This morning's thoughts were found at Of First Importance, a blog where I always come away challenged and encouraged.  One of their authors shared this quote from Charles Spurgeon:

“The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel’s fields.”

A commenter on the same site turned my thoughts to Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

 

Just as climbing hills builds muscle... discipline brings holiness. 

Everyone knows that climbing hills build muscle.  It's hard work.  You don't look for the easy workout if you're hoping for great results.  Why would we think that our spiritual training and spiritual life would be any different?  What comfort & peace it should bring us to know that enduring the discipline of our heavenly Father brings us into a sharing of His holiness! Verse 10 of Hebrews 12 is nothing short of precious.  Have you read it with the understanding that the word discipline means: to train up a child, i.e educate or discipline?

7. It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  8. If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  9. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them.  Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  10. For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.  11. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12. Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13. and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  14. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Naturally, no one asks for discipline, but surely we can appreciate the benefit that training brings.  I want to endure with joy and hope knowing that it's for the sake of being transformed more into Christ's likeness.  Understanding that it's God's instruction for us, His training of us should help us to welcome it.  Verse 14 even encourages us to strive for that holiness, so we should welcome the discipline that He brings in order to bring forth His holiness in our lives. 

Also, I can't overlook the fact that it is purposefully hinged alongside of striving for peace with everyone.  There is a definite connection here between living at peace with everyone, yielding to the Lord's discipline, and growing in holiness.  I want my drooping hands to be lifted and my weak knees to be strengthened; I want what is lame to be healed rather than put out of joint.  How?  By striving for peace with everyone and for the holiness that is brought by the Lord's discipline.  I don't know about you, but I need to be in the Lord's training.  No way to get His holiness on my own.  That's a reality check some days.  No way for any of us to be more like Him on our own.  Makes me all the more thankful for the encouraging news of Hebrews 12.

I turned the station away from k-love for a while today in the van, and was reminded why that can be a refreshing change.  I got to hear Michael Card singing a beautiful rendition of On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand, Fernando Ortega singing one of his many beautiful works, and Larnelle Harris singing one of his top songs from a couple decades ago.

Granted, Larnelle's music is not one of my favorites, but he has a wonderful voice.  Guess that's part of what was such a blessing to this listener.  Beautiful voices, singing songs rich in the truths of God, all coming from hearts earnestly worshipping the one true God.  

I flip stations frequently... changing from tunes I don't like to find something I like better.  But today's flipping yielded unusually good results, lol.  It's good and refreshing to hear a variety.  These were most definitely part of my happy music today.  Throw in some old school Michael W.Smith, such as  Glorious Grace or I'm Up, and I'll be all set.  Now that was music...  

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that praise His name.  And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:15-16