faithful – Brian Friedl

God’s Work In Us

Brian — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 13:24:43 +0000

Let’s face it. Life is a challenge at best and sometimes we get so wrapped up in our circumstances we fail to see that God is at work in and through us. Cycles of defeat and unchanging circumstances can cause us to forget our mission and God’s plan for our lives.

This I know: Our Father in heaven has not abandoned us, left us or forsaken us just because things are not working according to our plan. He will perfect the work He started in each one of us. Sometimes it might just be that we are having a hard time learning a particular lesson so we get stuck in a place for a while. God’s plan is patiently unfolding even in our stumbling. He is sovereign over all and uses every experience:

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NASB‬‬

He is developing our character and is concerned about heart; forever training us in righteousness, grace and love.

What is He teaching you today? What is He asking from you? Is there something you have not surrendered?

Whatever it may be I am likewise confident that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus!

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life

Acts Bible Study 23:1-11

Brian — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:43:11 +0000

Sometimes we have a tendency to forget that the “characters” of the Bible were real people with real fears and flaws. They needed encouragement in the same way you do; Paul included.

We see that he cleverly starts a disagreement between the Pharisees and Sadducees regarding resurrection which gets him safely away from there temporarily, but we also see that the Lord Jesus sees a need to stand by him and encourage him to take courage. While the challenge that awaited him begged for his fears, Christ’s presence and direction for Paul equipped him to persevere!

Read Acts 23:1-11

1) What do you see in the text? Who? Where? When? How? Why?

2) What questions do you need to answer to understand this passage?

3) What’s the main theme?

4) What’s the application for the original readers?

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

Enjoy diving deep in His word today!

Who Will Lead Us?

Brian — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 11:30:23 +0000

I made the mistake of reading the newspaper the other day. As I set it down I noticed a fear wanting to creep in. Waves of doubt that a new president will be able to unify us and lead us out of this mess, were boogie boarding on top of those waves. And then I remembered God is faithful and He has made His promises known to us.
What great joy it is to remember that He is more than able to nullify the work of the counsels of wicked men! What they plan for evil, he frustrates for our good. The plans of His heart are good for His people from generation to generation.

Take heart , For the LORD’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours and nothing is impossible with him. Our minds me forget this at times, but praise God for the Spirit who brings all things into remembrance, including our Father’s marvelous promises!

Personal Reflection

Hard times reveal who we put our trust in. So are you putting your trust in an administration? Or are you putting your trust in the one true living God, To whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD? What if we stopped complaining about the shortcomings of the president and started trusting in the One to whom they are accountable?

Read the rest of Psalm 33. Spend some time praising him for being Lord of the nations!

Prayer Focus

Father in heaven, You are Lord of the nations. You brought all things into being and you sustain them by Your might and power. In You alone we trust. Lead us out of the mess we have created. Establish us in Your righteousness. May we dwell in Your house forever, in Jesus Name, Amen!

Are You A Work In Progress?

Brian — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:23:11 +0000

Some days life is defeating. We feel like we never get it right. Furthermore satan is on the ready to point out those failures in full color replay in our minds. It is then we need to go back to and meditate in the truth of His Word

The flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. We must not forget that He who began the good work in us will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. The finished work at the cross was enough for every day of eternity. By His blood He is cleansing us from all unrighteousness. We may temprarily fall into the lie and deception that we need something more than God’s provision in Christ, but He is faithful to complete what He began in you. let’s get back to living the Truth and stop being bullied by the father of lies.

Personal Reflection

What in your life keeps you from seeing how God is perfecting you? Are you resting on your own abilities? Remember it is God who began the good work in you, not you. It was He who rescued and began showing you a better way. Take time today praising God specifically for His work and faithfulness in your life. Ask Him to help you Know, Live, and Speak the Truth.

Prayer Focus

Gracious God thank you for your mercy, grace and faithfulness. Help us see what it is you want each of us to see. Remove obstacles and barriers to truth and the life you desire us to live. May we be found knowing, living, and speaking the truth all of our days in Jesus Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#workinprogress #faithfultocomplete #truthtalk4life