Stingball Grenades

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Stingball grenades are used to stop huge prison riots. It looks like a hand-held grenade and has 180 rubber pellets inside that can travel up to 50 feet from the area where it was detonated. When discharged, it produces a loud sound, a bright flash of light and sends those pellets everywhere to stun the rioting inmates.

I had seen the power of this non-lethal weapon used for many years in prisons. One night, out in the prison yard, obscured from inmates, the Sergeant demonstrated different kinds of forces and non-lethal weapons used to stop prison riots to us, the medical staff. Even when we were far, the sound it produced was scary, the light was surprising and blinding as it was thrown in the darkness of the night. And the medical staff huddled together… Frozen! Stunned! Afraid!

Sin had brought a lot of complications into our lives. Because of it, we, too, have a fight that goes on. Everyday. It starts with our decision-making. When we fall into sins’ traps, obviously, that’s when we make the wrong decisions. The Holy Spirit is here to convince the world of its sin. It comes like that stingball. When It hits you, of course, it hurts. Because He wants to bring you and I to repentance. He lets us know about God’s righteousness to anyone who believes.

John 16:8 - “And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”

He also disciplines His children. Sometimes, even those who had previously surrendered to His Lordship still fall back to their old, ugly habits. But He comes in a big surprise like a stingball to stun or stop someone from being trapped again. The only thing that matters is how that person will accept the Holy Spirit’s conviction and discipline.

It is not enjoyable to feel the sting from God’s discipline. We can either accept it with resignation, or with self-pity thinking that we don’t deserve it, or even with anger and resentment toward God, or perhaps gratefully? The last one is the right response. When we learn to endure, it produces righteousness in the end. God does this because He loves us.

Hebrews 12:4-11: [NIV]

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No 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.

And the beauty that comes from the sting of the Holy Spirit? It doesn’t kill anyone. Instead, it offers a gift of eternal life and righteousness!


[photo credit: bhigear.com]

24 comments:

  1. Endure hardship as discipline...these are the words that stand out the most to me tonight as I read your post. I felt excitement as I remembered that the Lord will discipline us to keep us in line and SAFE even from ourselves. Ah that sting ball is more like a popper at a 4th of July celebration. We are FREE in Christ. Praise God!

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  2. You really have a gift of writing. Have you thought about compiling a devotional book to be published? You should.

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  3. @sis Cherie: To undergo discipline for me is the same like when we are being pruned. It hurts. But in the end, the more we'll bloom! Yes, glory to God! We are free because of what Jesus did! Blessings.

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  4. @Parsley: Thank you but glory to God! I want to write "something" for His glory! But for now, this is what He wants me to do. And I'm grateful for many blogging bros. and sisters He gave me through this. You are encouraged by my posts, so am I with yours. And to me, that is a big blessing! Thanks.

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  5. His discipline is a painful thing to endure and a soothing salve at the same time as it is always for the purpose of cleansing us and it feels SO GOOD to be cleansed.

    Much love my friend!

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  6. @sis Edie: Thank you for your visit blessed me. Knowing you are busy at this time. Your word "soothing salve" brings wound care to mind. Why? Because as nurses cleanse deep, painful wounds with saline and apply the medication, they sting so bad but at the same, remove the impurities on that wound so that it will heal properly. Thank you for that thought.
    God bless and love you in Christ.

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  7. Rosel,

    I agree with Parsley...you have such a gift and your humility just adds that much to your anointing....

    I love that the Lord disciplines those HE loves and when going through that discipline that always helps to remember...how much HE loves, how much HE cares!

    Love and bless you Rosel!

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  8. @ sis Loren: Thank you for your encouragement. We just need to trust Him completely, even if sometimes it hurts. But we know that it will produce that harvest of righteousness. Thank You Father!
    Love you sister Loren and keeping you in prayers. Daily! :)

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  9. Your words are always so comforting, and powerful. I love you.

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  10. So good and so true - the sting of the Holy Spirit is to awaken and quicken, not immobilize and kill. God wants to rescue and redeem us, and he must sometimes use extreme measures to get our attention!

    Your illustrations from your work continue to be interesting and arresting, Rosel. Good job.

    wb

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  11. I agree with Parsley....your words hit the mark..all the time. I think writing a devotional book would be awesome. You're writing is not only good but you pull out awesome truths with your analogies. Stay safe out there Rosel. Sarah

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  12. Yes, when we realize the depth and breadth of our sinfulness, it does sting!

    Thankfully, we worship a loving and gracious God who comforts as well as disciplines.

    Wonderful post!

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  13. Thank you sisters Denise, Sarah, Mary and bro. Warren. Glory to God! For His awesome truth! God bless you all.

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  14. Hey RCUBES,

    It's amazing how the true remnant of G-d, his children look at it as discipline while the rest of the world and a lot of Christians look at it as a "Why Did G-d Do This To Me" incident. As for me, I am quite thankful that our father disciplines us. My desire is for his will to be done in my life. How else is he going to communicate with us the error of our ways, especially since a lot of us aren't listening.

    Shalom My Friend

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  15. @ No Doubt: I am with you with your desire for His will to be done...Discipline is a painful process. But I know that it hurts Him more than it hurts me[us]. Because He loves me [us]. And that love is the powerful remedy that soothes the pain right away. G-d bless!

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  16. I can only think of one thing worse than God's rebuke, and that's God's silence. I will take His correction anyday, it's all part of His love. I want all of it...

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  17. @sis Debby: It hurts! But it's for our own sake! We just need to listen and obey.

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  18. Awesome post Rosel! I could have used one of those Stingball grenades during some of those dark times of my life. Actually, I am pretty sure God might have needed an arsenal for some of the messes I got myself into.

    I am digging deep in Proverbs and there is SO much that deals with accepting discipline and guidance....

    Thanks, once again.....for teaching such TRUTHS!

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  19. Thank you and glory to God sisters Christy & Michelle! I love Proverbs, too sister Michelle. He is the only Truth! Blessings.

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  20. This part of that scripture brings me so much hope & joy... "Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
    Wylie

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  21. I always enjoy reading you, Rosel. God has truly blessed you with writing and getting your message across. You are a delight, thank you.

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  22. @sis Wylie: After all, He is God of hope :) Thank you.

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  23. @JBR: Because of Him, we are a blessing to each other. Thank you for yours. Blessings.

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"Faith is taking the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase..."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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