But God, being rich in mercy, had other plans to redeem us and call us by name into a relationship with Him.  By His perfect plan He reconciled humanity to a state better even than the original unfallen one.  For we now are adopted as sons and daughters and know new depths of His loves daily. 

While this is life changing for us personally, God’s plan doesn’t stop there.  His plan includes you embracing the sin of your past, depending on Him in the present to overcome it, and apply it for others in the future.  Every gift, skill, ability, role, activity, and attribute is to be used for His good work in the lives of others.  Your story of God’s salvation and His faithful walking with you needs to be heard by someone in your life. 

The blessing of His reconciliation and redemption are designed to be multiplied to those in your path today.  There are good works to be done.  Your Father in heaven has comforted you that you may comfort others. He has loved you that you may love others and  He has forgiven you that you may forgive others.   Be about this work that He has prepared in advance for you to walk in. 

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

God’s word is clear that instead of coming down harshly using God’s word as a justifying hammer, we are to respond with gentleness. If you’re mind is already saying “but…” like mine was, go back and read the passage again. This time maybe you also caught the word patient. So we have to be patient and gentle?  That’s not fair!  Your right it’s not fair, it’s mercy!

Have you ever considered that our acts of mercy have the power to point to the ultimate act of mercy at the cross?   That perhaps what is needed in the situation is a patient, loving explanation?  As I write these words, my heart is pierced itself, knowing I need more Jesus in this area. 

Logically speaking, your not going to win a battle of words with a bully or a slanderer.  But love has the power to make the mouth stop long enough for the heart to listen.  Our end goal isn’t to be in control, be right, or be a better wordsmith.  Our desire should be that God would grant repentance and lead them to the truth about Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross.  We must love them in spite of our shortcomings and reactions to the words c?oming out of their mouths.  We must love them as God does!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to share this in every avenue you have today with the hash tags above. Someone you know may need to hear it.  Blessings to you!   Follow me on Twitter,Facebook,and Instagram.  

@brianfriedl

 Jesus challenges us to be merciful and loving to even indignant and evil persons. For it is easy to be kind to those who are kind to you, but what about the one who spits in your face? That requires our complete trust and dependence. For when we truly seek God first, we have the power to do the impossible: Love our enemies. 

Those that are evil are merely broken souls who have been damaged so many times they cannot see the beauty of the Lord’s love. They are bound by the lies of the ultimate enemy and unable to break free. These chains are no match for true love. 

We are to love them with the same love that was given us.  Remember God sees and knows our hearts. There is nothing hidden from Him and He still chooses to love us. What love! When we love our enemies we are really multiplying that love and mercy God has shown us. 

 Be advised when we love and invest in others, especially enemies, our hands and feet will get dirty, we will not always be comfortable. In fact, we will mostl likely endure pain and hardship, but the reward comes when we reach our final home as we rejoice in the presence of Jesus with some of those who were once our enemies. 

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to share and add these hashtags above to bring encouragement to as many as possible.  Thanks! 

@brianfriedl

The Wisdom’s of God is certainly different from worldly wisdom.  Godly wisdom is, “…first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NASB‬‬). Godly wisdom has a gentle strength and confidence that cannot be broken nor matched by the world. 

Wisdom tells us that we need not lash out at others when things get tough. Instead wisdom leads us to a place of gentleness and trust that is unwavering.  I love the phrase full of mercy and good fruits. Who doesn’t want to be like that?

Personal Reflection

Examine yourself to see whether you are making decisions according to God’s wisdom or man’s wisdom.  If it be man’s wisdom you are operating under confess, repent, and get back to seeking God’s wisdom.  If you are operating in Godly wisdom, praise him for his great faithfulness and gift!

Prayer Focus

LORD in heaven, please help us to be real with ourselves to see the true source of our wisdom. Let our hearts praise only you and not men.  May your wisdom dwell with your Word in our hearts forever. In the Name of Jesus, Amen!  

@brianfriedl

#matchlesswisdom #gentlewisdom #truthtalk4life

The sin of enemies always threatens the testimony of God but never has any power to deliver on this threat when love is present. 

It’s easy to forget that we were once an enemy of God threatening the testimony of God in our own life.  We lived as if God wasn’t real, watching, or powerful.  We carried on with our eyes fixed on ourselves obtaining all this world had to offer.  What changed all that?  It was God’s love for us (an enemy) through His Son Jesus, that broke through our foolish thinking and sin.  He revealed the truth in love that we were enemies of God needing a Savior to intercede.  Now we are no longer enemies but children of the living God!

We must guard our eyes and fix them on Jesus so we never forget the testimony of what God has done in our life through His love and mercy.  He simply asks us to do the same for those around us.  It is difficult to stand in the face of an enemy and lend? or in the midst of persecution and ridicule bless?  Definitely…if we try to do that in our own strength.  When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and remember what He has done for us, everything looks different.  That person no longer looks like an enemy but one who is gripped by THE enemy. 

Today, find someone you feel is an “enemy” to you and be kind.  Find something you can do for them to bless them.  It could be a co-worker, a boss, or even a family member and might be as simple as getting them a cup of coffee or saying good morning.  Better yet commit to 12 days of blessing. (through the end of this month). Seek them out and bless them each day for the next 12 days and see the power of God’s love move in an amazing way.  For the sake of all reading this, come back and comment what you see God doing through love.

May God bless you as you seek to KNOW, LIVE, and SPEAK the Truth!!!

#truthtalk4life #loveyourenemies #bemerciful