Don’t Be Content With Your Blindspots

As hard as we try, there are still errors in our thinking that escape our attention. We certainly can pray to our Father In Heaven and ask for His acquittal.

We can also surround ourselves with quality brothers or sisters in Christ that can help us see our blind spots.

For this to be effective, we must be willing to give permission for them to speak truth into our lives. We also need to be willing to receive that truth and take action for any lasting change to result.

We need God above all else and we need friends who continually point us to Him.

Are you taking time with God in His word and in prayer daily?

Do you have friends, who you trust, that speak hard truth into your life?

#MPWarrior

#closetogod

#speakandreceivetruth

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There have been times when everything seemed to be crumbling around me. The only thing stable and unchanging was the Word. I clung to it with everything I had and the encouragement rained down on me and my hope was renewed and restored.

Perhaps the reason you’re struggling with persevering today just because you’re out of encouragement and hope. I believe with all my heart that the answer to this problem is found in His word.

Reflection

Are you intentionally filling your head with God’s instructions?

Are you delighting in that instruction?

Get a reading plan today and let the encouragement and hope abound in you!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path.  For it is complete, inerrant, inspired by You; profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.  He is sufficient in all things and is our rock and our fortress.  By Your Word we are both held together and encouraged. For in Him lies the secret of contentment and hope. Give us a desire to commune with Him (Your Word) daily.  Amen!

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NASB‬‬

http://bible.com/100/2ti.3.16.nasb

Certainly our years together facing challenges and celebrating triumphs have tested every facet of our faith, hope, and love.  I can concur that the greatest of these is love.  My bride has demonstrated to me love whether I’m at my best or worst.  She has stayed by my side and built me up when I was crushed.  She’s loved me silently when I didn’t feel like talking.  She has always been there right by my side.  What a gift from God she has been to me!

So this is way more than a good wedding verse, it is an amazing life of love in the Father’s love; one we can choose to partake in with one another.  I’m so thankful for my sweet bride who has chosen to do so and bless me richly.  I can only hope to return this blessing.  

Reflection

Take some time to ponder the great love with which our Father in heaven loves us. Check out romans 5:8, John 3:16 and so many others!

What relationships can you pour that love over into?  Your marriage? Your family?  Your friends?

Start today loving others as God has loved you.  

Prayer

Father you have given us faith, hope, and love and the command to abide in these three.  Equip us to do that to change the world for Your glory.  Let Your love have its way in our hearts that others may come to know You.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

So how are we to know which is the voice of God and which is the voice of the antichrist? As children of God, the Holy Spirit lives in us, proclaiming Jesus Christ’s victory and testifying to our adoption. The anitchrist will not confess Jesus. 

In the most difficult times in the most horrendous attacks, we can stand firm on the truth that we are overcomers, not in our strength but in the victory of Jesus. For greater is He that is in us then he who is in the world!

Reflection

Are you struggling in spiritual battle?   Listen to the voice of truth from God’s word and the Holy Spirit that lives in you.  

What spirit are you listening to?  Does that Spirit profess Jesus as Lord?

Take heart for Jesus has overcome the world and all it’s troubles!

Prayer

Father, there are battles all around us and one raging in our minds.  All spirits vying for our allegiance.  Help our minds to listen and discern those that confess Jesus.  May our eyes be fixed on Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Remind us of the victory He has given us at the cross that we may overcome any struggle we face today!  In His name, Amen!

I originally started him with the old riding mower we had so if he damaged anything we wouldn’t be out any money.  We fixed it together and off he went mowing what looked like wheat circles.  Often times I would go back outside after he was in bed and clean up all the missed spots.  I have to admit it was tiring and frustrating.  Why couldn’t he just now a straight line?

It struck me this morning that making disciples is a similar process.  You start with the basics and work your way into more complex territory. There are days in the process where it feels like they will never get it.  We must continue to invest in good times and not so good.  There will be times when your disciples will completely blow it.  What you do in those moments matter! 

I’m happy to report that as I look across the lawn, it looks amazing.  After two years of investment and praying I’m finally free to trust the task will be completed.  

What lessons were learned?

1. Your investment matters – we all need to be disciples and to disciple others
2. Don’t give up, your disciple needs you – as tempting as it is to throw in the towel.  Stick with it!
3. We are like this with our Father in heaven.  We just can’t seem  to walk a straight line and keep away from that sin.  He continues to invest and guide us  back to the path. 

Reflection

Who are you investing in right now?

Keep your eyes on Christ and your heart doing His work in the lives of others. 

Prayer

Father help us to not grow weary as we disciple others to disciple others.  May Your love compell us to finish what we started. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

I’ve been sucked into victim status on more than one occasion by this narcissistic process.  As I have shared in the past, I was performance driven for years; which in some ways makes me more of a target.   Abusers love performers.   They quickly friend them by giving them the approval they desire and the process of control begins.  Threads of guilt work their way into the conversation and hurt repeatedly gets blamed on the performer.  Over time, this process takes its toll and devalues the performers and binds  them in lies.  At the root of this dynamic, I found that I was seeking the approval of men rather than God. 

So what do you do if you’re trapped in a toxic relationship like that?

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-9

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yes we are sharing the planet with these individuals! When reading this passage we often think of the extreme criminal locked behind bars, but these folks may be with us at home, work, and in the church.  They are those who are quick to bruise us but unwilling to repent. 

STEP 1 – Surround Yourself With A Support Network Sincerely Seeking The Truth – When removing something negative always replace and do not just abandon. Human tendency is to grieve loss, that includes even toxic relationships. We must make no provision for the temptation to return to the old relationship to try to comfort the loss. Invest in the healthy relationships you have or find new ones.  No doubt there may be trust issues (experience talking) caused by the toxic relationship damage, but it’s imperative that you establish a support network to be there through this!  

STEP 2 –  Get Some Distance – Give yourself some space from that relationship.  While it’s been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, it can also give you perspective on reality.  Sometimes this step seems impossible because of fear of the backlash.  This is where you need to get help from your support network to break free.    

STEP 3 – Infuse Truth –  Part of escaping toxic relationships is seeing the lies for what they really are.  Knowing truth is the key in doing that. Passages like these give no wiggle room and do not condone abuse.  Dig deep in God’s word daily to regain an understanding of who you are, why you are valuable, and the mission you are on. 

STEP 4 – Know You Will Never Change Them – God has the power to do anything and yet He has been referred to as a gentlemen because He comes into the heart where He is invited.  An unrepentant heart has no desire to change.  You could bend over backwards, offer all the grace you have, and the hardened heart will still not see, own, or repent.  Being a Christian does not mean others have a right to abuse you. 
STEP 5 – Seek Out A Qualified Biblical Counselor – Find someone who has Biblical knowledge and experience dealing with these situations to help you walk through healing. It’s beneficial to have someone who can help you take an honest look at your situation at all stages of the process.  Good discernment here is a must.  Find someone who is both trustworthy and wise; who can speak the truth in love and encourage.  They do exist and are worth finding!

STEP 6 – Realize That Forgiveness And Reconciliation Are Not The Same – It is possible for you to forgive someone and yet not reconcile with them.  When a heart is unrepentant, you may chose to forgive but reconciliation simply is not possible.  Pretending there is reconciliation, or assuming forgiveness and reconciliation are the same thing can lead to further abuse. In fact, verse 5 says “have nothing to do with such people”  Over time their lack of repentance becomes obvious to all involved.  Most of the time it already was obvious. Everyone was just too afraid to deal with it. We all love happy endings. Sometimes the happy ending does not include reconciliation.  

STEP 7 – Seek To Help Those Who Have Been Or Are Victims – I’m a firm believer that God keeps His promises and wastes nothing.  He has the power to take even the most horrific events of life and turn them into a powerful testimony that comforts and demonstrates His love and faithfulness while bring Him glory and honor (2 Corinthians 1, Romans 8:28).  This takes time, but ultimately frees us from the “leftover” damage of these experiences when we see them bringing hope to others. 

Reflection

Identify any toxic relationships you have.  Don’t be content with just leaving them that way. 

If you see toxic relationships in others’ lives, pray for them and seek to be that support network they need. 

Prayer

Father, my heart aches for those in the tough place of toxic and abusive relationships.  I pray that You would empower them in Your Spirit and truth to break free.  Equip Your people to come along side them and support them through this process.  May Your love abound extinguishing the lies of the enemy in Jesus’ name, Amen!

You see a fan doesn’t give up anything, they just watch. They even sometimes switch teams when things get rough. They leave with the same thing they came with… nothing!  

On the contrary, a follower gives up everything and they participate. They experience loss, but gain more than words can express. They leave with more than they could have asked for or imagined. A follower is part of changing lives for eternity by bringing the good news of Jesus Christ and loving people wherever they are at. 

So, who are the followers that have invested in you over the years? Have you ever thanked them for their dedication and service to you?  Get that done today!

And who are you investing in? Remember life as a follower is not passive but requires action.  Find someone you can serve today!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to comment, share, and use the hashtags above to spread this message as far as it will go to encourage someone today.  
@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

 Jesus challenges us to be merciful and loving to even indignant and evil persons. For it is easy to be kind to those who are kind to you, but what about the one who spits in your face? That requires our complete trust and dependence. For when we truly seek God first, we have the power to do the impossible: Love our enemies. 

Those that are evil are merely broken souls who have been damaged so many times they cannot see the beauty of the Lord’s love. They are bound by the lies of the ultimate enemy and unable to break free. These chains are no match for true love. 

We are to love them with the same love that was given us.  Remember God sees and knows our hearts. There is nothing hidden from Him and He still chooses to love us. What love! When we love our enemies we are really multiplying that love and mercy God has shown us. 

 Be advised when we love and invest in others, especially enemies, our hands and feet will get dirty, we will not always be comfortable. In fact, we will mostl likely endure pain and hardship, but the reward comes when we reach our final home as we rejoice in the presence of Jesus with some of those who were once our enemies. 

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to share and add these hashtags above to bring encouragement to as many as possible.  Thanks! 

@brianfriedl

What if that commandment is born out of love? It may or may not inspire us to obey  As a parent there are times where I’ve had to give commands for the benefit of my children though they may not see it that way.  

His commandments are the ultimate framework for the best life in relationships with God and man.  He commands us to love Him and others because He knows that’s what will glorify Him, bring us joy, and draw others to Himself. 

In light of all He has done, I willingly choose to obey this commandment.  For I owe everything to Him.  But there is even more love at work.  For as hard as I try I cannot keep the commandments perfectly and they clearly point out my shortcomings.  

Our Father in heaven has already made provision for this. With a love so great, While we had broken His commands, He rescued us through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.  This kind of love leads us to new places of worship, loving Him, and loving others.  This kind of love leads us to righteousness.  Not our righteousness in our own strength, but Christ’s righteous imputed to us by faith.  

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to share and add these hashtags above.  
@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

No weapon formed against us shall prosper for we are His children; joint heirs with Christ.  His Spirit testifies with ours that this is so.  He has apportioned His victory to us.  For He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God.  His love is never failing!

Holy is the name of the LORD, perfect and true.  It is above every name and at it every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.  He is worthy of our praise.  May our lips be filled with that praise and thanksgiving to His precious name.  For 2017 is His, along with the victory over our enemies!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruth

@brianfriedl