Freelance writer Lupie Riley

Thought:  In John 11:35 you will find the shortest verse in the Bible, Jesus wept. He was looking out over Jerusalem and began to weep because of their rejection of who he was and his counsel to them. Now they faced destruction by their enemies.

Once again, we see Jesus weeping over the death of his friend Lazarus and the people’s unbelief over his power.  His next step was to raise Lazarus from the dead after four days of lying in the tomb. Think of it, the great I AM, creator of all things, revealing a sign of emotion over those he loves dearly.

When I was a teen and the brain cells had not matured yet, I left home to go to a party one block away. Gone all day, my parents were beside themselves when I arrived home after many hours of no contact with them.  My father immediately took me out to the woodshed, so to speak in them days, and gave me the worst whooping of my 16 years of life. I went up to my room hating my father. Shortly afterward, my sister-in-law came in to comfort me but the words she spoke changed my whole concept I had of my father. She said, “do you realize your father is downstairs crying?”  He not only loved me, concerned for my welfare, but disturbed over the discipline he had to administer. 

The bible tells us that our heavenly Father disciplines those who are his like a biological father must do if he loves his disobedient children. Society has gotten away from that concept and now we have a generation of “I want it now” rebellious youth who disrespect their parents and elders.

Could it be that when the Spring rains fall upon us it’s really God’s tears over a rebellious people who have turned their backs on him?   This nation needs to come back to our heavenly Father if we want his blessing to continue. We need to be praying for a revival in this country for the sake of it’s future.  May God continue to bless America!  Maranatha

Prayer:  Father God, if I am counted as one of your children keep me on the right path even if you must discipline me. Help me to always put you first in my life and count my blessing every day.  Amen

Verse: Heb. 10:11 “Our earthly fathers trained us for a few brief years, doing the best for us that they knew how, but God’s correction is always right and for our best good, that we may share his holiness. Being punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.”

Married 58 years, four children, nine grandchildren and three greats.  I've been a freelance writer for over 40 years.  Working on a book at the present.  My priorities are God first, family, country. Look me up on Google search by my name Lupie Riley, click on first link. Faithwriters.com