Discipline = training to improve strength or self-control;
develop behavior by instruction and practice
Punishment = imposed penalty
We still, whilst in our fleshly mind, get these terms mixed up.
The discipline of the Lord may at times INCLUDE punishment, but not for ignorance. Punishment is in response to a known wrongdoing.
For instance, if you steal, there is typically punishment. If you were a bad steward of your money, in ignorance, there may be call for discipline/training opportunity.
We typically are fearful of punishment, yet many times what is mistaken for punishment, is an act of discipline or TRAINING.
The law brought punishment for our sins, but Jesus took on the punishment of the world once for all. Gods new covenant with us, in light of the punishment that was already paid, comes with discipline.
The Lord disciplines those whom He loves.
"...He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10 NASB)
God, in His love and discipline, sets up road blocks and tears down obstacles in order to direct or steer us in the way we should go.
This is what we may in some cases call pruning.
Pruning: (wikipedia)
"Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. The practice entails targeted removal of diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted tissue from crop and landscape plants."
We're always concerning ourselves with the "removal of..." as if it's aimed at us personally, but it's not. When you are staring God's pruning sheers in the face, He's not aiming them at you, He's aiming at the "deadwood" that is still lingering, stunting our growth.
More about pruning: (Those who have ears, let them hear...)
Shaping by correcting or directing growth comes in the form of temporarily tying off branches or using outside materials to push a branch into a specific direction until it begins to grow that way naturally. It's a type of force or pressure, pushing against the branch's natural tendency until it changes direction on its own.
Fruit:
Aside from growth patterns, it's about yielding fruit. Where there's removal of obstacles, the branch can grow and therefore fruit can bear freely. A very important note about bearing fruit is that while fruit is enjoyed and brings nourishment to all who eat of it, it is also for bearing new seed. When a fruit falls to the ground, it either is absorbed into the soil, or is carried off by birds or animals, but it's seed is then naturally sown into the soil (if the soil is good.)
Transplanting:
But then there is also preparation for transplant.
Some trees may be being prepared in one environment or soil in order to be then planted in another. Typically it's prepared in a very controlled nursery environment, with a controlled climate created specifically for the health of that tree. Once it's prepared for transplanting, it can be then placed in a similar, natural environment where it will bear fruit freely.
**Also note that transplants are done quickly. They cannot be uprooted from their soil for long before they dry up and die. It must be a succinct change of environment that was well planned and done with prior intent, preparation, & firm replanting in its new environment.
**Another important note is that transplanting is not natural or the norm. It's done mainly to help a new environment lacking trees or where trees have been unnaturally uprooted. It may be done to beautify someone's home, but that's a self-serving, man made environment that serves little purpose other than providing needed shade and/or oxygen. (yet that's typically a byproduct)
Again, remembering that the Lord is the one doing the pruning and that it is purposeful and strategic, receive His discipline (training, guiding, preparing, nurturing) with open and willing hearts. He knows what He's doing.
Remember, this all started in a garden...
Punishment = imposed penalty
We still, whilst in our fleshly mind, get these terms mixed up.
The discipline of the Lord may at times INCLUDE punishment, but not for ignorance. Punishment is in response to a known wrongdoing.
For instance, if you steal, there is typically punishment. If you were a bad steward of your money, in ignorance, there may be call for discipline/training opportunity.
We typically are fearful of punishment, yet many times what is mistaken for punishment, is an act of discipline or TRAINING.
The law brought punishment for our sins, but Jesus took on the punishment of the world once for all. Gods new covenant with us, in light of the punishment that was already paid, comes with discipline.
The Lord disciplines those whom He loves.
"...He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness." (Hebrews 12:10 NASB)
God, in His love and discipline, sets up road blocks and tears down obstacles in order to direct or steer us in the way we should go.
This is what we may in some cases call pruning.
Pruning: (wikipedia)
"Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. The practice entails targeted removal of diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted tissue from crop and landscape plants."
We're always concerning ourselves with the "removal of..." as if it's aimed at us personally, but it's not. When you are staring God's pruning sheers in the face, He's not aiming them at you, He's aiming at the "deadwood" that is still lingering, stunting our growth.
More about pruning: (Those who have ears, let them hear...)
Shaping by correcting or directing growth comes in the form of temporarily tying off branches or using outside materials to push a branch into a specific direction until it begins to grow that way naturally. It's a type of force or pressure, pushing against the branch's natural tendency until it changes direction on its own.
Fruit:
Aside from growth patterns, it's about yielding fruit. Where there's removal of obstacles, the branch can grow and therefore fruit can bear freely. A very important note about bearing fruit is that while fruit is enjoyed and brings nourishment to all who eat of it, it is also for bearing new seed. When a fruit falls to the ground, it either is absorbed into the soil, or is carried off by birds or animals, but it's seed is then naturally sown into the soil (if the soil is good.)
Transplanting:
But then there is also preparation for transplant.
Some trees may be being prepared in one environment or soil in order to be then planted in another. Typically it's prepared in a very controlled nursery environment, with a controlled climate created specifically for the health of that tree. Once it's prepared for transplanting, it can be then placed in a similar, natural environment where it will bear fruit freely.
**Also note that transplants are done quickly. They cannot be uprooted from their soil for long before they dry up and die. It must be a succinct change of environment that was well planned and done with prior intent, preparation, & firm replanting in its new environment.
**Another important note is that transplanting is not natural or the norm. It's done mainly to help a new environment lacking trees or where trees have been unnaturally uprooted. It may be done to beautify someone's home, but that's a self-serving, man made environment that serves little purpose other than providing needed shade and/or oxygen. (yet that's typically a byproduct)
Again, remembering that the Lord is the one doing the pruning and that it is purposeful and strategic, receive His discipline (training, guiding, preparing, nurturing) with open and willing hearts. He knows what He's doing.
Remember, this all started in a garden...
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