“BROKEN PLACES MADE WHOLE”

GOD NEVER FAILS US..

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children.

Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears." Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-17‬ , MSG‬‬

GOD QUALIFIES US..

I'm not sure about YOU, but I KNOW I can be quite melodramatic at times. The melodramatic personality is said to represent an exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental portrayal of life, which is most often divorced from the reality of the situation — IF we allow our temporary feelings and emotions to get the best of us...Except, I know that I didn't get this way on my own.

I've had a very blessed and unique journey that included a family environment (growing up) that was emotionally charged, fun-loving and warm, with the "resident comedian" found in my maternal grandmother — Bertha Mae Gaither, who was as honest, humorous and hellacious as anyone I've ever know; that truly embodied the most profoundly spiritual, spunky, and snappy personality on the planet. I loved my Granny Bertha!

As a middle-aged African-American adult male of Hispanic origin, who is a radical Christian with a fair amount of life experiences, personal struggles and long-held convictions, I'm fully "aware" of my "broken places" and the very powerful meanings, revelations and understandings that I've received as a result.

WE ALL HAVE A "LENS"..

My "lens" or personal perspective on life, has definitely been shaped by many of my own curious observations and emotional responses to the various situations and circumstances that I've encountered through the years. Some of those experiences I'm absolutely embarrassed to remember. While others, I can greatly treasure and value, because they've made me who I am today. And; I'm thankful!

Some of my favorite passages from the Scriptures, perfectly describe the sense I've had on many occasions of being both confidently overwhelmed and cautiously "in faith" — feeling as if "God must be getting a laugh" out of my brokenness on full display.

Not, that God is in any way entertained by my personal demise, personal pain or personal setbacks. God is genuinely "touched by the feeling of my infirmities", and He cares about anything that is of concern too me; even if and when I feel like He's a million miles away from even caring about the present pains of my heart.

The truth is, when I impose my personal fears onto God in the way that I relate to His Care and His Love, I am allowing myself to be consumed with negative or toxic emotions that are completely disconnected from my current reality. Meaning, I may be journeying and speculating in my mind about "things" that have actually never have, or will ever happen.

GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US..

#1 — "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." (Psalms‬ ‭46:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Psalm 46 is focused on the security of God's people, noting how God had delivered them from one of their great enemies. It challenged the nations to observe that deliverance and stand in awe before God — no matter what the battlefront may have looked like at the time. God wants us to know that we can take courage, and move forward "in faith" by the grace of Almighty God; assured that He will never leave us or forsake us.

In this season, when I've had to walk through some challenges in my business relationships that have been the cause of great anxiety and anger, I've chosen to make God my refuge by intentionally casting the whole of my cares upon the Lord, and resigning the rolodex of ideas and images of "being forgotten", forsaken or left behind, from playing over-and-over again in my mind.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME..

 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah‬ ‭54:10‬, ‭NIV)‬‬

In context, just as God promised that the flood waters of Noah's day would not cover the earth forever, so will His anger recede from Israel. For the mountains shall depart … but My kindness shall not depart from you: Flood waters recede, and mountains do not. But even if the mountains shall depart, even if the hills be removed, the kindness of the LORD to His people will never depart. The kindness of the LORD is more certain than the mountains and the hills, and His covenant of peace is more sure.

The more that I've transitioned out of a "performance mindset" around my relationship with God, the greater freedom and liberty that I've encountered in building more intimacy and understanding.

ENDURE HARDNESS TO GAIN DISCIPLINE

"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." (Hebrews‬ ‭12:4-11, 13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin: These Jewish Christians were so discouraged, because they started to experience significant social and economic persecution (though not yet to the shedding of blood).

Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself: Even in their difficulty, if they consider Jesus, they can be encouraged, not discouraged, knowing that they are following in the footsteps of Jesus. As Paul wrote, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (Romans 8:17).

Lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls: Knowing that Jesus doesn't ask more of us than what He has Himself experienced, and that He knows exactly what we are going through keeps us from becoming weary and discouraged in your souls.

DON'T DESPISE THE DISCIPLINE..

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

You have forgotten: One great reason for the discouragement among these Jewish Christians was because they saw no reason why God would allow difficult times to arise. But they have forgotten principles regarding the chastening of the Lord.

Much difficulty in our Christian life can be traced back to those three words: you have forgotten. Perhaps it is some principle we remember in our minds, but we have forgotten it with our hearts – and we must remember it again.

In times of trial or stress many Christians forget some of the basics. They seriously wonder if God is still in control, or if He still loves them. We must admit that God does allow everything that happens; so He must at least passively approve of it, because He certainly has the power to stop bad things that happen.

Of course, God can never be the author of evil. But He does allow others to choose evil, and He can use the evil choices others make to work out His ultimately good purpose, even if only to demonstrate His justice and righteousness in contrast to evil.

Which speaks to you as sons: The quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us that God's chastening should never be taken as a sign of His rejection. It is rather a sign of His treating us as His children.

Only the most proud Christian would claim they never need correction from God. No one is above this kind of training.

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord: When chastening comes it is an offense to God when we despise it. It is His loving tool of correction and we should receive it gratefully.

"I have often heard a father say, 'Boy, if you cry for that you shall have something to cry for by-and-by.' So, if we murmur at a little God gives us something that will make us cry. If we groan for nothing, he will give us something that will make us groan." (Spurgeon)

Chastening should not be regarded as the only reason God allows difficult times, but it is an important one. For example, we know that God allows difficult times so that we can, at a later time, comfort someone else with the same comfort God showed towards us in our crisis (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).

iThis is why James recommends a prayer for wisdom in the context of enduring trials (James 1:2-5). We need to know how to react differently when God does different things.

GOD's CHASTENING, MAKES YOU "A SON"..

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

God deals with you as sons: Many people claim an inability to relate to God as a loving Father because they never knew a loving human father in their own experience. Yet, even these can still receive the love of God the Father.

Not everyone knows by experience what a model father is, but we all know by intuition what a good father is like. God is that perfect Father, and He gives us that intuition. One feels cheated or disappointed by a bad father because they intuitively compare the bad father to our good Father in heaven.

God deals with you as sons: God's correction is never to punish us or make us pay for our sins. That was done once and for all at the cross. His correction is motivated only by His love, not by His justice; He chastens us without anger.

"While he shall never be arraigned before God's bar as a criminal, and punished for his guilt, yet he now stands in a new relationship-that of a child to his parent: and as a son he may be chastised on account of sin." (Spurgeon)

If you are without chastening... you are illegitimate and not sons: Those who consider themselves "beyond" God's chastening mark themselves as illegitimate children of God.

Illegitimate and not sons: God shows His wrath when He ignores our sin, allowing it to pass without correction. His inactivity is never due to ignorance or a lack of initiative, as may be true with a human father.

HE's A GOOD, GOOD FATHER..

Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

We paid them respect: We should be even more submissive and respectful to our Heavenly Father's correction than to an earthly Father's correction.

Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live? Therefore, we must never despise God for His chastening, though it is unpleasant. When we resent it, we consider ourselves virtual equals with God instead of His children.

It can be humiliating and bitter to be chastened by an equal, but it isn't the same to be chastened by someone who is legitimately our superior. Resentment at chastening shows how we see God and how we see ourselves.

But He for our profit: Human fathers, even with the best of intention, can only chasten imperfectly because they lack perfect knowledge. The all-knowing God can chasten us perfectly, with better and more lasting results than even the best earthly father.

THE RESULTS ARE WORTH THE PAIN..

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

No chastening seems to be joyful for the present: Trials are trials and chastening is chastening. If it does not hurt or press us, then trials do not serve their purpose. We sometimes want trials that are not trials and chastening that is not chastening.

"If affliction seemed to be joyous, would it be a chastisement at all? I ask you, would it not be a most ridiculous thing if a father should so chasten a child, that the child came down stairs laughing, and smiling, and rejoicing at the flogging. Joyous? Instead of being at all serviceable, would it not be utterly useless? What good could a chastisement have done if it was not felt? No smart? Then surely no benefit!" (Spurgeon)

The peaceable fruit of righteousness: This fruit must be evident in the life of the Christian. The reason why many experience a "one-crisis-after-another" life is because they are either blind to God's chastening or they resist it. They are not trained by it and therefore the peaceable fruit of righteousness is not evident.

Trained in the ancient Greek language is a word from the world of athletics. The training of an athlete is marked by some agony and so is our training as God's "spiritual athletes."

IF GOD IS TRAINING YOU, HE's GOING TO USE YOU..

God has a purpose for training you. Think of David after a lion attacked when he was just a boy tending the sheep. He could easily despair and ask, "Why did God allow such a terrible think to happen to me? I barely escaped!" But if David could see ahead, he could see God had a giant named Goliath he was destined to face, and the battle with the lion prepared him ahead of time. God always has a purpose. We can trust Him.

Afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness: A "heavenly spanking" smarts, but we must look beyond the process to the result. The result does not come immediately, but afterward.

"Many believers are deeply grieved, because they do not at once feel that they have been profited by their afflictions. Well, you do not expect to see apples or plums on a tree which you have planted but a week.

Only little children put their seeds into their flower-garden, and then expect to see them grow into plants in an hour."

As God's Children, we can TRUST that He has our BEST INTEREST AT HEART, and in turn, surrender ourselves completely into His Care; no matter what — Cause GOD's LOVE NEVER FAILS! WS-3 💯🔥🎯👍🏽💪🏽🙏🏽🎤🎤 w/ @

Walter L. Smith III

Founder/President

Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc./

The Center For Kingdom Advancement 

1445 Valleyhigh Dr NW #7052

Rochester, MN 55901-9998

Corporate Line: (424) 333-4047

www.PIHIM.org

www.AskPastorWalter.com

**Leadership Greater Rochester, Class of 2018!

**Gallup Strengths: Positivity, Learner, Connectedness, Responsibility, & Activator

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