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IBS 79 - PROVERBS 23:13-14

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Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.  Proverbs 23:13-14 I am thankful I was disciplined as a child. Now as a child I distinctly remember not appreciating it one bit. But as I have grown up and watched other families discipline or not discipline their children I have become more and more thankful. It was never easy but I know I would not be who I am today had my parents not been so diligent in their discipline. As hard as it was for me at times, I never doubted their love for me. And now even more so, I see how great their love for me truly was. As I have walked with the Lord I have had to learn the same thing. He chastens me because He loves me. His love for me is so great that He corrects me to save my soul from hell. Literally. God in all His sovereignty knows that if I continue in my sin it will be against me, and not for my good. Even if at that moment it satis
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IBS 78 - LUKE 3:8

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Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  Luke 3:8 Here John the Baptist is talking to the multitudes and calling for repentance. I have heard this verse many a time. And always just said yes and amen because it’s a “good verse”. Yet as I have gone through the book of Luke it just hit hard. So many times I think I’ve repented of sin yet my heart remains that same. My sin does not disgust me. I say “okay, better not do that again. But oh man, wasn’t it fun. Didn’t please God, but what fond memories.” That view of my sin is not repentance. I am not seeing my sin as something which separates me from communion with my Father. I just see it as a fun pass-time I probably should be involved in anymore. True repentance bears fruit not only in my life but in my heart and mind. I should be disgusted by my sin and truly despise it.
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IBS 77 - MARK 9:33-35

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Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:33-35 Pride. Pride. Pride. The moment I read this I was just like... “guys come on.” And instantly I also thought of myself. Because my favorite past of watching the twelve walk with Him, is how often I see myself I their failures. I can relate to this struggle of wanting to be the greatest. So often my own selfish ego wants to be known and be seen. Going unnoticed hurts. Doing something with no recognition stings. I go about and get things done just waiting for someone to notice. HOW BACKWARDS IS THAT? So often I find myself seeking to be first when I am reminded that Jesus said that the first must be last. What a be
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IBS 76 - DEUTERONOMY 13:4

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You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4   This was a call to Israel to not stray after Gods even if there were “signs” that they had power. Moses was warning them that their faith would be tested by God. He was going to try them and their hearts to see if they really followed Him.  I believe God still does the same today. I believe everyday we are tested to show us the fickleness of our hearts. I know everyday I endure trials that are difficult and at times seem unsurpassable, and I must choose, will I stay faithful to my God or turn to my self. Walking through the fire opens our eyes to whom we truly rely on when the going gets tough. So as Moses is telling them that God will test them, he also calls them to walk faithfully with God, and to fear, obey, and serve Him. He also tells them to hold fast to Him. And I believe this call still remains then same for u
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IBS 75 - DEUTERONOMY 1:2-3

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It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount weir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the Lord has given him as commandments to them,  Deuteronomy 1:2-3 Eleven days. That’s it. Eleven days. Yet forty years later they were finally making it. It blew my mind. When I read this verse and realized how crazy different the story would’ve looked if they had just trusted, obeyed, and believed God. Because of the disobedience and lack of trust they were no longer able to take part in the beautiful promise of God, and it took SO much longer than it could have. That is crazy. It’s crazy because I look at my own life and I see how often I also lack obedience, trust, and belief that God can do as He says He will. I’ve been learning to delight in His word and truth. But I can’t truly until I believe Him. So often I make it harder than it has
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IBS 74 - PSALMS 119:141, 143

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I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.  Psalms 119:141, 143  If it were not for His word. So often we can feel overcome by so many things. And His word is the only thing which prevails. It is what gives life. It is what helps us to press on. It is where we can find strength and hope. In His living word. This season of my life has been one of learning to find joy, comfort,and hope in Him alone. And that only comes through searching Him out in His word. I must diligently take of it everyday to know Him better. So often I have felt downcast and alone and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Yet He was with me. But I couldn’t hold onto His truth because I really didn’t know it. I have had to learn that His word is what can guard my heart. His word and constantly meditating on it changes my thought life. It changes my day to day because His word is transforming me. That is beautifu
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IBS 73 - PSALMS 119:71

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It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.  Psalms 119:71  When I read this my desire was to have this same heart. So often when I face affliction I am grumbling, complaining, and focused on myself. I ask why, stomp my feet and run my mouth. I let my thoughts go wild and I cry and scream and just lose it. I know.. what faith. Jesus told His disciples to be sure that they would face tribulation. As a believer the fact that we will face struggles is not hidden from us. If anything, they are promised to us. Because if the hated Him, why wouldn’t the hate us? Life isn’t easy, and walking with Him doesn’t mean everything is sugarcoated. We have a hope and we know this isn’t the end but it is still difficult. He has given us His word, and He promises to us that He is with us. His word is what comforts our souls when we are afflicted. It is in the affliction that we are truly able to live our and learn what His word says. Because it is more than just
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