death - Brian Friedl

When Death Is Not The End

Brian — Tue, 01 May 2018 13:39:56 +0000

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a close brother in Christ. The morning was filled with memories and recollections of Jacob. These were not inflated stories of a super human who pulled himself up by the bootstraps, but instead a genuine man of God that struggled in the flesh as we struggle, knew the pain of sin, and knew his dependence on Jesus.

As each story was shared, I was reminded of the struggle that Sarah and the kids would have without a father and was grieved and moved to the point of tears. And yet, in my heart I knew that he is with Jesus and the struggle was over for him.

The day progressed and more conversation ensued. The tone of the day moved from sorrow to sorrow mingled with joy as we began recounting the stories of those who had already been encouraged by Jacob and Sarah’s story. The conversation continued to pick up momentum from person to person.

As we gathered together in Sarah’s home, there was an atmosphere of strength and hope, knowing the we are not grieving without hope. Jacob is now in an amazing place with His Savior and his legacy and even his death has created a platform to reach and encourage thousands of others.

For the believer death is not the end. Jesus’ finished work at the cross conquered death once and for all and our God has the power to cause ALL things to work together for good. Death has been turned to victory to him who believes.

As I sit at breakfast pondering my time here, I’m blessed beyond measure. For I have an amazing wife who made this trip possible. I am surround by the closest brothers in Christ I have ever known. I am filled with hope that cannot be quenched by death. I have the opportunity to love the body of Christ. I have a Savior who has given me the victory over death.

Reflection

We often have been taught to not talk about or think about death and yet it is a part of this life we live. We must not fear it but instead understand how Jesus has overcome it and how God can cause it to work for good.

How has Jesus overcome death?

Do you believe that death is not the end?

How might God cause even death to be used for good?

Prayer

Father, expand our minds to understand your victory through Christ and Your power to cause all things to work together for good. May our eyes see the marvelous work of Your hands as You turn mourning to joy. Comfort our hearts and gird or minds for the sake of the gospel and Your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#deathisnottheend

#Jesushasovercome

#Godisstillgood

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What’s More Important Than Looking Good On The Outside?

Brian — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 07:30:39 +0000

I grabbed my camera quickly as I often do to capture the beautiful scenery for the next day’s post before I lost the opportunity. This time it was of Canadian geese that had returned to an early spring. I admired their beauty as I swiftly focused and grabbed the shot. “Perfect”, I said to myself, “They didn’t even move”

Shortly after taking the photo something seemed odd. Geese are incredibly loud creatures and I hadn’t heard even one make a noise. As I studied more closely, I noticed that they appeared to be dead and frozen to the pond. My stomached dropped. How sad! The timeless and pristine photo I captured, though it looked like it was teaming with life, was actually a picture of a gravesite.

Sadly, this reminded me there are several people who on the outside appear to be some pretty amazing believers; when in reality their hearts are still dead in their trespasses. While their lips honor and build up, their hearts are far from the One through whom all things were created. They do not seek to surrender, love, and carry out the work of God and their end is the way of death.

To my relief, I found out later the birds were alive, but the illustration will forever be burned in my brain.

Reflection

Examine yourselves honestly to see if Christ is in you. Do not be found as the man whose lips praise and whose heart detests our Father in heaven.

Confess to the LORD anything that is separating you from Him.

Turn from those things and follow hard after God alone!

Prayer

Father we are guilty of caring more about the outside than the heart. For You can see all things and You know our hearts. Draw us to You and make Your thoughts ours. Let us not be content with just giving You lip service and the doctrines of men, but instead let us run to You, surrendering all of our hearts in Christ’s name Amen!

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Free From The Law

Brian — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 09:53:09 +0000

As I travel around the country, I am amazed at the number of people who I talk to that are genuinely striving to keep the 10 commandments apart from Christ. Though they have heard the gospel and received its truth, they have run back to a law-keeping mindset and have convinced themselves if they work hard enough they can do it.

To me, this is like buying a brand new sports car and taking the tires and rims off and trying to push it by ourselves wherever we go. Those that are stronger may get it to rock back and forth a little but quickly find out it’s not going anywhere. We need something else. Without wheels there’s no movement. Without Jesus there’s no power to move and grow spiritually.

The 10 commandments were designed to point out our sin and ultimately our need of a Savior. We cannot reduce the Christian life to 10 rules to follow. We will fail and it will again reveal that we need a Savior. The law brings bondage because it points out our sin and our inability to keep it. Jesus brings freedom as He satisfied the law fully with His finished work at the cross.

The ironic part is that when our desire is to seek to know Jesus and walk with Him, the end result is obedience. Yet when our desire is to keep the 10 commandments, our eyes wander from Christ and the result is disobedience.

Personal Reflection

Where are you at this morning with your relationship with God? Are you trying to keep the 10 to show Him you’re good? Or are you seeking to know Him and follow Him? Don’t just answer this question without thinking. Look for evidence in your life that confirms what you believe to be true about your relationship. Confess where necessary and redirect your attention to knowing and following Christ.

Prayer Focus

Gracious Father, we confess that we struggle with our flesh in this area. We know that It requires less sacrifice to just try to keep some rules rather than surrender to you. We praise you for your perfect plan to mature us and draw us to you. Pierce our hearts with your truth and give us a desire above all else to know and follow you. Let your love for us cause us to love you more than anything within our grasp. Thank you for truly setting us free in Christ, Amen!

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Reasonable Resurrection

Brian — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 12:42:13 +0000

Why is important that Jesus appeared to so many after the resurrection? Because it puts to rest the human speculation that the resurrection was not real.

If the body had been stolen by the disciples, an appearance would not have been possible. To appear to one would have left the possibility of a cover up, but 500 at one time? Even the historical writers of the day make mention of it. God’s plan perfectly points to His son and the reconciliation of the world through His death and resurrection.
Personal Reflection

I heard a phrase this weekend during our service. “Reason doesn’t contradict faith it strengthens faith”. As you examine the life of Jesus, including His death and resurrection, do so with a mind of reason. God’s Word will not only stand under the scrutiny of man’s reason, but will transform hearts in alignment with its truth. If your faith isn’t where you think it should be, the cross is the place to start. Paul concludes that if the death and resurrection weren’t real then we are believing in vain.

Prayer Focus

Father in heaven, help us not to leave reason out if our pursuit of knowing you. You have given us this mind, guide us to diligently seek answers. May your Son’s life, death, and resurrection be solid facts of our faith. We praise you for your mercy and grace! We praise you for your perfect plan! And we praise you that you have called us out of darkness and into the light to do your will and your work. Teach us your ways that we might walk in them unwavering, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#heisalive #knowlivespeakthetruth #truthtalk4life

The post Reasonable Resurrection first appeared on Brian Friedl.

so

Brian — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 12:41:43 +0000

Why is important that Jesus appeared to so many after the resurrection? Because it puts to rest the human speculation that the resurrection was not real.

Prayer Focus

@brianfriedl

#heisalive

#knowlivespeakthetruth

#truthtalk4life

The post so first appeared on Brian Friedl.