God has a plan for all mankind, for the entire human race. He would like for all to come to know and believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Savior. Those of us who do believe, become members of the Royal Family of God. We will live with Him forever in heaven. We are on the Royal Family team.

1 Corinthians 9:25-26 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly…

Even though we choose to be on God’s team, we still have times when we go out of bounds by sinning. We’re off the track. Because we choose to sin, we cause ourselves misery. We make pain for ourselves! How miserable is that?

Galatians 5:7-8 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion [influence, force] does not come from the One Who calls you.

Sometimes the misery or pain doesn’t get us back on course. Then God, in His justice, will discipline us or correct us. God punishes or disciplines us to show us that we are off track. He wants to motivate us to get on the right track. Sometimes we need just a little warning. Other times we need a BIG warning! He loves us soooo much that He will not stand by while members of His team stay off course by sinning. He encourages us to rebound and re-enter His plan for our lives.

Proverbs 3:11 My Son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke [scolding], because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.

We have to use rebound when we get off track. This means privately telling God the Father our sins. Then we are filled with the Holy Spirit again, we are back on track, and we can go forward in God’s plan. We can run a good race!

1 Corinthians 11:30-31 But if we judged ourselves rightly [rebound], we should not be judged [divine discipline].

In His perfect wisdom, God knows when to warn each of us. He knows the best way to get our attention and teach us to totally depend on His grace. Remember, grace means favor, kindness, and mercy. All divine discipline is given in grace or kindness. If God didn’t discipline us, He wouldn’t be acting with grace or kindness. We wouldn’t learn, wake up, and get back on track! God disciplines us not to see us squirm but because He loves us and wants the best for us. He wants us to trust in His grace and concern for us.

Deuteronomy 32:4 The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

When God does discipline or correct us, and then we rebound, three things can happen to the discipline. It can be taken away completely, a little of it might remain, or all of it might remain. If any or all of it remains, it is for blessing. That means that God lets it continue because He knows that with the help of the Holy Spirit we can handle the suffering. It will make us grow spiritually. It will strengthen us so that when other problems come up, and they will, we will be able to handle them. God knows us and He knows what will make us strong spiritually. God puts us on a great exercise program! We just have to stick with the program.

Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, [so that] your youth is renewed like the eagle.

As we members of the Royal Family team continue to learn God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will change our thinking and, therefore, our behavior. We’ll be off track fewer times. We’ll be in God’s plan for our lives! We’ll be on track! THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR WORD, BIBLE DOCTRINE, AND DISCIPLINE!

Psalm 119:65 Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant [treated Your servant well], O Lord, according to Thy word. Teach me good discernment [to know what is true] and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments. Before I was afflicted [had troubles or hardships] I went astray [out of bounds], but now I keep Thy word. Thou art good and do good; teach me Thy statutes [laws].

How wonderful it is that we have such a loving heavenly Father Who disciplines us. God is always faithful to us, even when we are not faithful to Him! He wants us to succeed and become winners on His team! It is great to know that every time we get off track, if we aren’t paying attention, God will warn us. Sometimes we can get on track before the whistle is blown. However, if we don’t, we must be alert to the sound of the whistle (discipline) and rebound, or come inbounds. God wants us to run the good race!

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [Bible doctrine].

References used:           Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries   www.gbible.org                                             California Conference 2004, Part 2                      Albany Conference 2004, Tree of Life summary, The                      Church at Thyatira Part 2                      Arizona Conference 2005, The Church at Thyatira, Part 1                      Lessons: 6-29-05, 8-14-05

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