PSALMS 138:8 - THE LORD WILL PERFECT THAT WHICH CONCERNETH ME: THY MERCY, O LORD, ENDURETH FOR EVER: FORSAKE NOT THE WORKS OF THINE OWN HANDS.

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1 APOSTLE KEITH WESLEY PERFECTLY FRAMED FOR PERFECT DISPLAY A PAINTING OR A PICTURE MAY BE BEAUTIFUL WITHIN ITSELF BUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE APPRECIATED IN ITS FULNESS IT NEEDS TO BE FRAMED AND HUNG ON THE WALL SO EVERYONE CAN SEE AND APPRECIATE IT. OUR LIVES ARE THE PAINTING, OUR WALK WITH GOD GIVES US OUR FRAME. MANY SAINTS INDEED ARE A BEAUTIFUL EXHIBITION OF THE PAINTING OF SALVATION BUT WE FAIL TO UNDERSTAND GOD S FRAMING PROCESS. PSALMS 138:8 - THE LORD WILL PERFECT THAT WHICH CONCERNETH ME: THY MERCY, O LORD, ENDURETH FOR EVER: FORSAKE NOT THE WORKS OF THINE OWN HANDS. (PERFECT, TO BRING TO AN END OR TO COMPLETE) 1 THESSALONIANS 3: FOR WHAT THANKS CAN WE RENDER TO GOD AGAIN FOR YOU, FOR ALL THE JOY WHEREWITH WE JOY FOR YOUR SAKES BEFORE OUR GOD; NIGHT AND DAY PRAYING EXCEEDINGLY THAT WE MIGHT SEE YOUR FACE, AND MIGHT PERFECT THAT WHICH IS LACKING IN YOUR FAITH? (PERFECT, TO FIT OUT, EQUIP, PUT IN ORDER, ARRANGE, ADJUST, TO FRAME FOR ONE'S SELF, PREPARE, TO STRENGTHEN, TO COMPLETE THOROUGHLY, MAKE ONE WHAT HE OUGHT TO BE) PROVERBS 4:10-19 HEAR, O MY SON, AND RECEIVE MY SAYINGS; AND THE YEARS OF THY LIFE SHALL BE MANY. I HAVE TAUGHT THEE IN THE WAY OF WISDOM; I HAVE LED THEE IN RIGHT PATHS. WHEN THOU GOEST, THY STEPS SHALL NOT BE STRAITENED; AND WHEN THOU RUNNEST, THOU SHALT NOT STUMBLE. TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO: KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE. ENTER NOT INTO THE PATH OF THE WICKED, AND GO NOT IN THE WAY OF EVIL MEN. AVOID IT, PASS NOT BY IT, TURN FROM IT, AND PASS AWAY. FOR THEY SLEEP NOT, EXCEPT THEY HAVE DONE MISCHIEF; AND THEIR SLEEP IS TAKEN AWAY, UNLESS THEY CAUSE SOME TO FALL. FOR THEY EAT THE BREAD OF WICKEDNESS, AND DRINK THE WINE OF VIOLENCE. BUT THE PATH OF THE JUST IS AS THE SHINING LIGHT, THAT SHINETH MORE AND MORE UNTO THE PERFECT DAY. THE WAY OF THE WICKED IS AS DARKNESS: THEY KNOW NOT AT WHAT THEY STUMBLE. THE PATH OF THE JUST IS A WELL TRAVELLED, WELL MARKED OUT COURSE THAT HAS AN ARRIVAL POINT OF BEING FRAMED THAT IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO GOD S ETERNAL PURPOSES BEING RELEASED AND FULFILLED IN THE BELIEVERS LIFE. IT IS A PATH OF INCREASING LIGHT THE MOVEMENT IF STEADY AND CONSISTENT BRINGS US INTO MORE AND MORE CLARITY IN OUR LIFE.

2 THIS PATH IS FULL OF "AHA" MOMENTS THAT ARE AMAZING...WE DISCOVER EVEN THROUGH HARD TIMES WE ARE GETTING TO THE PLACE OF OUR ULTIMATE USE IN GOD S KINGDOM! ROMANS 8: AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. FOR WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN. GOD HAS DECIDED BEFOREHAND TO CAUSE HIS SONS TO BE CONFORMED, FRAMED INTO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON! TO BE CONFORMED MEANS TO MAKE OF LIKE FORM WITH ANOTHER PERSON OR THING. GOD HAS DECIDED THAT HIS SONS, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, WILL BE MORPHED OR GROWING INTO THE CONFORMITY OF CHRIST. JESUS BEING THE FIRSTBORN AS THE PATTERN SON AND WE AS THOSE WHO ARE GROWING INTO THE PATTERN HE LEFT OF HIMSELF. THIS IS DONE BY THE HANDIWORK OF GOD S SOMETIMES INTENSE TRAINING REGIMENT. WHEN YOU AND I ASSESS OURSELVES I HAVE FOUND THE TRUE ME AND THE TRUE YOU WILL ALWAYS APPEAR UNDER THE PRESSURE SITUATIONS OF OUR PREDESTINED TRAINING PLAN. THE TRUE US IS THE PICTURE WE SEE OF OURSELVES IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FRAMED. THIS MEANS GOD WILL BE CORRECTING AND ADJUSTING EACH ONE OF US BY CERTAIN DISCIPLINES. ANOTHER WORD FOR DISCIPLINE IS CHASTISEMENT! DID YOU KNOW IT IS A BLESSING TO BE CHASTISED...IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST FORMS OF LOVE! PSALMS 94: BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOM THOU CHASTENEST, O LORD, AND TEACHEST HIM OUT OF THY LAW; THAT THOU MAYEST GIVE HIM REST FROM THE DAYS OF ADVERSITY, UNTIL THE PIT BE DIGGED FOR THE WICKED. FOR THE LORD WILL NOT CAST OFF HIS PEOPLE, NEITHER WILL HE FORSAKE HIS INHERITANCE. BUT JUDGMENT SHALL RETURN UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND ALL THE UPRIGHT IN HEART SHALL FOLLOW IT. PSALM 94: BLESSED (HAPPY, FORTUNATE, TO BE ENVIED) IS THE MAN WHOM YOU DISCIPLINE AND INSTRUCT, O LORD, AND TEACH OUT OF YOUR LAW, THAT YOU MAY GIVE HIM POWER TO KEEP HIMSELF CALM IN THE DAYS OF ADVERSITY, UNTIL THE [INEVITABLE] PIT OF CORRUPTION IS DUG FOR THE WICKED. FOR THE LORD WILL NOT CAST OFF NOR SPURN HIS

3 PEOPLE, NEITHER WILL HE ABANDON HIS HERITAGE. FOR JUSTICE WILL RETURN TO THE [UNCOMPROMISINGLY] RIGHTEOUS, AND ALL THE UPRIGHT IN HEART WILL FOLLOW IT. AMP WHAT IS DISCIPLINE? IT S NOT A CUSS WORD...BUT RATHER IT S A CONFORMING FRAMING WORD! JUST AS A CERTAIN REGIMENT OF MENTAL INSTRUCTIONS TRAIN AND FRAME THE MIND AND CERTAIN PHYSICAL EXERCISES SHAPE AND FRAME THE BODY SO GOD HAS A CERTAIN SPIRITUAL REGIMENT THAT WILL CONFORM AND FRAME OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES! SO WHY DO WE RUN FROM DISCIPLINE? 1. IT GOES AGAINST OUR WILL...WE DON'T LIKE CHANGE 2. ITS PAINFUL...IT TAKES HARD WORK, EVEN SWEAT EQUITY TO ARRIVE AT THE ULTIMATE GOAL. 3. IT'S THE FEAR OF LEAVING OUR COMFORT ZONE...COMFORT FRIENDS, COMFORT FOODS, AND OTHER THE OTHER CREATURE COMFORTS WE LOVE. MATTHEW 4: AND JESUS, WALKING BY THE SEA OF GALILEE, SAW TWO BRETHREN, SIMON CALLED PETER, AND ANDREW HIS BROTHER, CASTING A NET INTO THE SEA: FOR THEY WERE FISHERS. AND HE SAITH UNTO THEM, FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN. YOU SEE OUR TALENT OR GIFTING WITHOUT DISCIPLINE IS LIKE AN OCTOPUS ON ROLLER SKATES. THERE S PLENTY OF MOVEMENT, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT S GOING TO BE FORWARD, BACKWARDS, OR SIDEWAYS. WE ARE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST...STUDENTS, LEARNERS, DISCIPLINED ONES...ONES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION OF THE MASTER ARTIST AND FRAMER OF HIS PURPOSE IN OUR LIVES. MATTHEW 21:6... AND THE DISCIPLES WENT, AND DID AS JESUS COMMANDED THEM, DISCIPLINE BRINGS STABILITY AND STRUCTURE INTO OUR LIVES. IT TEACHES US TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND RESPECTFUL. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE OBSERVANCE OF BIBLICALLY WELL-DEFINED RULES IS THE BASIS OF SOCIETY. WITHOUT IT, ANARCHY WILL SET IN... WHAT IS ANARCHY? THE ABSENCE OF ANY GUIDING OR UNITING PRINCIPLE; DISORDER; CHAOS, LAWLESSNESS. A STATE OF PERSON OR A SOCIETY WITHOUT GOVERNMENT OR LAW, IT IS POLITICAL, AND SOCIAL DISORDER DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL...ANARCHY PRODUCES CONFUSION.

4 IF THERE WERE NO DISCIPLINE, PEOPLE WOULD DO, (AND ARE DOING), WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO. IN THE BOOK OF JUDGES WE SEE THAT WITHOUT DISCIPLINE AND GOVERNMENT ANARCHY WILL SET IN. JUDGES 21:25... IN THOSE DAYS THERE WAS NO KING IN ISRAEL: EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE PROMOTES GOOD BEHAVIOR TO BETTER THE CHURCH AND MAKE IT A MORE ENJOYABLE, DESIRABLE PLACE FOR THE BELIEVERS TO GATHER. ALSO IT MAKES US SPIRITUALLY RESOLUTE! RESOLUTE MEANS OUR YES IS YES AND OUR NO IS NO! VINCE LOMBARDI MENTAL TOUGHNESS IS MANY THINGS AND RATHER DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN. ITS QUALITIES ARE SACRIFICE AND SELF-DENIAL. ALSO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT IS COMBINED WITH A PERFECTLY DISCIPLINED WILL THAT REFUSES TO GIVE IN. IT S A STATE OF MIND YOU COULD CALL IT CHARACTER IN ACTION. THINK OF ATHLETICS: DISCIPLINE IS THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT ON WHICH SPORTS HAVE BEEN CREATED. EVERY PLAYER MUST ADHERE TO THE RULES OF THE GAME. THIS IS WHY UMPIRES AND REFEREES EXIST. WHOEVER DOES NOT FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES WILL BE PENALIZED FOR VIOLATING THE RULES OF THE SPORT. BASKETBALL COURT IS 94' BY 50'...FOOTBALL FIELD IS YDS BY 100 YDS. A BASEBALL INFIELD IS HOME TO FIRST 90 FT X FIRST TO SECOND 90FT X SECOND TO THIRD 90FT X THIRD TO HOME 90FT, THE PITCHER S MOUND IS 60.6FT TO HOME BASE. THESE ARE THE BOUNDARIES SET AND THOSE WHO PLAY THE GAME MUST BE DISCIPLINED WITHIN THOSE BOUNDARIES OR THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPETING. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR CHRISTIANS, WE MUST LEARN TO DEMONSTRATE HIGH LEVELS OF RESTRAINT BASED ON THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE BIBLE CONSTANTLY; WE CANNOT JUST DO AND SPEAK HOWEVER WE SEE FIT. A MATURING BELIEVER KNOWS WHEN TO ACT AND WHO THEY REPRESENT IN A GIVEN SITUATION AND WHEN TO HOLD HIS TONGUE AND WHEN TO SPEAK. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31... THEREFORE, WHETHER YOU EAT, OR DRINK, OR WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. MEV

5 SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE HELPS TO TRAIN A PERSON'S MIND AND CHARACTER, BUILDING A SENSE OF SELF-CONTROL, (WHICH IS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT), AND THE PRACTICE OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD S WORD. BIBLICALLY DISCIPLINE INCLUDES THE USE OF THE FOUR EFFECTUAL WORKINGS OF GOD S INSPIRED WORD DOCTRINE, 2. REPROOF, 3. CORRECTION, AND 4. INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2 TIMOTHY 3: ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THOROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS. 2 TIMOTHY 3: EVERY SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED (GIVEN BY HIS INSPIRATION) AND PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION, FOR REPROOF AND CONVICTION OF SIN, FOR CORRECTION OF ERROR AND DISCIPLINE IN OBEDIENCE, [AND] FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (IN HOLY LIVING, IN CONFORMITY TO GOD'S WILL IN THOUGHT, PURPOSE, AND ACTION), SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE AND PROFICIENT, WELL FITTED AND THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. AMP 2 TIMOTHY 3: ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD AND IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING AND FOR SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT IS WRONG IN THEIR LIVES. IT IS USEFUL FOR CORRECTING FAULTS AND TEACHING HOW TO LIVE RIGHT. USING THE SCRIPTURES, THE PERSON WHO SERVES GOD WILL BE READY AND WILL HAVE EVERYTHING HE NEEDS TO DO EVERY GOOD WORK. ICB IF GOD CANNOT TOUCH OUR HEART BY THE INNER WORKINGS OF HIS WORD AND BRING CHANGE HE CANNOT CONFORM YOU TO BEING A SON, WHICH IS THE TRUE STATE OF A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER! YOU SEE WE HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT OF A WORLD OF DARKNESS BUT IT TAKES AN IN WORKING OF THE WORD TO GET THE DARKNESS THAT IS IN US OUT OUR LIVES. IT IS THE FACULTY OF GOD S WORD THAT IS THE PURIFYING AGENT OF FOCUSED DISCIPLINE THAT DOES THIS! THE PSALMIST DAVID SAID IT WELL IN PSALMS 19 AND PSALMS 19: THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, CONVERTING THE SOUL: THE TESTIMONY OF THE LORD IS SURE, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE. THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT, REJOICING THE HEART: THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD IS PURE, ENLIGHTENING

6 THE EYES. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS CLEAN, ENDURING FOR EVER: THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER. MORE TO BE DESIRED ARE THEY THAN GOLD, YEA, THAN MUCH FINE GOLD: SWEETER ALSO THAN HONEY AND THE HONEYCOMB. MOREOVER BY THEM IS THY SERVANT WARNED: AND IN KEEPING OF THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD. PSALMS 119:1... BLESSED ARE THE UNDEFILED IN THE WAY, WHO WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD. 9 WHEREWITHAL SHALL A YOUNG MAN CLEANSE HIS WAY? BY TAKING HEED THERETO ACCORDING TO THY WORD. 11 THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MINE HEART THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST THEE. 104 THROUGH THY PRECEPTS I GET UNDERSTANDING: THEREFORE I HATE EVERY FALSE WAY. 105 THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH. 133 ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD: AND LET NOT ANY INIQUITY HAVE DOMINION OVER ME. 140 THY WORD IS VERY PURE: THEREFORE THY SERVANT LOVETH IT. 160 THY WORD IS TRUE FROM THE BEGINNING: AND EVERY ONE OF THY RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS ENDURETH FOR EVER. YOU SEE WE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, AN HOLY NATION THAT WE SHOULD SHOW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELLOUS LIGHT! JESUS SAID THAT BEING A CHOSEN ONE WOULD ONLY COME IF HIS DISCIPLES YIELDED TO HIS TRAINING PLAN! MATT 22 SAYS, "FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN. *MANY HAVE BEEN CALLED BUT FEW HAVE BEEN CHOSEN...WHY? BECAUSE THE CHOSEN ONES HAVE YIELDED TO THE TRAINING THAT COMES FROM THE HEART OF THE SON! THEY DON'T NEGLECT THIER SALVATION BUT UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MUST BE A PROCESS THAT READIES THEM FOR GODLY USE! IT S CALLED SANCTIFICATION...THE SETTING APART FROM THE SINFUL LIFESTYLE WE WERE BORN IN UNTO HOLY USE! ALL OF CHRIST DISCIPLES HAD TO COME TO THIS PLACE...ALL BUT ONE, JUDAS, HE WAS A SON BUT NOT OF GOD HE WAS A SON OF PERDITION, (ONE DOOMED TO DESTRUCTION, DESTINED TO BE LOST.)

7 NOW THIS SANCTIFICATION PROCESS IS BIBLICAL AND IT IS THE ONLY WAY OF PROMOTION INTO THE MATURING PLACE OF GOD S WILL FOR OUR LIVES. HEBREWS 12: AND YE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE EXHORTATION WHICH SPEAKETH UNTO YOU AS UNTO CHILDREN, MY SON, DESPISE NOT THOU THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM: (THIS INDICATES THE FACT THAT WE WILL BE BOTH CHASTENED AND REBUKED TO BE A TRUE SON), FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH, AND SCOURGETH EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVETH. IF YE ENDURE CHASTENING, GOD DEALETH WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS HE WHOM THE FATHER CHASTENETH NOT? BUT IF YE BE WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, WHEREOF ALL ARE PARTAKERS, THEN ARE YE BASTARDS, AND NOT SONS.FURTHERMORE WE HAVE HAD FATHERS OF OUR FLESH WHICH CORRECTED US, AND WE GAVE THEM REVERENCE: SHALL WE NOT MUCH RATHER BE IN SUBJECTION UNTO THE FATHER OF SPIRITS, AND LIVE? FOR THEY VERILY FOR A FEW DAYS CHASTENED US AFTER THEIR OWN PLEASURE; BUT HE FOR OUR PROFIT, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS. NOW NO CHASTENING FOR THE PRESENT SEEMETH TO BE JOYOUS, BUT GRIEVOUS: NEVERTHELESS AFTERWARD IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO THEM WHICH ARE EXERCISED THEREBY. WHEREFORE LIFT UP THE HANDS WHICH HANG DOWN, AND THE FEEBLE KNEES; AND MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, LEST THAT WHICH IS LAME BE TURNED OUT OF THE WAY; BUT LET IT RATHER BE HEALED. FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN, AND HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD: LOOKING DILIGENTLY LEST ANY MAN FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; LEST ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP TROUBLE YOU, AND THEREBY MANY BE DEFILED; LEST THERE BE ANY FORNICATOR, OR PROFANE PERSON, AS ESAU, WHO FOR ONE MORSEL OF MEAT SOLD HIS BIRTHRIGHT. FOR YE KNOW HOW THAT AFTERWARD, WHEN HE WOULD HAVE INHERITED THE BLESSING, HE WAS REJECTED: FOR HE FOUND NO PLACE OF REPENTANCE, THOUGH HE SOUGHT IT CAREFULLY WITH TEARS. () WHAT ARE THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS OF SONSHIP? 1. THERE HAS TO BE CHASTENING...WHICH IS THE WHOLE SPIRITUAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROCESS WHICH RELATES TO THE CULTIVATION OF MIND AND MORALS, AND EMPLOYS FOR THIS PURPOSE NOW COMMANDS AND ADMONITIONS, NOW REPROOF AND PUNISHMENT. 2. REBUKING...REBUKE - AN ACT OR EXPRESSION OF CRITICISM AND CENSURE; TO CENSURE SEVERELY, TO CALL TO ACCOUNT, SHOW ONE HIS FAULT, DEMAND AN EXPLANATION. 3. SCOURGING...TO PUNISH SEVERELY, TO FLOG, THE GREEK SAYS THAT IT MEANS TO SKIN ALIVE! IT'S CALLED THE DEALINGS OF A FATHER...MANY ARE SONS WHO ARE SONS IN NAME ONLY BUT THEY REFUSE THE CORRECTION OF THEIR FATHER IN NATURAL, MAYBE BECAUSE THEIR EARTHLY FATHERS WERE ABUSIVE OR THEY WERE TOO LENIENT, BOTH EXTREMES REJECT CORRECTION.

8 WHEN THIS MENTALITY HAS BEEN FORMED IN US, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT COMES TO GOD S AUTHORITY, IN WHICH HE USES HIS WORD AND HIS REPRESENTATIVES, IN THE CHURCH AND CORRECTION IS GIVEN THERE IS A RESISTANCE BECAUSE INSIDE THERE IS A LACK OF TRUST THAT DISCIPLINE IS GOOD FOR YOU. WE DON'T BELIEVE THEY LOVE US...WE EQUATE THAT ALL CORRECTION IS REJECTION...AND WE REFUSE TO ADHERE. AGAIN, THE REFUSAL COMES BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE WERE TREATED BY OUR EARTHLY FATHERS. THERE WAS ABUSE, THERE WAS ABANDONMENT, THERE WAS NEGLECT IN THE AREA OF DAILY NEEDS. ALL THESE SHAPE THE WAY WE RECEIVE FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HIS TRUE TRAINING THAT WILL BLESS US IN THIS LIFE AND IN THE LIFE TO COME. WHEN THESE THINGS ARE THE PREDOMINANT THOUGHT IN OUR MIND WE START TO RUN FROM THE DEALINGS WHICH ARE GIVEN TO SHAPE US FOR THE LONG HAUL, NOT UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS THE PREREQUISITE TRAINING FOR OUR PROMOTION IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD! MANY RUN AWAY FROM THIS SONSHIP TRAINING AND BECOME BASTARDS WHICH MEANS THEY BECOME ILLEGITIMATE! OUT OF THIS MENTALITY THEY TRY TO DO LEGITIMATE MINISTRY IN AN ILLEGITIMATE WAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T EMBRACE THE TRAINING MINISTRY OF THE FATHER! THEY BEGIN TO CARVE OUT A WAY MADE IN THEIR OWN MIND OF HOW THEY WILL SERVE GOD AND IT ENDS UP BEING DESTRUCTIVE BECAUSE IT'S OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF GOD S ORDER. PROVERBS 14:12... THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH. WITHOUT SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE WE CANNOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT! WE WILL BE IN CHURCH BUT NOT A SON. REMEMBER, A SON IS DEFINED AS A BUILDER OF THE FAMILY NAME...AN EXTENDER OF THAT WHICH HAS BEEN LAID DOWN BY THE FATHER. SO WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL OPPOSITE OF A SON? THERE ARE TWO CHARACTERS THAT DESCRIBE A BELEIVER THAT REJECTS DISCIPLINE...A BASTARD OR AN ORPHAN! WHAT MAKES ONE A BASTARD?

9 ONE WHO DESPISES CHASTISEMENT...TO CARE LITTLE FOR, REGARD LIGHTLY, MAKE SMALL ACCOUNT, THE BASTARD SPIRIT...NOT GENUINE, FRAUDULENT; HAVING A MISLEADING APPEARANCE OF A SON! IF NOT A BASTARD THEN THEY BECOME ORPHANS...A FATHERLESS CHILD... AN ORPHAN IS - SOMEONE WHO PERCEIVES, OR IS IN REALITY, ONE WHO LACKS SUPPORT OR CARE OR SUPERVISION OF PARENTS. OR SOME OTHER PERSON THAT IS NEEDED FOR THEIR ONGOING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS A PERSON. JESUS CAME TO REMOVE THE ORPHAN MENTALITY BECAUSE OF THE WORK HE DID ON THE CROSS. THE CROSS SOLVES THE IDENTITY CRISIS OF ALL WHO PUT THIER FAITH IN HIM! EPHESIANS 1: BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HATH BLESSED US WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST: ACCORDING AS HE HATH CHOSEN US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE: HAVING PREDESTINATED US UNTO THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN BY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL, TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE, WHEREIN HE HATH MADE US ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED. MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OUR IDENTITY IS SECURE, WE HAVE BEEN ADOPTED, WE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED! WE ARE NEITHER FORSAKEN OR FORGOTTEN BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE FAMILY OF GOD. WE NOW HAVE A FATHER, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND HE WANTS US TO BE OUR BEST FOR HIM AS HIS REPRESENTATIVES! LET S ALLOW THE PROCESS OF OUR SONSHIP TO EITHER BEGIN OR CONTINUE TO CONFORM US TO THE SON OF GOD. ROMANS 8: FOR YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AGAIN TO FEAR; BUT YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY WE CRY, ABBA, FATHER. THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT, THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD: NOW WE ARE SONS OF GOD AND ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS OPEN OUR HEART AND ALLOW ACCESS TO GOD TO FATHER US, TO TRAIN US! PROVERBS IS A BOOK THAT IS WRITTEN FROM A FATHER TO HIS SON. WE ARE SONS OF GOD, MALE AND FEMALE, IN CHRIST...SO SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR US ALL IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

10 PROVERBS 23:26...MY SON, GIVE ME THINE HEART, AND LET THINE EYES OBSERVE MY WAYS. THE HEART...GIVE ME THY HEART...THE SEAT OF DESIRE THE PLACE THAT OUR INCLINATIONS ARE DIRECTED, THE PLACE WHERE OUR LEANINGS TOWARD GOD RESIDE, IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS OUR WILL. AM I WILLING TO DO GOD S WILL FROM THE HEART? WHEN WE SAY HERE'S MY HEART LORD...WE ARE SAYING HERE'S MY DESIRE IT IS TOWARDS YOU, IT'S FOR YOU! LORD, I'M LEANING INWARDLY TOWARD YOU! WE WANT TO RESIDE WITH YOU FROM OUR HEART. THE HEART ALSO MEANS OUR PERSONALITY AND THE SEAT OF OUR EMOTIONS, DT 6:5 SAYS "THOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THINE HEART OR WITH ALL OUR EMOTIONS WHICH ARE SHOWN FORTH BY GLADNESS. WHEN GOD SAYS GIVE ME THY HEART HE WANTS OUR EMOTIONS TOO! DAVID SAID, "I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID UNTO ME, LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!" GIVE ME THY HEART, ALSO MEANS THE SEAT OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM...DT 8:5...THUS YOU ARE TO CONSIDER (KNOW) IN YOUR HEART...(IN OUR MINDS)...THAT AS A MAN CHASTENETH HIS SON, SO THE LORD THY GOD CHASTENETH THEE! GIVE ME THY HEART, MEANS THE SEAT OF CONSCIENCE AND MORAL CHARACTER FOR OUR HEART IS THE WELLSPRING OF ALL OUR ACTIONS. WE MUST GIVE GOD OUR HEART SO THAT INTEGRITY CAN BE THE NORM RATHER THAN A SOMETIMES OCCURRENCE! WAYS...WE MUST SEE GOD S MANNER OF DOING THINGS, HIS MODE OF OPERATION WHICH REVEALS HIS CHARACTER. THIS REQUIRES US TO STUDY GOD AND PRAY TO GOD WHO REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH HIS WORD AND HIS PRESENCE! PS 27:11...TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD AND LEAD ME IN A PLAIN PATH, BECAUSE OF MY ENEMIES. PS 86:11...TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD; I WILL WALK IN THY TRUTH: UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR THY NAME. PSALMS 119:33... TEACH ME, O LORD, THE WAY OF THY STATUTES; AND I SHALL KEEP IT UNTO THE END. PSALMS 143:10... TEACH ME TO DO THY WILL; FOR THOU ART MY GOD: THY SPIRIT IS GOOD; LEAD ME INTO THE LAND OF UPRIGHTNESS. GOD SAYS TO EACH OF US...GIVE ME YOUR HEART AND OBSERVE MY WAYS!

11 PROVERBS 7:1... MY SON, KEEP MY WORDS, AND LAY UP MY COMMANDMENTS WITH THEE. PROVERBS 3:1... MY SON, FORGET NOT MY LAW; BUT LET THINE HEART KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS: PROVERBS 3:11... MY SON, DESPISE NOT THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD; NEITHER BE WEARY OF HIS CORRECTION: PROVERBS 4:20... MY SON, ATTEND TO MY WORDS; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS. PROVERBS 5:1... MY SON, ATTEND UNTO MY WISDOM, AND BOW THINE EAR TO MY UNDERSTANDING: PROVERBS 23:15... MY SON, IF THINE HEART BE WISE, MY HEART SHALL REJOICE, EVEN MINE. PROVERBS 2: MY SON, IF THOU WILT RECEIVE MY WORDS, AND HIDE MY COMMANDMENTS WITH THEE; SO THAT THOU INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO WISDOM, AND APPLY THINE HEART TO UNDERSTANDING; YEA, IF THOU CRIEST AFTER KNOWLEDGE, AND LIFTEST UP THY VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING; IF THOU SEEKEST HER AS SILVER, AND SEARCHEST FOR HER AS FOR HID TREASURES; THEN SHALT THOU UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD, AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. SONSHIP AND ITS CORRESPONDING SPIRITUAL TRAINING IS THE BIBLICAL MODEL FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, HEALTHY DISCIPLESHIP, HEALTHY MINISTRIES, A SATISFYING AND MEANINGFUL CHURCH LIFE AND A PROSPEROUS INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIFE. NO MORE IDENTITY CRISIS ONLY IDENTITY CHRIST... NO MORE BABES IN CHRIST BUT MATURING BELIEVERS THAT ARE LOW MAINTENANCE HIGH IMPACT BELIEVERS...I IN HIM AND HE IN ME, HE IS THE SON AND WE HAVE BECOME SONS MADE AFTER HIS IMAGE. AND WE WILL PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT THAT WILL BE SEEN BY THE WORLD