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Written by Caroline Prieto, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

Adolescence was one of the phases of my life when I felt most disciplined by my parents. At 13 years old, I decided to give my life to the Lord and was baptized. Years later, I remember that my school friends lived things I had never experienced. Many of my classmates went to parties regularly, and my parents never let me go. You can imagine that for a teenager's mind, it wasn't the best feeling to be excluded by not doing what everyone else did, even though I had chosen to be a Christian. Several times I begged my parents to let me go to parties with my school friends, but the answer was always: no!

I remember once confiding in one of these classmates. I mentioned that I was very frustrated because I felt my parents wouldn't let me do everything I wanted – like going out to parties like everyone else. My classmate's response is still vivid in my mind. She said, "I wish my parents wouldn't let me go to all the parties either. They always let me do whatever I want… sometimes I feel like my parents don't even care about me."

I was speechless. I could be sure that my parents loved me. Look, I don't think my classmate's parents didn't love her, but maybe they believed they were doing the best for her, according to the context in which they lived. They weren't Christians, so they probably believed that the best way to be good parents was to never forbid anything.

At that moment, it was as if everything made sense to me. Today, years after that conversation, I can look back and feel even more the immense love my parents had for me. The prohibitions, in fact, were pure discipline. It was an attempt to keep me from losing myself. Today, I understand that my parents were looking out for my best interests and were affirming their love for me.

Similarly, but even more profoundly, God also does this with us. Take a look at what is written in Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV).

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

How can I accept being called a daughter of God and reject His discipline for me? Discipline is a gift to children!

Look at how great the love of our Father is: when God allows us to be disciplined, He is affirming that we are legitimate daughters, even when we are considered illegitimate by the world.

I want to invite you to reflect on some reasons to see God's discipline as something good for us, based on the verses in Hebrews chapter 12:

1. Discipline is a clear sign that we are children of God and that He loves us.

...because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Heb 12:6-7)

2. The purpose of discipline is our own well-being.
3. Through discipline, we can participate in God's holiness.

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. (Heb 12:10)

Sharing in God's holiness is an inheritance, and only His children receive it!

It's as if God were telling us, “You are my beloved daughter. I want what's best for you, and I want you to share in holiness with me... that's why I'm disciplining you!”

But what does it actually mean to be disciplined by God?

It means we are required to go through corrections and processes that are permitted by Him, not as punishment for rejection, but as proof of love and care, with the goal of making us more like Christ.

In practice, this discipline can manifest in various ways, for example: through the Word of God, through our brothers and sisters in Christ, through the Holy Spirit, and even through the consequences of our wrong choices.

I would like to conclude this blog with a quote from Albert Barnes: "I have never known a Christian who was not benefited by afflictions."

However difficult it may be, everything we experience works together for the good of being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. What a privilege!

I know that during my adolescence, it wasn't pleasant being disciplined by my parents, but today I can see the fruits I've reaped. Our God is also disciplining us today so that later we can produce fruit of righteousness and peace.

I encourage you to see God's daily care for you through discipline.

Have no doubt about the greatness of our Father's love.

How have you experienced the Lord's discipline in your life? Reflect on this!

• guestwriter
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• BearFruit
• TheProcessofBearingFruit

Written by Rhenana Grimes, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Someone once said to me, “Bloom where you’re planted.” I know it was meant to be encouraging, but in that season, I didn’t feel like I was growing much, let alone blooming. Looking back, I can see that what seemed unfruitful was actually a season of pruning, and though it was painful, that process led to deeper spiritual maturity and the ability to bear more lasting fruit.

Growing, blooming, and bearing fruit all require life-sustaining elements. After all, how many of us would plant a seed, tell it to grow, and then walk away?

I’ve come to believe the phrase would sound better as, “Bloom where you’re watered, where there’s good soil, consistent care, and sunlight.” Similarly, bearing fruit for the Kingdom is not a one-time decision with a final outcome, but rather a continual process of remaining connected to the True Vine. This is why Jesus’ words in Matthew are so fundamental to Kingdom living:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mt 6:33 ESV)

When our priority is seeking Him first, the focus moves from producing outcomes to remaining where life is supplied, abiding, not striving. Still, we can drift into thinking that bearing fruit or discipleship is our idea, when in truth it has always been His initiative. Jesus calls us to seek Him and to be like Him in service to others, which He models repeatedly. He says, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do just as I have done to you” (Jn 13:14-15).

In the world, obedience is often framed as control, limitation, or restriction, but in the Word, it is an invitation to remain connected to God, thus bearing His image. It’s not about what we are prevented from doing, but what we are free to do, and in abundance! As a society, we are no strangers to laws and rules, but scripture tells us something radically different about the fruit that comes from life in the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness self-control, against such things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)

And since the Kingdom of God is not merely a future hope, but a present reality, we as His children accept our citizenship in His Kingdom. We are not simply passive observers, but faithful children, transformed through repentance, living in His love, and bearing fruit that points to Him.

Therefore, bearing fruit matters, as it reveals the reign of Christ in our lives here and now. It is how the unseen Kingdom is visible to a broken world.

When the Kingdom is first, fruit is formed, not forced. It emerges from a sustained connection to the True Vine, becoming the central, foundational, and identifying evidence of a life lived in Christ, holy and set apart. We will be recognized by it.

Since we are known by our fruit, how do we intentionally cultivate the kind of fruit that reflects the posture of our heart?

• Repentance that leads to fruit:

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mt 3:8). This begins with honest self-examination and a continual turning towards God, seeking both His righteousness and His Kingdom.

• Abiding in our source of life:

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6b). Proximity matters, remaining rooted in the Word and in relationship with Him, our true source of life.

• Allowing the Father to prune us so that we can bear more fruit:

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11). It means remaining hopeful, knowing that even seasons of struggle can produce lasting fruit.

• Living in His Kingdom, revealing Christ to others:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). As we bear fruit, we glorify the Father and lovingly point others to Him!

Where might God be inviting you to reorder your priorities so that His Kingdom and righteousness come first?