It’s been a heavy soul work week. I’ve been struggling to forgive someone for quite some time and His Word was disciplining me.  I don’t even know if this person knew I was struggling with forgiving him.  I had tucked it down deep and hid it even from myself in a lot of ways.  As It rose to the surface, I thought to myself the discipline from God’s Word has been blessing me for close to 28 yrs now.  Yes I said blessing. For we know that God disciplines who He loves and that truly is a blessing.  

As our Heavenly Father, He continues to patiently, lovingly, and sometimes firmly remind us where we are out of step with Him. I’m so thankful for His corrective hand that draws me closer to Him and conforms me to the image of Christ, and teaches me how to live in the body of Christ. 

Personal Reflection 

Are you welcoming God’s discipline through His word?  Even if it is from someone you don’t get along with?  God’s word is truth regardless of who is sharing it.  Ask God to open your eyes to see where you are out of step and need correction and then receive that correction joyfully. 

Prayer Focus

Father, we praise you that you know everything about us, and you still love and patiently convict us by your Truth.  We confess that we get out of step with you.  We praise you that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  Thank you for granting forgiveness and helping us to forgive.  Lead us into obedience in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

The post The Blessing Of Discipline first appeared on Brian Friedl.

The Believer

Take refuge in God

Be glad

Sing for joy

Love God’s Name

Exult God

God

Shelter us

Blesses

Surround with favor

As I read this I wondered: We often pray for God to shelter, bless and surround us and others, but do we pray that we/others would take refuge,be glad, sing for joy, love His name, and exult Him?

If we are not participating in the relationship as mentioned above we are missing out on the joy and blessing God has for us. If we would only look to our LORD we would find what we are looking for. 

Personal Reflection

When was the last time you sang to God in worship of Him?  At the top of your lungs or in a quiet voice.  Challenge yourself to make this a daily routine. One of the greatest times of growth in my relationship was my two hour commute to work singing all the way there!

Find a concordance and look up the word Name and start to get a picture of how great the name of God is. 

Prayer Focus

Father we pray for those held captive as a result of their faith.  May their songs of praise be unending. Let their love of your name result in glory to you.  May the freedom they have in Christ overflow all around them.  May your favor and blessing fill them to immeasurable joy. In Jesus Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#joy #blessing #truthtalk4life

The post Sing For Joy first appeared on Brian Friedl.

The Believer

Take refuge in God

Be glad

Sing for joy

Love God’s Name

Exult God

God

Shelter us

Blesses

Surround with favor

As I read this I wondered: We often pray for God to shelter, bless and surround us and others, but do we pray that we/others would take refuge,be glad, sing for joy, love His name, and exult Him?

If we are not participating in the relationship as mentioned above we are missing out on the joy and blessing God has for us. If we would only look to our LORD we would find what we are looking for. 

Personal Reflection

When was the last time you sang to God in worship of Him?  At the top of your lungs or in a quiet voice.  Challenge yourself to make this a daily routine. One of the greatest times of growth in my relationship was my two hour commute to work singing all the way there!

Find a concordance and look up the word Name and start to get a picture of how great the name of God is. 

Prayer Focus

Father we pray for those held captive as a result of their faith.  May their songs of praise be unending. Let their love of your name result in glory to you.  May the freedom they have in Christ overflow all around them.  May your favor and blessing fill them to immeasurable joy. In Jesus Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#joy #blessing #truthtalk4life

The post first appeared on Brian Friedl.

For those of us that have truly embraced the Gospel and desire complete surrender to our Lord Jesus Christ, we can sometimes forget that we are not only chosen and loved but called for a purpose.  We are blessed to be a blessing. 

As I awoke in Venice, Italy a couple of years ago reflecting on our last 12-15 months of life, I can clearly see God’s blessing in the midst of turmoil, mess and suffering.  I can see how He has brought us through great grief and loss, financial difficulty and above all drawn us to Himself and increased our dependence on Him. 

We praise Him for all of it, but let’s not stop there.  All of us have been blessed, now let’s not stop at that well deserved verbal praise Let’s praise Him with are whole lives by being blessed to be a blessing!  

Reflection

How can you share hope with someone else by sharing what the Lord has done for you?  

How can you take financial blessings and help those in need around you?

How can your spare time you’ve been blessed with be put to use blessing others?

Find someone in your life that needs blessing and bless them.  It could be a simple has listening instead of always talking, volunteering as a nursing home, or even holding a door for someone.  Be alert and bless others as often as God gives you opportunity.  

I can safely say this…You will be amazed at all the opportunities and you, yourself just might be blessed!

Prayer

Father, you have given blessings too magnificent for words.  Let us rejoice and be a blessing to others in the same way, bringing the good news of joy and salvation in Jesus Christ! Thank you for who You are and all that You’ve done, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

The post Blessed To Be A Blessing first appeared on Brian Friedl.