christ – Brian Friedl

Worship

Brian — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 12:49:49 +0000

The older I get, the more I hate sin, the more I desire time with Christ, and the harder I fight to focus on Him. The world is certainly seemingly more complex, but in reality we struggle with the same things the men and women of old struggled with; distractions for the flesh.

We suffer from information overload and some of us have allowed ourselves to become entertainment-driven. Without a device in our hand or movie on the screen we are lost. Being alone with God has moved off the priority list because now we can binge watch epsisodes of touched by an angel.

There is no replacement for sweet times of worship with Adonai. We must nurture our love relationship with Him. As we spend more time with Him, we will be more like Him, including loving the way He loves and our desire to be steadfast in Him will increase.

Reflection

Set aside 30 min. to have sweet worship time in word and song today!

Prayer

Father, thank you for Jesus, that we can come into Your presence and enjoy You, Our Almighty God. Help us to remove distraction and worship You as You deserve and bring a You glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

My True Love

Brian — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 11:21:39 +0000

As I think back through my life, I can see that there have been people who loved me along the way. My parents provided for me, encouraged me, and help me get my start. My friends have been there to listen to me complain and point me in the right direction.

There is One that has demonstrated love beyond what the human heart can even grasp. Knowing full well my sin, He chose to die willingly on a cross in my place, making me right with God. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for such a selfless act of love!

Reflection

Today is typically a day where we think of roses, candy, and paper cards exchanging hands and we call it love. Let’s take a few moments today and enjoy the true gift of love we have been given in Christ. He is love that knows no boundaries and never gives up. He has the power to rescue us from the darkest of places and establish us as children of light. This is love!
May this Valentine’s Day be filled with the true love of Christ!

Prayer

Revive our hearts and renew our minds I. The truth of Your love. Let it control our every thought; that our actions may be pleasing in Your sight. Teach us to love like You love us! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

How To Pray For Change

Brian — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 12:33:52 +0000

Have you ever had a situation that you that you couldn’t figure out? A sin you just couldn’t overcome? You may have read scores of books, listened to CD’s, consulted with others, but it just couldn’t be solved. That’s because more knowledge is not the answer.

Paul, in His letter to the Ephesians, rightly concluded there is something that surpasses knowledge and it is outside of his control. That something is the love of Christ. Earnestly he prays on his knees:

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you,

being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” ~ Ephesians 3:16-19
‭‭Paul knows it is the power of the Spirit that reminds us of our adoption, brings all things into remembrance, and strengthens our inner man. Paul’s and our words cannot force the Spirit upon someone. It is only when God “grants” this and such is the reason for his earnest prayer for the Ephesians.

So Paul’s progressive prayers builds up into the love of Christ. Why do I say progressive? The chapter is filled with “So that…” and “may be…”. It signifies God’s organized plan and the power of God’s work unleashed in His children. Check out the steps:

God grants strength in inner man
Christ dwells in our hearts
We are rooted and grounded in love
Comprehend and know the love of Christ
Filled up to the fullness of God

Clearly the answer to our problem is to deeply understanding and experiencing the love of Christ. So how does this help us overcome sin? Grasping how much God loves us, would cause us to lose our desire for anything that damages our relationship with Him and His children.

Love changes our patterns of thinking, our affections and our motivations. Love has the power to overcome where our performance falls short. It brings freedom from worry over those we love who do not know the Lord and opens our eyes to see His power in action. Ultimately is results in being “filled up to the fullness of God”. That’s what I desire!

Reflection

Where have you been trying to force the gospel and not trust that God will grant an understanding “according to The riches of His glory”?
Action

Confess any sin and distrust of God and surrender to Him. Begin praying earnestly for those around you that:

God grants strength in his/her inner man
Christ dwells in his/her heart
He/she is rooted and grounded in love
He/she would Comprehend and know the love of Christ
He/she Filled up to the fullness of God

Watch for God’s power to be unleashed. May God bless you deeply with knowing the love of Christ!

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove #theloveofGodsurpassesknowledge

Acts Bible Study 17:1-9

Brian — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:29:36 +0000

What new and flashy message does Paul bring to persuade Jews and Greeks, male and female? There is no new message but instead a very old and powerful prophecy of the One who was to come; the Christ; the Savior of the world.

It was and is the message of hope and Truth that still brings salvation today. It wasn’t a popular feel good message, but one that urges us to surrender all that we have; trusting Him over ourselves.

Read Acts 17:1-9

1) What observations can you make in this passage?

2) What challenges or questions do you need to address/answer to fully understand the text?

3) What’s the main idea boiled down to one sentence?

4) What is the application to original readers?

5) How does this passage apply to believers today and you personally?

Press into His word and truth and have an amazing day!!!

So What?

Brian — Fri, 20 May 2016 13:02:34 +0000

Did you catch the “so that”? God’s plan for you is to live in righteousness through His son Christ. Wait a minute, don’t miss the dead to sin part. Jesus’ work on the cross accomplished all of this.

Personal Reflection

If you are struggling with sin this morning, repent and return to God’s truth. Every sin promises life and comfort but delivers death and shame. Too often we dwell on all that we’ve done wrong instead of what Jesus has done right. This only keeps us off track longer and in a place where lies seem more like truth. Have you ever thought any of these thoughts:

How can God use me if I keep doing this?

Why can’t I beat this sin?
I’m a fake.
How can God use me? I’m not worth anything.

These are planted thoughts to keep you from Christ. It’s a simple principle really. Satan knows that when our eyes are on ourselves they are not on God. The longer our eyes are on ourselves, the longer we will feel alone, abandoned, and worthless. We know we’ve sinned because God’s perfect law clearly shows us that, but it also brings with it understanding that we need a solution…we need a Savior.

Be serious about the temptation you struggle with but always remember sin was conquered by Christ. For you are more than a conqueror in Christ. God is teaching you that all you need is Christ. Turn from sin and run to Him today.

Prayer Focus

LORD help us to understand your teaching. Let us fully receive in our hearts the truth that Jesus is sufficient in all things. We know this requires us to learn through trials and joys. Bring us whatever is necessary that we might more closely walk with Him in the light. Break the chains of sin that we might walk in your freedom. We lift all of this to you in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, Amen!