darkness – Brian Friedl https://brianfriedl.com Making Your Life's Mission Possible Thu, 07 Jun 2018 15:23:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.17 64732294 Hope In Dark Days https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/ https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/#comments Sat, 15 Apr 2017 13:41:51 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/ There have been many dark days in my life where I felt I couldn’t press on; times when I felt like circumstances around me seemed they would never work out in my favor.  So many hurts, rejections, and perceived failures.  None of these days compare to the day after Jesus’ death on the cross. 

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!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/feed/ 1 1243 Abstain To Expose https://brianfriedl.com/abstain-to-expose/ Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:05:49 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/abstain-to-expose/ As Christians and children of light, we are to walk in the light bearing the fruit of goodness, light, and truth.  When we see “even expose them” we might be prone to think that we have to run to dark places and call them out and sometimes that may be the case, but think about how light works for a moment.    It exposes darkness because it is being light, not because it is drawing attention to darkness.  Wherever there is light darkness is exposed. Be the light as God intended.

Exposing darkness can be as simple as not choosing to participate in something.  I remember while I was in college, a group my friends would go to a grill your own steak place whenever one of us had a birthday. Most of us had been friends since kindergarten and we enjoyed sharing tons of memories together.  After supper; however some of them decided they were going to go an adult club.  Myself and another friend abstained from participating.  This created some tension and peer pressure but also gave opportunity to speak to the value of women in God’s eyes even without saying a word.  Exposing darkness can happen with a small flashlight; it doesn’t always need a flood lamp or lighthouse.

Personal Reflection

What opportunities has God given you to walk as a child of light?  Are there things you can shine light on or abstain from to expose darkness?  Pray that God would give you eyes to see.

Prayer Focus

Holy Father, we thank you that you have made us your children of the light.  May we shine your glory for all to see.   My darkness dwindle and may your righteousness, goodness and truth reign now and forevermore, Amen!

#shinegodslight #childrenofthelight #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

]]> 718 The Greater And The Lesser https://brianfriedl.com/the-greater-and-the-lesser/ Tue, 22 Mar 2016 11:00:09 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/?p=568 As I was driving home this morning it hit me that the moon and sun are similar to the law of sin and death and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ.

The moon reflects and points to a greater light.  It is not capable of extinguishing darkness.  Even on the brightest night there is still darkness present.  In the same way, even in our best attempt the law merely reminds us that darkness is present and we need a greater light.

O but what joy comes in the morning!  The darkness cannot hide from the light of the Son!  He has conquered death and all its chains. We are free indeed!

Personal Reflection

Spend time today reflecting on the freedom you have in Christ.  You are no longer under the law, but under grace. You are free to obey and live in the Spirit!  Let go of the mechanical attempts to obey and love the LORD your God and you will find obedience not to be a burden but a blessing!

Prayer Focus

Father we praise you in all your glory, for you have sent your Son, the greater light as a propitiation for our sin, once and for all conquering death and e to guiding darkness. We shout your victory from the rooftops to all who will hear. Great is your Holy Name! It’s in that Name we pray, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#Jesusisgreater #nomoredarkness #truthtalk4life

]]> 568