Thriving In a Season of Chastising, Part III

This is my second post for today, but I wanted to post the notes from today's Beth Moore's study on Life Today, "Thriving In a Season of Chastising" (part III). I encourage the reader to read each scripture reference.
What happens when we cause our suffering, our own consequences? We're full of regret. How do we deal with that? Nothing is more complex than that, when old consequences go on after you've been healed. What do you do then?
You may be dealing with consequences from sin, pride, self-righteousness, a poor business or financial decision, going ahead when "something" told you not to, an infidelity, etc. What should you do?
Know your place in God and in the Body of Christ. Hebrews 12:5-13. Endure hardship, even though it's hard. It's a part of Fatherly discipline, and it is for your good.
Hebrews 12:15. Don't miss the Grace of God! Even though it's your own fault, there's Grace for you.
Remember the difference between consequence and chastisement:
Consequence: the natural order of God as boss (you reap what you sow; it's the same for the believer and the unbeliever)
Chastisement: God's supernatural order as Father (His Abba love for you, His favored child)
When we allow God to overtake our consequences, they become part of a teaching process.
Psalm 103:10-13. God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. God only allows the consequences to come to pass that will teach us. It is never correction for the sake of correction. It is not punishment. It will teach us. The consequences help us know that this isn't where we want to be. They help us get to the place where we're ready to change.
What makes a season of chastisement so difficult is that we have to accept our fault in the matter. We cannot "get on with it" until we do that. Hebrews 12:5b. God "rebukes" us. The word "rebukes" means to point out a fault. When He does that, accept it and learn from it.

Life Plan Devotion #15 [The pearl]

Do you know how a pearl develops? It happens when a foreign substance slips into an oyster, between its mantle and shell. This irritates the oyster, and the oyster reacts by secreting layers of a natural substance, to cover and protect itself from the irritant, eventually forming a pearl.
How do you react to irritants, whether they be situations or people? They can be either a constant source of irritation or an opportunity to allow God's grace to cover it and you. The result just may be a jewel.

II Corinthians 12:9 [NIV]
"...'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: There are many irritations that come with weight-loss surgery and the way of eating and drinking afterward, that are meant to lead to weight loss and maintenance. You can either react in frustration or you can submit to the process. God's grace will help you submit to the process, as you submit to Him.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, knowing Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price, is precious to me. I thank You for the Grace that flows down and covers me. Help me, today, to submit to You and to the process of being smoothed out by heavenly sandpaper, those situations and people who tend to irritate. Help me to see it all as You see it, an opportunity to develop godly character and live as one of Your jewels. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, covered by Grace.

Life Plan Devotion #13 [Life message]

Everyone is born with a talent or gift. Everyone is born with something they are meant to do. Everyone is born with some life message to share with the world. I believe those things are true. Not everyone submits to their gifting, their life work, or their message, but what an awesome thing when a person does!
What is your life message? Have you ever thought about that? It will be an encouraging comment that comes out of your heart and mouth, probably quite often. It's something that, if given permission, you would shout it from the mountaintop! Whatever life message God has given you to share, realize there is responsibility as well as privilege attached to it, and share your life message with passion.

Acts 20:24 [NIV]
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey is a race. Determine to run it well, and be a trophy of God's grace. Testify that salvation power gives you the ability to conquer the challenges of the race, and don't forget to encourage the other runners.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, my life is worthwhile only if I finish the race and complete the task You have given me--that of testifying to the gospel of Your grace. Help me to know the message I was sent into the world to carry. Once I know my life message, help me to deliver that message with passion. What an awesome privilege to be Your trusted messenger. May I take the responsibility seriously. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and speak your life message to your world.

Life Plan Devotion #5 [Used]

As painful as it may be, recall one of the worst times in your life. Perhaps it was the death of a loved one, an unexpected divorce, abuse, an addiction, abortion, a job loss, an angry teen child, a hateful act of discrimination, an eating disorder. Remember the details of your painful circumstance.
Just as there is no shortage of problems and crises, there is no shortage of God's grace. Think about the good that God was able to bring out of your painful past. Perhaps you have never thought about that, the fact that God can use all your troubles in His plan for your life, but He will, if you will let Him.
God will not waste one moment of pain or sadness. Living in a fallen world, with people who have the ability to choose to act in hurtful ways, is what ushers in pain and sadness. Yet God is able to use our heartache to build our character, draw us closer to Him, and make us more effective in the area of ministry He has for each believer.
How did God use a painful moment in your life? Did you draw closer to Him? Did you find strength inside yourself that you didn't know you had? Did it turn you in a new direction? Were you protected from greater harm? Did it cause you to be empathetic with others, rather than just sympathetic? Are you able to share your life experience with others who are hurting, helping them to know what to do next? Have you been asked to share your faith with someone, because of a shared life experience? Did you learn to trust God and to let Him help you?

Romans 8:28 [NIV]
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Note: Italics used by writer.

What this has to do with weight loss: Every overweight person regrets the journey to obesity, whether that journey involved a prison of his/her own choosing or the fact that someone else held open the prison door and then locked him/her inside. For the believer, every prison door can be opened, the prisoner can walk free, and the prison experience can be used by God to make a difference in the life of someone else--to help free others.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know that in all things You work for the good of those who love You, those who are called according to Your purpose, so that includes me. Today, I thank You for how You planned, in advance, to turn all my problems and crises into good--and that You have made that promise to all believers. It gives me enormous hope. Help me to remember always that You are my compassionate, caring Father. I give all my hurts and troubles to You, to put to good use. Use me to help others, because of what I have been through. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, and be used of God to make beauty from ashes.