Our first thought is usually to work on fixing it ourselves. We may overcommit ourselves to church activities and helping others hoping that the efforts of our hands will restore us. And while all of these activities are great, they are a poor substitute for our relationship with our Father in heaven. 

We must fight the temptation to fix and instead run with all we have left to our loving LORD  It is He who has the power to heal our faithlessness.  For He has given us His Son and Spirit to reconcile us and remind us of our sonship/daughtership in Him.  Run to Him today!

Reflection

Do you run from or to God when you are feeling faithless?

Surround yourself with others in the body of Christ to help remind you of this truth. 

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are loving and heal our faithlessness.  Guard our minds from our own desires to fix and instead give us a heart of surrender, that we may be filled with faith and joy in Jesus, Amen!

The post How To Heal Faithlessness first appeared on Brian Friedl.

I believe there are two motivations in this verse worth considering as we live and pray this side of life:

1. TRUST – Jeremiah speaks clearly and confidently boasting in what the LORD can do. There is no “if” used.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Jeremiah didn’t just declare it, he believed it with his whole heart. 
2. GLORY – We all glorify something whether it’s the movie we watched last night, our local football team, or our amazing Heavenly Father.  Here we see that praise is reserved for only One.  Jeremiah simply boasts that the LORD is his praise. Again, he doesn’t just declare it, but wholeheartedly believes.  

So as we pray for those around us, are we just selfishly throwing up request after request or at the core of our request, is there a desire for God’s glory to be seen by all onlookers in order that they we see and know the LORD is who He says He is; the one true living God?
While compassion compels us to help, Trust and His glory give us the wisdom and desire to go to the Father who gives every good gift. 

Even James reminds us:

“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

And the Apostle Paul instructs:

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Let us always know confidently that our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.  And may our desire be to praise and glorify Him!

Reflection

What is your motivation as you bring requests to the LORD?  

Do you care more about God’s glory or your request?

Do you pray fully trusting that God will answer and desiring for His glory to be seen?

Prayer

All powerful LORD, our Father, You are our everpresent help in time of need. Teach us who You are, so that everything we are bows down and worships You.  May our words be confident, filled with trust, and desire Your glory above all else.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

The post Trust And Glory first appeared on Brian Friedl.

“But God”; two words that interrupt this cycle of sin and provide hope.  But God, in His great faithfulness and mercy, hears us when we see the mess we’ve made and turn back to Him and cry out.  He has made a provision for every stumbling, for every transgression.  For the blood of Jesus has washed every stain you have ever caused to be white as the purest untouched snow in the most beautiful of places.  He has the power to redeem every situation no matter its complexity.

You are declared clean when you put your faith in God’s provision of Jesus and His finished work at the cross.  When God looks at you He sees the righteousness of His Son. You are no longer held captive, but instead are free to live a life in the Lord. Will you stumble again?  Most likely. Don’t waste your time beating yourself up. Acknowledge your weakness, mourn your sin, turn and cry out. For He will hear your cry.

Personal Reflection

By all means learn from your mistakes but remember:  Every moment spent beating yourself up over your bad choices is a moment you miss gazing at our beautiful LORD and sharing Him with others.  Your eyes can only be fixed in one place.  Make sure they are on Him!

When your eyes are focused on Him you will want more of Him.  God speaks of loving Him and keeping His commands in that order.  Commandment keeping flows as a by product of loving Him.  Let the passion of your love grow by leaps and bounds!

Prayer Focus

Precious LORD, we confess to you that have have all stumbled and strayed and made messes in our lives.  Help us to turn from any wickedness that impedes our view of you.  Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus that our love for you may overflow.  Thank you for hearing our cry, sustain us by your hand of grace that we may do Your will, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

The post There Is Always Hope first appeared on Brian Friedl.

If we Know, Live, and Speak the Truth by grace through faith while walking in the Spirit, wouldn’t we see a change in this country regardless of the demographic or party line?  Wouldn’t we be a nation filled with grace and truth, wisdom and humility?  If we love the way Jesus showed us, would we not see an entire country change?

Personal Reflection

The actions of each influences the entire nation.  The penetrating question is: Are you willing to humble yourself, count yourself with sinners, confess, fast and pray for your nation?

Prayer Focus

LORD, we confess that  “we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.”

Please forgive us Father and equip us to life in such a way that you may be glorified and our land may be healed to a place of honoring you.  May your love reign among every neighborhood and around every corner.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen!

The post Confess And Honor first appeared on Brian Friedl.