Sacrifice – Brian Friedl

God’s Plan

Brian — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 10:50:37 +0000

Good Friday

Jesus knew what was entailed in His mission. Three times he asked His Father if there was another way, but was left with the reality that suffering through the cross was the way.

Not only would He endure the cross, but worse yet, separation from the Father. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. By His wounds we are healed.

No doubt, Good Friday was confusing for the disciples. They were still clinging to the idea that He was headed to Jerusalem to become its physical king.

This was despite the fact that He had told them plainly that He would be handed over to the chief priests, suffer, die, and be raised 3 days later.

There are times in life, like now, where God’s plan seems confusing and doesn’t make sense. We can rest easy knowing that our Father in Heaven is not bound by this world or our expectations.

He has unlimited power and has our best interest in mind. He cares for our greatest needs first and has already solved our biggest problem.
His plan may not always make sense to us, but we know our eternity is secure in Him!

#mpwarrior

#hehasuscovered

#goodfriday

Brian — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 13:19:46 +0000

It’s easy to read or watch the news and develop a scarcity mentality. After all everyone is out to get you, right? You read the stories of theft, shootings, and deaths and feel like staying home and protecting what God has given you.

I urge you to consider this thought. When conditions in this world are what I described, the platform is set for people to hear good news and experience good deeds.

I teach my kids to open doors for others and let them go first. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do and it’s unexpected these days. As kids, they have a special platform to give glory to God in doing that. We, as adults, can do good and give in a time when people are expecting to be ignored and take. Advantage of. It opens a door to speak of God’s glory.

A few years ago, I came across a car parked on the side of the highway in -20 degree weather. I happen to notice a young woman in the front seat. I circled back and asked if there was something I could help with. At that time I also noticed a beautiful toddler in the back seat beaming with energy. Her tire was flat and she had no idea how to change and was worried about being late to daycare and work. After more conversation, I found out she was a single mom.

I wrapped up the tire change and she asked me what she owed me. The stage was set I could have gotten a little extra to put in my pocket after all it was -20 out there and who couldn’t use a little extra? Instead I asked her if she believed in God. She said, “Not really, He’s never shown up to help me”. I said, “He did today. He is the reason I’m still alive and the reason I stopped. The only thing I ask is that you thank Him and give Him another chance”. I could tell the words pierced her heart. I gave a quick high five to the cutie in the back seat and they were gone. It was a 15 minute window of sacrifice.

Reflection

I don’t tell this story to highlight me. I tell it because you will have opportunities today to bless others. Be watching for them. Seize them, and glorify God with them. He has given you a platform to serve and speak from. Do good and share. For He is pleased with those sacrifices!

Prayer

Father, open our eyes to see these opportunities to do good and to share. It is cheerful medicine for our hearts when we bring You honor and praise. Conquer any fear that keeps us from reaching out. You have made us world changers. Help us to walk in that truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Never Forget The Debt

Brian — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 11:33:23 +0000

Before we put our trust in Jesus, we often think we’re a pretty good people. We can even recall the good deeds we’ve done if we’re questioned and we especially like to share how we’ve sacrificed for others so we look good.

After we surrender to Christ, our life is no longer about our performance, but instead it centers around the amazing work of our Savior at the cross. For the debt that was paid there cannot fully be comprehended by the human mind.

While we stood convicted of all of our crimes and lawlessness, Christ hung in pain for everyone of them to free us from those sins for His glory. We must never forget the cost of this exchange. May the depths of His love move us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice here forward. Let every thought be captive to the One who rescued us from our hopelessness once and for all and let us advance by faith.

Reflection

How do you keep from forgetting your faith and trusting in yourself again?

Read Luke 23 and Meditate on what was paid for your freedom and rejoice out loud for His mercy and grace!

Prayer

Father, help us to never forget the debt that was paid for our freedom. Keep us from the temptation to to return to trusting ourselves. May our hearts be fully surrendered to You and our faith abound; leading us to walk in the good works you have prepared for us to walk in. All for Your glory in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Why Is Memorial Day Happy?

Brian — Mon, 29 May 2017 13:13:20 +0000

As I read all of the “Happy Memorial Day” posts, I felt the weight of all the family members who live on having lost a brother, sister, father, or mother in the battle for freedom. For them, today is a day of mixed emotions. They are proud of their soldier and yet grief and anger also flood in. To those families, I want to say I am forever grateful for the sacrifice you endure.

To those who have fallen in the line of duty, words can not describe my gratitude. For You have truly given all you have for my freedom. I am forever grateful for your sacrifice.

To the men and women who have served in active combat, the burden you carry is great. The things you have seen and walked through are nothing short of horrific. I pray for peace for your soul. Each day you endure, know that I pray for you and I am forever grateful for the sacrifice you endure.

May we all know this Memorial Day is “Happy” because others carry the burden of sadness so that we don’t have to.

How Must I Live?

Brian — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:32:24 +0000

There is an evil present in me that wars against everything godly, pure , and right. It seeks to convince me that I can have my cake and eat it too. It often times floods my ear with phrases like “you deserve it”, “go ahead, you are forgiven, you can do whatever you want”, and “Surely God has not asked you to give up everything”

The whisper of God reminds me that I must be all in; not just on the surface, but every square inch and even the deepest parts of my soul must surrender. If I’m not willing to leave it all behind and follow, I’m not really following Him. Instead, my affections are divided, somehow believing I can bargain with God.

Following requires complete abandonment of goals, dreams, and desires of everything this side of life. We must lose our life to keep it. Again the dark voice returns to my ear, “that’s a little extreme don’t you think?” The answer is “Yes!”

If we want to talk extreme how about we look at what Jesus surrendered for the sake of the Father…for you.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

~ Philippians 2:8

‭‭He left behind His deity and surrendered everything, including His connection to the Father. One my say that kind of love is extreme. That kind of obedience is extreme. The cross was extreme.

Reflection

Compared to the cross what are you really giving up?

What do you gain when you give your life completely over to God?

Is not being in the wonderful presence of God for all eternity worth any sacrifice?

Father

Open our eyes to see the full measure of our gift in Christ that we may loose all ties to all things in this life and cling to Him. Let us rightly lose our life that we may keep it in Him, Amen!

Love And Sacrifice

Brian — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:11:33 +0000

Love is a word that gets thrown out there for everything from people to peanut butter. While its definition hasn’t changed, it’s uses have. If we were to look how we use the word love today, it might more closely resemble lust. It casually rolls off our tongue requiring little effort of thought as has more to do with our wants than its purpose.

Let us not be fooled. Love is often paired with sacrifice on purpose as it is here. Love is sacrifice. Ask any husband or wife that been married 20 plus years what love is and they may just say, “sacrifice” or “putting the other person first.” I once heard, “love is choosing the best for someone else regardless of the circumstances it creates for you”. Yep that sounds like marriage and parenting!

Of course there is no place this truth is more powerfully displayed than the cross. What would it take for Jesus to leave His throne to come die for sinners who had rejected and disregarded Him…Love and sacrifice. Without the Father’s mercy and compassion to reach down, were would we be? Without the sacrifice of His son, there would be no hope.

Praise God for His steadfast love and willingness to humble Himself and endure even death on cross for me. Iwill choose to love with sacrifice for those He has placed in my path. What will you do?

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

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@brianfriedl

According To His Will

Brian — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:00:39 +0000

There are four words we often forget when we pray….”According to His will”. These are not only words but a lifestyle that shapes all of our activity. We worship, pray and even love others according to His will.
There should be no battle of wills. When We receive the gift of salvation we exchanged our will for His. He is the LORD, His ways and thoughts are not ours, in fact they are higher than our ways and thoughts (Is. 55:8-9). If the Father’s will is perfect why do we have such trouble surrendering our own for His?
We must fully embrace the truth that the LORD’s promises will provide for us much greater than anything we can cobble together for ourselves. In spite of all the hurt and poor examples of leadership and fatherhood we have seen and experienced, we are called to trust.
May you reflect deeply today on the ultimate promise of God…a child born of a virgin in the little town of Bethlehem. None other than the Word Himself who became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus, the one who would save us all from our sin. May this truth overwhelm your heart with joy and move you to know, live and speak this truth. For all of this is according to His will. .
@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life

Only Once

Brian — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:28:30 +0000

Christ’s blood only need be shed only once for the forgiveness of sins past, present, and future; unlike sacrifices in the old covenant of the law. Though the sacrifices of goats and bulls were a means of forgiveness and copy of what was to come,
“How much more the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” ~ Hebrews 9:14 NASB
We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus! Though our sins were at Scarlet, the precious blood of Jesus has washed us white as snow.

Notice the prompted action from the cleansing of that sin. That we may serve God. All of God’s actions are intentional and purpose filled. We are cleansed that we may serve.

This time of year, as much as any, is a time where we find many in need whether it be financially, physically, Mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Seek out ways to serve someone today. You have been blessed to be a blessing

How Far Will He Go?

Brian — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:22:39 +0000

Have you ever considered how far Jesus went to accomplish the Father’s plan? Not only did He willingly leave His place in heaven, but scripture says

“He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” ~ ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Imagine the difference in relationship with His Father. We need only to look to the garden of Gesthemane to see the toll that this mission took on Him. And as we read on, we are made aware of even greater depths of sacrifice including His public humiliation, flogging and humble, obedient death on a cross.

Praise God for the resurrection of His obedient son! The Father’s plan is perfect and complete. A babe in a manger becomes the Savior of the world.

There is no distance too far for Him to go. He was willing to leave everything to rescue you. That my friend is love…