God’s plan includes one word that differentiates Christianity from every other religion on the planet; Immanuel.

Religions all come with rules and expectations to obey. Only God’s plan has a Savior who has paid for our sins of disobedience and made a way for reconciliation.

Most, if not all religions, have a supreme being that oversees the universe. Only Christianity speaks of a loving God who desires to dwell with us, communicating our value, and expressing His love.

What we have been given is beyond special. Jesus left His place in heaven and “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭NASB)

Without Immanuel (God with us) there could be no us with God.

Take time today praising God that He is loving, merciful, and chose to dwell with us. Apart from Him we are lost without Hope. With Him, our joy and hope is unending.

#MPWarrior

#HeDediresToDwellWithUs

#Immanuel

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Our mind’s ability to recall is a powerful ally in our fight against depression. We can remember what the Lord has done for His people throughout history; not the least of which is our salvation.

Furthermore, we are told that the indwelling Holy Spirit will bring all things into remembrance. We need the stronghold of His word daily going into our minds so it might be recalled to produce transformation and renewal.

When we feast on His word, individually and with others, we store it throughout our brain so it is ready for recall in a moments notice regardless of the circumstances or emotions we are experiencing.

It is also heathy to recall as many instances in your life where the Lord has shown you His compassion. It is sweet oil for your soul in times of great grief.

Are you struggling to see the goodness of life or perhaps going through a tough stretch? Immerse yourself in His word. Join a Bible study at your church. Put your faith in Him and His word to lead you out of that place.

Know that you are not alone. I have experienced much grief and joy in this life. I am praying over each of you today that you may delight in the Lord and His word!

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I have found the fastest way to move away from depression to long term joy is knowing my identity, understanding my mission, and building a vision to carry it out.

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#BattleInYourMind

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Upon arrival, the found not what their heart mourned and expected. Instead and Angel uttered the words “He is not here. He has risen, just as He said…”. In an instant, their minds must have raced with new possibilities and hope. For joy abounded where short-sided grief and mourning once reigned.

They must have sounded crazy as they shared the angels words with the disciples, but in their minds these brothers would have recalled the words of Jesus telling them of His death and resurrection. For Him to have risen and fulfilled all of what He said was even greater than their misconceived notion of His earthly rule. For He had overcome death once and for all. Sin and death had lost. The victory had been won for all eternity!

Reflection

Meditate on these words “He is not here, He has risen”

What do these words really mean to you?

What is their significance in your life?

What would your life be like without them?

Praise God for His mercy and great plan of salvation!

Prayer

Father, we thank you that You not only hear us but you made a way for us to have access to you. You have reached down and rescued us from our sin and adopted us into Your Family. What love and tender care You have for us! Remind us of these truths in our darkest hours, when we can’t see clearly, and when we are in mourning. For with You all things are possible in Jesus, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#HeIsNotHereHeHasRisen

#TheGreatestWords

#trutalk4life

For with tribulation and suffering comes a new level of dependence on our Heavenly Father. It demands a perseverance we otherwise would never see develop in ourselves. This perseverance leads to true character in word and in action. We are able to see our deep need of Him and He is faithful to fulfill our every need. And what is waiting for us at the end of this process? Hope. Hope that does not waver, doubt or disappoint, but thrives in the confidence of His proven faithfulness throughout the trials and tribulations.

Remember God is causing all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28). What ever your suffering is, it is building a testimony of His faithfulness that has the power to change the world. Make sure the tribulation is not wasted but that it brings glory to Him through your witness to others.

Reflection

What’s your normal reaction to suffering?

What sufferings are you going through right now that could be used to glorify Him?

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for the tribulations that are producing perseverance, character, and ultimately hope in us. For You are faithful in all things and love You LORD! Build in us the testimonies of that faithfulness that all may see Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

It may be the loss of a loved one, a current battle with cancer, a prodigal son or daughter. In any event, the struggle is real. If we focus on the struggle, we will only see the struggle and negative. If the struggle is long term, this can lead to prolonged periods of grief and even depression.

So what’s the solution? Focus on what brings joy. Scripture is clear that what is being revealed to us, is greater than the struggle. So much so, that the trials are not worthy to be compared.

I’ve been in a place where I didn’t want to get out of bed. Everything seemed horrible and not worth doing. I hung the labels of failure on myself regularly. Friend, this is not God’s design. When we are in that place we need more Jesus time. We need to take every extra moment and dive into His word and worship at His feet. We need to surround ourselves with people doing that same thing.

When we see who God is, what He has done, and what He wants to do through us, it transforms our thinking and reshapes our definition of love. We can no longer fit into a depressive shell. Though our situation may be grievous, remember, our Lord has conquered even death!

Reflection

Where are your eyes fixed right now? Your situation or on Christ and His finished work?

Are you spending quality time with Jesus daily? (Jesus:The Word – John1:1-14)

Who around you at church or in your community has true joy and could help you on your journey? If you can’t think of anyone, intensify your search until you find someone.

Prayer

Father, for Your have purposed our joy to be full in Christ. Open blinded eyes to see and set the captives free. May all those who read this be overwhelmed by the joy we have in Christ. Lift them from the dark place and let them be filled with Your loving light. May it be said of them and may they truly believe that their trials are not worthy to be compared to the joy that is being revealed to them in Jesus, Amen!

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

For centuries they waited for the Savior to come and establish His kingdom; to once again make right the world and all in it.  But now, He lay dead in a tomb; for it seemed that truly all hope was lost.  

How many times have we been at our “bottom” with only hope of God’s promise to cling to?  How else are we to see our faith and His faithfulness unless it it tested?  There are times in life where the only thing that keeps me going is my hope in Christ.  I can honestly say that He has never let me down. My understanding and desires may have been off and so the end result was not what I originally wanted but over time, I have seen the His higher ways unfold. 

How true that is of the day between the cross and the resurrection!  What a day of confusion and mystery! The people wanted Jesus to come establish His Kingdom in Israel and His way was even higher as He established a His kingdom in the hearts of His people.  Though He told them and their minds rejected it, His death and resurrection was necessary to conquer the power of sin once and for all. 

The dark days are necessary and testify to the greatness of the resurrection as they grow our faith in Him and demonstrated His faithfulness!

Reflection

Where are you at today?  Are you in a dark day or season of days?   Take heart for the light of the world has conquered the darkness forever.  Look to the day that’s coming. Cling to His promises!

Take some time to read Lamentations 3. 

There is true hope and strength in the promises of the LORD!

Prayer 

LORD, You are our portion and prize. We hope in You alone. For when times seem unbearable, we cry out to You and You hear our cry.  Help us surrender our hearts, cling to Your promises, and see Your goodness.  Guide us through the dark days into Your everlasting light and love in Jesus, Amen!

We must make sure that the fuel for your ministry isn’t just your strength or skill.  Knowledge of the Father’s love and the eternal comfort He has given us is like and endless supply of food and water as we minister in the desert. 

I love the phrase “good hope”.  There are many choices for the objects of our hope. I hope that snow only falls on grass.  Somehow it never does.  I hoped the Packers would win. Where did that get me?  The hope we have in our salvation, through Christ,  cannot be compared with any earthly hope.  For it is always good and results is righteousness. It is a hope that never disappoints but instead is always increasing faith, more hope, and love.  We have that hope because of God’s marvelous grace.  Remember this was given to us while we were yet sinners(Rom. 5:8 NASB). How much more hope do we have now that we are children of God and see His goodness!

One other quick observation: Paul prays for hearts to be comforted and strengthened in every good work and word.  The goodness of God should be spurring us on to good words and deeds.  How can we contain the goodness of God?  For it was designed to fill us to overflowing; hat others may be filled to overflowing and so on.  

May your hearts be comforted and strengthened today as you work for Him in word and in deed!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

#trythtalk4life #knowlivespraktruthinlove

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@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

There have been times where life has brought me so low, I couldn’t even see up.  My faith was there, but due to prolonged difficult circumstances, it was weakened. I cried out to God,  “I believe but help me in my unbelief.”  I poured over His promises in scripture as a lifeline for my faith and He heard my cry. He faithfully answered and led me through.  For He was with me through flood and flame and I neither drowned nor burned.  This is faith and even that is a gift. 

The power of faith is fueled by His promises and expands every moment we seek Him with our whole heart and watch for Him to work.  Cry out to Him today. Ask Him to help you in your unbelief. Seek Him diligently in His word, and look for His faithful hand.  Faith changes everything from the inside out!

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@brianfriedl