How Does God Discipline Us?
I’ve just finished up a ghostwriting gig and I’ve really enjoyed working with this author. We have different takes on debatable theology. I have no problem writing what he believes because it’s his book.
Every once in a while I challenge his understanding. He calls it being a “bane to his existence.” I think it’s more akin to friendship.
I’ve haven’t told him, but God has been ripping apart things I’ve believed and taught. Yes, a book is in the works. The working title is “Confessions of a Recovering Walking Oxymoron.” One of those things is my understanding of how God disciplines us.
Hebrews tells us to “endure hardship as discipline” (Hebrews 12:7) and often that’s the only discipline we think God gives us. We look at the difficulties of life and the crap that gets handed to us and it’s good if we “consider it all joy” (James 2:1-4) but one thing I find is that we forget another key way we’re disciplined…
…“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:1-3 New American Standard Bible
It’s the word of God that cleans us. It’s the discipline of word that lines up our thoughts with God thoughts and allows us to change our thoughts so that they agree with the Father’s. I wonder if we’d spent less time complaining and more time in His word if the discipline would give way to joy sooner?
I’ve got a lot to work out here. I just am really drawn to the thought I need to know more of the Word and have more of the Word in me. That seems like a good policy whether I’m being disciplined or not.
What are your thoughts? Email me or leave them in the comments.
Podcasts, Live Cast and Training on knowing God
- How to Know God As Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-know-god-as-father/
- Enjoying God as Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/enjoying-god-as-father/
- How to Know God as your Good, Good Father https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-know-god-as-your-good-good-father/
- God is always with us, Will I be with Him? https://revtrev.com/living-light/god-is-always-with-us-will-i-be-with-him/
- It’s God’s will to Heal https://revtrev.com/livecasts/its-gods-will-to-heal/
- How I Hear the Father Speak to me https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/how-i-hear-the-father-speak-to-me/
- I Trust God as My Good Father https://revtrev.com/livecasts/negativity-fast-reflection-day-34-i-trust-my-good-father/
- How to be at peace with God in the day to day of everyday https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-at-peace-with-god-in-the-day-to-day-of-everyday/
- Can my Weary Soul Rejoice Again? https://revtrev.com/livecasts/can-my-weary-soul-rejoice-again/
- How to understand and enjoy the Gifts God has for your Today https://revtrev.com/message/how-to-understand-and-enjoy-the-gifts-god-has-for-you-today/
- May God Produce in you.. https://revtrev.com/livecasts/blessing-day-21-livecast-may-god-produce-in-you/
- How to Know and Experience More of our Triune God https://revtrev.com/living-light/trinity-essential/
- Do you live out of your God-Created Identity? https://revtrev.com/manifesto/live-out-your-god-created-identity/
- How to Use God’s Gifts for One Another https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-use-gods-gifts-for-one-another/
- 10 Things God Can’t Do https://revtrev.com/live-hopeful/ten-things-god-cant-do/
- How to be a person after God’s Own Heart https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-a-person-after-gods-own-heart/
- Should I be Hungry for God? https://revtrev.com/live-intentional/should-i-be-hungry-for-god/
- How I hear the Father Speak https://revtrev.com/live-today/how-i-hear-the-father-speak/
- Does God want Good For Me? https://revtrev.com/live-loved/does-god-want-good-for-me/
- How does God Discipline Us? https://revtrev.com/live-light/how-does-god-discipline-us/
- Move Forward Following the Ancient Paths https://revtrev.com/living-light/move-forward-following-the-ancient-paths/
- Seek the Lord when you don’t know what to do https://revtrev.com/living-light/seek-the-lord-when-you-dont-know-what-to-do/
- How to build up strongholds that are good and necessary https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-build-up-strongholds-that-are-good-and-necessary/
- Why everyone needs to know and practice the rhythm of remembering https://revtrev.com/living-light/why-everyone-needs-and-practice-the-rhythm-of-remembering/
- 16 Reasons You Can Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart https://revtrev.com/living-light/16-reasons-you-can-trust-in-the-lord-with-all-your-heart/
- How to grow stronger when life seems impossible https://revtrev.com/livecasts/how-to-grow-stronger-when-life-seems-impossible/
- Seek the Lord when No One is watching https://revtrev.com/message/seek-the-lord-when-no-one-is-watching/
- How to have Faith for the Long Haul https://revtrev.com/livecasts/how-to-have-faith-for-the-long-haul/
- Shattering the 7 Myths that Lead to Complacency https://revtrev.com/living-light/shattering-the-7-myths-that-lead-to-complacency/
- Biblical Patience and why we need to have it https://revtrev.com/living-light/patience-biblical-patience-today/
- How to be a trustable person https://revtrev.com/living-light/how-to-be-a-trustable-person/
- 3 Thoughts to help you get through tough times https://revtrev.com/living-light/3-thoughts-to-help-you-get-through-tough-times/
December 8, 2011 @ 4:03 am
I am a staff member of a southern baptist church. When I first came to the church, we were without a pastor and those next two years were my most enjoyable. We then “called” a pastor. (I truly believe the church called this man and God didn’t). But since the inception of his “ministry”, our church has experienced terrible lost physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. The Holy Spirit has been doing a “disciplinary” work in my life from the first day the pastor came on staff. I admit that my attitude has been inconsistent, but I can tell that God is doing this work in me. It’s difficult and I’ve clearly not passed the test, but I believe my struggles in our present administration are being used as a form of discipline for purpose of my sanctification. It has been an intense struggle; and many times, I don’t understand. But I know my ways are not God’s ways and my thoughts aren’t His. I have to believe that God is doing an amazing work in me. I believe my time at this church is definitely God’s discipline in my life. I’m undergoing the pruning knife . . .and it’s taking years! Thanks for your blog.
December 8, 2011 @ 2:39 pm
Jeff,
I find the best way to pass the test is to let the Word discipline me. I’m not saying I have it all together…far from it. The more I let the Word read me the less the Spirit allows me to get a way with. Thanks for your comment. I’ve whitelisted you so you can post anytime.
Blessings
March 8, 2012 @ 9:18 pm
Revtrev,
One thing that has really helped my attitude the last couple of months is that I’ve really began to pray for our pastor more intensely. I’m asking God to change him for the GOOD. It helps in that it forces me to look on the positive instead of the negative. And you probably know as well as I that it’s hard to be angry or disappointed in someone for whom you’re praying.
Our church has a long way to go, but if I continue to pray in faith, believing for the best regarding God’s kingdom, I believe things will change. God certainly doesn’t want a wounded and dying church. I want to experience His abundant life in myself and my church. If it takes pruning, so be it. If it takes discipline, so be it. I just want to hear Him say to me one day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.
God’s best to you,
Jeff
September 23, 2011 @ 1:01 am
I can’t wait for “Confessions of a Recovering Walking Oxymoron” to hit the streets! I could write a similar book… but I’d have to leave the “Oxy” bit out!
September 22, 2011 @ 11:51 am
Thanks for mentioning my post Trevor! I appreciate it!
September 22, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
Kevin, thanks for being mentionable 🙂