Proverbs 19:18, "Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death." Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Think

Imagine that you're just about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. Your plane takes off in an hour. You packed no luggage, made no hotel reservations, and have no idea where to go once you get there. No amount of scrambling at this point will help. How frustrating to think that you've had nine months to prepare and you've done nothing! Parenting is also a lifetime journey. And we wouldn't bring a baby home from the hospital without having bought necessities like diapers, clothes, and a crib! Why, then, do so many parents forget the need for preparation when it comes to discipline? Kids need to know what to expect before they disobey. They need to know that the boundaries their parents set aren't some elusive target. They need order and consistency to succeed. This principle isn't just for parenting - it's for everyone of all ages and stages of life. This means doing what we have to do now so we can do what we want to do later. It's living within the boundaries aligned for us in Scripture for our protection, promotion, and perfection! Whether it's that trip of a lifetime or raising a child, a disciplined life leads to success and positions us to bring God the honor He deserves!

Act

What do you need to do that you've been putting off? When we do the hard things now, we will reap the benefits later. Start now!

Pray

Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God of order. Help me to glorify You with a life of order and discipline. Guide my steps as a parent and pour out Your wisdom into every area of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.