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Hebrews 12:4-13
“Discipline”

“No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

At times, running the race that is set before us is wearisome and discouraging. The difficulties we experience along the way may tempt us to slow down, to draw back, or maybe even turn our backs against any forward progression.

But as we’ve learned in previous studies, turning back isn’t an option for followers of Jesus. If we are disciples of Jesus, we need to be disciplined by Jesus. His discipline is not punishment but training, preparation for the work He has for us to do. When we allow ourselves to be trained by what the Lord allows in our lives, knowing every circumstance is filtered through His love and used for our good, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness in our lives.

God acknowledges the difficulties involved with following Him. He understands the hardships we face. But He doesn’t just passively observe them—He actively trains us so that we can endure the hardships to come. He is always bringing about His glorious purposes in and through us. Watch a replay of our live stream or listen to the audio of our study of Hebrews 12:4-13 as we gain perspective that allows us to endure the pain.

Children’s Ministry Update

Hey Parents & Guardians! Just a quick word about Children’s Ministry. It’s been so great to see families worshipping the Lord together we begin our study of the Word on a Sunday morning. We hope you have been enjoying the extra time with your kiddos in the presence of the Lord together.

Children are always welcome to worship with you upstairs as desired and we are so grateful to offer a Children’s Ministry option as we are able. That ability is dependent on a few variables. One is the number of volunteers it takes to adequately staff our classes. The other is the availability of those volunteers to serve. Since our illness guidelines for children also apply to our volunteers, there are times when we just don’t have the people it takes to staff Children’s Ministry classes.

And so, unfortunately there will be no K-5th class this Sunday (12/20) and next (12/27). There will also be no Nursery next Sunday (12/27)—but there will be a Pre-K class this Sunday and next.

If you have been attending Refuge for at least 6 months and are interested in serving in Children's Ministry, please complete our volunteer questionnaire and Pastor Nate will connect with you.

Christmas Eve Worship Service

Join us for a special Christmas Eve worship service as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus—Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Service starts at 4pm in the Regency Venue. Invite your friends and family!

Refuge - 96.1 FM

Did you know we have a radio station? 96.1 FM is now Refuge. It’s a direct extension of our ministry of Refuge. Tune in and enjoy the various musical selections that point to Jesus and communicate the Gospel. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reach our community for Christ. Reception is good from about Royalton to the north to Clearwater to the south—but we’re working on solutions to increase our reach in Central Minnesota! Check out our program schedule at Refuge.fm.

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
–Hebrews 12:5-6

The problem we have in understanding this passage is our difficulty in dissociating discipline from punishment. God’s discipline is never punitive—it’s never intended as punishment. It’s corrective and instructive—like the role of a coach.

God is not our persecutor. He is our personal trainer, the coach for our souls. That’s why the consistent context of an athletic endeavor helps us understand God’s heart toward us. God does not persecute or punish us. He is our loving Heavenly Father who personally trains—that is, disciples and disciplines—His children.

If you maintain this perspective, you will be able to persevere through pain and endure discipline without despising it or becoming discouraged by it. You will come to see discipline as personal training, painful though it may be. Anything that He allows to come your way is filtered through His love and will be used for a redemptive purpose. It will bring about a “peaceful harvest of right living” (Hebrews 12:11). He will walk with you through all of it, whispering with quiet intensity words of truth, encouragement, and exhortation—He will never leave you.

I bless thee, Lord for sorrows sent
To break my dream of human power;
For now, my shallow cisterns spent,
I find thy founts, and thirst no more.