At the risk of sounding s little like Spider-Man, I say this, “With freedom comes great responsibility.” Freedom brings with it choice. We have the options we were once denied. When it comes to our freedom in Christ, we now have the option to walk in His righteousness and light where previously we were only able to walk in sin and darkness.

Our flesh will not give up in this life; however, as it always wants more for itself. The freedom we have been called to is not for the sake of our flesh, but instead for the sake of Love for those around us. We must remember that when freedom is realized, choice is present. Notice that you are “called to freedom” implying that there was a purpose in mind and that purpose was not to gratify the flesh, but instead to walk in the light with Him and discipling others to do the same.

Reflection

Read Galatians 5:13-25

How are we to go about living out this scripture ?

In what ways are you turning your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh?

Confess to God and to a trusted brother/sister in Christ and begin walking in the Doirit again today.

Prayer

Father, we confess that our flesh is weak when it comes to following you and strong when it comes to its lusts for itself. Conquer this enemy of your righteousness that we may render it dead and move on to walking in Your Spirit and Truth. May your power of love be unleashed in us that we may carry out Your mission for the sake of the Gospel. Thank you LORD for calling us to freedom, may it all be used for Your glory in Jesus’ name, Amen!

The post With Freedom Comes Great Responsibility first appeared on Brian Friedl.

I have caught myself too many times over the years justifying sinful thoughts and actions because “I’m human” or because “God’s grace is sufficient”.  When we do that, our relationship is not being built on love but instead selfishness.  Salvation is less about what we get and more about what was given and why. 
The gospel by its very nature reveals to us the depravity and wickedness in our hearts, demonstrates how we have estranged ourselves from our Heavenly Father, and provides a means of making it right through surrendering all that we are. 

The core in all of it is love. God’s love for us and our response of love back.  This is not a “How do I get to heaven” thing.  It’s a “I have sinned against my holy and perfect creator; I surrender and want to be shaped by Him” kind of thing.  Do you get the subtle difference?   My salvation isn’t motivated by my desire to get to heaven, but instead it’s driven by my desire to love and obey God because o who He is and what He has done. 

Reflection

Are you still moved by the great gift of love that was given to you at the cross or have you forgotten your desperate need? Be honest and check your heart and mind.  Do you really want God in charge of every aspect of your life…total surrender?   Remember there is no fooling God.  Let this truth pierce your heart and bring you to a place of worship and surrender. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we confess that our flesh is weak and it seeks our own gain. Help us to let go of choosing strength in our flesh and depend completely on you. For You are our Rock and our Refuge. You are our Salvation. Apart from You there is no hope. Thank you for rescuing us from ourselves. You are all we need!  Let our hearts be pure and filled with love for You in Jesus’ name, Amen!

The post Flesh Or God? first appeared on Brian Friedl.

We must give up our rights, dreams, and everything else we hold dear and choose to belong to Him; leaving behind all the desires of the flesh. In essence, we have to be willing to trade everything for Him and let Him choose what He decides to give back. In so doing our flesh is crucified and we are able to walk in the spirit victoriously 

Personal Reflection

What areas of your life have you really never surrendered. How is that working for you?  Are you experiencing true freedom and victory?    Take some time to confess any area that you are holding back in and then ask God to take all of it draw you closer.  Is it really that scary to surrender to an all knowing God who has your best interest in mind?

Prayer Focus

Gracious God, you are our hiding place; in you we have life.  Remove any fear of surrendering all to you.  Victory requires that surrender.  I want to not only belong to you, but willingly be used for your glory and to bring honor to your name. It’s in the Name of Christ we pray, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#victoryinsurrender #ibelongtohim #truthtalk4life

The post Flesh vs Spirit first appeared on Brian Friedl.

One of the struggles of the Christian life is remembering that we are not walking according to the flesh, but according the Spirit and therefore setting our minds on the things of the Spirit.  The temptation to go back to trying to keep the law in our flesh is a constant struggle.  A mind set on the flesh will not please God because it does not result in righteousness.  The end result of our flesh trying to keep the law is the awareness that we fall short of righteousness and need a savior.  It is when we surrender the flesh, through faith in Christ, that the Spirit of God dwells in us.  We are to worship and walk in Him. Furthermore when our minds are set on the flesh they are hostile(hatred/enmity) towards God.   If we focus on achieving the law, inevitably it results in setting our minds on the flesh and our performance, which we have seen both in scripture and experience to result in an inability to do so.  When our trust is in Christ and our eyes are fixed on Him for the purpose of loving, worshipping and glorifying Him, the result is that we are covered in the righteousness of Christ and we are free from the law of sin and death.

In what ways are you still trying to perform for God?  In what ways are you setting your mind on the flesh?

Heavenly Father, help us to surrender our desires for control, our tendencies to set our mind on the flesh.  Let us walk in the Spirit fully in step with you, your will and good purposes.  Set us free from the law of sin and death.  Help us to love, worship, and glorify you with our whole heart, in the precious name of Jesus!

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life #mindsetonSpirit

The post Flesh Or Spirit? first appeared on Brian Friedl.