"A Father's Discipline"

   "After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD'S discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." 

 "As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever.

 "For our earthly fathers discipline us for a few years, doing the best they know how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:4-11 NLT)

  "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:11-12 KJV)

 How wonderful the Father's love is towards us! The more I think of the things He has done, what He is still doing; the more I feel that I truly don't deserve everything He has done! If you know anything about my situation, then you might wonder why I feel so blessed, as if everything is great in my life. Well, it might not seem all that wonderful to anyone else, but the journey God has given me, taking care of my wife, has made love come alive in our suffering.

 I know that there are many people that really don't understand that; there have been quite a few that have asked me why I might be keeping her, as if that is my right to take her life. But I made a promise to God that I wouldn't; that it was totally up to Him! And I will do the very best to comfort her, read to her, pray with her, and keep on loving her, tell death do us part...

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" (Ephesians 5:25 KJV)