AVIZANDUM: Course Correction

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avise endum Every authentic follower of Jesus relishes in the knowledge that we have a heavenly Father. He watches over us, cares for us, provides for us. and pours His grace upon us. We are instructed in Scripture.

to seek him with all of her heart, to trust him, and to walk in ways which are pleasing to him. Yet our Heavenly Father loves us so much that from time to time He also disciplines us. The writer of Hebrews says for the Lord disciplines the one He loves. and chastises every son whom he receives. This discipline is for our good.

That we may share His Holiness. Have you experienced that discipline by God the Father? What has been your response? It is because our Heavenly Father loves us that He disciplines us.

Now this is true of our earthly fathers. When I think of discipline, I think of what I received from my own father. He's a kind man, but as a boy I sometimes experienced his discipline. That discipline came in various forms, but the extreme form was when I received the belt. This was a piece of leather which was also used in elementary schools I attended.

in Scotland. and this piece of leather, called the belt, was applied to the student's hands. One solitary teacher had to control a class of over 30 boys and girls.

So strong discipline was required. If we were fooling around disrespectful, Talking too much. Messed up our school work, the teacher summoned us to the front of the class. In the presence of all of the students we then received the belt. Usually when I received it.

It was three strikes on each hand. It really stung. Did I resent that discipline?

Well, I didn't resent the discipline from my father, because I knew I deserved it. I knew he was doing it for my good. Receiving discipline from the teacher was a bit different.

sometimes I thought it was unfair.

Sometimes it was given in anger or frustration by the teacher. The worst discipline and the most unfair was, when I was a student at Gibraltar Grammar School, I attended there from ages thirteen through sixteen. We were taught by a Roman Catholic order called the Christian Brothers. They wore their dog collars and black robes, and we had to address them as brother. One particular teacher, Brother Murphy, yes, an Irishman, was our French teacher.

Most of the boys in the class were Gibraltarians. with two Jewish boys and two Scottish boys, including myself. It became very clear that Brother Murphy did not like Scottish boys. He would ask us the most difficult questions in French. When our response was not to his liking, he would call us to the front, and with a cane bring it down very smartly on her hands.

Three per hand. It was extremely painful. I did resent it, as I felt it was not administered fairly. yet I was determined Brother Murphy was not going to break my spirit. But in contrast to unfair discipline or unnecessary discipline, our Heavenly Father does it for our good.

Instead of humbly following the Lord, it's very easy for us to get off track. to fall into a ditch, spiritually speaking. to become defiled by the world in our sinful desires. But in love, Our Heavenly Father disciplines us in various ways. In this way he gets our attention.

What's happening? a coarse correction is needed.

So If you are in the middle of the Lord's discipline at the moment, don't resent it, don't be bitter. Remember is not unfair. It's done out of love. It's done so that you will live a holy life. and it is for your spiritual good.

Without the discipline from my earthly father, I possibly would never have learned respect. obedience and humility. Even though the discipline I received from school teachers was sometimes unfair. I have to concede that in many cases I deserved it. The goal of discipline by our Heavenly Father is not to hurt us.

or to punish us. but to conform us to the image of His wonderful Son.

So in our lives, Course corrections are sometimes needed. Don't resent them. Your Heavenly Father is at work in your life. Avazando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe.

John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com slash the verdict.