Discipline – Brian Friedl https://brianfriedl.com Making Your Life's Mission Possible Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:41:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.17 64732294 Delight In Disciplie https://brianfriedl.com/delight-in-disciplie%ef%bb%bf/ Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:41:58 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/delight-in-disciplie%ef%bb%bf/ After raising 14 children to adulthood, I’ve seen the principles of this proverb first hand.  You can spend time explaining why discipline is necessary and even back it with scripture that clearly indicates that discipline occurs because of love:

For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 

~ Proverbs 3:12

Some with receive it and others will reject it. Being a father is not giving your child everything he or she wants.  It’s about loving them and training them up into adulthood for our Heavenly Father.  This requires discipline. 

I have noticed over the years, that the ones who can receive that discipline, advance, whereas the ones who despise it lead themselves to ruin.  

Even as adults, we are not unlike this.  We love playing the game of trying to manage sin until the LORD disciplines us.  Listen to the reproof you experience as your read His word.  Receive it with a soft heart; ready to change.  Discipline bring a us to a place of life!

Reflection

Where in your life are you resisting discipline?

What do you need to do to overcome that?

Pray that God would confirm you all the more to the image of Christ. 

Prayer

Father, teach our hearts to delight in Your word, instruction, and discipline.  For You are a loving God who sees and knows all.  Your discipline is life-giving.  Help us to fully receive it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

]]> 1478 Delight In Disciplie https://brianfriedl.com/delight-in-disciplie%ef%bb%bf-2/ Fri, 20 Oct 2017 10:41:58 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/delight-in-disciplie%ef%bb%bf-2/ After raising 14 children to adulthood, I’ve seen the principles of this proverb first hand.  You can spend time explaining why discipline is necessary and even back it with scripture that clearly indicates that discipline occurs because of love:

For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 

~ Proverbs 3:12

Some with receive it and others will reject it. Being a father is not giving your child everything he or she wants.  It’s about loving them and training them up into adulthood for our Heavenly Father.  This requires discipline. 

I have noticed over the years, that the ones who can receive that discipline, advance, whereas the ones who despise it lead themselves to ruin.  

Even as adults, we are not unlike this.  We love playing the game of trying to manage sin until the LORD disciplines us.  Listen to the reproof you experience as your read His word.  Receive it with a soft heart; ready to change.  Discipline bring a us to a place of life!

Reflection

Where in your life are you resisting discipline?

What do you need to do to overcome that?

Pray that God would confirm you all the more to the image of Christ. 

Prayer

Father, teach our hearts to delight in Your word, instruction, and discipline.  For You are a loving God who sees and knows all.  Your discipline is life-giving.  Help us to fully receive it.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

]]> 1479 Own It And Live It https://brianfriedl.com/own-it-and-live-it/ https://brianfriedl.com/own-it-and-live-it/#comments Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:30:07 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/own-it-and-live-it/ I’ve worked with thousands of people over the years and can honestly say it saddens my heart to work with are those who cannot receive discipline and reproof.   There is nothing more frustrating for a boss or parent than someone who is unwilling to own their mistakes and receive their consequence.  One of the phrases I say over and over again is, “If you are uncoachable, you are miserable.”  I say that because you won’t grow without rebuke and correction.  How miserable is that!

We are seeing more and more adults refusing to take ownership for their actions.  This creates many problems in the workplace and at home including strained relationships, resentment, and an environment that people want to escape.  

What’s the best solution?  Don’t be that person!  How can we glorify God if we are unwilling to listen to His reproof and discipline?   The truth is there is always room for improvement for all of us, me included!  God continues to discipline us according to our actions and His love.  Receive it, pray for change, and then walk in it; seeking to honor Him.  

Reflection

What areas do you struggle with receiving reproof/rebuke and discipline?

What are you choosing to do about it?

Prayer

Father, help us to see your love through discipline and reproof. For You have said that you chasten those you love.  May our desire be to bring You honor and glory in all things.  Align our hearts with Yours and conform us in the image of Christ, Amen!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/own-it-and-live-it/feed/ 1 1398 The Truth About Freedom https://brianfriedl.com/the-truth-about-freedom/ https://brianfriedl.com/the-truth-about-freedom/#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2017 12:38:06 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/the-truth-about-freedom/ I remember my well my desires for freedom.  I would echo things I had heard on movies like, “I have to get out of this town” and “I need to spread my wings”.  As high school was coming to a close, I began to get really irritated with my parents. I never really spoke it out loud to them, but in my mind I had somehow been convinced that they were standing in the way of this freedom I longed for.  

Up to this point I had pretty much taken the path of least resistance by doing whatever they said.  Not because I wanted to obey, but because I didn’t like conflict.  I had allowed my mind to be convinced that heir instructions were shackles and chains.  I quickly found a way out right after graduation and moved in with a friend. 

Shortly thereafter, I realized that freedom wasn’t the result of not having any instruction but instead the result of following good instruction.  I noticed that the easiest part of life had come to a close.  I was now responsible for myself and all the bills, chores, etc.   There were so many things I didn’t know how to do because my pride had kept me from learning, and Google was nowhere to be found 

If we look closely at today’s passage there are two parts contrasted:

  • Ignoring instruction
  • Receiving Correction

What’s the challenge with receiving instruction and correction?  It’s simple. PRIDE

My pride had taken me to a place where I despised myself and was unwilling to listen.  There are many people around us every day who have the ability to share some great instruction and offer correction to us.  We all have the opportunity to be blessed by these individuals if our pride is put away. 

Freedom FROM instruction And correction leads to bondage; not freedom.  We need our brothers and sisters in Christ speaking the truth in love to us (both instruction and correction) so that we may grow in the obedience that leads to true freedom. 

Reflection

How are you at receiving instruction?  

Is your first reaction, “I already know how to do this” or “I am so thankful he is showing me how to…”?

How are you receiving correction?

Is your first reaction, “who is she to correct me”?

Mediate on this verse. Confess your pride as ask God to humble and grow you. 

Prayer

Father, your instruction is priceless. We delight in the law of Your word.  Humble us where necessary that we may grow in obedience to You and experience the true freedom You give. We thank You for all that you put I our path to instruct and correct us.  May we be Your humble, ever-growing servants in Jesus’ name, Amen!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/the-truth-about-freedom/feed/ 2 1247 The Blessing Of Discipline https://brianfriedl.com/the-blessing-of-discipline/ Thu, 07 Jul 2016 02:58:21 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/the-blessing-of-discipline/  

It’s been a heavy soul work week. I’ve been struggling to forgive someone for quite some time and His Word was disciplining me.  I don’t even know if this person knew I was struggling with forgiving him.  I had tucked it down deep and hid it even from myself in a lot of ways.  As It rose to the surface, I thought to myself the discipline from God’s Word has been blessing me for close to 28 yrs now.  Yes I said blessing. For we know that God disciplines who He loves and that truly is a blessing.  

As our Heavenly Father, He continues to patiently, lovingly, and sometimes firmly remind us where we are out of step with Him. I’m so thankful for His corrective hand that draws me closer to Him and conforms me to the image of Christ, and teaches me how to live in the body of Christ. 

Personal Reflection 

Are you welcoming God’s discipline through His word?  Even if it is from someone you don’t get along with?  God’s word is truth regardless of who is sharing it.  Ask God to open your eyes to see where you are out of step and need correction and then receive that correction joyfully. 

Prayer Focus

Father, we praise you that you know everything about us, and you still love and patiently convict us by your Truth.  We confess that we get out of step with you.  We praise you that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Thank you for granting forgiveness and helping us to forgive.  Lead us into obedience in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

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