BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Today’s Reading: Numbers 32
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The beach and distant ruins of Caesarea Maritima.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sins will find you out.
Two messages grip my mind as I read this chapter. The first has to do with a statement my Mother drummed into me when I was a boy. She died when I was 12, and her warnings were reinforced as I would think about her. Many times she said, “David, be sure your sins will find you out.” She never gave a Bible reference, but I was afraid to sin, and I never could cover it up when I did sin (click here for the stolen apple story from an earlier blog). Our key verse is her Scripture source (Numbers 32:23b). The other message is from Genesis 4:9b, where Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The tribes who wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan promised Moses that they would be their brothers’ keepers. Our elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, has promised to be our Keeper (Psalm 121:4 & Jude 1:24).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, please keep using Your Word to keep me living right. Thank You for parents who implant Scripture so deeply into their children that Your Word will never be extracted from their innermost being. Help me in my commitment to help keep my brothers and sisters from harm, from sin, and from Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I witnessed the truth of Mother’s words about sin finding me out after my Father returned from overseas, where he spent six years during the Second World War. He had a “razor strap.” For the younger generation, that was not a razor, it was the leather belt on which he would run his straight razor back and forth until it was sharp. He would lather up his face with soap, and then proceed to move the sharpened blade back and forth across his face and neck. It was an awesome sight for an 8 year old who had been raised for 6 years by 3 women…Mother and two older sisters (Willa, 8 years older, and Elaine, 6 years older). Believe me, it wasn’t the razor which made it scary when my sin found me out; it was the leather strap. I only remember getting the strap on each of my two hands once. That was enough. I told myself, “Never again!” It was not only legal to discipline in this way, but in the government, the Department of Education supplied every teacher with a strap for this very purpose. I’m a witness to the fact that miracles in changed behaviour resulted immediately!
Yours for behaviour improvement in us all,
David
Greetings David
I read with amusement your article on the razor strap. How well I remember my Dad’s hanging on the back of the door and him moving it up and down on the shiny surface. I felt it only once for a well-deserved faux pas I had committed and never forgot the occasion. I also remember the black leather one the teacher used on my hands when I wouldn’t stop talking to my neighbour in grade two. I am thankful that there are better methods now for dealing with such infractions.
Thank you David for your faithful teaching and very interesting personal illustrations. You are like a father to all of us and that is much appreciated. Winter has arrived here now and it’s out today to get my snow tires on. Good to hear the news of Sue’s operation Beverlee. God bless all of you.
…food for thought… Were physical punishment allowed today in the schools and at home as well as the Lord’s Prayer being said every morning (at least in elementary school) – would we have as much violence and racism in the Americas today?
Have a great day blog friends in Christ and God Bless
I don’t believe in physical punishment, David–it harms the inner spirit of the child, in addition to damaging the physical body. It doesn’t make any sense, whatsoever. Children being strapped by the principal or any teacher in school is abuse, plain and simple, and does nothing but teach and reinforce violence. A child who suffers abuse or neglect at home may act out his or her feelings at school, therefore to be punished further, simply alienates the child. On the other hand, the Lord’s prayer had a bonding effect when we were in the habit of praying it together (as when I grew up in school in the 60’s/70’s). For that moment in time, we were in unity speaking to God–a higher power and authority. There was a feeling of respect and trust when we said those words out loud and a sense of camaraderie with one another. It was a positive activity and time shared by everyone that marked the beginning of the day. Without that bond together, children in school are less effective and empowered. Children can be taught respect for their elders through God’s love acceptance and nurturing as Christian families and schools demonstrate. To think of children growing up in middle eastern parts of the world learning to adore and carry guns as child soldiers, without the Lord’s Prayer, explains their violence and is utterly appalling.
… it brought Pastor David around. It kept me in line… was it Doctor Spock’s son that committed suicide?
Boys especially need boundaries… we definitely differ on this one.
In our classrooms today. The only recourse teachers have for misbehaving children is to kick them out of the classroom… and if they keep it up – principals can expel them…
Unless they find faith in God and Christ Jesus there’s a life of crime waiting to happen…
Agree on the faith. Jesus is the only answer and way.
David, I have just read a piece on Dr. Spock–it was his grandson, Peter, who committed suicide. He had schizophrenia. A sad and tragic situation.
Controlling behavior through fear is easier than inspiring obedience with respect for authority–which requires wisdom, love, self control and patience. Christians like to use the phrase WWJD– if you honestly can see our Lord hitting a helpless child with a strap or a belt, even a little boy then you have a point, but research shows most men in prison are there not because they weren’t hit as children, but because they were. As for racism – back in the 50’s and 60’s when children were reciting the Lord prayer in school, racism was just as bad or worse than today. The Lord’s Prayer is meaningless if those saying it are saying it only because they have to– if we want to change the world, we have to change hearts– and most people won’t care what we have to say until they know we care–
I agree with you Beverlee and I wish I had never laid a hand on my children. I never did it often. However, the once or twice it happened, I still regret to this day. I believe that we should never hurt another human being , especially a helpless child. With GOD’s help we are able to do otherwise. GOD bless each and everyone !
Amen, Eraine!
Amen…I agree discipline is absolutely necessary…proper discipline…even a strap, if used with restraint.
Thanks David, for the wonderful reflection, this morning. Thank You Jesus, for being our keeper. Lovely photo, Reynold. Blessings dearest saints in the Lord.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Lion and the Lamb, Leeland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ujBoud26k
I remember getting the strap in grade 8 for chewing gum. The teacher said “Kare, this is going to hurt me more then you.” Did not k ow what he meant back then, because it hurt me physically and emotionally.
I can still hear my mother,s words, “Honesty is the best policy.” Her words have proved true many times in my 73 years.
Belated Happy Birthday Beverlee. Hope you had a Wonderful time with Family and Friends.
David that verse was drilled into us by our Grandma. I was so afraid to do anything wrong. On then other hand my older brother just did every he knew was wrong then went and put on two shirt and two pants because he knew that before the day was over he was going to be in trouble.
The most amusing part to me was when he was blessed with two sons and they did the same thing and he got mad with them.
Have a Blessed Day fellow bloggers and keep warm.
David “Tha Strap” or “The Belt” was a form of ‘Tough Love’ that was necessary.Those who have taken it away have left us with ‘anything goes’.God bless
Amen!
Your comments and your testimony Pastor David this morning have brought forth food for thought…I agree with your Mother and your Father…the need for discipline…that brings best results when done in love and with restraint!
I too have a difficult time with this morning’s scriptures…that women really had no life of their own. I thank God that we are no longer under the law. Jesus Christ has set us free to be who He created us to be: His children, male and female equally loved!!!!
Unfortunately many women are still in bondage; especially in the Middle East.
Yes, absolutely true and may God be with us and bless us all!
Thanks for that Irene!
Hi everyone, please pray for peace for us this weekend, we have a 4-day weekend, and long weekends are very stressful for us. VERY stressful…thank you for your prayers! and God bless you all.
Lord Jesus I pray in your name that you will be with May this weekend. Pour out your spirit upon her and give her your peace Lord you can help her to be the calm one in whatever the situation may be . Amen
Be upheld and comforted with scripture, May:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God bless you dear sister-in-Christ.