The Discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5)

For Believers, discipline is NOT PUNITIVE but redemptive (corrective, protective)

Motive: God’s Love: Hebrews 12:6; 1 John 2:2

The discipline of the Lord (correction) can “feel like” punishment. (Hebrews 12:11) (Remember and Trust God’s motives. This will be tested!

Hebrews 12:5b: rebuke: address inappropriate actions, words, attitudes.

Blessings of God’s Correction: Hebrews 12:7-11

Love, honor, treasures His child

Preserved life (Hebrews 12:9)

Partakers of benefits of holiness

Holiness: set apart to the Lord and separated from the evil one; the flesh, the world’s values, and ways of thinking, speaking, choosing

The Holy Spirit is the Agent of conviction of our sin: (John 16:8,9)

Our sin’s root is our unbelief: i.e: fear (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:16-18)

Anxiety: (Philippians 4:4-7)

The heart of God is that our discipline, correction is centered in our internal direction and correction! (The heart is “control center” of our lives!) [Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, 19]

“Godly Sorrow”: true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11) [Recognize how our choices affect the offended and turn away!]

If we won’t listen and take corrective action internally, God may allow/direct correction from the “outside”.

The Relationship Between Correction/Discipline and the spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7-9)

God’s Grace to intervene (bring out) and to sustain (bring through) won’t allow us to sink, or skip the process!

Withdrawn intimacy, distance; turbulence in relationships, resources, etc.

Corrective words from others

Hindrance from the enemy: if we engage in viewing, thinking, acting in line with the devil’s territory, he will start operating in our space. (Spiritually illegal but given access by our cooperation or negligence) (Ephesians 4:27)

This interference from the enemy can take various forms, i.e. physical, mental/emotional, relational, financial, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 5:15) (Just because we are attacked by the enemy doesn’t necessarily mean we are “out of order” in our relationship, fellowship with the Lord!)

REMEMBER: His correction is from a heart of Perfect Love, for our benefit!

✸FAITH is in my spirit. It doesn’t come from my mind. Faith in my spirit requires exercise

to grow! (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5,6)

Hitting Your Spiritual Reset Button:

New Challenge, New Plan For New Year

January 18, 2026

Session 3

Philippians 3:12-14

Review:

Philippians 3:14 – Press (all-out effort); goal; prize:

What is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?

A place of more intimacy with Christ (conversation, Heartcry, praise, confession, etc.

Prayer connection, alignment

Word reception

Discernment of the Holy Spirit’s voice, impressions, moving

Hindrances to “the upward call” to more intimacy with the Lord!

Unbelief, distrust: don’t believe, trust that the Lord wants my best and think that I can have His blessing and authority without submission.

Fear: blocks the experience of God’s Love (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:16-18)

Anger, unforgiveness, contention, hatred (Genesis 3; 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:15; 1 John 4:20)

Shame: failure to connect with God’s forgiveness, cleansing, restored fellowship because of unbelief! (Genesis 3; 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 10:17; Romans 8:1)

Investments in “Pressing In, Reaching”

Worship, thanksgiving, praise

Conversational prayer (spiritual breathing)

Word of God intake and “out-go”

Connection with Faith Family

Taking small steps of Faith and obedience (partnering with the Lord in YOUR ministry)

HITTING YOUR SPIRITUAL RESET BUTTON:

NEW CHALLENGE, NEW PLAN FOR NEW YEAR

JANUARY 4 & JANUARY 11, 2026

Philippians 3:2-14 – “It’s all about more Intimacy with Jesus”

è Philippians 3:2, 3 – True Relationships vs. zealous error of self-generated religious performance.

è Philippians 3:4-6 – Paul’s “religious credentials”, “Pedigree”

è Philippians 3:7-9 – The righteous view of self-promotion, self-absorbed, outward achievement vs Romans 5:17 – The Gift!

è Philippians 3:10 – What am I “running after”; pursuing, reaching for?

• Knowing Him (personal intimacy)

• Power of resurrection life; victory over everything death deals

• Fellowship of His sufferings

• There is an intimacy with Jesus that comes through shared suffering!

(i.e. fighting vs. sin, rejection, abandonment, betrayal, watching loved ones suffer; waiting on God to reveal) (i.e. having to wait on God to reveal to our loved ones what we already know would help, heal, restore, encourage, etc. [see Matthew 23:37; John 16:12])

• Can’t have resurrection without crucifixion!

• Conformed to His death: Connected, by faith, to the forgiveness, Grace, breaking of sin’s power over us. (Romans 6:6, 7)

• Conformed to His death: By Faith we connect with His death which paid for and broke the power of everything that sin and satan broke, stole, destroyed!

• Through His death the debt of sin was paid and the legal power of sin (mine, yours) was broken!

• The benefits of His death were released to His sons and daughters (His heirs) by His resurrection and administered through His Holy Spirit! (John 16:13-15)

è Philippians 3:12-14 – What am I Pressing For, Reaching/Running After?

• We must NOT BECOME SATISFIED with “MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO”. WE MUST PRESS ON, REACH …. For a more intimate walk with Jesus!

• Forgive me, Lord, for staying content in my Relationship with You!

• PRESS: All out desires and corresponding actions (seek FIRST – Matthew 6:33)

• FORGETTING: Paul’s successes, failures; Ours? Glance, not a gaze! (Acts 8, 9 vs. 2 Corinthians 11, 12) God has chosen NOT to HOLD your sin in His remembrance (Hebrews 10:17)

• REACHING: Growing; aspiring for more

• Philippians 3:14 – The “Upward” call”: The promotion, favor, reward of humbling ourselves and walking in obedient Grace.

• John 8:31, 32; Romans 8:29

• 2 Corinthians 3:18

Hitting Your Spiritual Reset Button:

New Challenge, New Plan For New Year

January 4, 2026

Philippians 3:2-14 – “It’s all about more Intimacy with Jesus”

Philippians 3:2, 3 – True Relationships vs. zealous error of self-generated religious performance.

Philippians 3:4-6 – Paul’s “religious credentials”, “Pedigree”

Philippians 3:7-9 – The righteous view of self-promotion, self-absorbed, outward achievement vs Romans 5:17 – The Gift!

Philippians 3:10 – What am I “running after”; pursuing, reaching for?

Knowing Him (personal intimacy)

Power of resurrection life; victory over everything death deals

Fellowship of His sufferings

There is an intimacy with Jesus that comes through shared suffering!

(i.e. fighting vs. sin, rejection, abandonment, betrayal, watching loved ones suffer; waiting on God to reveal) (i.e. having to wait on God to reveal to our loved ones what we already know would help, heal, restore, encourage, etc. [see Matthew 23:37; John 16:12])

Can’t have resurrection without crucifixion!

Conformed to His death: Connected, by faith, to the forgiveness, Grace, breaking of sin’s power over us. (Romans 6:6, 7)

Conformed to His death: By Faith we connect with His death which paid for and broke the power of everything that sin and satan broke, stole, destroyed!

Through His death the debt of sin was paid and the legal power of sin (mine, yours) was broken!

The benefits of His death were released to His sons and daughters (His heirs) by His resurrection and administered through His Holy Spirit!

Philippians 3:12-14 – What am I Pressing For, Reaching/Running After?

We must NOT BECOME SATISFIED with “MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO”. WE MUST PRESS ON, REACH …. For a more intimate walk with Jesus!

Forgive me, Lord, for staying content in my Relationship with You!

PRESS: All out desires and corresponding actions (seek FIRST – Matthew 6:33)

FORGETTING: Paul’s successes, failures; Ours? Glance, not a gaze! (Acts 8, 9 vs. 2 Corinthians 11:12) God has chosen NOT to HOLD your sin in His remembrance (Hebrews 10:17)

REACHING: Growing; aspiring for more

Philippians 3:14 – The “Upward” call”: The promotion, favor, reward of humbling ourselves and walking in obedient Grace.

John 8:31, 32; Romans 8:29

2 Corinthians 3:18

Fear Not

Luke 1:26-35

December 14, 2025

Fear: Mental, emotional projection of an unwanted result.

Fear: A result of “broken connection” (see Adam)

Inadequacies: failure; past; lack

Others judgement; rejection; second-guessing; close circle; “outside” enemies

“Lingering labels”; hearsay, critics perceptions

Loss, lack, disability

Fear Not! A loving and Direct Command!

Poisons relationships! Fear drives manipulation, control

Root of anxiety, unrest

Quenches productivity, aspiration

Counters Love (1 John 4:16-18)

Invites spiritual enemies! Interrupts the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Fighting Fear

Recognize it! Ask the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth) to reveal it! (Evident and hidden)

Resist it!

“Declare war” on it in our heart, mind, words! (2 Timothy 1:7)

2 Timothy 1:17

Ask for greater revelation of the Love of God! (1 John 4:18)

Tell yourself the Truth! (Philippians 4:6-8; Joshua 1:8, 9; Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 91)

✸We connect with the power and authority of the Word of God through faith and

Our profession!

Pastor Steve Franklin Birmingham Alabama

Review

James 1:21 – “Save Your Souls”

Born again by life in Word of God; received, reinforced

Word of life (John 14:6; John 1:4; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12)

The “implanted” Word: heard, received, confessed, obeyed

Soul – (psuche); can refer to both spirit and soul; or to our spiritual personality i.e., our mind, will, emotions

Operation of our spirit, indwelled by the Holy Spirit; living room or control center, with other rooms, information sources.

Sozo: to save, deliver, make whole, heal

Addictions; memories; lusts; temperament; rejection; doubt/worry; fear; anxiety; bitterness; shame; etc.

The implanted word: believed, received, re-enforced, obeyed.

The Spirit, soul, body composition: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12

Our Soul and body are “Under renovation”. The flesh and the enemy work to delay, even hijack the renovation. Strongholds are areas where there is Resistance to the Lord’s access/ownership. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) (Unsubmitted, accumulated, thought patterns)

The “Spirit” vs. The “Flesh”

★Our spirit and soul are inseparable, but distinguishable

Our body is the “home”, “clothes”, of our spirit-man. It gets information from the outside, (for example media, other people, even the devil, etc.) and from inside sources (such as our brain, mind, the Holy Spirit).

Our soul is our spiritual personality. It can be under the influence, direction of the Spirit or the body/flesh and the enemy. The mind is a receiver and a processor of information from outside and inside (the flesh and the Spirit). The mind makes projections, forms opinions, and is subject to deception. It must be trained and disciplined by the Spirit of truth. (See John 16:13-15 and John 17:17)

★“Self-talk” can be good or bad. If it is based on wrong information, it projects the wrong perspective, leading to the wrong beliefs, which yields wrong results!”

Our spirit is “headquarters, home” for the Holy Spirit received through our new birth. Our spirit receives revelation, information, messages, promptings from the Lord. The Spirit’s witness: (Romans 8:16 and John 16:13-15) (Philippians 2:13 – God at work in you) (The Spirit’s weapons: Ephesians 6:10-17)

Review

James 1:21 – “Save Your Souls”

Born again by life in Word of God; received, reinforced

Word of life (John 14:6; John 1:4; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12)

The “implanted” Word: heard, received, confessed, obeyed

Soul – (psuche); can refer to both spirit and soul; or to our spiritual personality i.e., our mind, will, emotions

Operation of our spirit, indwelled by the Holy Spirit; living room or control center, with other rooms, information sources.

Sozo: to save, deliver, make whole, heal

Addictions; memories; lusts; temperament; rejection; doubt/worry; fear; anxiety; bitterness; shame; etc.

The Spirit, soul, body composition: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12

Our Soul and body are “Under renovation”. The flesh and the enemy work to delay, even hijack the renovation.

The “Spirit” vs. The “Flesh”

★Our spirit and soul are inseparable, but distinguishable

Our body is the “home”, “clothes”, of our spirit-man. It gets information from the outside, (for example media, other people, even the devil, etc.) and from inside sources (such as our brain, mind, the Holy Spirit).

Our soul is our spiritual personality. It can be under the influence, direction of the Spirit or the body/flesh and the enemy. The mind is a receiver and a processor of information from outside and inside (the flesh and the Spirit). The mind makes projections, forms opinions, and is subject to deception. It must be trained and disciplined by the Spirit of truth. (See John 16:13-15 and John 17:17)

★“Self-talk can be good or bad. If it is based on wrong information, it projects the wrong perspective, leading to the wrong beliefs, which yields wrong results!”

Our spirit is “headquarters, home” for the Holy Spirit received through our new birth. Our spirit receives revelation, information, messages, promptings from the Lord. The Spirit’s witness: (Romans 8:16 and John 16:13-15) (Philippians 2:13 – God at work in you)

The Roots Of Spiritual Success

James 1 – Session 5

November 9, 2025

Review

James 1:19,20 – Wrath: aged anger; consuming anger; takes over motives, thoughts, actions

Disrupts righteous anger:

Vs. heart of Father; agenda of His Kingdom

Desires hurt, destruction of people, evil agenda

★Have enemies; pray for those who oppose you (God will defend and promote you ultimately)

★Don’t wait on an apology!

Ephesians 4:26

James 1:21 – “Save Your Souls”

Born again by life in Word of God; received, reinforced

Soul – (psuche); can refer to both spirit and soul; or to our spiritual personality i.e., our mind, will, emotions

Operation of our spirit, indwelled by the Holy Spirit; living room or control center, with other rooms, information sources.

Sozo: to save, deliver, make whole, heal

Addictions; memories; lusts; temperament; rejection; doubt/worry; fear; anxiety; bitterness; shame; etc.

The Spirit, soul, body composition: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12

Our Soul and body are “Under renovation”. The flesh and the enemy work to delay, even hijack the renovation.

The “Spirit” vs. The “Flesh”

★Our spirit and soul are inseparable, but distinguishable

Our body is the “home”, “clothes”, of our spirit-man. It gets information from the outside, (for example media, other people, even the devil, etc.) and from inside sources (such as our brain, mind, the Holy Spirit).

Our soul is our spiritual personality. It can be under the influence, direction of the Spirit or the body/flesh and the enemy. The mind is a receiver and a processor of information from outside and inside (the flesh and the Spirit). The mind makes projections, forms opinions, and is subject to deception. It must be trained and disciplined by the Spirit of truth. (See John 16:13-15 and John 17:17)

★“Self-talk can be good or bad. If it is based on wrong information, it projects the wrong perspective, leading to the wrong beliefs, which yields wrong results!”

Our spirit is “headquarters, home” for the Holy Spirit received through our new birth. Our spirit receives revelation, information, messages, promptings from the Lord. The Spirit’s witness: (Romans 8:16 and John 16:13-15) (Philippians 2:13 – God at work in you)

Covenant Heirs Church Birmingham Alabama

Review:

Tests, trials, temptations – Pressure and the power of resistance!

The role of patience in faith’s development.

Driven by doubt or “all in” faith.

Wisdom is available! Ask in faith.

“Pursuing” …. What am I pursuing? (Focusing on, chasing, absorbed with) If riches, I will lose my opportunity to make a difference, leave a legacy!

Riches (trusts in and pursues riches) 1 Timothy 6:17, 18

Money: Gift of Grace (Philippians 4:19); Tool to have, not lord to have you! Not to allow money or lack of it define us.

Endurance: temptation is inevitable; endurance is invaluable

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

James 1:16 – ✸✸Deceived: moved away from Truth: deceiver

Vehicles in our culture (Media; AI)

James 1:17 – Our Father is the True Giver of everything Good and Perfect! And He does not Change!

James 1:18 – The Word of Truth: Inseparable from Jesus! (John 1:4; John 6:63)

John 8:31, 32

Hebrews 4:12

✸✸The voice, information of the deceiver is often very convincing; looks and sounds right on the surface! (“spins” circumstances, wants; “twists” Scriptures to fit agenda)

The Value Of Testing In The Development Of Faith

James 1 – Session 3

October 19, 2025

Review:

Tests, trials, temptations: only know the true value of something when (and after) it is tested!

True patience is a strong force of the Holy Spirit, that bears a strong inner witness that grants a confidence that God is at work in every circumstance and that He will sustain you and therefore, you will see His victory!

“Let”, Allow patience …. Can’t “work it up”. Patience is deposited in your reborn spirit. It must be accessed by faith and developed through obedience. (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13:4)

Godly patience involves persistent waiting (on relief, results desired), but it is undergirded with confident expectation that the Lord is “at hand” and is “at work”! (Philippians 4:5; Philippians 2:13)

James 1:9 – “Glory in high position (A few examples!)

Child of the Most High God (John 1:12)

Heir of God, joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:16, 17)

Forgiven, made Holy, Righteous, Accepted, Beloved in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-7)

Granted every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-7)

Guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16)

Given Grace in God’s eyes and Favor for life’s journey (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Granted unconditional love (1 John 4:16-18)

Guaranteed victory over death and every enemy (Romans 8:31-37)

Granted an Intercessor in Heaven (Romans 8:34)

James 1:10-11

“The rich …. “Humiliation” what it does NOT mean (See Timothy 6:17,18)

Humble self: Recognize True Security, Identity (tool not source)

James 1:12

The Blessing of enduring temptation

The “Crown” implies that one has come through intense tests, trials, temptations

James 1:13-15

The true source of temptation (We will NOT succeed in our own strength!