Deut 4:35-40

35You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. 36From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. 37Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today. 39Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

Job 5:17-18

17"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18For he wounds, but he also binds up;

he injures, but his hands also heal.

Rev 3:14

14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

WHAT IS DISCIPLINE? WEBSTER DEFINES DISCIPLINE AS TRAINING THAT DEVELOPS SELF-CONTROL AND CHARACTER AND RESULTS IN AN ORDERLY AND EFFICIENT LIFE. IT IMPLIES STRICT CONTROL TO ENFORCE OBEDIENCE AND THEN ACCEPTANCE OF AND SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY. WHERE THERE IS NO DISCIPLINE THERE WILL BE NO CHARACTER. CHARACTER IS NOT YOUR REPUTATION, THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE. CHARACTER IS NOT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT, THAT’S WHAT YOU DO. CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU ARE. CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU ARE WHEN NOBODY’S AROUND, IT’S THE REAL YOU THAT ONLY YOU AND GOD KNOW ABOUT. CHARACTER IS VITAL TO BUILDING A MEANINGFUL, PURPOSEFUL, FRUITFUL AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE. YOU CAN BE GIFTED AND TALENTED BUT IF YOU DON’T HAVE CHARACTER YOU WON’T MAKE IT MAKE IT IN THE LONG HAUL. YOU SEE, ITS NOT HOW YOU START THAT MATTERS WITH GOD, IT HOW YOU FINISH AND GOD WANTS YOU TO FINISH WELL.

Prov 29:17-18

17Discipline your son, and he will give you peace;

he will bring delight to your soul.

18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint;

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE A PEOPLE OF VISION, PURPOSE AND DESTINY. WE ARE DESTINED TO BE OVERCOMERS, CHAMPIONS OF FAITH, MORE THEN CONQUERORS AND EXCELLENT IN EVERYTHING GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO IN BUSINESS, IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND IN CHURCH. HE SHOWS US WHERE HE WANTS TO TAKE US BECAUSE HE KNOW’S THERE’S A PRICE TO PAY IN SELF-DENIAL AND DISCIPLNE TO GET THERE. SEVERAL TIMES IN SCRIPTURE THE CHRISTIAN IS PORTRAYED AS A RUNNER IN A MARATHON RACE. LET’S LOOK AT THOSE THIS MORNING:

1 Cor 9:24-27

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT IN RUNNING A RACE OR COMPETING IN ANY SPORTS EVENT THAT YOU WILL NEED PHYSICAL CONDITIONING OR DISCIPLINE IF YOU ARE GOING TO WIN THE PRIZE. THE SAME THING APPLIES TO LIFE. BETWEEN THE INITIAL VISION GIVEN AND THE VISION REACHED THERE ARE GIANTS THAT NEED TO BE OVERCOME. THE PATH TO SUCCESS IS ALWAYS MET WITH ADVERSITY, DETOURS, SETBACK AND OBSTACLES THAT MUST BE OVERCOME. WITHOUT DISCIPLINE WE WILL LOOK FOR SHORT CUTS AND THE EASY WAY OUT AND IN DOING SO WE WILL NEVER REACH OUR GOAL OF SUCCESS. BUT THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF CHARACTER DON’T TREMBLE AT THE FIRST SIGHT OF ADVERSITY BUT SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE THAT WILL BRING THEM THROUGH.

SCOTT PACK IN HIS BOOK, THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED WRITES, " DISCIPLINE IS THE BASIC SET OF TOOLS WE REQUIRE TO SOLVE LIFE’S PROBLEMS. WITHOUT DISCIPLINE WE CAN SOLVE NOTHING. WITH ONLY SOME DISCIPLINE WE CAN SOLVE ONLY SOME PROBLEMS BUT WITH TOTAL DISCIPLINE WE CAN SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS." THE TRUTH IS THAT NOTHING WORTHWHILE OR SIGNIFICANT IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT DISCIPLINE. ALTHOUGH DISCIPLINE REQUIRES HARD WORK IT IS NEVER CONSIDERED A HARDSHIP. IN REALITY IS PERMITTS SUCCESS AND SETS US FREE FROM FRUITLESS, MEANINGLESS LIVING.

Prov.6:23

For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light,

and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,

CONTRARY TO POPULAR OPINION, DISCIPLINE DOES NOT HINDER YOU, DISCIPLINE FREES YOU. GOD SAYS, DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY TO LIFE IN PROV.6:23. LET’S LOOK AT A FEW MORE PASSAGE IN PROVERBS THAT SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE BENEFIT OF DISCIPLINE:

Prov 1:7

7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Prov 3:11-12

11My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

and do not resent his rebuke,

12because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.

Prov 5:22-23

22The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords

of his sin hold him fast.

23He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Prov 10:17

17He who heeds discipline shows the way to life but whoever

ignores correction leads others astray.

Prov 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he

who hates correction is stupid.

Prov 13:18

18He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,

but whoever heeds correction is honored.

I THINK ITS SAFE TO CONCLUDE FROM THESE PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY TO THE ABUNDANT LIFE. WE’VE BEEN PROMISED ABUNDANT LIFE BUT THE BIBLE IS FULL OF SCRIPTURAL CONDITIONS THAT WE MUST MEET BEFORE WE CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S INCREASE AND SUCCESS FOR OUR LIVES. WITHOUT DISCIPLINE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THOSE CONDITIONS AND HAVE TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN GOD’S ABUNDANCE.

Luke 14:25-33

HERE WE SEE THAT LARGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE WERE FOLLOWING JESUS FOR THE WRONG REASONS. MANY PEOPLE FOLLOWED JESUS BECAUSE OF THE MIRACLES HE DID AND WHAT THEY COULD GET OUT OF IT. IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE JESUS WARNS THE PEOPLE TO SIT DOWN AND COUNT THE COST FOR BECOMING HIS DISCIPLE. YOU SEE, A DISCIPLE IS ONE WHO SUBMITS TO THE DISCIPLINE OF ITS LEADER. IF WE DON’T FOLLOW THE LEADER AND SUBMIT TO HIS AUTHORITY THEN WE CAN’T BE HIS DISCIPLE.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FRAM OIL FILTER COMMERCIALS THEY USED TO SHOW ON TV AND THEY’D SAY: "YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME LATER." THE GUY WHO PAYS LATER, ALWAYS PAYS MORE. IF YOU LET YOUR CAR GO THE COST ALWAYS GOES UP WHEN YOU DECIDE TO FIX IT. YOU LET YOUR MARRIAGE GO IN THE EARLY STAGES CAUSE OF NO DISCIPLINE, ITS GONNA COST YOU LAWYER AND ALIMONY. COME ON SOMEBODY, THAT’S CALLED STUPID. IF YOU LET YOUR FINANCES GO WITH NO SELF CONTROL AND DISCIPLINE ITS GONNA COST YOU. WHATEVER YOU LET GO IS GONNA COST AND YOU WILL PAY, AND IF YOU DON’T PAY NOW YOU WILL PAY LATER AND YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE! LISTEN TO THE COST OF DISCIPLINE VERSUS THE COST OF REGRET:

1. THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS HARD WORK, THE COST OF REGRET IS WASTED YEARS.

2. THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS DEDICATION, THE COST OF REGRET IS INSIGNIFICANCE.

3. THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS DILIGENCE, THE COST OF REGRET IS A PURPOSELESS LIFE.

4. THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS DELAYED GRATIFICATION, THE COST OF REGRET IS A SUPERFICIAL LIFE.

SO IF THE COST OF DISCIPLINE IS ONE POUND THE COST OF REGRET WEIGHS A TON. YOU ARE GOING TO PAY A PRICE CALLED PAIN AND YOU’RE GONNA PAY ON THE FRONT END OF DISCIPLINE WHICH HURTS A LITTLE NOW OR YOU’LL PAY AT THE END AND IT HURTS A WHOLE LOT MORE, SO PAY EARLY. WHAT IS DISCIPLINE? ITS HARD WORK, ITS DILIGENCE AND ITS DELAYED GRATIFICATION. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IS SAVING THE BEST FOR THE LAST. LET’S LOOK AT SOME AREAS OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION:

1. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

2. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FAMILY LIFE.

3. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

4. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR FINANCES.

Heb 12:7-11

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, 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 our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No 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.

REAL TREASURE IN LIFE IS HARDSHIP AND DISCIPLINE. NOW IT REWARDS US IN THE AREAS OF LIFE WE APPLY IT TO. SO LET’S BEGIN BY DISCUSSING DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCIPLINES THAT WE MUST SUBMIT TO IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO BE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIANS.

Ps 63:1-5

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

2So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

3Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

4Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

PLEASE NOTICE VERSE 1 AND 5, THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONNECTION BETWEEN SATISFACTION IN YOUR SOUL AND SEEKING GOD EARLY. LET ME SUGGEST THAT YOU START THE DAY WITH GOD, FIRST. IN OTHER WORDS, BEFORE YOU GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT, DELAYED GRATIFICATION, GIVE THE LORD SOMETHING FIRST.

NOW DON’T GET INTO LEGALISM OR INTO THE BONDAGE THAT YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP AND HOUR EARLY TO PRAY AND TO READ GOD’S WORD. WHAT I SUGGEST IS NOT A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS BUT A DISCIPLE THAT IS A WAY OF LIFE. LISTEN, A GOOD START TO A DAY IS BETTER THAN GOOD INTENTIONS THAT COME BACK THROUGH THE DAY TO HAUNT YOU AND FILL YOU WITH CONDEMNATION BECAUSE MOST OF US START BUT DON’T FOLLOW THROUGH. SO LET ME MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR STARTING YOUR DAY WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF SEEKING THE LORD EARLY.

THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN I WAKE UP IS TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE: " LORD, I THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY TO SERVE YOU." RIGHT AWAY WHEN I GET UP I ACKNOWLEDGE THE LORD IN SOME WAY. I BEGIN TO THINK ABOUT HIM AND TO PRAY AS I MAKE MY WAY TO THE BATHROOM. NOW I DON’T ALWAYS KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME CASUE THAT BRINGS ME INTO BONDAGE AND CONDEMNATION. BUT I DO PRAY EVERY DAY SEEKING GOD’S WISDOM AND FAVOR FOR MY FAMILY AND FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY. I WILL PRAY ABOUT MY SCHEDULE AND WHERE GOD WANTS ME TO GO AND WHAT HE WANTS ME TO ACCOMPLISH.

Col 1:14-18

14In Jesus we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:

15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

ANOTHER THING THAT YOU CAN DO EARLY IN THE MORNING IS TO PUT ON SOME CHRISTIAN MUSIC WHILE YOU’RE GETTING DRESSED OR SOMETIMES I LISTEN TO A TEACHING TAPE ON MY WAY INTO WORK IN THE MORNING. WHAT AM I DOING? I’M PUTTING THE LORD FIRST BECAUSE I’VE LEARNED THAT MY DAY WILL GO A LOT EASIER WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF SEEKING THE LORD FIRST THAN JUST BUMPING ALONG DOING THINGS ON MY OWN.

1 Thess 5:16-18

16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

GOD WANTS US TO BE IN A CONTINUAL POSTURE OF PRAY THROUGHOUT OUR DAY. EVERY CHALLENGE WE FACE SHOULD INCLUDE A PRAYER FOR GOD’S HELP AND GUIDANCE. EVERY SUCCESS WE EXPERIENCE SHOULD PRODUCE PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING IN OUR LIFE. WHEN WE START OUR DAY WITH GOD HE SHOWS UP THROUGHOUT OUR DAY AND WE CAN RECOGNIZE HIS HANDIWORK AND PRAISING HIM BECOMES AUTOMATIC, IT BECOMES A WAY OF LIFE.

LISTEN, EVERY DISCIPLINE BEGINS WITH A CERTAIN SENSE OF STRUCTURE AND AWKWARDNESS BUT WHEN WE MAKE IT PART OF OUR ROUTINE IT BECOMES VERY NATURAL AND JUST A WAY OF LIFE. YOU SEE, I WANT YOU TO SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF SEEKING THE LORD EARLY BUT I DON’T WANT TO PUT YOU UNDER ANY LEGALISM AND BONDAGE. YOU DO IT IN A WAY THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH. IF YOU WILL FIND SOME WAY TO PUT THE LORD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE LESS STRESSFUL AND MORE EFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVE BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE WE FIND IN MATT. 6:27-33.

Matt 6:27-33

27Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32"For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

SO HOW DO WE DEFINE DISCIPLINE? ITS HARD WORK, ITS DILIGENCE AND ITS DELAYED GRATIFICATION. DELAYED GRATIFICATION IS SAVING THE BEST FOR THE LAST. LET’S LOOK AT ANOTHER AREA OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION THIS MORNING: AND THAT IS THE DELAYED GRATIFICATION OF OUR FAMILY LIFE. THE BIBLE HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY. OF COURSE IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE. THE BIBLE WARNS US RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING THAT AS A CHRISTIAN YOU SHOULD NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED WITH AN UNBELIEVER. LET ME READ THAT PASSAGE FOR YOU.

2 Cor 6:14-7:1

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

17"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

I DON’T KNOW OF A PERSON WHO DOESN’T WANT TO HAVE A GOOD MARRIAGE AND RAISE A GOOD FAMILY. I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IT JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY BUT IT REQUIRES THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY. THIS CONCEPT OF BEING UNEQUALLY YOKED REPRESENTS A CHRISTIAN MARRYING A NON CHRISTIAN. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THERE ARE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS IN THE MARRIAGE BECAUSE MARRIAGE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A 2 WAY RELATIONSHIP BUT A 3 WAY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME. YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS IN EVERY AREA OF YOU LIFE AND ITS USUALLY THE UNBELIEVING MATE THAT TRICKS HIS FIANCE’ INTO BELIEVING THAT HE’S A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN. JUST BECAUSE HE’S GOT GARTH BROOK’S CHRISTMAS ALBUM AND HE GOES TO CHRUCH WITH YOU WHEN YOU BEG HIM TO DOESN’T MEAN HE’S A CHRISTIAN. WHEN YOU MARRY AN UNBELIEVING HUSBAND HE WILL ASSUME THE POSITION AS HEAD OF THE HOME AND YOU WILL HAVE TO LIVE UNDER HIS RIDICULE, SCORN, AND PERSECUTION AND DO THINGS HIS WAY EVEN THOUGH IT GOES AGAINST YOUR CON-VICTIONS. IF YOU MARRY AN UNBELIEVER YOU ARE OPENING A DOOR AND INVITING TROUBLE INTO YOUR HOME. NOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT MARRIAGE HERE BUT THIS ALSO APPLIES TO BUSINESS AND OTHER CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

Eph 5:22-6:1

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also

loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the

washing of water by the word,

27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.

He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth

and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

GOD HAS A TIME PROVEN ORDER FOR MARRIAGE AND IF WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS GOD’S WAY WE CAN HAVE SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY AND FULFILLED MARRIAGES AND FAM-ILIES. WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME, PRESIDING OVER IT AND BEING CONSULTED ON DECISIONS EACH SPOUSE CAN DEFER THE OTHER TO GOD FOR LIFE CHANGING TRANSFORMATIONS. WHAT HAPPENS IN MARRIAGE IS THAT ONE SPOUSE USUALLY TRIES TO CHANGE THE OTHER SPOUSE’S BAD HABITS OR THINGS THAT IRRITATE THEM. WITH CHRIST AS THE HEAD OF THE HOME WE CAN DEFER ALL THAT TO HIM AND RESPOND TO EACH OTHER IN A DISCIPLINED WAY. DOES THAT MEAN YOU’LL NEVER HAVE A FIGHT OR AN ARGUMENT. NO! IT JUST MEANS THAT GOD WILL DEAL WITH YOU AFTER YOU FIGHT TO BRING ABOUT RECONCILIATION.

LISTEN, IF YOU DON’T DEAL WITH THESE SMALL SQUABBLES WHEN THEY HAPPEN AND YOU LET THEM PILE UP OVER THE YEARS YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE IN ALIMONY, LAWYERS AND CHILD SUPPORT. LISTEN, PAYING ALIMONY IS LIKE PAYING FOR A NEW CAR THAT YOU TOTALED OUT AND DIDN’T HAVE INSURANCE FOR, IT’S CALLED STUPID. YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE, I DIDN’T WANT TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES, OR I DIDN’T FEEL LIKE ADMITTING I WAS PART TO BLAME OR THE PAIN TO FIX IT WAS TO GREAT OR I WAS TO EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT ANY FAULT. LISTEN, IF YOU DON’T PAY NOW YOU WILL PAY LATER AND YOU ALWAYS PAY MORE, SO PAY EARLY. LET’S LOOK AT A COUPLE MORE SCRIPTURES REGARDING DISCIPLINE IN MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY.

1 Peter 3:1-7

3:1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters

if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

I REALIZE THAT THIS CONCEPT OF WIVES BEING SUBMISSIVE TO THEIR HUSBANDS MAY SEEM TO BE MISDIRECTED IN OUR DAY AND AGE. IT MAY HELP TO REDEFINE THE WORD SUBMISSION. SUB MEANS UNDER AND OF COURSE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT MISSION IS. IN OTHER WORDS, SUBMISSION MEANS TO COME UNDER THE MISSION, PURPOSE AND DIRECTION FOR THE FAMILY. IN THE PASSAGE IN EPH. WE LEARNED THAT JUST AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH SO HUSBANDS SHOULD BE THE HEAD OF THEIR WIVES AND ASSUME THE GREATER RESPONSIBILITY OF PROVIDING FOR HER CARE. LISTEN, GOD’S NOT TALKING ABOUT TITLE POWER HERE BUT WHAT HE’S SAYING IS THAT THE PERSON IN CHARGE ALWAYS ASSUMES MORE RESPONSIBILITY AND IS ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE IN THE END. IF HUSBANDS ARE TO BE THE HEAD OF THEIR WIVES JUST AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH THEN WE MUST FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE OF SELF DENIAL AND LAYING DOWN OUR LIVES, OUR RIGHTS AND OUR OPINIONS FOR OUR WIVES. WE HAVE TO DIE TO PRIDE, SELFISHNESS AND DOING THINGS OUR OWN WAY. LISTEN, GOD HAS A GOOD PLAN FOR OUR FAMILIES AND IF WE’LL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF DOING THINGS HIS WAY WE CAN HAVE HAPPY AND FULFILLED MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES.

NOW ANOTHER AREA OF CONSIDERATION IS INTER-RACIAL MAR-RIAGES. MY SISTER SUSAN, MARRIED A JEWISH MAN. WELL, THAT’S OK BUT HOW ARE THE CHILDREN GOING TO BE RAISED, JEWISH OR CHRISTIAN. WELL, SHE HAD THE FORESIGHT TO CONDITION THE MARRIAGE ONLY IF THEIR CHILDREN WOULD BE RAISED CHRISTIAN AND THEY ARE. I KNEW A PASTOR ONCE WHO WHEN HE GOT SAVED HIS JEWISH WIFE LEFT HIM WITH 4 CHILDREN BECAUSE THE MOMENT HE PROFESSED CHRIST SHE CONSIDERED HIM DEAD. ANOTHER CONSIDERATION IN AN INTER-RACIAL MARRIAGE, OF WHICH THE BIBLE MAKES NO RESTRICTIONS OVER, IS THE CHILDREN. OFTEN BOTH GROUPS REJECT THE CHILDREN AS HALF-BREEDS AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY YOU MAY BRING A LOT OF PERSECUTION AND HARDSHIP ON YOUR MARRIAGE BECAUSE OF THE PREJUDICE AND BIAS OF OTHERS. WHAT AM I SAYING BY ALL THIS? ITS MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL ATTRACTION, ITS MORE THAN HORMONES ACTING UP, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR CHOICES SO SIT DOWN AND PLAN AHEAD AND SEEK WISE COUNSEL. THAT’S DELAYED GRATIFIC-ATION, PAYING THE PRICE NOW TO PLAN AHEAD TO MINIMIZE PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE IN YOUR MARRIAGE.

Col 3:18-21

18Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children,

lest they become discouraged.

Eph 6:1-4

6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3"that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." 4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them

up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

HERE’S JUST ONE MORE AREA OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION THAT APPLIES TO CHILDREN AND THAT IS TO OBEY YOUR PARENTS THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU. PLEASE NOTICES THAT THERE IS A PROMISE ATTACHED TO THIS DISCIPLINE. IF CHILDREN WILL SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF HONORING THEIR PARENTS, DELAYED GRATIFICATION, THEN GOD WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU LIVE A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS LIFE. NOW ITS NOT ALWAYS EASY OR CONVENIENT FOR CHILDREN TO HONOR THEIR PARENTS BY RESPECTING THEM, LISTENING TO THEM AND FOLLOWING THEIR ADVISE BUT IT WILL ALWAYS PAY OUT IN THE END. YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF DELAYED GRATIFICATION NOW, BUT THE REWARDS WILL GREATLY OUT WEIGH THE COST. IN THE O.T A REBELLIOUS CHILD WAS BROUGHT TO THE ELDERS OF THE CITY AND WAS STONED TO DEATH. IN OUR SOCIETY THEIR KILLED IN DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS, GANG RELATED DEATHS, AN OVERDOSE OF DRUGS OR THEIR LOCK UP IN THE PENITENTIARY. THE PRESCRIPTION IS APPLICABLE TO EVERYONE: YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR YOU CAN PAY ME LATER AND IF YOU PAY ME LATER YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY MORE. SO MY ADVISE IS TO SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD THAT YOU MAY LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE HE HAS PROMISED YOU.

John 10:10

10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

NEXT WEEK I WILL CONCLUDE THIS 3 PART SERIES AS WE LOOK AT DELAYED GRATIFICATION IN A FEW MORE AREAS OF OUR LIFE.