the years.

What is your thought of discipline? How are you demonstrating that discipline? Do you know discipline and discipline?

We cannot see the future, however we know our destination. God provides our destination of heaven. We are not given insight into the journey, but our destination is clear.

“¹³Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred year.’” – Genesis 15:13 (ESV)

God did not pull any punches with Abram, in fact, it appears that God punched him right in the gut by telling him that his offspring will be servants for four hundred years. Tough sledding for Abram at this moment. Look at the next verse.

“¹⁴But I will bring judgement on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.” – Genesis 15:14 (ESV)

God tells Abram the good news. Now here is the part that got me. How did Abram know? God told him. It is not written down for him to follow. No map or directions. But Abram believed and had faith.

We have it written down. We have a map and directions. The BIBLE is our guide and how we know. We only have to study to understand.

When you are wondering which direction you are headed and where to turn next, are you consulting a map? Are you looking at the directions? Are you using your resources to get insight into what is next? How we can know – “the Bible tells me so”.

When we are born, we already have a task to complete. God has given us an important assignment.

“⁷⁶And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, ⁷⁷to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, ⁷⁸because of the tender mercy of our God,” – Luke 2:76-78 (ESV)

I know, this passage is referring to John the Baptist, but is it just about him? Aren’t we to “give knowledge of salvation” and deliver the message of “the tender mercy of our God”? John the Baptist was, in that day, prophesied to lead the path for Jesus’ coming and guide the people to Him. Don’t we have that same role today?

And what was John guiding the people to?

“⁷⁸…whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high ⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – Luke 1:78-79 (ESV)

And there you go, Jesus, he was guiding them to Jesus. Aren’t we to be guiding the people to God so that He can “give light” and “guide” us to “peace”?

We are in a position here to guide the people and we should take that seriously. It is a task that has been on our to-do list for quite a while.

Are you working to guide the people? Where is that task on your to-do list? Have you struck it off, is it one of those items that you never really complete, but continue to work at?

Have you ever done something expecting God to reward you for your actions? Take these words from the people of Judah during the decline of Israel:

“’³Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you see your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.” – Isaiah 58:3 (ESV)

Isaiah points out to the people that they may be taking actions, doing the religious thing, however they are shallow and self-serving and not in true reverence and obedience to God. Do we find ourselves doing the same, saying, “God, look at me, I did your work”?

Ours is to selflessly do God’s work without any expectation, for we already know our reward. We have to be genuine and full of God’s love to pour out on others and then, God will guide us.

“¹¹And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” – Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)

Will you be genuine with your work for God? Will you be content with your reward in heaven? Do you understand that with your genuine faith God will guide you?

I substitute the word “lead” with the word “guide” based on what I read this morning.

“²⁶One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26 (ESV)

“The way of the wicked” may only be subtle at the beginning and others may only see that which seems good. The whole picture is not revealed. The turmoil, adversity, and difficulty is disguised with the grandeur of wealth and power. It is not challenges arise that we are able to see the whole picture and we realize that the path taken as we followed was riddled with less than accurate information.

As Christians, we are tasked with being the example of Christ to all. We are to spread the gospel and bring the good news. We have accepted the gift of salvation and are willing to make sure others around us have the same opportunity to accept that gift that we did. That is where our guidance come into play.

Those around us need to “see” the good news in us. We should be talking about it and presenting it every chance we have. When presenting, we are showing what the Word of God is, has, and will do in our lives. We want to make sure and not give some inflated picture only to have that bubble burst with adversity allowed by God as a part of his plan to refine us.

Our example should be the guide to show our neighbors the path to our future glory, as we navigate through this world for which we are only passing through.

Are you providing the whole picture to those around you, or only showing them what we want them to see? Will you demonstrate God to your neighbors, all of what God is doing, rewards and challenges? Are you guiding with your example?

You see, I am one to do a lot of things on my own and not rely on others, the typical guy (I do not need to ask for directions). About 22 years ago, Lori and I went to Jamaica and did a couple of tours around the island. One in particular, with a local charter company took us to Dunn’s River Falls and I have to say, it was a great experience.

“²⁴You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will receive me to glory.” – Psalm 73:24 (ESV)

We need the right guide to get to glory, and God is that ultimate guide. I am sure that without a guide in our trip to Dunn’s River Falls we would have enjoyed the view, but having the guide take us there and give us more than just the falls was even better.

We have many opportunities to get where we want to go, but it is God that has the map for our lives and will show us all of the extra that we may miss by just simply getting there. It is the journey that is worth the trip and when we reach our final destination, heaven, we will have a glorious time.

Are you willing to use a guide on your journey? What about choosing God as your guide? Are you look for the destination or is the journey the beginning of the reward?

I read this morning in Psalm 67 and in verse 4 find language that is, well, eye opening.

“⁴Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth.” – Psalm 67:4 (ESV)

Now it may not seem that eye popping until you dig in. There are words that I believe we hone in on as we read; glad, sing, and joy. And we should hold those close, however I was drawn to the words judge, equity, and guide. These are the words that pop for me.

In my NIV Bible the word judge is replaced by rule, and equity is replaced by justly. How many of us want to be ruled and feel as though rule is just? I find it interesting that we are drawn to all the positive phrasing when those of discipline are maybe the guiding light of our day to day. And notice the word I used, “guiding”, that is the other word used.

In guiding us, God has our interests in mind. He may take us through fields and seasons of goodness and then there are those times of difficulty he brings us through. Each of these times is meant for our growth and we should be thankful. Just look at verses 3 and 5 of chapter 67.

“³Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! ⁵Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” – Psalm 67:3 & 5 (ESV)

Yes, they are the same, and I see them this way. Praise is for God in the times of prosperity as well as difficulty.

Will you praise God at all times? Will you allow God to guide you through all times? Will you allow God to be your guide?

We know that we are to be the example of God here for others to see. We know we are to show that example. IT IS NOT EASY!!!

“³For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;” – 1 Peter 4:3-4 (ESV)

We will be “maligned” (defamed, slandered, and smeared)? Wow, that is quite the response to being a child of God and walking away from sin.

“⁵but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” – 1 Peter 4:5 (ESV)

Oh, so they will be held accountable for their actions by God, just as we will be held accountable for ours. When suffering as with the maligning, we are to hold to the standard God has set forth.

“⁸Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as on who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:8-11 (ESV)

When we hold to the above example, we are rewarded as stewards of God’s grace. We are to show that grace when things are good and in those times when we are defamed, slandered, and smeared. Our gifts are for all, not just those that are “worthy” of them. Remember, none of us are worthy.

When you are in a tough spot, will you show God’s grace through your actions? Will you walk away, regardless of what they may say about you? Even in suffering, will you show God’s grace?

You may have heard the phrase “Faith without works is dead”. I know that I have and this morning I have gotten some additional clarity on those words.

Abraham was counted as righteous for his belief. He demonstrated that faith with Isaac when he offered him as a sacrifice.

“²²You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was complete by his works.” – James 2:22 (ESV)

It is our responsibility to have faith in our Lord and demonstrate that faith through our works. Works do not create Faith however Faith does create works.

Works are the way to show our faith:

“¹⁸But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your work, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18 (ESV)

It takes our works to demonstrate our faith:

“²⁴You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” – James 2:24 (ESV)

We need and are required to have faith, but that faith requires our work.

Where are you in your faith? Are you relying on that faith as enough? Are you allowing your faith to be declared dead? Are you completing works as a result of your faith? Are you able to Show Your Faith Through Your Works?

Imagine you are watching a magic show and the magician pulls off a trick that you are completely marveled at. You try your best to wrap your head around how, and even search online for the “answer” to your inquisitive nature.

“⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

There is no way to determine the love and grace that God gives. The commentary of my ESV bible says, “It will take all of eternity to fathom God’s love, and those who are saved will never plumb the depths of it.” How true is that?

We have to accept with thanksgiving the love that God shows and will show us. We are not deserving of God’s grace and love, but he gives it anyway, and our best response to that gift should be a hearty “Thank You”

Have you tried to reason the love and grace God shows? What have you figured out? Going forward will you simply say “thank you” and know the love as God shows?