good – Brian Friedl

Brian — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 13:19:46 +0000

It’s easy to read or watch the news and develop a scarcity mentality. After all everyone is out to get you, right? You read the stories of theft, shootings, and deaths and feel like staying home and protecting what God has given you.

I urge you to consider this thought. When conditions in this world are what I described, the platform is set for people to hear good news and experience good deeds.

I teach my kids to open doors for others and let them go first. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do and it’s unexpected these days. As kids, they have a special platform to give glory to God in doing that. We, as adults, can do good and give in a time when people are expecting to be ignored and take. Advantage of. It opens a door to speak of God’s glory.

A few years ago, I came across a car parked on the side of the highway in -20 degree weather. I happen to notice a young woman in the front seat. I circled back and asked if there was something I could help with. At that time I also noticed a beautiful toddler in the back seat beaming with energy. Her tire was flat and she had no idea how to change and was worried about being late to daycare and work. After more conversation, I found out she was a single mom.

I wrapped up the tire change and she asked me what she owed me. The stage was set I could have gotten a little extra to put in my pocket after all it was -20 out there and who couldn’t use a little extra? Instead I asked her if she believed in God. She said, “Not really, He’s never shown up to help me”. I said, “He did today. He is the reason I’m still alive and the reason I stopped. The only thing I ask is that you thank Him and give Him another chance”. I could tell the words pierced her heart. I gave a quick high five to the cutie in the back seat and they were gone. It was a 15 minute window of sacrifice.

Reflection

I don’t tell this story to highlight me. I tell it because you will have opportunities today to bless others. Be watching for them. Seize them, and glorify God with them. He has given you a platform to serve and speak from. Do good and share. For He is pleased with those sacrifices!

Prayer

Father, open our eyes to see these opportunities to do good and to share. It is cheerful medicine for our hearts when we bring You honor and praise. Conquer any fear that keeps us from reaching out. You have made us world changers. Help us to walk in that truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

How To Stay Positive

Brian — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 15:13:48 +0000

It seems like the news runs from one tragedy to another and the more damaging the better. We are bombarded with stories of infidelity and wrecked homes while waiting in line. We can’t seem to get away from the negativity, sin and filth. If we manage to avoid all those external sources, we always have the options of examining our own hearts. It only takes a moment to find more there! So how do we stay focused and positive?

As always God’s word gives us good solid instruction:

Think on these:

Whatever is true
Whatever is noble
Whatever is right
Whatever is pure
Whatever is lovey
Whatever is admirable
If any excellence
If any praiseworthy
Then practice:

These are not individual to do’s but a reference and framework for Paul’s teaching. Teaching without application is pointless. The great commission even reminds us to “teach them to observe”. The implication is that we are practicing them ourselves or how else could we teach the observing part?

We are shaped by what we take in, but even more by what we practice. What and who will you give permission to shape your thoughts and actions? The news, Enquirer or the Holy Scriptures? Do you want a life filled with drama or God’s peace? The choice is yours.

Reflection

Does your life seem like it’s filled with excessive drama? Take a break from the news and negative. There are plenty of people around you that could catch you up and most likely with less details.

Start a reading plan of His word to begin taking in pure wholesome goodness daily!
Prayer

Father, thank you for your word and wisdom. Grow in us a desire to drink deep and be transformed by it. Confirm our minds in the image of Christ and take every thought captive. May Your glory and goodness reign over our lives forever in Jesus, Amen!

When Will This World Change?

Brian — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 15:23:12 +0000

I’ve had hundreds of conversations over the past few weeks regarding the decline of our world; whether it be economy, relationships,or morality. The question I keep hearing is, “When is the world going to change?”

The truth is that the world is in a constant state of change. As a matter fact it’s the summation of each person’s individual change that’s going on Right now!

Have you ever stopped to think about what the world would be like if we executed on these two verses to change it? What if we were diligent about intentionally putting away the bad and embracing the good. What if we lived life by design instead of just living life by default? You would be a world-changer!

Personal Reflection

The Christian life is an intentional life. The questions of the day are:

1) Are you being intentional with yours?

2) Have you structured your life built on Christ? Or are you trying to fit Him in?

Prayer Focus

Father, our source of strength and truth, let us not live life by default but let us design it according to Your word. Help us by Your Spirit to carry out this passage that the world may be changed forever and know You. We pray this in Jesus’, Name, Amen!

#worldchange #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

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!

Simple Truth

Brian — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:01:05 +0000

Such a simple truth. We will reap whatever we sow. Whether that be iniquity or blessing. We cannot sow peas and hope to get tomatoes. While our minds laugh and say, “duh!”, the truth of the matter is that we do this more often than we realize.

For example, we sow frustration, criticism, and condemnation when our children won’t listen, and then we wonder why our children are being disrespectful and critical toward his/her brother or sister. We sow disrespect toward our spouse and then we get frustrated when others are disrespectful to him/her and wonder how others could be this way.

It’s time we wake up and carefully watch what we are sowing. Sow good seed

Personal Reflection

What have you been sowing? Strife, discontentment, arguing, pride? Or blessing, peace, compassion and love?

Be intentional! If you have sown iniquity, today is the day to change that. Apologize to those you have offended and hurt. Make a commitment to them and stick to it.

Prayer Focus

Father, teach us to sow good seed in all that we do. Let us not grow weary in this. Give us diligence and endurance that we may harvest the fruit of good seed for Your glory. May your Name be lifted high in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

ALL Things

Brian — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 11:57:09 +0000

This truth is what gives me clear direction in the midst of the greatest storm. We have to remember God is doing much greater work than what we can see. He is reconciling all things to Himself. We are just a part of that process that is causing all things to work together for those who love Him.

He is able to redeem even in those times we see as tradgedy. There is nothing the LORD can’t do! He can take what was a broken life and make it new, but He goes even farther and causes that life to bless and bring truth to many others. What an amazing Father we have in heaven!

Personal Reflection

Sometimes we get so caught up in the trial we are facing that we forget that God will keep His promise and will cause it to work together for good. This is especially true when the trial is self inflicted. Take some time to think about how God may use what you’re going through for your good and the good of others. How can you be a light to encourage others in this area?

Prayer Focus

Powerful and magnificent LORD, thank you for causing all things to work together for our good. Help us to remember this verse in time of need. You are faithful and keep your promises for all eternity. Let us be diligent in looking for ways to encourage others with this truth. Help us to live this truth as the enemy tries to convince us that we have messed things up beyond the Father’s repair. We are so thankful for your love and mercy! We praise you in the precious Name of Jesus! Amen.
@brianfriedl

#allthingsforgood #masterreconciler #truthtalk4life