As each story was shared, I was reminded of the struggle that Sarah and the kids would have without a father and was grieved and moved to the point of tears. And yet, in my heart I knew that he is with Jesus and the struggle was over for him.

The day progressed and more conversation ensued. The tone of the day moved from sorrow to sorrow mingled with joy as we began recounting the stories of those who had already been encouraged by Jacob and Sarah’s story. The conversation continued to pick up momentum from person to person.

As we gathered together in Sarah’s home, there was an atmosphere of strength and hope, knowing the we are not grieving without hope. Jacob is now in an amazing place with His Savior and his legacy and even his death has created a platform to reach and encourage thousands of others.

For the believer death is not the end. Jesus’ finished work at the cross conquered death once and for all and our God has the power to cause ALL things to work together for good. Death has been turned to victory to him who believes.

As I sit at breakfast pondering my time here, I’m blessed beyond measure. For I have an amazing wife who made this trip possible. I am surround by the closest brothers in Christ I have ever known. I am filled with hope that cannot be quenched by death. I have the opportunity to love the body of Christ. I have a Savior who has given me the victory over death.

Reflection

We often have been taught to not talk about or think about death and yet it is a part of this life we live. We must not fear it but instead understand how Jesus has overcome it and how God can cause it to work for good.

How has Jesus overcome death?

Do you believe that death is not the end?

How might God cause even death to be used for good?

Prayer

Father, expand our minds to understand your victory through Christ and Your power to cause all things to work together for good. May our eyes see the marvelous work of Your hands as You turn mourning to joy. Comfort our hearts and gird or minds for the sake of the gospel and Your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#deathisnottheend

#Jesushasovercome

#Godisstillgood

It may be the loss of a loved one, a current battle with cancer, a prodigal son or daughter. In any event, the struggle is real. If we focus on the struggle, we will only see the struggle and negative. If the struggle is long term, this can lead to prolonged periods of grief and even depression.

So what’s the solution? Focus on what brings joy. Scripture is clear that what is being revealed to us, is greater than the struggle. So much so, that the trials are not worthy to be compared.

I’ve been in a place where I didn’t want to get out of bed. Everything seemed horrible and not worth doing. I hung the labels of failure on myself regularly. Friend, this is not God’s design. When we are in that place we need more Jesus time. We need to take every extra moment and dive into His word and worship at His feet. We need to surround ourselves with people doing that same thing.

When we see who God is, what He has done, and what He wants to do through us, it transforms our thinking and reshapes our definition of love. We can no longer fit into a depressive shell. Though our situation may be grievous, remember, our Lord has conquered even death!

Reflection

Where are your eyes fixed right now? Your situation or on Christ and His finished work?

Are you spending quality time with Jesus daily? (Jesus:The Word – John1:1-14)

Who around you at church or in your community has true joy and could help you on your journey? If you can’t think of anyone, intensify your search until you find someone.

Prayer

Father, for Your have purposed our joy to be full in Christ. Open blinded eyes to see and set the captives free. May all those who read this be overwhelmed by the joy we have in Christ. Lift them from the dark place and let them be filled with Your loving light. May it be said of them and may they truly believe that their trials are not worthy to be compared to the joy that is being revealed to them in Jesus, Amen!

In the midst of all of this, we must remember that Jesus has overcome all the tribulations of this life including death, disease, and sin once and for all. Certainly, that is joy. We can take heart for He has overcome them all! What can we do but praise Him with unending joy?  When our eyes are fixed on Him we see what the ending will be, we have strength to press on, and we are filled with a deep deep joy.  

Reflection

Where are your eyes fixed today? On your situation or on Him?

If you want joy, where do they need to be fixed?

Take 15 min to thank God out loud for sending a His Son to overcome all the tribulations of this life. 

Prayer

Thank you Father, for having a perfect plan to overcome the trials of this life and to bring a joy that never ends.  Those trials were never worthy to be compared to the joy being revealed to us in Christ Jesus. Amen!

Late in the same day, I received news that a friend of mine was killed in a car accident.  The grief hurts and aches in a way words cannot describe, but I know He is with the Lord now.   The days ahead will be filled with tears and heartache for Family, friends, and my family. We will continue to trust in our Heavenly Father  as He shows us His lovingkindness.  We will rejoice in the salvation our Lord has secured for us!

Reflection

Amidst the joy there is suffering and amidst the suffering there is joy.  For our Heavenly Father is there through it all; never leaving or forsaking us; fulfilling His promise to be with us to the end of the age.  

Take time today, even if you are mourning, to deeply to gaze upon the cross and see the lovingkindness of the LORD and rejoice!

Prayer

Father, our emotions are often tied to the events and situations of our lives.  Conquer the sorrows with the joy of Your salvation.  Mend the wounds with Your lovingkindness.  Employ our brokenness for Your glory. In Jesus, Amen!

In Him, we have salvation and victory over past, present, and future sin.  We have received Him as Lord and Savior

In Him, we have been firmly rooted in truth.  In that truth we have confidence, assurance of faith, and the strength to weather any storm. 

In Him, we are built up and established in faith. He is with us and will be till the end of the age. Faithfully He walks with us carefully guiding us as our faith is increased. 

In Him, we are filled with gratitude.  What other response can we give when He has rescued, redeemed and rooted us in Him?  When we meditate on who He is and all He has done we will be overflowing with that joy and gratitude. 

Let us walk for Him and in Him today that we may experience the life abundantly as He has desired for us!

Reflection

Are you truly living in Him today or are you just doing a lot of stuff for Him?

Take some time to out loud praise Him for all of these blessings we have in Him.  

Enjoy His presence today!

Prayer 

Father you are a good, good Father and have given us life abundantly in Christ.  May we probe the depths of this mystery and immerse ourselves in Him that we may be a pleasing Aroma to our Father in heaven and all that we encounter.  Bless this world through the powerful acts of grace you have worked in our lives. May our lips praise you continually. In Jesus, Amen!

How would you respond if you lost your husband, your dreams, and found you were plagued with cancer? 

Would you humbly cling to your Heavenly Father or shake your fist at Him demanding something more?  

One of the gals on my prayer group is living the scenario above and has chosen to cling to her Savior and bless thousands of others with a quiet, gentle, and obedient spirit.  Her faith is an inspiration to all.  This is one of 3 tools that she created for herself that will now bless many others.  Thank you Marcia for all that you have endured for the sake of the gospel!

ABC’S OF HOPE IN THE SEASON OF DIFFICULTY

We walk by faith not by sight -2 Cor 5:7

A: Anxious: Do not be anxious about anything , but in everything by prayer, supplication, and with thanksgiving make your requests know to God and the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

Phil 4:6

B: Believe: I believe, help me in my unbelief. 

Mark 9:24

C: Content: for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4;11-13

D: Dismayed: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

E: Eyes: I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

Psalm 121:1

F: Future: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jer 29:11

G: Grace: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 

2 Cor 12:9

H: Hope: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:11

I: Instruct: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

Psalm 32 :8

J: Jesus: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

K: Keep: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 

Isaiah 26:3

L: Lamp Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path. 

Psalm 119:105

M: Mercies Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 

Lam 3:22-23

N: Needs: And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 

Phil 4:19

O: Outweighs: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

2 Cor 4:17-18

P: Paths: Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. 

Psalm 25:4-5

Q: Quiet: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save, He takes great delight in you and will quiet you with his love and rejoice over you with singing. 

Zeph 3:17

R: Rock Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. 

Ps 62:2

S: Sustain: Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, who will sustain you.I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

T: Thoughts: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

U: Understanding : Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Prov 3:5-6

V: Vine “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing

John 15:5

W: Wait: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

Isa 40:31

X: Anxious: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23

Y: Yoke: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Z: Zion: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

                                                                Micah 6:8

When we are found and rescued by Christ, our greatest need has been met for all eternity.  Is this not greater than the perceived lack of any of those areas?  Paul was a man who experienced great abundance and accolades and yet had also endured hardship and persecution.  What was his secret to contentment?  Focusing on His greatest need being met in Christ. We ought to do the same. 

When Jesus is in this rightful place and our hearts are content in Him, we are at peace. Yes the light bill still needs to be paid, the car still needs new tires, but our hearts are filled with joy that surpasses any need. May you be found filled with that joy today!

Reflection

What are you most content with?

What if Christ was really the #1 object of your affection and source of contentment? How would your life be different?

Prayer

Father, we are so easily distracted by the physical realm. Open our eyes to see the amazing eternal gift in Christ.  May our hearts be filled to overflowing with joy in every area of our lives. Let us be content above all else in Jesus.  Give us this day our daily bread that it may not distract our worship but expand it all the more.  We trust in you and love you LORD!  We lift this to You in Jesus’ name, Amen!

One of the challenges to being content is that circumstances are often changing and seemingly not in our favor.  What we put our hope and affections in can leave us lacking.  

While circumstances change, there is One we can trust who will never change, leave or foresake, and certainly never leave us lacking.  God has proven himself as our provider time and time again.  It was He who sacrificed his son and withheld nothing from us while we were still in rebellion.  This act of love and grace has replaced mourning with joy that is unending. I must continue to remember and not let the cares of this world choke out that truth. 

Make it a part of your daily routine to spend a few minutes remembering your life before your relationship with God through Christ.  Recall the feeling of being freed from your sins and rejoice in His lovingkindness. Review all the times Your Heavenly Father has given you hope and answered your prayers. For the day that awaits you will seek to steal that joy. 

 May your joy in Christ be firmly planted in the depths of your heart producing a beautiful tree of contentment that outlasts any storm!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

#trythtalk4life #knowlivespraktruthinlove

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@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

As frustrating as it was, I pressed on.  My daughter gave me a ride to the parts store after I confirmed my plan with a mechanic friend.  When the fix was in place, I tested it carefully, not going far until I was confident there was no coolant leak. I thanked the Lord that it happened only a few miles from home, my daughter was able to run me, and that I had the resources and skills to fix the issue. 

You see, the Lord was carefully testing me in all of this. Would I remain patient and grateful?  What a loving Father we have in heaven.! He uses all things to prepare us for the works we are to walk in.  He refines by fire that we may be pure and ready.  Praise him for the trials today and consider it joy as He grows your endurance!