“He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be
at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but
whoever heeds correction gains understanding” (Proverbs 15:31 &
32 NIV).
Why is it that when it really gets bad, we finally listen and do what we are supposed to do? I
recently had an appointment at the dental hygienist and I have to admit
that somewhere in the corner of my heart there was some hidden guilt.
Why? I very well knew for years that I needed to floss my teeth, but I
simply didn’t have what it took to follow through. The hygienist cleaned
my teeth as usual, knowing that I hadn’t flossed at all and so I was
glad that it was soon over so that I could go back home.
But
unfortunately the doctor also wanted to see me and take a closer look
at the x-rays that had been taken. This time he was not all
understanding, but gave me a life-giving rebuke! He said that if I would
not floss my teeth daily I would eventually start losing them. I tell
you his words were like an arrow that pierced the center of my heart and
this time I was forced to take it to heart. I sensed in his words such
an earnest concern for me and my teeth. Today we are
living in a day and age where not a lot of people dare to correct God’s
way. And when the correction does come, it is rejected by many. My
doctor took the initiative and the responsibility to correct me. I took
it to heart, I applied it to my life, and my gums have stopped bleeding.
So please do not get offended when a person that stands in authority
and carries responsibility takes the time to correct you. Take it to
heart because this is God’s way to give you life, wisdom and
understanding. Have a wonderfully blessed day! Suzanne Tanner
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right
hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”
(Colossians 3, 1 – 2 NIV). “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6 NIV).
I
didn't think that this would be possible, that from one single view
point I could overlook Europe's second largest lake. But with God all
things are possible, and so our friends took us one day to this specific
vantage point in the Swiss Alps. It was located at about 4,500 feet
above sea level, and from this point we could oversee the entire lake of
Geneva. It was just amazing! We could see the end from the beginning.
We
saw the Jet d'Eau – the Water Fountain of Geneva that jets its water up
to 459 feet into the air. We recognized towns like Lausanne and
Montreux and the Evian les Bains that is located in France. And the
icing on the cake was that we got to see Europe's most magnificent
mountain, the 16,000 foot tall Mont Blanc. All of this was captured with
two eyes, with absolute clarity, from one single vantage point. I'd say
that this is magnificent, wouldn't you?! I was so
happy that the LORD gave me the opportunity to experience this
magnificent view and I thought about these verses in Colossians and
Ephesians and how true they were. This is the position God wants you to take: In
Christ you are given this magnificent vantage point and this is when
you receive a clear overview of things on earth and in heaven. It’s a
place where you gain clarity, authority and sovereignty. Set your heart
on Jesus today and take your seat next to Him! Have a wonderfully blessed day! Suzanne Tanner
