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!

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!

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!

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!

Learning requires discipline both from self and from a teacher.  Correction is also necessary so that we may see the right direction to go.

I remember one of my first classes in business offered by my workplace was on constructive criticism.  I thought I was pretty good at accepting criticism to improve until we started doing role plays. I found something rising in me that raised my temperature and tempted me to yell out, “I know how to do this better”

That temptation was linked to pride.  I do not know better than everyone else, nor do I know better than, God, who placed them in my life.  I learned that day that my pride is stronger than I had realized and it needed to be conquered and caged.  Pride, put simply, hinders every aspect of the learning process and can lead to stupidity.

Personal Reflection

How do you react when someone gives you correction? It could be a parent, boss, pastor or even a spouse alerting you to something. All of these could ultimately be from God. After all, He disciplines  who He loves.

Will you humbly choose the path of loving discipline and reproof or pridefully embrace stupidity?  The choice is yours.  Take note this is not a one time battle, pride is always trying to squeeze its way into your life and thought.  Be on the alert!

Prayer Focus

Amazing teacher in the heavens, humble our hearts today. Let our pride be conquered and our hearts be open to your discipline.  May your word and knowledge have its way in us; hat we may be transformed and confirmed in the image of Christ.  May your reproof result in righteousness and glory to you now and forevermore; in Jesus Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#prideleadstostupidity, #disciplineandreproofleadtolife

#truthtalk4life

Paul instructs Timothy to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness. So all our faculties are to be disciplined in this manner.  Bodily discipline is great but being ready for the battles in your mind is even more important.

Discipline is necessary in every area and we can apply its principles from one place to the next. The tenacity that is developed in the physical realm can be duplicated in the spiritual realm as well. Our need in all realms is Christ. Let this nerd drive us to the discipline of seeking Him above all else at all costs.

Personal Reflection

In what ways do you struggle with self discipline?  List the top 3 weakest areas.  Pray for wisdom in overcoming them and seek out scriptures to empower you on your journey.

Prayer Focus

Gracious God, teach us to be disciplined in all areas, especially godliness.  Refine us to be holy as you are holy.  We desire to honor you and glorify your name. May you reign forever on the throne of our hearts for all to see and glorify You.  In the Name of Christ, Amen!

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 9 this morning and came across this passage:

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The word discipline literally translates to “bruise”.  After reading this one question rang in my head.  How serious am I about my relationship with Christ?  Do I really make an effort to make my body my “slave”.  Am I really making no provision for my flesh as the Word calls me to?  Am I running in a way so that I may win?  Or, do I quickly give in and let my actions fall under “I am a sinner saved by grace”.  While the former is true, it doesn’t excuse me from giving everything I have to running the race.

This cleanse has been a challenge for me no doubt.  I have realized that food is one of my subtle comforters.  I must not let anything other than the Trinity be my comforter, lest I be disappointed and fall into sin.  We must realize the hope and strength we have in our God above all else.  Christ’s finished work at the cross is our ultimate source of comfort. May you find peace and hope in Him today as you make your body your slave to obey our Father in heaven.

AFTER DAY 4

Only one day to go.  I have to admit I was slightly disappointed when I read that I should be feeling the effects of the cleanse and an increase in energy yesterday.  In all reality the only thing I felt was hungry.  While the rest of my family was having Ham, gravy, and mashed potatoes, I was having 10oz of shakes, and a small portion of fruit.  It was really tempting to give in, but I was reminded of the above verse.  I’m doing this to help bring my body into submission.  I must discipline my body not to get whatever it wants but that it my serve my spirit who walks with Christ.

#cleanse, #discipline, #freedom, #victory