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  HE DARES TO DISCIPLINE!
  by Miles J. Stanford
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Summary: God's discipline is not to bring us down, but to lift us up and
make us like Him.

Topics: "Gods Discipline", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Luke 15:17, John 15:2, Hebrews 12:6, Hebrews 12:10, 1 Peter 5:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the importance of not taking lightly the
Lord's discipline, comparing it to a father's discipline for the good of
his children. He explains that God's discipline is meant to lift us up
and mold us into His holy character, not to bring us down. Stanford
highlights that through trials and pressure in service, God purges us to
bring forth more fruit, leading us to depend on Him for greater answers
than we could imagine. Just like the prodigal son found more than
sustenance in his father's house, God's discipline and guidance exceed
our expectations, showing His love for us.

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CONTENT
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"My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's discipline, and do not faint
when he corrects you" (Hebrews 12:6, Wey.).

Most of us sought to avoid our natural father's discipline, when he
sought to administer it. And most of us seek to avoid our heavenly
Father's discipline, until we finally learn that "He does it for our
certain good, in order that we may become sharers in His own holy
character" (Hebrews 12:10, Wey.).

"There is an idea that often troubles people, namely, that God always
wants to bring us down when He chastens us. When He corrects a man it is
not that He may bring him down, but that He may lift him up. He says,
'Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time' (1 Peter 5:6). I discipline my child in order
that I may exalt him morally."

"Our Father purges us on the principle of 'we which live are always
delivered unto death for Jesus' sake.' In service you are sure to find
some kind of pressure on you.

"It may be on your body, and often is; or it may be persecution; but you
will hardly ever have a fruitful field of service before you, unless you
are crippled for it. 'He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more
fruit.'"

"We come to feel our need, and often attempt independently to supply it
by our own means; the Lord must confound us in the attempt; but having
done so, He leads in dependence to find and acquire an inconceivably
greater answer to our wishes than even that which we prescribed for
ourselves. The prodigal only sought 'sustenance' from the citizen in the
'far country,' but back in his father's house he found not bread merely,
but abounding welcome and a fatted calf."

"For those whom the Lord loves he disciplines: and he scourges every son
whom he acknowledges" (Hebrews 12:6, Wey.).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/miles-j-stanford/he-dares-to-discipline/
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