I asked my kids to help me with doing some things around our acreage and I received grumbling and disputing. I quickly reminded them of this passage we studied and we went outside.

As we began to work, some of the kids began to hide instead of work. I found myself getting more frustrated as the kids began to do less and less. Next thing you know, I was the one grumbling and disputing.

We must keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His goals not ours. He wants us to train up a child in the way he should go, not teach him to grumble even more.

The beauty of God’s word is that it cuts to the core of our hearts and minds and reveals our need for our Savior. Praise God for His faithfulness to grow us and conform us to the image of Christ.

#MPWarrior

#DoWithoutGrumblingOrDisputing

#StillLearning

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

When we are found and rescued by Christ, our greatest need has been met for all eternity.  Is this not greater than the perceived lack of any of those areas?  Paul was a man who experienced great abundance and accolades and yet had also endured hardship and persecution.  What was his secret to contentment?  Focusing on His greatest need being met in Christ. We ought to do the same. 

When Jesus is in this rightful place and our hearts are content in Him, we are at peace. Yes the light bill still needs to be paid, the car still needs new tires, but our hearts are filled with joy that surpasses any need. May you be found filled with that joy today!

Reflection

What are you most content with?

What if Christ was really the #1 object of your affection and source of contentment? How would your life be different?

Prayer

Father, we are so easily distracted by the physical realm. Open our eyes to see the amazing eternal gift in Christ.  May our hearts be filled to overflowing with joy in every area of our lives. Let us be content above all else in Jesus.  Give us this day our daily bread that it may not distract our worship but expand it all the more.  We trust in you and love you LORD!  We lift this to You in Jesus’ name, Amen!

While it’s great not to be a sluggard, we have to be on guard for the temptation to look at all the things we have done with our hands and claim all the glory for ourselves.  This is especially true if the work involves income.  It takes no effort to begin to believe that all we have is “ours” and that our very own hands have made this wealth we enjoy.

King David knew and understood that the Earth and everything in it belonged to God. As a result, his prayers and songs were often filled with praise.  Realizing that God owns it all and has blessed us according to His will, helps keep us from self-worship and instead breeds a heart of humility and gratitude.  David was certainly a wealthy man and he danced and praised God; for he knew it was only by God’s choice that it was so.

I have visited 8 different countries outside the United States.  In each case, I have come home with a heart of gratitude, seeing how much I am blessed to live where I do.  On one occasion, I was on a mission trip that I was supposed to lead  but had been forced out of my job first.  I went on the trip anyway at the request of those that were going.

Even in those difficult circumstances, my heart was moved as I saw people working 16 hour days to make only a few dollars and still praising God for it. I saw in me another level of self -dependence and I realized again how much my flesh loves glory though I was designed to give God glory.

God has blessed you wherever you were born and wherever you serve.  He has blessed you with the material blessings you have and He alone has given you life and breath. Above all, He has blessed you with His salvation and eternal presence. For the Earth is His and all that is in it.

Reflection

In what ways have you claimed the works of your hands or wealth and glorified yourself?

Make a list of the many blessings you have and praise God for each one.  Take the list and put it in a place you will see it multiple times.  Praise God each time the list catches your eye.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we know that ALL things come from Your hand and we only have because you have chosen us to.  For You have the power to give and to take away.  In all circumstances teach us to praise you in Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#GodOwnsItAll

#PraiseHim

#truthtalk4life

Paul came to realize that the real blessing isn’t the gift itself, but the knowledge and confidence that what God faithfully provides through Jesus is enough to get him through no matter the physical need or circumstances.  God’s provision in Christ cannot be compared with the physical needs we have in any moment, yet God in His great mercy chooses to meet those as well. 

What and amazingly merciful God we have that is able to patiently teach us this truth.  Most of us rarely go without anything. Some of us know what it is to scrounge for a meal.  All of us have been given everything we need in Christ. This provision is greater than any other found in the physical realm.  Let us not miss the fullness of the phrase:

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength ~ Philippians 4:13

Reflection

For which is greater;  to learn to be completely content and strengthened in Christ or temporarily  satisfy our physical needs?  We must master the demands of our flesh and put them in their proper place.  When we do, we see the real provision God has given us through His Son Christ and we ovegrflow with joy in all circumstances. 

Am I content with what God has apportioned to me?

What needs distract you from seeing what God is providing for you in Christ Jesus?

Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that I have all I need in Christ?”

Prayer

Heavenly Father and Great provider, You seek to show me my heart’s deepest need and are teaching me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Your provision in Christ is all I need. Write that truth upon my heart with your permanent marker of Love. May Your truth be the fuel of every thought and may our response be lips filled with praise.  We lift all of this in stour Son, Jesus, Amen!

One of the challenges to being content is that circumstances are often changing and seemingly not in our favor.  What we put our hope and affections in can leave us lacking.  

While circumstances change, there is One we can trust who will never change, leave or foresake, and certainly never leave us lacking.  God has proven himself as our provider time and time again.  It was He who sacrificed his son and withheld nothing from us while we were still in rebellion.  This act of love and grace has replaced mourning with joy that is unending. I must continue to remember and not let the cares of this world choke out that truth. 

Make it a part of your daily routine to spend a few minutes remembering your life before your relationship with God through Christ.  Recall the feeling of being freed from your sins and rejoice in His lovingkindness. Review all the times Your Heavenly Father has given you hope and answered your prayers. For the day that awaits you will seek to steal that joy. 

 May your joy in Christ be firmly planted in the depths of your heart producing a beautiful tree of contentment that outlasts any storm!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

This is not always the case; however, with God. When we were “bought” with the blood of Christ we actually gained rights and privileges.  

1. We gained the right to become children of God

2. We became joint heirs with Christ

I could stop here because this is more than we could have asked or imagined

3. He has given us the Holy Spirit indwelling sealing His promise

4. He gave us gifts

5. He cleanses us from all unrighteousness

6. He hears us when we cry

7. Jesus intercedes with the Father for us

8. He works all things together for our good

9. No weapon formed against us will prosper

I could literally keep going on for hours of all the rights and privileges of being His.  Let us never forget or be silent about all of these.  

Make a list of these today and praise your Father in heaven each day for them!

#truthtalkife #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

#trythtalk4life #knowlivespraktruthinlove

Make sure to like our Facebook page, share and add these hashtags above when you do to get His word before as many people as possible.  God bless you!
@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

Take heart , For the LORD’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours and nothing is impossible with him. Our minds me forget this at times, but praise God for the Spirit who brings all things into remembrance, including our Father’s marvelous promises!

Personal Reflection

Hard times reveal who we put our trust in. So are you putting your trust in an administration? Or are you putting your trust in the one true living God, To whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD?  What if we stopped complaining about the shortcomings of the president and started trusting in the One to whom they are accountable?

Read the rest of Psalm 33. Spend some time praising him for being Lord of the nations!

Prayer Focus

Father in heaven, You are Lord of the nations. You brought all things into being and you sustain them by Your might and power. In You alone we trust.  Lead us out of the mess we have created. Establish us in Your righteousness. May we dwell in Your house forever, in Jesus Name, Amen!

Check out all of Psalm 63:

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth. They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes. But the king will rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him will glory, For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.” (‭Psalms‬ ‭63:1-11‬ ‭NASB)

 Being fully satisfied starts with earnestly seeking the right thing, namely God Himself. We will never find full satisfaction in wealth, revenge,our will, or any other man made solution.  Only when we seek Him with our entire soul, will we find we we long for. 

Secondly, we need to see His power and glory coupled with a grasp on His grace.  I’m amazed how quickly everything in my life sours when I’m not focused on His glorious lovingkindness.  For His grace is better than any experience, material good, and even life itself!  

Third, we must make time to meditate on who He is and what He has done.  This requires that we put down or phones and probe the beauty of the character of our Heavenly Father. Our soul must cling to our Creator if we are to be in harmony with life.  For when we are separated at any length, we are lacking. 

Lastly, we must rely on the LORD to endure  the enemy attacks. There power in the hand of our LORD.  He is a shield around us and none will stand in a his presence. For the battle belongs to Him and there is only one victor.  Our enemies will be shut up with the truth. For we are children of the most high God!

Personal Reflection

Examine your life. Where do you get your satisfaction from above all else?  Your children?  Your work? Any place other than God is but a temporary solution.  When we are satisfied in Christ (God’s perfect Provision) we are satisfied in all.  

Seek Him earnestly today, recalling the beauty of the grace poured for you, meditating on His character, and relying on His victory at the cross through His Son Jesus and you will be satisfied!

Prayer Focus

LORD we praise You with our lips and with hands held high.  You are our rock and our salvation.  For Your lovingkindness has no end.  You have rescued us from ourselves and the sins we once called satisfaction.  Help us to seek You with all that we are.  Remind us of the cost of our freedom. Fill us with the true knowledge of You as we meditate on Your Word.  Above all let us be satisfied completely in You through Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen!

The beauty of it is, this point doesn’t simply point out the darkness, it gives you the answer of how to overcome it. It instructs us in matters of righteousness all with the end goal of us being equipped for The good works that He prepared in advance for us to do.

Personal Reflection

Where are you at in your walk with Christ today?   Are you longing for the truth of His Word, even if that means you are in error? Or are you burnt out and feeling less than a light in this world?  Are you feeling like His Word is keeping you from something good?   Turn from any deception that keeps you from His truth.  Bathe in His Word today for it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.  God’s plan is for you to be equipped.  There are good works to be done today.

Prayer Focus

Father break through the the lies and deliver your truth to our hearts today. Remove bitterness, unforgiveness, lies, and depression.  Align our eyes with yours that we may see the good works to be done and do them while being equipped by your Word.  Our hope is in you and your truth, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

#Godswordhasitall #thepoweroftruth #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl