knowledge – Brian Friedl

Shepherd Well

Brian — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 11:10:55 +0000

As parents, we are shepherds to our children; providing safety and guidance as the grow to maturity. This task is impossible to do without knowledge and understanding. The demand continues to increase as they grow; as does the weight and importance of their choices. For, our precious sheep(children) will stray at times. We must be acquiring knowledge and understanding to know when and how to get them out of the thicket.

Where does such knowledge and understanding come from?

“For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

~‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:6‬

We must be seeking these from God Himself through His word, prayer, and His people. The knowledge and understanding require effort. It needs to be sought after. A desire to obtain it drives the ability to acquire it. I have spent countless hours pouring over His Word clinging to its truths during some pretty tough trials. His word has been my rock and foundation through it all; bringing wisdom for me to shepherd well.

Reflection

Who has God put in your life to shepherd? Your children? Kids at church? Co-workers?

Are you continuing to fill up with God’s knowledge and understanding so that you shepherd well?

Set aside time each day to fill your mind and heart with His powerful Truth.

Prayer

Father, shepherding is demanding and tiring. Strengthen us by Your word and lead us to knowledge and understanding that we may shepherd well, those you have placed in our lives. We love you and thank you Jesus for being the Great Shepherd for us. Amen!

The Pursuit Of Knowledge

Brian — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 15:26:16 +0000

There’s something exciting about the knowledge. It informs us in our decision making, can reduce bad choices, and opens doors to new opportunities.

It can; however, lead to Spiritual blindness. We can get so wrapped up in our knowledge and self dependence that we deny the One who gave us the ability to learn. We can pursue truth to the extreme and miss the ultimate truth altogether.
I spent years being the straight A student, mastering every topic in my path. God is not a topic to be mastered, but instead, a relationship to be enjoyed. Knowing God is not the same as knowledge of him

Reflection

In what ways have you pursued knowledge of God instead of knowing Him. Reset you pursuit to knowing and enjoying Him starting today

Prayer

Father we confess that we have treated you like a topic to be mastered at times. Help us not to exchange knowing You for the knowledge of You. May Your love abound in us as we carry out the good works you You prepared for us to walk in.

Love Over All

Brian — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 12:08:00 +0000

Without love, all the power and ability in the world is useless. God has given us gifts and abilities for the purpose of glorifying him by knowing, living, and speaking His Truth in Love. The Gospel itself is the greatest good news about love we could ever hear.

Like abilities, knowledge by itself is useless. Paul wrote knowledge puffs up but love builds up. Elsewhere he prays that their love abounds in real knowledge and discernment (Phil 1:9) and results in righteousness.

Jesus made the bold reframing of love as the greatest commandment and challenged us to even love our enemies. As followers of Christ, we are to love and be known by self-sacrificing love.

How are you going to demonstrate this kind of love in 2017?

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruth

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@brianfriedl

Acts Bible Study 17:10-15

Brian — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:52:40 +0000

Luke shares that those in the synagogue at Berea were more “noble-minded” than their previous counterparts at Thessalonica. What made them so? They received the word with eagerness and searched the scriptures to confirm what he was saying.

As God is revealing truth to you through your preacher, are you eager to test the message against scripture? That’s one of my absolute favorite parts! It’s like putting together a 10 million piece puzzle that uncovers an amazing picture of God and takes an entire lifetime to complete.

Acts 17:10-15

1) What observations can you make about the passage with regard to who, what,when,where,why, and how?

2) What challenges or questions need to be addressed or answered to more fully understand the text?

3) What’s the main idea summarized in a sentence?

4) What is the original readers’ takeaway and applications?

5) How does this passage apply to believers like you today?

Enjoy your time in His word today!

Brian — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 09:25:10 +0000

One of my favorite past times at night is walking outside and stargazing at the handiwork of our Creator. There seems to be an infinite arrangement of beauty. Over forty years, every time I look I see something new.

Our Creator Himself is like this. He has depth beyond depth of knowledge and wisdom. We couldn’t possibly explore it all even in all the time we have been given on the planet. Yet I desire to try.

Have you ever stopped to consider the magnitude of God’s providence and the level of knowledge and details required. It blows my mind to think of all of what God created, sustains, and reconciles to Himself!

Personal Reflection

Take some time today to think about as many experiences as possible that led you to faith as well as grown your faith. All the others lives intertwined with yours at just the right time to feed and nourish you. What a huge blessing!

Prayer Focus

Father, thank you for your majesty and infinite knowledge and wisdom. For when we ask for wisdom you give it liberally and faithfully to no end. Let us seek You with our whole hearts that we may walk in your wisdom, truth and Spirit in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Who Can You Pray For Today?

Brian — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:53:09 +0000

The older I get the more I find myself in constant conversation with my Heavenly Father. I could be walking to the barn, grabbing the mail, or getting groceries and I’m talking aloud to Him. I’m sure some people around me believe I’ve moved into senility a little early but honestly it doesn’t bother me a bit. With our Journey in Prayer Facebook group there are plenty of requests that we can truly be in prayer all day.
Paul was committed to praying for others with a passion. It didn’t matter whether he was sharing the gospel or behind prison walls. Paul understood that believers need to be covered in prayer constantly. This is the vigor and passion with which I want to pray for all of you!

We all need knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, so that we may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, and increasing in knowledge of Him. (Col. 1:9-10)

Personal Reflection

Are you that person for others? Do you have people in your life that do this for you? This is but one of the privileges we have for one another as the body of Christ. Let’s live it to full measure! Take time to pray today for family, friends, and co-workers. Be in constant conversation with God today!

Prayer Focus

Father we know that You can do all things so we ask that you would give us a heart for prayer. Call to mind those around us that need prayer. Give us boldness to reach out and ask to pray with them. May You hear our prayers and strengthen Your people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!