Philip Dampier's Blog

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” The grace of God is offered to everyone. It is not true that God chooses to save some and rejects others…

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” One of the sure ways to stumble off the straight and narrow is to become embroiled in worldly strife. The child of God is to be a peacemaker, which implies that the child…

“…and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Not familiar language is it, this verse? Think of being crippled in your feet and/or legs and having to walk on uneven ground or follow a crooked…

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,” We cannot allow tough times to slow us down or get us off track. We are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses, and the world is watching us as well. We must fight through the discipline that we can…

“For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained in it.” Whether I speak of my mother, who believed in “spare the rod” or my drill instructors in basic training who believed in torture,…

“For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.” There is a major difference in the discipline of earthly fathers or mothers and the discipline of God, our heavenly father. Their…

“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?” This idea of being disciplined by God should not seem strange to us. We have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers from…

“If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” Our writer continues his theme of not growing weary in the face of difficulty. Being disciplined by God is a good thing, whereas not being disciplined is a bad thing. Not…

“It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” I’m sure discipline has many connotations to all of us. I was disciplined by my father and my mother. A few aunts and uncles…

“For the Lord disciplines, the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” The subject of discipline and direction continues. This verse reminds us why there might be discipline or direction in our lives coming from God. This concept is true: children need a tutor. Every child needs…