* Introduction To The Bible Study
Jesus Christ introduced God as "Abba Father." The word "Abba" describes an intensely intimate relationship with a father. God is a Father Who wants to give good gifts to His children. He chastises us with words, not bad situations and circumstances. We should expect His goodness, not punishment from Him. God trains us as a demonstration of His love.
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A. Don't despise the correction and discipline of the Lord. (Hebrews 12:1-11 AMP)
1. The Greek defintion of chastening is "child training".
a. Some people believe that God chastens us with sickness, lack, car wreaks, etc . .
b. However, God does not use bad things to correct discipline His children; He chastens us with His Words.
c. The correction of a righteous person is kind. Therefore, it is even more kind for God to correct us. (Psalm 141:5)
d. We should never despise the correction of the Lord or that of a rigtheous person.
2. To honor God means to allow His Word to carry more weight than anything else in your life. (Proverbs 3:9)
a. God wants us to honor Him with our giving. We shouldn't despise His instructions concerning our finances. (Proverbs 3:11)
b. God corrects us for our own good.
B. God is not holding our sins against us (Romans 4:8).
1. We are cleansed of all our sins-past, present and future. God has chosen not to record our failures.
a. Abraham took Lot with hi even after God told him to leave his family. (Genesis 12:1-4)
b. Sarah laughed when she heard The Word of the Lord saying that she would have a child. She didn't believe she could bear children at her old age. (Genesis 18:8-12)
c. However, in The Book of Hebrews, Abraham and Sarah are recorded as people of great faith. (Hebrews 11:8)
d. The Israelites were remembered and comended for thier faith. (Hebrews 11:29)
e. However, in The old Testament, we saw in many situations where they doubted and murmured against God.
f. These accounts show us that God does not record our failures in heaven. He remembers our faith, but our sins He will remember no more.
Notes From: Dr. Creflo Dollar
