Being Disciplined

By Tanya G. Liles

          Hey guys, I'm sure you wondered why I re-post what my wife has written. I like having guest writers. It's a great way for those who are unknown to get their work out, which God anoints for His glory and purpose. We all have a call on our hearts and lives. When we allow ourselves to get out of the way we can do great and wonderful things in Him and His name. Therefore, it is my pleasure and honor to share what God puts on my wife's heart to you.

                                                                                                                 ~ Benjamin H. Liles



          I thank God daily for all that He shows me. Through His Word, His Spirit, His people, or even books; God shows His Spirit to me when I need it the most.

          I have been praying to God for quite some time about my attitude. The things people have said to me, the things that I have said unto others; the things that have happened in my past, present; I found myself feeling rather alone. In truth, I have basically blocked all people out of my life; including my family; due to my nonchalant attitude.

          It’s not that I don’t love people, I do. It’s just as a person, and a Christian, I get tired of feeling like I’m a doormat, being walked all over on. I always felt that I needed the last word. I would get VERY prideful when someone would tell me I was in the wrong.

          I had people tell me that I was negative, sounded angry, and even hateful at times. The phrases I was hearing was: being haughty, argumentative, and a “Miss Know It All”. While I admit, their comments to me were extremely hateful, (they could have used better words to convey their message); there were times I would take a look in the mirror to see if this person actually existed.

          Again, I’ll admit, I was blind to it all. My husband would say, “It’s them, not you.” Even though his words would give me comfort for a time, I kept feeling in my Spirit that something wasn’t right, something was indeed wrong.

          Until today.

          My husband reads a lot and picks up quite a number of books when they are on sale at the library, Amazon, or when he reviews books from Publishers. One book caught my eye, and I started to read. It is a day to day Devotional book, 30 Days to a Great Attitude by Deborah Smith Pegues. I’ll admit I was skeptical at first, but when I found myself reading until Day 7, I began to realize, I was definitely in the wrong.

          Yes, although it is VERY hard for me to say it, I am in the wrong. And before I get ahead of myself, allow me to explain.

           I have a Tabby-Bengal mix Cat, which I love. He depends on me a great deal. I feed him; make sure he has water, grass, etc… While I was reading, I was petting my cat, and God spoke to me firmly in my Spirit and said, “If you can treat your Cat with the utmost love and respect, why can’t you treat people the same way?”

            Ouch. I hear you Father. Oh how do I! Forgive me for not listening to you earlier.

           Throughout my Christian walk in Christ; I have heard from many, “There is no hope for her, she is lost. She’s being used by the devil; she’s not a Christian, nor God’s child.” But God has said, “I chastise those I love.”

          “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.” – Hebrews 12:5-6

          For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. – Proverbs 3:12

          As many as I might love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. – Revelation 3:19

           I’m not a lost cause in Christ, I am His child. What better way of showing me I am His, to show me His discipline and that He wants me to repent of those ways and mature.

           You see, none of us are “lost causes”. Jesus came to save the whosoever. When we become a new creation in Jesus, yes everything is anew. However, our thoughts; mindsets are not new. We have to Read, Study, and Pray God’s Word, to renew our minds, and to show forth His fruit in our lives. A new mindset just doesn't happen overnight.

           This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

           But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:17-24

          When we are Christ’s, we do not think as the world does. We are to examine ourselves daily, and work our own salvation to see if there needs to be a change.

          Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. - 2 Corinthians 13:5

          Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. – Philippians 2:12

          In truth, I was in the flesh. Not hearing God’s Spirit, not allowing Him to take control. And since I got that prompting from the Holy Spirit, today I am repenting and asking for full forgiveness. Not just from God Himself, but from those I have hurt continually and without a reason.

          To my family, friends, and online friends: I love you dearly. Over the years, you have put up with a lot from me. I had an excuse for every time I felt offended, ridiculed. I should have done the rightful thing and talked to you about it, instead of listening to myself; slandering your name, and blocking you out of my life. I ask you to forgive me, and allow this to be in the past. Let us turn over a new leaf, and start anew. Our life is like a vapor; let us make the most of it while we are alive. Starting today, I love you for who you are, and ask that you do the same. Let us walk in love and forgiveness.

                                                                                                            ~ Love, Tanya