sacrifice – Brian Friedl

Freedom In Dependence

Brian — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 12:15:34 +0000

Freedom has always required intentional sacrifice. It implies a leaving behind of some form of bondage, whether great or small. That which holds captive is not willing to give in but will put up a fight.

This is certainly true of the country we live in. Many men and women have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. They had given their most precious resource that we may reap the benefit for centuries to come.

As you reflect on this sacrifice know there is an even greater freedom and sacrifice that had been won and given. We have been freed for the law of sin and death:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:2‬ ‭NASB‬‬

This not only changes our daily experience, but redraws our eternity. For our identity has been transformed from enemy of God to child of the most high. Our sins that held us in bondage, were dealt with on the cross. We now live in a freedom that transcends the limits of the physical realm.

While freedom in Christ can be compared to the freedom in this country, there is one very significant difference. Today, we celebrate our independence whereas with Christ, I celebrate my dependence. My spiritual bondage was not a battle that I won by my strategic tactics or great strength. It was a gift given me by One who I strive to be more dependent on daily.

As We celebrate our independence in this country, We, likewise, celebrate the dependence of our hearts, souls, and minds on Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Why Is Memorial Day Happy?

Brian — Mon, 29 May 2017 13:13:20 +0000

As I read all of the “Happy Memorial Day” posts, I felt the weight of all the family members who live on having lost a brother, sister, father, or mother in the battle for freedom. For them, today is a day of mixed emotions. They are proud of their soldier and yet grief and anger also flood in. To those families, I want to say I am forever grateful for the sacrifice you endure.

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.

How Must I Live?

Brian — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:32:24 +0000

There is an evil present in me that wars against everything godly, pure , and right. It seeks to convince me that I can have my cake and eat it too. It often times floods my ear with phrases like “you deserve it”, “go ahead, you are forgiven, you can do whatever you want”, and “Surely God has not asked you to give up everything”

The whisper of God reminds me that I must be all in; not just on the surface, but every square inch and even the deepest parts of my soul must surrender. If I’m not willing to leave it all behind and follow, I’m not really following Him. Instead, my affections are divided, somehow believing I can bargain with God.

Following requires complete abandonment of goals, dreams, and desires of everything this side of life. We must lose our life to keep it. Again the dark voice returns to my ear, “that’s a little extreme don’t you think?” The answer is “Yes!”

If we want to talk extreme how about we look at what Jesus surrendered for the sake of the Father…for you.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

~ Philippians 2:8

‭‭He left behind His deity and surrendered everything, including His connection to the Father. One my say that kind of love is extreme. That kind of obedience is extreme. The cross was extreme.

Reflection

Compared to the cross what are you really giving up?

What do you gain when you give your life completely over to God?

Is not being in the wonderful presence of God for all eternity worth any sacrifice?

Father

Open our eyes to see the full measure of our gift in Christ that we may loose all ties to all things in this life and cling to Him. Let us rightly lose our life that we may keep it in Him, Amen!

Love And Sacrifice

Brian — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:11:33 +0000

Love is a word that gets thrown out there for everything from people to peanut butter. While its definition hasn’t changed, it’s uses have. If we were to look how we use the word love today, it might more closely resemble lust. It casually rolls off our tongue requiring little effort of thought as has more to do with our wants than its purpose.

Let us not be fooled. Love is often paired with sacrifice on purpose as it is here. Love is sacrifice. Ask any husband or wife that been married 20 plus years what love is and they may just say, “sacrifice” or “putting the other person first.” I once heard, “love is choosing the best for someone else regardless of the circumstances it creates for you”. Yep that sounds like marriage and parenting!

Of course there is no place this truth is more powerfully displayed than the cross. What would it take for Jesus to leave His throne to come die for sinners who had rejected and disregarded Him…Love and sacrifice. Without the Father’s mercy and compassion to reach down, were would we be? Without the sacrifice of His son, there would be no hope.

Praise God for His steadfast love and willingness to humble Himself and endure even death on cross for me. Iwill choose to love with sacrifice for those He has placed in my path. What will you do?

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

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@brianfriedl

Only Once

Brian — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:28:30 +0000

Christ’s blood only need be shed only once for the forgiveness of sins past, present, and future; unlike sacrifices in the old covenant of the law. Though the sacrifices of goats and bulls were a means of forgiveness and copy of what was to come,
“How much more the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” ~ Hebrews 9:14 NASB
We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus! Though our sins were at Scarlet, the precious blood of Jesus has washed us white as snow.

Notice the prompted action from the cleansing of that sin. That we may serve God. All of God’s actions are intentional and purpose filled. We are cleansed that we may serve.

This time of year, as much as any, is a time where we find many in need whether it be financially, physically, Mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Seek out ways to serve someone today. You have been blessed to be a blessing

How Far Will He Go?

Brian — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 13:22:39 +0000

Have you ever considered how far Jesus went to accomplish the Father’s plan? Not only did He willingly leave His place in heaven, but scripture says

“He emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” ~ ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Imagine the difference in relationship with His Father. We need only to look to the garden of Gesthemane to see the toll that this mission took on Him. And as we read on, we are made aware of even greater depths of sacrifice including His public humiliation, flogging and humble, obedient death on a cross.

Praise God for the resurrection of His obedient son! The Father’s plan is perfect and complete. A babe in a manger becomes the Savior of the world.

There is no distance too far for Him to go. He was willing to leave everything to rescue you. That my friend is love…