hope – Brian Friedl https://brianfriedl.com Making Your Life's Mission Possible Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:15:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.17 64732294 Suffering: What Is It Good For? https://brianfriedl.com/suffering-what-is-it-good-for/ https://brianfriedl.com/suffering-what-is-it-good-for/#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:15:50 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/suffering-what-is-it-good-for/ There are few who enjoy suffering and most would avoid it all together if possible. We must recognize; however, it has its place in our process of being conformed to the image of Christ.

For with tribulation and suffering comes a new level of dependence on our Heavenly Father. It demands a perseverance we otherwise would never see develop in ourselves. This perseverance leads to true character in word and in action. We are able to see our deep need of Him and He is faithful to fulfill our every need. And what is waiting for us at the end of this process? Hope. Hope that does not waver, doubt or disappoint, but thrives in the confidence of His proven faithfulness throughout the trials and tribulations.

Remember God is causing all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28). What ever your suffering is, it is building a testimony of His faithfulness that has the power to change the world. Make sure the tribulation is not wasted but that it brings glory to Him through your witness to others.

Reflection

What’s your normal reaction to suffering?

What sufferings are you going through right now that could be used to glorify Him?

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for the tribulations that are producing perseverance, character, and ultimately hope in us. For You are faithful in all things and love You LORD! Build in us the testimonies of that faithfulness that all may see Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/suffering-what-is-it-good-for/feed/ 2 1496 How To Restore Your Hope https://brianfriedl.com/how-to-retore-your-hope/ Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:40:30 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/how-to-retore-your-hope/ I have depended on God’s word for so long now, it’s hard for me to understand how people can go without it. This passage reminds us that His word is for our instruction. We must persevere and press on in faith and His word will encourage us and give us a hope. 

There have been times when everything seemed to be crumbling around me. The only thing stable and unchanging was the Word. I clung to it with everything I had and the encouragement rained down on me and my hope was renewed and restored.

Perhaps the reason you’re struggling with persevering today just because you’re out of encouragement and hope. I believe with all my heart that the answer to this problem is found in His word.

Reflection

Are you intentionally filling your head with God’s instructions?

Are you delighting in that instruction?

Get a reading plan today and let the encouragement and hope abound in you!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path.  For it is complete, inerrant, inspired by You; profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.  He is sufficient in all things and is our rock and our fortress.  By Your Word we are both held together and encouraged. For in Him lies the secret of contentment and hope. Give us a desire to commune with Him (Your Word) daily.  Amen!

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NASB‬‬

http://bible.com/100/2ti.3.16.nasb

]]> 1448 The Greatest Of These Is Love https://brianfriedl.com/the-greatest-of-these-is-love/ https://brianfriedl.com/the-greatest-of-these-is-love/#comments Sat, 26 Aug 2017 12:33:23 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/the-greatest-of-these-is-love/ Over 20 years ago now, a young man and woman were joined in matrimony.  Their theme verse was 1 Corinthians 13:13.  I suppose at the time that verse was picked be cause it’s a “good wedding verse” and it looked great on the church banners they made for the ceremony.  In truth, we desired love as it was defined in the Bible.  The unconditional; for better or worse kind of love. 

Certainly our years together facing challenges and celebrating triumphs have tested every facet of our faith, hope, and love.  I can concur that the greatest of these is love.  My bride has demonstrated to me love whether I’m at my best or worst.  She has stayed by my side and built me up when I was crushed.  She’s loved me silently when I didn’t feel like talking.  She has always been there right by my side.  What a gift from God she has been to me!

So this is way more than a good wedding verse, it is an amazing life of love in the Father’s love; one we can choose to partake in with one another.  I’m so thankful for my sweet bride who has chosen to do so and bless me richly.  I can only hope to return this blessing.  

Reflection

Take some time to ponder the great love with which our Father in heaven loves us. Check out romans 5:8, John 3:16 and so many others!

What relationships can you pour that love over into?  Your marriage? Your family?  Your friends?

Start today loving others as God has loved you.  

Prayer

Father you have given us faith, hope, and love and the command to abide in these three.  Equip us to do that to change the world for Your glory.  Let Your love have its way in our hearts that others may come to know You.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/the-greatest-of-these-is-love/feed/ 2 1417 Hope In Dark Days https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/ https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/#comments Sat, 15 Apr 2017 13:41:51 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/ There have been many dark days in my life where I felt I couldn’t press on; times when I felt like circumstances around me seemed they would never work out in my favor.  So many hurts, rejections, and perceived failures.  None of these days compare to the day after Jesus’ death on the cross. 

For centuries they waited for the Savior to come and establish His kingdom; to once again make right the world and all in it.  But now, He lay dead in a tomb; for it seemed that truly all hope was lost.  

How many times have we been at our “bottom” with only hope of God’s promise to cling to?  How else are we to see our faith and His faithfulness unless it it tested?  There are times in life where the only thing that keeps me going is my hope in Christ.  I can honestly say that He has never let me down. My understanding and desires may have been off and so the end result was not what I originally wanted but over time, I have seen the His higher ways unfold. 

How true that is of the day between the cross and the resurrection!  What a day of confusion and mystery! The people wanted Jesus to come establish His Kingdom in Israel and His way was even higher as He established a His kingdom in the hearts of His people.  Though He told them and their minds rejected it, His death and resurrection was necessary to conquer the power of sin once and for all. 

The dark days are necessary and testify to the greatness of the resurrection as they grow our faith in Him and demonstrated His faithfulness!

Reflection

Where are you at today?  Are you in a dark day or season of days?   Take heart for the light of the world has conquered the darkness forever.  Look to the day that’s coming. Cling to His promises!

Take some time to read Lamentations 3. 

There is true hope and strength in the promises of the LORD!

Prayer 

LORD, You are our portion and prize. We hope in You alone. For when times seem unbearable, we cry out to You and You hear our cry.  Help us surrender our hearts, cling to Your promises, and see Your goodness.  Guide us through the dark days into Your everlasting light and love in Jesus, Amen!

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/hope-in-dark-days/feed/ 1 1243 Encouragement For The Tired Soul https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/ https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:57:48 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/ Doing the good work our Father in heaven  prepared for us to walk in can be very draining.   When you invest in the lives of others and bear their burdens, the potential exists for our bodies and minds to take a beating.  

We must make sure that the fuel for your ministry isn’t just your strength or skill.  Knowledge of the Father’s love and the eternal comfort He has given us is like and endless supply of food and water as we minister in the desert. 

I love the phrase “good hope”.  There are many choices for the objects of our hope. I hope that snow only falls on grass.  Somehow it never does.  I hoped the Packers would win. Where did that get me?  The hope we have in our salvation, through Christ,  cannot be compared with any earthly hope.  For it is always good and results is righteousness. It is a hope that never disappoints but instead is always increasing faith, more hope, and love.  We have that hope because of God’s marvelous grace.  Remember this was given to us while we were yet sinners(Rom. 5:8 NASB). How much more hope do we have now that we are children of God and see His goodness!

One other quick observation: Paul prays for hearts to be comforted and strengthened in every good work and word.  The goodness of God should be spurring us on to good words and deeds.  How can we contain the goodness of God?  For it was designed to fill us to overflowing; hat others may be filled to overflowing and so on.  

May your hearts be comforted and strengthened today as you work for Him in word and in deed!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

]]> https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/feed/ 2 1060 Joy Even During War https://brianfriedl.com/joy-even-during-war/ Mon, 09 Jan 2017 11:21:29 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/joy-even-during-war/
Why is life so hard? Because we are in the midst of war! There is an unrelenting spiritual enemy plotting and scheming to steal, kill, and destroy every good gift from Our Heavenly Father. 
It is easy to lose heart and focus when life gets difficult and to look at your circumstances and be downcast.  This is because we have a tendency to look at the work of the enemy rather than the work of our Savior Jesus Christ.  When our eyes are fixed appropriately, we have hope, joy, and contentment.  The alternative is hopelessness, despair, and discontent. 
Remember Jesus’ FINISHED work at the cross secured our spiritual freedom for all eternity. In the physical realm we are walking in that truth day by day and one day we will fully experience that freedom. We have great hope in Him.  He is our joy and our stregnth. His work brings us joy forevermore!
Please pray with me today  over our eyes and focus. That they may be firmly fixed on Jesus, unchanged by our circumstances. May the hope of Jesus flood iur hearts today and overwhelm us with peace that passes all understanding. May our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude that abound and overflow. The Spirit of God will comfort us and bring many to Christ. 

#trythtalk4life #knowlivespraktruthinlove

Make sure to like our Facebook page, share and add these hashtags above when you do to get His word before as many people as possible.  God bless you!
@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

]]> 1014 Faith In His Promises  https://brianfriedl.com/faith-changes-everything/ Mon, 09 Jan 2017 05:46:52 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/faith-changes-everything/ I love these words our Savior has instructed us; they remind us of the unmatched power our our Father in heaven.  With God it’s not a matter of “if  it’s possible” but that “all things are possible.”

There have been times where life has brought me so low, I couldn’t even see up.  My faith was there, but due to prolonged difficult circumstances, it was weakened. I cried out to God,  “I believe but help me in my unbelief.”  I poured over His promises in scripture as a lifeline for my faith and He heard my cry. He faithfully answered and led me through.  For He was with me through flood and flame and I neither drowned nor burned.  This is faith and even that is a gift. 

The power of faith is fueled by His promises and expands every moment we seek Him with our whole heart and watch for Him to work.  Cry out to Him today. Ask Him to help you in your unbelief. Seek Him diligently in His word, and look for His faithful hand.  Faith changes everything from the inside out!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to share this on your Facebook and use these hashtags to reach as many as you can with God’s amazing word!

@brianfriedl

]]> 1006 Word 👍🏻 https://brianfriedl.com/word-%f0%9f%91%8d%f0%9f%8f%bb/ Sat, 31 Dec 2016 12:32:03 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/word-%f0%9f%91%8d%f0%9f%8f%bb/ I have been reading God’s word for almost 30yrs now.  There is no writing that has impacted my life more.  Being a skeptic by nature, I have tested every sentence I’ve ever read against life and I have found all of these things to be true. The more I test it the more it’s validity is revealed.  

This book is like no other. Listen to some of the words used to describe it:

Living

Active

Sharp

Piercing

Able to judge

You will not experience anything from it unless you submit yourself to the Word and spend time meditating on it.  The transformation that the Bible has the power to deliver is just one of the reasons this book is the bestseller of all times.  If you want an amazing, adventure-filled life, with great hope, get in this book!

Challenge for today:

Pick one of the 66 books in God’s word (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, proverbs, Psalms, etc) and then begin reading today. Take time away to organize your life by its truths. 
It will shape every aspect of your life; prayer, worldview, and mission. 

L

]]> 983 A Different Kind Of Love https://brianfriedl.com/a-different-kind-of-love/ Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:09:05 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/a-different-kind-of-love/

God’s love is not just an external force that acts upon us but is actually manifested in us. It continues to grow the longer we walk in Him. This marvelous process was made possible by the life and work of Jesus Christ. 
It is a strange thing for us that we might live life through another, specifically through the Word who became flesh, our savior, Jesus.  For our culture has been teaching from a young age about a different love and life.  One of conditions and self promotion.  We know God’s love is different.  

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NASB‬‬

There is no greater love than the love of our Father in heaven!

This kind of love can endure the darkest of circumstances and still overflow with joy.  Remember Paul’s assessment: 

 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” ~ ‭Romans‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭NASB

May the love of God be freely manifested in your heart today; having its way in every area of your life because of the beautiful and selfless work of our Savior Jesus.  Let joy abound in the place of sorrows.  For our hope is secure despite our present circumstances. 
@brianfriedl 

#truthtalk4life

]]> 956 When Holidays Are Overwhelming https://brianfriedl.com/when-holidays-are-overwhelming/ https://brianfriedl.com/when-holidays-are-overwhelming/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:00:42 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/when-holidays-are-overwhelming/
As we draw near to Christmas, please keep in mind not everyone is looking forward to it.  Perhaps they are consumed by the loss of a loved one or painful memories this time of year.   Many are struggling with finances, employment, relationships, or all of the above. 

They are not intentionally being a Scrooge, they might just need a little encouragement.  Make it a point to check your Facebook News Feed and look for people who are hurting or in need.  If you’re able to provide physically for a need, great!  Remember to encourage them also with the promises and instruction of God’s word.  Here are a few verse that can help when life is a bit overwhelming:

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

These have given me great encouragem NT over the years and I pray they will bless those whom you share with.  May God bless you richly with His presence as was the case of the very first Christmas.  

@brianfriedl

 #truthtalk4life

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