Sharon Sharing God: "FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY

Friday, January 21, 2011

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Discipline

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: discipline

What does the word discipline mean to you?

Which of its two definitions came first to your mind? Why?

chastening, correction, enforcing obedience; punishment
training and/or teaching that develops self-control and self-improvement

Let me know what you think!!

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

8 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.comJanuary 21, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Good flame fan...this was the word of discussion with my 15 year old just yesterday...it seems to be a great word for the beginning of the year. I think I always think of both definitions...God disciplines those He loves, and I need more discipline in my spiritual habits to grow in all areas of my life.
Good word and good fanning of the flame
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UnknownJanuary 21, 2011 at 4:57 AM
Hi Sharon,

This is a word, I am thinking much about at the moment. B would be my answer.

Thanks for all your encouragment. Another word I am thinking much about. God Bless Nita x
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Nikki (Sarah)January 21, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I hate the word discipline. It holds too much negativity for me.

but 'fan the flame' I get....for me...it's keep doing the things that will reflect Him...in writing...parenting...personal stuff...

Thanks Sharon...have a great weekend.
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lioneagleJanuary 21, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Hi Sharon -

Discipline means regularly keeping our flesh under subjection...
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Chatty CroneJanuary 21, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Tough one - don't like the word myself because it can be so misused.

But if used correctly - it can teach you the right way - if used with love.

sandie
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DebbieJanuary 22, 2011 at 5:37 AM
I actually love the word discipline. I always equate it with the second definition. I have an unashamed loved affair with learning.
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PeggyJanuary 22, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Blessings Sharon, I have mixed emotions with the word "discipline" but self discipline I love!

Quite honestly both of your definitions came to my mind. The first one brings former thoughts and fear. The second one brings love and care for my growth.

When I look just at the word "discipline" (without my previous conceptions and misconceptions from God and humans, cuz one has tainted the other...)my initial glance caught the word "disciple" (I don't think it's a root but they appear to derive from the same beginning). So with this is mind, I will cling to your second definition with the anticipated curiosity of doing and being whatever is necessary to be a disciple of Jesus Christ!
So far, His way has never failed and His discipline has been ever so gentle and kind in how He teaches, guides and corrects me even through the dreaded trials, thorns and tramping in my old ways, He patiently encourages me. The consequences of my own rebellion have caused enough bad results that I imagine He figures I'm had enough! But never enough of HIM and His rod seems to gently pull me back whereas I can recall other "rods" that weren't as kind or beneficial! I love to learn but doing it through my mistakes is not the best or easiest way to learn, I like to prepare, ask questions and see good reason and teaching! God is so good!

May God use this to discipline us further! Great
"fan to flame" and kindle our thoughts!

Peace and JOY,
Peggy
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SharonJanuary 22, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Janette - A discussion about discipline with a 15-year old...challenging?! I love how you pointed out the two aspects of discipline - God teaching us, and us applying those lessons to living a disciplined life.

Nita - I am also thinking about discipline in my life. I'm wanting to be better trained in spiritual warfare, more controlled in my thought life, and consistent in my prayer life. That's the "discipline" I want to develop.

Sarah - Again, sorry that this week's word brought negativity. But what you said about "fanning the flame" was PERFECT! We must continually "tend the fire" of our faith - feeding it with the kindling of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship. Keep doing the things that reflect the Lord - YES!

Sandra - What a perfect definition - REGULARLY keeping our flesh under SUBJECTION. With the Lord's help, this discipline will lead to self-control. I'm with you, let's whip that old sin nature into shape!!

Sandie - I like what you said. Loving teaching - that's a perfect definition of discipline for me. It incorporates both aspects, I think. And perfectly captures a loving God who cares enough to teach us - even when the lessons are sometimes difficult.

Debbie - Your love of learning always shines through. It's a wonderful character trait. It will keep your mind young, and your spirit close to the Lord. "As a deer pants for water..."

Peggy - I looked up the word "disciple." It basically means someone who learns from a teacher. So, your assessment was a wonderful addition to the word "discipline." Doing and being whatever it takes to be a disciple of Christ - perfect! I'm so glad that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

Love everyone's input today - GOD BLESS!
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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)

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MY WORD FOR 2016

GRATEFUL

Grateful: feeling or showing thanks to someone for some helpful act; appreciative of benefits received; warmly or deeply thankful; indebted; beholden.

Word origin: 1550's, "pleasing to the mind," also "full of gratitude," from obsolete adj. grate "agreeable, thankful," from Latin gratus "pleasing" – derived from the same word origin as the word "grace."

The trick to changing your behavior is to become more thankful.

The practice of gratitude involves a focus on the present moment, on appreciating your life as it is today and what has made it so.

Let us begin an eternal quest to express in new and creative ways our thanks to God.

So I'm breathing in Your grace,

And I'm breathing out Your praise.

Let our prayers be the overflow of a grateful heart to God.

Three steps in prayer:

PRAISE – praise, reverence, worship, adoration, and awe for who God is and what He does

ASK – honest, earnest, and intense requests

THANK YOU – always end with thanksgiving for everything

Pulpit commentary:

In everything give thanks.

In every circumstance – in joy and in sorrow; for everything – for prosperity and for adversity; in every place – in the house of God and on the bed of sickness.

Christians should not only be engaged in constant prayer, but in constant thanksgiving.

For this – this thankful spirit – is the will of God, His desire.

God by the gift of his Son has laid us under the obligation of perpetual thanksgiving. Our whole lives ought to be one continued thank-offering for all the blessings of redemption.

Gill's Exposition:

Thanks are to be given to him for all things…

For all temporal good things;

for our beings, the preservation of them;

for food and raiment, and all the mercies of life;

for the means of grace, the word and ordinances, and the ministers of the Gospel;

for spiritual blessings, for electing, redeeming, regenerating, adopting, pardoning, justifying, and persevering grace:

for a meetness for heaven, a right unto it, and a good hope of it;

and especially for Jesus Christ, for such a…Saviour, and advocate with the Father, as he is; and for life, peace, joy, comfort, righteousness, and salvation in him.

Thanks should be given to God in every circumstance of life; in adversity, as Job did; when not in so comfortable and agreeable a frame of soul as to be wished for…even under the temptations of Satan…since the grace of God is sufficient to bear up under them, and deliver out of them.

[Give thanks] in afflictions of every kind, since they are all for good – temporal, or spiritual, or eternal.

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is when you are missing some of your teeth but you're not afraid to smile because you know your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.

By Emma K. - Age 6

"Out of the mouth of babes..."

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Anonymous

When you are uncertain, it helps to have someone remind you what is true – someone who knows you well, who sees you, and keeps track of you – not just your body but your soul.

Emily Freeman

Sharon Sharing God

Friday, January 21, 2011

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Discipline

8 comments:

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HOW GREAT THOU ART

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