Peace In Troubled Times

How is it possible to have peace in a time like this?

For this world has much trouble and is in turmoil. There are wars of many kinds; between nations and even in our own hearts and minds.

Jesus is the One who can calm the storms. Even the wind and waves obey Him. For through Him all things were created and will be reconciled.

We can have peace because He has authority over all things and He is good.

When we were lost in sin and without hope, He saw, heard our cries, and answered with His own life.

When we are struggling to provide, He will be our provider.

When our souls are downcast, He will remind us of His many great works of faithfulness.

He is Lord and He is our peace in troubled times. Sing joyfully you Him today and thank Him for His lovingkindness!

#mpwarrior

#heisourpeaceintroubledtimes

#heislord

There’s an abundance of blessing that happens when we verbalize our gratefulness and proclaim God’s wonders. We can be grateful in our heads, but when we tell others of the great things He has done, it’s as if we are drawing back curtains and letting His light beam into our hearts to warm us. We were designed to praise Him and proclaim His goodness. When we do, we are blessed beyond measure!

Reflection

Takes some time to make a list of as many blessings as you can that you have from God. Begin sharing some those things with the people God has placed in your life. Take notice of how it impacts your attitude and theirs.

Prayer

Father, You are so good and You bless us abundantly. May we never grow tired of proclaiming Your wonders to others. Fill our hearts with gratitude and our lips with praise. Conform us in the image of Your Son Jesus, Amen!

As my confidence increased so did my talking. This was not necessarily a good thing.  I often wasted words and filled my mouth with a foot or two.  The substance of my conversation wasn’t God honoring and therefore most of it was undesirable.  I apologize to anyone who knew me during this time

As He humbled me and revealed Himself, my life’s mission, and vision, my excitement has flourished which has changed the proclamations of my heart and mouth.  For as a fool, it would have been better to remain silent. Now, I listen for moments to glorify my Savior in conversation.  Oh what a patient and loving LORD we have who teaches us all things!
Reflection

What is the substance of your speech?

Is it God-honoring?

Examine yourself closely.  Does the center of every conversation end up about you?   Perhaps it’s time to listen more, speak less, and make sure the conversation is intentionally on Him. 

Prayer

Father keep our tongues in Your care.  For we do not want to be fools. Instead, we desire to glorify Your name and tell as many as possible of You and Your great works.  Teach us in this O LORD.  Amen!

There is only one Source of living water that promises and delivers that we will “never thirst” again. In fact, He promises “…the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  For it will supply out every need for all eternity!

Thankfully, I enjoy this spring of ever-flowing water and refreshment because of my relationship through Jesus Christ with my Father in heaven.  For on my own, I could strive a lifetime and never reach Him, but He in His great mercy has dipped His hand down in the mire, drawn me out, and set my feet in the firm foundation established by His son Jesus.  For His lovingkindness is better than life!

If you are striving and thirsty, consider commenting below this article. I would love to talk with you more.  

Reflection

Are you truly satisfied in Jesus?

Can you honestly say that His lovingkindness is better than life?

Spend some time reading your Bible and reflecting on all that was paid to purchase your salvation and what love was offered as a result.  

Set your phone/watch alarm today to praise Him before every meal as well as before bed.  For He is worthy of our praise indeed!

Prayer

Father, you are a mighty God of grace.  While we could not measure up, You have reached down and established a covenant relationship with us. You have rescued us from eternal darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of Your son.  You have made us joint heirs in that kingdom.  Our lips could never praise You enough, yet we will never stop bringing glory and honor to Your great name.  Thank You gracious LORD.  For we are nothing without You. May You have Your way in our hearts today. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen!

In Mark 2, the paralytic is lowered through the roof as the impenetrable crowd watches. Jesus commends the man for his faith, reminds him of his greatest need, and meets both that spiritual need as well as his physical need.  Jesus’ authority was on undeniably on display.  

The Pharisees in the story were right, ythough they did not understand what they were saying when they said, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”  For truly, He was not blaspheming, He was God.  Every molecule in the universe must obey Him.  

For the paralytic, he had an insurmountable physical need and yet his spiritual need was even greater. He came for healing and the authority of Jesus’ was dispensed with one phrase; overcoming both of these realms and enabling this man to get up and walk away, blameless before God.  

Reflection

For us too, our greatest need in spiritual.  The good news is that the need has been fully satisfied.  For He is more than able to supply every need in every realm.   His authority knows no bounds!

What are you stressing about today? 

What are your needs?

How do those needs compare to your salvation?

Rejoice over your salvation today!  Praise God for His gift of Jesus and His authority over every realm. We can trust that He can supply every need. 

Prayer

Father in heaven, You have authority over all the universe. Every molecule is yours to command. You have chosen to use Your authority and power to rescue Your servants and we are forever grateful.   Let our minds not be anxious, but instead let us rejoice in salvation and trust in Your majesty, dominion and authority, now and forever more.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#ultimateauthority

#ourGodisgreater

#truthtalk4life

THROUGH Him tells me he is a hands on creator with intimate and unlimited knowledge of His creation. The amazing part of this is that in having all of that knowledge, even of our sin, He still wants to have a relationship with us. He was still willing to be sin Himself to rescue us and reconcile us to our Father in heaven. What love!!!

With all the messages bombarding us about living for ourselves sometimes it’s hard to grasp and live out the FOR Him part. If I was created for Him, it means that my life is not my own but was created to surrender to the One who rescued me from sin and death to do with as He pleases. Surrender all today and live for Him!   #capturedandloved

I marvel at the perfect plan of God that gives us free will and yet at the same time demonstrates His sovereignty over every cell in the universe.  Not even death escapes His Lordship.  Praise God-For we have all clearly seen that if God is for us who can be against us!!!

#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

It also meant an increase in their faith and knowledge that God is who He says He is and that He will keep His promises. For we are all learning to trust in our Father’s provision for us. 

There is one other observation in this account.  Truth about our Savior cannot be kept to themselves.  

“When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.” ~ ‭Luke‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It’s as if truth is a raging river that flows wherever God’s momentum carries it.  The powerful force erodes lies and continues to change everything in its path. But rivers don’t stop; they keep carrying on all of what’s been gathered thus far.  They fill every nook and cranny the come in contact with. 
So why did the shepherd go back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen?  They had witnessed and participated in the work of God!  How amazing that God chose these lowly shepherds as His mouthpiece to announce The birth of our Savior!
The same is true today when we go to the cross, hear, and see the mighty work Jesus has done there. God uses the lowly (us) to carry His good news. Let our mouths be filled with proclaiming the provision of our Father in heaven. May His truth flood the nations and may He be glorified!
@brianfriedl 

#truthtalk4life

1) A chosen race

2) A royal priesthood

3) A holy nation

4) A people for His own possession

It’s important that we are not distracted and miss one little word that ties his plan together. What comes after the word so? All of these titles given to us are so that we can proclaim the excellencies of our marvelous father in heaven!

Personal Reflection

We were once not a people but now we are His. Are you aware of who God has made you to be and why?  Take time to reflect on the love you have been given to receive the 4 names above.  We deserve nothing and yet He has given us everything!

Are you proclaiming the excellencies of your Heavenly Father with every part of your being?  That means your mind, your heart, your mouth and your body.  

Make today a day when all of you is in line with Him and your praise overflows!

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we praise You for calling us out of darkness and into the light;for saving us from the bondage of sin and death; for making us who we are and giving us a vessel to proclaim Your excellencies!  We pray all of this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen!

The Psalmist humbly and rightly understands that His access was granted to Him by the LORD’s lovingkindness and thereby bows in reverence. 

Personal Reflection

When was the last time you went on a praise marathon?  Maybe never?  What I mean by that is focusing on what to praise God for and praising him every time you remember throughout the day.  You could even set up a reminder on your smartphone, calendar or have someone call you every hour to remind you.  This day will be a day of praise!

Try this for one day and post the results in the comments.  Can’t wait to hear what you praised Him for and any ways God has affected you through this. 

Prayer Focus

Gracious Father, you are the victor over all darkness. By Your great love our debt has been paid through Your Son Christ and You have made us Your children for all eternity.  Our lips could never praise You enough.  Fix our eyes and teach our hearts to bow and revere You as you deserve.  Let us never forget the victory You have won in our hearts for Your glory.  We praise You in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

#truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl