18 May, 2007

A little punishment for Paris

Can tough times be discipline to help us mature?

Hilton's Jail Time Cut To About 23 Days

LOS ANGELES -- Paris Hilton will serve about half of her 45-day jail sentence and will be separated from the general inmate population, authorities said Wednesday.

The hotel heiress will spend about 23 days in a "special needs housing unit" at the Century Regional Detention Center in suburban Lynwood, Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said.

Her sentence was shortened after jail officials gave her credit for good behavior, Whitmore said. Officials considered several factors in calculating the credit, including that she appeared for her latest court date, he said.

Hilton, 26, was sentenced to jail last week for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. A judge ordered her to report to the women's jail in Lynwood by June 5.

Hilton's fans posted a petition on the Internet urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon her.

photo courtesy ap & story hollywoodreporter.com, 5/16/07

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Hebrews 12:5-11 (NLT)

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

In the recent DAILYBIDES we found out from Paul that God causes everything to work for our "good". That "good" is that God wants us to glorify Him as we become more and more like Jesus Christ. Let's review:

One of those "good" results is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN TEACH US. Remember, God's purpose is to make us Holy, not happy. He wants us to learn that He is completely in control, infinite in wisdom and perfect in His love for us!

Another "good" is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN GLORIFY GOD THROUGH US. When Christians personally apply the truths of Who God is, in their lives, God is glorified through the pain and suffering of His children.

PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN PURIFY US. The trials that we face in life are part of the process that God uses to purify us by "fire". Tough times often get our attention. God wants us to be honest and admit any impurities in our lives that need to be removed. If we respond to the "fire" by trusting God, our faith is strengthened and we become useful to serve God.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about another "good" result that comes from pain and suffering?

If earthly parents love their children, they will correct, train and even punish them to help them learn what is right. God is the perfect Heavenly Father and His love for us is perfect. His discipline is never pleasant. In fact, sometimes He uses pain and suffering to teach us His ways and reveal His perfect plan for our lives.

Today's story about Paris Hilton getting a little jail time illustrates how we often respond to discipline. Paris was going to appeal her sentence and her fans tried to get Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon her. Do you think Paris will ever grow up?

How about you and me? Are we willing to trust God to help us grow up spiritually? God's discipline proves that He loves us even more than we understand.

Ask Him to help you see that even PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN MATURE US.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Thank God that though He will not keep you from all pain and suffering, He will never leave you alone with your problems. Praise Him for being in control, infinite in wisdom, and that His love for you is perfect! Ask Him for the faith you need to trust Him when you are tested. Let God know of your desire to let Him teach you about Himself. Ask Jesus to help you glorify Him in tough times. Ask God's Spirit to point out to you any impurities in your life that you need to confess and then thank Jesus for His forgiveness. Thank God that He will use pain and suffering to discipline you to grow in spiritual maturity.
  • Whenever you experience "discipline" from a parent, teacher, coach, or boss, let it remind you that God loves you so much that He disciplines you.
  • Read today's scripture again. It is a truth from God's Word to help you respond God's way to tough times.
  • For one month, write down examples of how you see God using life's difficulties to discipline you to become more mature in your relationship with God.

How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?

  • Talk to your youth leader, pastor or another Christ follower about what you are learning in this series on tough times and ask for their prayer for you to apply it and live it.
  • Use today's story about Paris Hilton getting some jail time as a conversation starter with someone in your storysphere. Ask him or her if they think Paris will grow up through this punishment? Share how God uses tough times in your life to help you grow up.
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.