I love the Father. I love the Comforter. But the Disciplinarian part.....well that can be rough!
Did you read the Proverbs 31 devotion today? If you are visiting my blog today after reading today's devo, well then welcome! I'm glad you are here and I hope you'll share some insight of your own.
Last night I had a speaking engagement in my hometown. That doesn't happen very often. It was a large audience (which made me nervous) , many of my friends were there (which made me nervous), my P31 co-workers were there (also made me nervous), and my 7 year old daughter was joining me on stage to tell the opening story (now that made her nervous!). I had an upset tummy all day long. I just didn't know if I could do it. I was worried about what people would think. What if they didn't like me?
Honestly, I came to terms with that early on. Why? Because it didn't matter if anyone liked me or not. My Father and Comforter reminded me that I would be fine. I would be provided for. My Disciplinarian reminded me that I was asked to deliver a message from Him. My discomfort was unimportant compared to the message He was asking me to give. I needed to study. I needed to prepare. I needed to pray. I needed to remain focused. And I needed to follow through. So I did.
I have to admit, I love God when He's giving me comfort and fatherly love. And you know what? I also love Him when He's giving me discipline. I might not like it, but I'm thankful for it. Discipline is not my strength. I'm weak. But when I'm disciplined and do like I know I'm supposed to the rewards are way better than I could've planned.
A woman came up to me after the event tonight. She carried a book with her. She asked, "Will you sign this book for me?" I replied, "Oh, I'm not the author of that book." She said, "Yes, I know. I just want to remember you and who spoke the message on the night my life was changed." I am still shaking my head. I don't get it. How could I have been involved something lifechanging?
The truth is I'm not. I have nothing to do with life change. That's all God. He disciplined me. And I did what I was asked to do.
What is God to you these days? Your Father? Your Comforter? Your Disciplinarian?
Do Share. I can't wait to read your comments!
Much Love,
Melissa
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22 comments:
Yes, Melissa, I can believe you were involved in something that was lifechanging! This is a beautiful testimony!
Blessings,
Cheri
Melissa,
Great devo. you are amazing. I love how you point back to our Father. God is my comforter right now as I am dealing with physical pain.
Love you my friend
Cris
Melissa,
Great devo. you are amazing. I love how you point back to our Father. God is my comforter right now as I am dealing with physical pain.
Love you my friend
Cris
Well, right now He is my Disciplinarian. And who can say we like being disciplined? Not me! First of all it can hurt. Being shown where I am failing and where I am wrong.
Discipline is hard. It means I have to make changes, stepping out of my comfort zone.
But I need discipline if I want to grow in His wisdom. Discipline will cause me to become submissive. Being submissive will allow me to be obedient. Being obedient will allow me to make changes.
It is my baby steps that I am making.
Love in Christ,
Angie
Melissa, Thanks for linking to my book in your wonderful devo. I'll pray today (right now) for the continued healing of your foot. Bless you!
Melissa, I believe that you are involed in more than you think you are involed in and it is beautiful because it really doesn't matter how many people you actually change just know inside your heart you have changed one and to me that is so beautiful and what an awesome experience my prayers got out to you and your family as well. God is talking and working through you I only wish that you could really go to places that you are needed like Los Angeles, Calif (not only skid row area's with the drugs homelessness prostitutes gangbangers all walk of life but you could really touch someone. I know I use to run around down there as a lost soul with out having a care in the world but now I am clean and sober going to a graet University to get my Degree God is so good He has saved my life more tham once I am a survivng victim of the Riverside Serial Killer in Calif so listen ladies God will never leave nor forsake even when you think that you alone no he is there waiting for you to come to him. But Melissa Thank You
Melissa,
Right now the Lord is my Disciplinarian. I ask and pray each morning for feel His mighty presence especially if any unwholesome talk comes out of my mouth. (Eph. 4:29) I just said something I should have kept to myself to a fellow employee and my heart is burdened over it. I thank God for the times like this that He reminds me to watch what I say.
Thank you Melissa for sharing your heart with us. You are awesome and I always look forward to your sharing with us.
Deborah
Melissa,
Talk about a "gift from God". Just this morning I was crying out to Jesus. I am tired, drained and frustrated. My husband is constantly talking about divorce and I was telling my Comforter that I don't know how much longer I can do this.
Well, He answered me when I read your devotion just now. Thank you for letting God speak through you to me. I know that He does give me strength and I will sore in this marriage until He heals my husband heart and we can both be renewed in him! God Bless!
Melssa,
I saw a gal out at breakfast this morning. She said she brought a friend to the event last night and that the message was EXACTLY what she needed to hear. How cool is God!
Love being your friend,
Lynn
Thank you Melissa for being authentic and honest about life. Isn't that what God calls us to do, be honest with Him and others. Too many times in churches, people are not real about God and the life He calls us to engage in with Him. I sometimes feel like a fish out of water or worse yet, ( have been told this) too sensitive! God has been my Provider, Comforter, Deliverer and yes, Disciplinarian, even though I too do not like that character of our God but if I do really want Christ formed in me, I can trust Him with the whole process. God bless you and thanks for sharing honestly and helping me to connect today via your blog.
Deb
Melissa, I just want to say thank you for this post. I really needed to hear this today. I need to Lord to be my Disciplinarian especially right now. We just adopted a precious and beautiful baby girl back in October 2008. She is now seven months old, and we love that little girl so much it's almost unreal. However, in January, my husband was laid off. It just seems that with him home more that I am seeing things in him that I have never seen before even though he has not changed on bit. So, I have allowed my mouth to run rampid. It seems that everytime I turn around I am saying something about the house being dirty or upset because I am not sure what he did during the day.
I know it is the enemy, but I also know the power of the words that I speak, and I know that I am wrong. He is a wonderful man in whom I love dearly. Whom am I to judge or spew anything at anyone especially the man that I love. I have prayed, and I have had prayer over me to ask Father for forgiveness and guidance. However, I know that sin can put a wall up that prevents us from hearing Father. I believe that is what I am doing.
So, I am so blessed by your writing as it reminded me that He is the One who can help me to get past this door that I have opened and allowed the evil one access to my mouth. I really appreciate you and what this whole ministry does for us. I am repentant of my behavior, and I pray that God will help me tear down this wall that I have allowed to intefere with His ability to help me. I just needed to hear this and allow it to wash over me today. Thank you for sharing this. Praising God for you and all that you do. You help us to continue to grow in our relationship with Daddy. God bless you!
I am so blessed by all your posts. You do change lives.....keep writing and keep speaking....You are beautiful.....
Oh Melissa...what a devo that was!!! I just had ankle surgery, and while I haven't yet been cleared to put weight on it, I also woke up last night in a great deal of pain. And Isaiah 40:31 is my all time favorite verse. Awesome timing from my awesome God!
Thank you for today's devo, Melissa. It is always good to be reminded of our Comforter and Disciplinarian. I love both aspects of God, though I still sometimes fight against it - I am a strong willed person that continually has to remind herself that God is in charge. When I follow God's discipline I find more peace and joy in my life. In times of sorrow, God comforts me with his word. Isaiah is a very good place to receive that encouragement! Thank you for taking time out for us readers - God has surely used you as a vessel! I will pray now for your physical healing as well.
Praise the Lord Melissa!!
The devo was very encouraging. This is the same verse that came to me this morning as well. And I'm from India,we're 11 - 12and a half hours ahead of u, so I got it before you did!!! ;)
Talk about God being our Father- Wow we all sure love it. Talk about God being our comforter - and we all just wanna stay put right there where we can get all of it from Him. But talk about God being our disciplinarian and oh boy it's tough. But that's what our God is, isn't He. He's tough all over. His tough love holds us in His arms and never lets us go. His tough love sent Jesus on the cross so we would remain in His arms now and forever. Would you and I go to such an extreme level of discipline to teach right from wrong to the ones we love?
Right now, God is disciplining me to let go of myself. The more I learn to let go of myself, the more He fills me up with His Spirit. I praise and thank God for the joy and peace that only He can give in spite of all the grind from day to day life. What an awesome God we serve!
luv n prayers,
Melany
Thanks, Melissa, for your thoughtful messages! So often I open your daily thought, and it is so on target, I am in tears instantly, knowing my Father has ordained just the right message for me. He is, indeed, our disciplinarian, as He is the One Who is conforming us to the image of His Son. If we weren't His children, He wouldn't chasten us, but we can joy in tribulation, knowing He is cleaning away a little more filth from our lives, so He can shine through better in us. I can see Him shining in you, and I give Him thanks and praise.
Your devotions--on-line and in the P31 Mag.--always inspire me. Thanks for being real and for being honest.
Melissa,
You were WONDERFUL last night...so authentic, so real. The last 15 minutes of your message made me want to know Christ more, to know Him deeper. It was a beautiful night. He chose you specially to speak to that gathering of women because it was your heart He needed.
So proud to call you friend,
Wendy
Great devotional today! It's always good to remember who God is- all of the roles he fulfills.
I was talking to our women's group about this on Sunday. It took me so long to grasp God as my Father, because my view was all messed up. We're reading "Captivating" by John & Stasi Eldredge, and it's talking about embracing God as our Lover. That's when I realized I need to work on this one. And I need to explore God as Mother, too.
I thought I understood him, and now I realize there's always so much more to God. But that's a good thing. Our relationship will keep changing and growing as I discover new ways to interact with him.
Sorry I went on and on!
:) Michelle
I was able to share how important it is to let God be the judge of your life. How it's through forgiveness that you find peace and hope no matter what life has thrown your way! I shared a true story from my life experience to a huge online community and the Lord blessed others in a large way. It feels great to be transparent for Jesus!
It's nice to "meet" you, keep doing what you are doing!
Blessings and smiles,
Reen~
This was an excellent devotional. I really needed to remember that it is not in my strength but it is in His that all things are accomplished. Everything is just a little bit brighter now that I have had a dose of my Reality Check.
Blessings to you.
hello! i am one of the ladies that read your prov 31 devo and subscribed to your blog right after haha.
thank you for this post! I had emergency surgery last week and was out of commission all last week. my sweet hubby was home w/ me and my 2 girls (3 and 16mo) all week. but alas, he had to return to work this week. so my in pain self, did my best to walk in obedience to Christ! Including disciplining my 2 girls. It is so hard to be "on the ball" w/ discipline when you're tired, sore, and taking pain meds (haha). So in all of that I heard God telling me to 'do my job" as a mother. and i'm hearing him as i type this...my girls are in their room, not sleeping, and we're on round 5 of discipline...some days being a Godly mother is so difficult. but I know that I can do all things thru Christ WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH!
thanks for your post!
~shannon
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