“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be…”  ~ Romans 6:1-2a NASB

God sees our heart for what it is and longs for it to be pure like His. He desires our heart to overflow with righteousness and justice out of a love and devotion for Him.  Our hearts were designed to love and worship Him!  

What sin in your life continues to promise life but keeps delivering death?   

Confess that sin before God today, turn from to Your Father in heaven, and know that what He has provided in Christ is all you need. 

Pray today that the minds of our brothers and sisters as well as ours would be rightly fixed on Jesus Christ, that we would humbly see our hearts as they truly are, and that we would realize our desperate need for Him. For He is our love, He is our justice, and He is our righteousness. 
@brianfriedl 

#truthtalk4life

The post A Heart Of Obedience first appeared on Brian Friedl.

Immorality, impurity are set against the perfect plan of God.  It includes anything sexually that is not Gods’s design as part of marriage as described in Genesis.  Hebrews 13:4 further clarifies there is the marriage bed which is to be honored and then everything else which is to be judged.  Notice the word “greed” is present with the first two words.  It means to desire after something which is not yours.  Sexually speaking, anything other than marriage was not given to us, marriage was.  

Let me interject that sadly, I spent my early years not knowing this and then having a hard time believing it once I heard it.  After enough damage was done I finally saw God’s best was His design for marriage. 

This is a tough passage in this day an age when the media presses us that when we disagree, hate must be present.  Some will read this and make a quick decision to quit reading and place a label on me of bigot, homophobe, or hater on me. I encourage you to read on. 

The sin mentioned above is like all other sin, in that,  satan has given us a plethora of counterfeit options that look better than God’s design and make grand promises of comfort, peace, and freedom when in reality they leave us feeling abandoned, ashamed and in bondage.  

The difference with sexual sin that it is connected with the most powerful intimacy available on the planet.  It is not only an amazing physical experience but a spiritual one.  Our sexual relationship with our wives or husbands is to reflect the spiritual relationship God has with us.  It is not to be one of self-centered lust and greed, but one of God-centered love and grace. 

So what is one of our brothers or sisters who struggles with same sex attraction supposed to do given this information and what should our response be? They same as all of us when we are outside the design of God. They are to look to Him and His design, and obey.  Our response should be to love everyone as you love yourself.   Not look down, not shame, love.  Given the number of negative sexual encounters that happen in this society, we should not be shocked in the place we find ourselves.  

Personal Reflection

What areas of your life are not in obedience to God?  Are you fighting to obey in those areas regardless of how strong they are and how your peer group/culture feels about them?   God loved us beyond our obedience. Are you doing the same with those around you or are you conditionally loving based on their performance?   Read Romans 5:8 and take time today meditating on Gods loves for you.  Pray specifically for those in for life that are hard for you to love. 

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we desire to obey you in our spirit, yet our flesh is weak.  Help us to be honest with ourselves and to see any area of our life that needs to come in line with your design; especially those that are sexual in nature.    Let love bring us to a place of obedience to bring you honor and glory.  Teach us to love those around us wherever they may be at right now with you. In Jesus Name, Amen!

#Godsdesignformarriage #GodsBest #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

The post What God Says About Sex And Marriage first appeared on Brian Friedl.

Immorality, impurity are set against the perfect plan of God.  It includes anything sexually that is not Gods’s design as part of marriage as described in Genesis.  Hebrews 13:4 further clarifies there is the marriage bed which is to be honored and then everything else which is to be judged.  Notice the word “greed” is present with the first two words.  It means to desire after something which is not yours.  Sexually speaking, anything other than marriage was not given to us, marriage was.  

Let me interject that sadly, I spent my early years not knowing this and then having a hard time believing it once I heard it.  After enough damage was done I finally saw God’s best was Gis design for marriage. 

This is a tough passage in this day an age when the media presses us that when we disagree, hate must be present.  Some will read this and make a quick decision to quit reading and place a label on me of bigot, homophobe, or hater on me. I encourage you to read on. 

The sin mentioned above is like all other sin, in that,  satan has given us a plethora of counterfeit options that look better than God’s design and make grand promises of comfort, peace, and freedom when in reality they leave us feeling abandoned, ashamed and in bondage.  

The difference with sexual sin that it is connected with the most powerful intimacy available on the planet.  It is not only an amazing physical experience but a spiritual one.  Our sexual relationship with our wives or husbands is to reflect the spiritual relationship God has with us.  It is not to be one of self-centered lust and greed, but one of God-centered love and grace. 

So what is one of our brothers or sisters who struggles with same sex attraction supposed to do given this information and what should our response be? They same as all of us when we are outside the design of God. They are to look to Him and His design, and obey.  Our response should be to love everyone as you love yourself.   Not look down, not shame, love.  Given the number of negative sexual encounters that happen in this society, we should not be shocked in the place we find ourselves.  

Personal Reflection

What areas of your life are not in obedience to God?  Are you fighting to obey in those areas regardless of how strong they are and how your peer group/culture feels about them?   God loved us beyond our obedience. Are you doing the same with those around you or are you conditionally loving based on their performance?   Read Romans 5:8 and take time today meditating on Gods loves for you.  Pray specifically for those in for life that are hard for you to love. 

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we desire to obey you in our spirit, yet our flesh is weak.  Help us to be honest with ourselves and to see any area of our life that needs to come in line with your design; especially those that are sexual in nature.    Let love bring us to a place of obedience to bring you honor and glory.  Teach us to love those around us wherever they may be at right now with you. In Jesus Name, Amen!

#Godsdesignformarriage #GodsBest #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

The post What God Says About Sex And Marriage? first appeared on Brian Friedl.

When your heart is completely given to Christ and His work you can not fail.  Your plans will be established.  Your mind will be transformed from living your own agenda to living for Him and your life will have meaning and eternal impact. 

Personal Reflection

One of my favorite verses comes only a few after these.  

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

If you’re not committing your works to the LORD, prepare for your steps to be reordered.  Here are some thoughts to ponder:

• What are you most passionate about with regard to the Great Commission?
• What part of your passion needs to come in line with God’s plan?

Prayer Focus

LORD God, shape our passions according to your perfect plans. Teach us to walk in step with you. Equip us as we commit all our ways unto you. Work in and through us to change the lives of others for all eternity.  We pray these bold prayers in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

The post Passionate Plans first appeared on Brian Friedl.

When your heart is completely given to Christ and His work you can not fail.  Your plans will be established.  Your mind will be transformed from living your own agenda to living for Him and your life will have meaning and eternal impact. 

Personal Reflection

One of my favorite verses comes only a few after these.  

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

If you’re not committing your works to the LORD, prepare for your steps to be reordered.  Here are some thoughts to ponder:

• What are you most passionate about with regard to the Great Commission?
• What part of your passion needs to come in line with God’s plan?

Prayer Focus

LORD God, shape our passions according to your perfect plans. Teach us to walk in step with you. Equip us as we commit all our ways unto you. Work in and through us to change the lives of others for all eternity.  We pray these bold prayers in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

The post first appeared on Brian Friedl.

Love is powerful and it produces a desire to obey.  When we truly love Christ, it is not work to obey but a privilege and blessing. While we may be able to fool others, we cannot fool God, He will not be mocked.  Our heart is either for Him or against Him. 

Obedience is not far off and unobtainable.  In fact, the power to choose life is ever present.  What/who we love will guide our obedience.  May you be found with your heart desiring Him alone. 

Personal Reflection

Look at the area of your life you struggle the most with obeying.  Rather than trying to work/try harder, ponder how the LORD loves you and why you love the LORD.  If it helps make a list of all of the reasons you love Him.  The power to overcome is found in love.  First the love Jesus had for us at the cross and then the  love that returns to Him. The more we love the more we desire obedience. 

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we pray for all struggling today with obedience. May we come to a place of surrender and love and find victory.  We pray that we, your people, would love you above all else; that obedience would be the sweet fruit of our love for you. Give us that kind of love.  May we encourage those around us today to obey you out of love.  In Jesus’ Holy and precious Name, Amen. 

The post Love Leads To Obedience first appeared on Brian Friedl.