The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:11-18, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof,
12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

The word “discipline” has five separate meanings, but basically it is “an activity, exercise or regimen that develops or improves a skill or training.” None of those definitions fit what I understood the word to mean when I was a kid. To me it meant punishment! (Don’t snicker! Truth be told, punishment is what it meant for you, also.)
I also learned that to run away from punishment only meant adding fuel to the fire.

But “discipline” is much more than torrid punishments! Discipline is also activity that
develops skills that produce learning. No one learns to play the piano without discipline. The same is true of singing, painting, typing, hunting, fishing –just about anything you can name. And no one starts out as an “expert”! In fact, those not so
talented as you will praise you for having exerted the discipline that made you what
you are.

After we’ve learned to obey verses 11 and 12 above, we inherit the richer blessings noted in verses 13 through 17. They number seven and include understanding, long life, wisdom, riches, honor, a pleasant attitude, and peace.

What kind of neighbor do you want? Oh? Well, that’s exactly the kind of neighbor your neighbor wants, too! Someone has put it so well: “We will never know peace until the
Prince of Peace rules in our hearts!” Is He in yours? Do you know Him? You can, you
know. Just confess your sins to Jesus Christ in prayer, and believe and trust Him to have forgiven you. How will you know? He will let you know. That’s part of the “trust.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom