The cheering and laughter reached its peak at one point, and the gym filled with elated Vikings fans. There was no need to ask what happened as all of them began to tell of the last moments of the game. I heard things like “Never give up”, “You gotta pay attention!”, and “You’ll” have to catch it on replay”.

I began thinking about how watching a game on replay is different since you already know the outcome. My mind then wandered to how the Christian life is kind of like that. We already know the ultimate outcome. During a replay, you are still tempted to ride an emotional rollercoaster, but the knowledge of victory grounds us.

Should this not also be the case in the Christian life? When we see the LORD’s name being profaned? When babies are being slaughtered without regard? When marriage has lost its sacred design? Have we forgotten that Christ’s FINISHED work on the cross has purchased our freedom and guaranteed our victory for all eternity? We need not put our hope in the systems of this world. We are children of the One True Living God who has sealed His promise of victory with the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

While we may be tempted, we must remember we know the ending of this story. We need not get emotionally distraught. We may feel behind “in the game” of life, but the game is not over yet. Hold fast to the One we know has the victory. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but we do know that when this life is over, our Victory is sure in Him!

Reflection

Spend some time searching for verses that confirm victory is the LORD’s.

Meditate on what that means for you.

Ask The Holy Spirit to remind you swiftly of Jesus’ victory when you are getting lost in the emotion of the struggle.

Prayer

Father, You are seated on the throne and have the victory! May our minds be grounded in that love-driven Victory, that we may bring You honor and glory in every thought and action. Guard our minds from the temptation to fear the waves. Instead fix our eyes on Jesus, that we may see Your perfect love cast out that fear and lead us on to victory in Him. Amen!

Reflection

If you are a believer, are you resting peacefully as your head hits the pillow?

Are you confident and filled with joy as you walk out your day?

Are you believing that Jesus is all you need?

Carve out time every day, multiple times a day to remember how God rescued and redeemed you. Praise Him for His great love and mercy out loud, especially when you rise up and when you lay down. He is our life!

Prayer

Thank you Father that you have made a way for me and all those who call upon Your name. You have covered our inquiry and given us new life.  May our lives reflect the beauty of Your grace and glorify Your name, 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!

To those who have fallen in the line of duty, words can not describe my gratitude.  For You have truly given all you have for my freedom.  I am forever grateful for your sacrifice. 

To the men and women who have served in active combat, the burden you carry is great. The things you have seen and walked through are nothing short of horrific.  I pray for peace for your soul.  Each day you endure, know that I pray for you and I am forever grateful for the sacrifice you endure. 

 May we all know this Memorial Day is “Happy” because others carry the burden of sadness so that we don’t have to.

Sometimes we get so hung up on “How do we share the Gospel?” question that we miss the fact that if we believe the Gospel to be true and we pursue relationship with Christ, He will bring forth the fruit and He transforms us to be the evidence of His Gospel. 

 The Gospel has the power to transform, do we? Have we forgotten that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16) I don’t remember reading anything about our abilities to share the Gospel as having any impact on increasing (auxano) the kingdom. 

 I firmly believe that if you want to be “better” at sharing the Gospel and being ready in season and out of season to share it, you must pursue your relationship with Christ as if your life depended on it, because it does. The more you seek Him through study, prayer, and service, the more you will see His fruit through you, the more the Gospel will be shared…not because you came with your strategy, but because God has faithfully transformed you in the likeness of his Son, your joint heir…

May you pursue Christ this year as if your life depends on it because it does!

The more I read the more I understood myself, others around me, and who God is.   I was finally getting answers to my questions that others seemed to have a hard time answering.  Questions like what is my purpose in this world?  Why is there so much suffering?  How do I have hope in the midst of my struggle?  I’m not the only one who has discovered this

You want the ultimate answer book to life’s biggest questions?   You probably already own 2-3 copies.  It’s time to read it and start getting some answers.  

Personal Reflection

Warning: direct questions forthcoming

If you compare your hours in scripture this week to hours in front of the TV, how does it line up?

Do you believe with all your heart that The Bible is the ultimate place of truth? 

Do you have a genuine desire for God’s Word?

This is not the time to spend the rest of the day feeling guilty.  It the time to fix your priorities and start knowing, living, and speaking the truth!  There is is so much life waiting for you in there.  Take it in and let it shape you like you do with your TV.  

Prayer Focus
Father we have all prioritized other things above Your word. For this we confess that we have been distracted.  Fill our hearts with a desire for Your word that is unwavering. May our minds be filled with truth that blesses those around us and shows them who You are.  All this by the power of Jesus, Amen!

#trutalk4life

@brianfriedl

Here are some ideas of how the body of Christ can end abortion

1. Love, pray and invest in those women that are wanting abortion And help them like you would a daughter of your own. Do not look down on or judge them.  Love them.

2. Help provide for financial needs of healthcare, etc. for an expecting mom to ensure a healthy pregnancy for the woman and the child.  Be willing to open your home to help care.

3. Live the word together.  Reach out to those that are hurting with the love of Christ and His word.  Help them to see that they don’t need a man to have value, but that God has given them value in who He has made them to be

4. Consider opening your home for adoption

5..  Teach your children God’s word and pray for God’s mercy for them.  They are in His care.

6. Be an active participant in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)

7. Eradicate poverty in your community as much as your are able by loving and serving the poor.

8. Love God and love others

What if we would wait on the fancy new car and give $$ to the impoverished instead? What if we were to actually invest?

I am convinced we would see the ultimate grass movement of love this nation has ever seen along with a decrease in the number of abortions, families in poverty, and crime.