The Lord has said that His discipline will be strict in this end-time hour, and that means He expects you to obey His rules. Do you do that? The Bible says, Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1). You can’t run that race without godly discipline.

If you don’t accept the Lord’s discipline, you may claim to be a child of God; but you are not. The Bible says this about God’s children: 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 (Hebrews 12:7,8).

You may have been disobedient to your earthly father and gotten away with it, but you can’t do that with your heavenly Father because He sees everything. Jesus came and gave His divine blood so we could be sons and daughters of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12,13). To live as a child of God and become a joint-heir with Christ, you must take divine discipline.

Gideon Had to Learn Discipline

Gideon didn’t know how to heed the discipline of the Lord when an angel first came to him and said, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour (Judges 6:12). Gideon didn’t fully understand why God said that, so he asked, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites (Judges 6:13,14).

Gideon believed God, so he assembled an army of 32,000 men to fight the Midianites; but that was not what God wanted. Many times, the discipline of the Lord requires us to do things we don’t understand; and that was the situation Gideon was in. God told him to tell the men, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand (Judges 7:3).

Imagine how shocked Gideon must have been, but God wasn’t done yet. There was more discipline ahead. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there (Judges 7:4).

Again, Gideon followed the Lord’s instructions and did as the Lord instructed him to; and when the trial was over, he was left with only 300 men. That was an even bigger shock than before; but God told Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand (Judges 7:7).

You will face trying times when you will need the Lord’s direction just as Gideon did. You too will have to heed the Lord’s discipline, follow His instructions and trust Him completely.

Receive the Truth

The Bible says, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8). It takes great discipline to keep your mind only on these things, so you must carefully consider each one.

The first one is things that are true. Jesus came as the perfect truth from Heaven; and He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). He also said, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). People have rejected Jesus more than any other person who has ever lived on Earth, yet He was the only one who was perfect in everything He did and said.

Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, He said God would send us the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:16,17).

Every child of God must receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost just as the disciples did on the Day of Pentecost. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). The Spirit of Truth must live within each child of God.

Be Honest and Just

The next thing mentioned in Philippians 4:8 is things that are honest. Are you honest with God, or do you make excuses to Him when you should be spending time with God and His Word? Do you make excuses instead of obeying what the Word tells you? If so, you are being dishonest; and you are deceiving your own heart. The Word says, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15).

Are you honest with other people? If you are a child of God, you will be because He has only honest, truthful children. If you lie and are dishonest, the Bible says, All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8). That lake of fire is in hell.

Philippians 4:8 next mentions things that are just; and the Bible says, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). If you are living by feelings instead of faith, your walk is not justified before the Lord. Do you serve the Lord and work for Him only when you feel like it? Do you go to church only when you feel like it? The Bible says, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:17). Notice it says faith to faith, not faith to feelings.

People who live by feelings are always worrying and complaining about something, and many are anxious about tomorrow even though God does not promise us tomorrow. Jesus said, Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34).

Think Pure and Lovely Thoughts

The fourth and fifth things mentioned in Philippians 4:8 are things that are pure and lovely. Are you pure before God? Are you pure in your speech and in everything you do? Do you serve the pure love, faith, grace and blood of God to others? Jesus said, Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8). It is sad that so many people who claim to be Christians are not pure. They may think they will see God one day, but they won’t.

Things that are lovely are things about Jesus and divinity because everything about them is lovely. All the Early Church disciples talked about was Jesus; and no matter how much they were persecuted, they didn’t complain. They just carried the story of Jesus to more and more people. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:4).

Those Early Church disciples were completely yielded to the Holy Ghost; so the more they were persecuted, the more God used those persecutions to bring others to Him. As a result, amazing miracles took place; and multitudes came into the Kingdom.

Do you do or speak anything that isn’t lovely and wouldn’t match the Spirit of God? Do you tell things about people that are just plain gossip? If so, God won’t accept those things. You must have a holy tongue that is connected with a holy heart and only say things Jesus would say. He said, For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak (John 12:49). God would never tell you to spread gossip or criticize others.

Always Give a Good Report

The final thing mentioned in Philippians 4:8 is things of a good report, and those are the only things the Lord wants you to pass on. Don’t talk about the weaknesses of others or the sinful things people may be doing. Jesus said, Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:1,2).

Philippians 4:8 closes with, If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. It takes great discipline to keep only the right thoughts in your mind; but when you think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report, they will fill your heart with praises. The Bible says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). You must be careful of what you allow into your heart and mind.

Bad and disturbing things will come to your mind, but you have to hedge in your mind like Job did his. Because of Job’s great love for the Lord, God had surrounded him and everything he owned with a divine hedge; and the Lord had greatly blessed him. However, the Lord did allow the devil to get through that hedge one time and torment and afflict Job. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand (Job 1:8–12). Job’s trial was severe, but he stood the test just like God knew he would. Then God blessed him with even more than He had given him before.

Judas and Peter Failed

The Bible tells of different characters who did not listen to God or accept His discipline, and Judas was one of them. Judas had been one of Christ’s twelve disciples, but he let money be his god; and he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He later tried to return the money, but it was too late. Then Judas, which had betrayed him [Jesus], when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3–5).

At one time, the Lord had given His apostles the power to heal the sick and cast out devils. And when he [Jesus] had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (Matthew 10:1). But Judas never truly learned the Lord’s discipline, and he is in hell today. How sad.

Peter was another apostle who had trouble with divine discipline. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter did not have the discipline he should have had; and he cut off a soldier’s ear. However, Jesus had compassion on the man, And he touched his ear, and healed him (Luke 22:51). Then Jesus rebuked Peter saying, Put up thy sword into the sheath (John 18:11).

Peter got so upset when Jesus rebuked him that he backslid and denied ever knowing Jesus. Thankfully, and unlike Judas, Peter later repented with great sorrow and finally became the disciple he should have been all along.

No Discipline Brings Unbelief

Thomas definitely lacked discipline; and after Christ was crucified, Thomas went off by himself to pout and even refused to gather with the other apostles. Because of that, Thomas missed seeing Jesus appear to the disciples who had gathered together. Afterward, they told Thomas all about it; but he didn’t believe them and said, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25).

Eight days later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again; and that time, Thomas was actually with them. Then saith he [Jesus] to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:27–29). Jesus rebuked Thomas for his lack of discipline and his unbelief.

God Must Come First

There was a time when Jesus had just finished ministering to a crowd of people, and a rich, young ruler came running after Him. The man knelt before Jesus and asked, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17)? Jesus told him that he would have to keep the Ten Commandments; and the man said, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions (Mark 10:20–22).

That man had no true, divine discipline because he was worshiping his riches instead of the true and living God who said, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deuteronomy 6:5). Even after Jesus had talked to that young man, he would not take Christ’s discipline; and because of that, he missed Heaven. Riches are not to be used purely for selfish gain but to bless the Lord’s Kingdom and the work of God.

Discipline Comes Through Love

Discipline requires divine love, and the Bible says you are nothing without it. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing (I Corinthians 13:1,2).

What have you done with the love you received at Calvary? Jesus told the church at Ephesus, Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (Revelation 2:4). Only with divine love and discipline will you be an overcomer and make it to Heaven. Jesus said, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Revelation 3:21).

The Bride of Christ will be pure, holy and sinless. She will lean on her Lord and take Heaven’s discipline with joy and gladness. Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved (Song of Solomon 8:5)? The Bride will have the same zeal to win the lost that Jesus, her Groom, had; and she will be precious in His sight. I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me (Song of Solomon 7:10).

Receive the Holy Ghost

Discipline in the Lord will tell you that you must receive the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him (Acts 5:32). Jesus is the Son of God; but when He lived on Earth as a man, He had to receive the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist saw the Spirit descend on Jesus in the form of a dove. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him (Matthew 3:16).

Jesus is our example; and if He needed the Holy Ghost, then we do too. That is why He prayed for the Father to send the Spirit to us. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:16,17).

The Holy Ghost is a gift from God to each person who will receive Him. He is to be your teacher and your guide, but you have to yield to Him and allow Him to work for you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).

Today, the Bride is on a divine mission to bring lost souls into the Kingdom just as Jesus was when He was on Earth. The Holy Ghost is here on a divine mission too—to prepare a Bride for Jesus. I say again that the Lord has laid down the rules for His children, and you have to abide by them. There was a time when God would make allowances for ignorance but not anymore. The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). The Word clearly tells you what is right and what is wrong, so you can’t claim you don’t know.

Claim God’s Promises

The hour is late, so if you ever intend to come under the discipline of the Lord and work for Him, now is the time. You must have discipline in prayer, fasting and studying the Word of God. You must have discipline in helping take the Gospel to the world. Stop thinking you are worthless, and don’t pay attention to what people say. Lift your head high and know who you are in Christ Jesus.

When you take God’s discipline and obey Him in everything, you will pay your tithes and give offerings. The Bible says, Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10).

You must accept God’s promises and act on them, and the Bride will do that. She will reach out and claim all God’s promises knowing that He will fulfill them. However, each promise is conditional; and you have to meet the condition of a promise before it can be fulfilled in your life. Don’t tie God’s hands and prevent Him from working for you.

You Must Obey the Truth

Paul was chastising the Galatians for their lack of discipline when he wrote, Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth (Galatians 5:7)? O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you (Galatians 3:1)? Those who are disobedient and refuse to take God’s discipline are deceived by the powers of the devil.

When you study the Word, you have to see yourself as God sees you; but the Bible tells us that some people look into the Word just like looking into a mirror, and they forget what they look like the minute they close the Bible. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (James 1:23,24).

Jesus always yielded to His Father’s strict discipline. He went through every valley we must go through, and then He willingly died so our souls could be redeemed. And being found in fashion as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8). During His last night in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:39). That showed His humanity, but it also showed His divine obedience and humility.

You will find Christ’s footprints in every valley He wills you to be in. The Bible says He is the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys (Song of Solomon 2:1). If you don’t see Christ’s footprints in your valley, you had better get out of there because that is not a valley God wants you to be in.

Accept Jesus and His Discipline

Are you ready to take the discipline of the Lord and let His power flow through you? People say that no one can live like Jesus; but in this final hour, all the members of the bridal company will walk, talk and act like Jesus. The divine blood flowing on the inside of them makes it possible.

Let the Spirit of the Lord search your heart today. If there is even just one seed of deceit in there, you need to repent because I say again that God’s discipline is strict; and you won’t be able to follow His rules with any deceit in you.

Say the sinner’s prayer with me now and mean it from your heart: Oh, God, forgive me and cleanse me from all sin, disobedience and deceit! I know Jesus died for me, and I will serve you for the rest of my life. I will live in your truth and righteousness from this day forward, and you will never again find anything unlike you in my spirit. I believe the blood of Jesus washes away all my sins. Come into my heart, Jesus! Come on in! I receive you, precious Lord and Master.

You have now been reconciled to the Lord, and He has redeemed you through the blood of the Lamb and the power of Calvary.

Healing Is Yours

Now that you are saved, the wonderful, healing Christ is with you and ready to heal you. He said, For I am the Lord that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26).

Lord, I bring those who are sick and afflicted to you. I believe you will heal them today as they claim your wonderful promises of healing. In the name of Jesus, I come against the diseases and afflictions in their bodies—cancer, heart trouble, AIDS, diabetes and anything else they are afflicted with. In the name of Jesus, healing comes from your gift of miracles and your gifts of healing through the power of the blessed Holy Ghost. Heal, in the all-powerful name of Jesus! Heal!

The healing power is flowing. Let it linger in your body and watch daily as the Lord gets you or your loved one well. Then always give the Lord all the praise, the honor and the glory for your miracle. We would love to hear about what God has done for you; so please write, email or leave us a message on social media. We will rejoice with you.