#strength - Brian Friedl https://brianfriedl.com Making Your Life's Mission Possible Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:14:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 64732294 Be Ready! https://brianfriedl.com/be-ready/ Wed, 09 Aug 2017 10:14:51 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/be-ready/ An ambush is the worst form of attack.  You are caught off guard and the enemy is able to strike quickly and  effectively since he has been prowling around studying your every weakness.  So what does scripture tell us we are to do? Be Alert and on Guard We shouldn’t be surprised.  We know how the […]

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]]> An ambush is the worst form of attack.  You are caught off guard and the enemy is able to strike quickly and  effectively since he has been prowling around studying your every weakness. 

So what does scripture tell us we are to do?

Be Alert and on Guard We shouldn’t be surprised.  We know how the enemy works.  We can see evidences of his hand all around us.  It’s not a matter of if he will attack, it’s simply when he will.  Expect it and be ready.  

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” ~ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13

Stand Firm, Submit and Resist Him.  Submitting doesn’t come naturally.  It is an act of faith.   

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” ~ ‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Standing firm implies a solid ground to stand on.  What is more solid than our faith in Jesus?  It is an immovable  rock and a foundation that bring peace, power and rest in the midst of the toughest trials.  Let’s not forget there is the work of resisting.  In the Holy Spirit’s power, we are able to resist ever attack. 

Watch him flee. These attacks do come with suffering, but it is temporary, purpose-filled and  in it and comes with the promise of His reward.  

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ~  ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:10 NASB

Be Courageous – The LORD is With You.  The presence of the LORD is powerful and priceless!  For He has promised never to leave or forsake us.  What a blessing!  What strength!  Day after day He is with us leading us on.  For no one can stand in His presence. 

‭“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NASB‬‬

Reflection

Which of the actions above do you struggle with the most?

Where are you most vulnerable to attack?

What are you doing about that?   

Are you justifying or submitting to God?

Prayer

Holy Father, we know You have the power to crush the enemy under our feet.  You are our rock and our fortress in You we will trust!  Equip us and gives us the courage to be on guard. You go before us as a consuming fire.   May Your will be done in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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]]> 1386 Flesh Or God? https://brianfriedl.com/flesh-or-god/ https://brianfriedl.com/flesh-or-god/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2017 13:19:17 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/flesh-or-god/ There are no thoughts or feelings hidden from God.  While it is true that that mouth is the overflow of the heart, the LORD knows the overflow long before it leaves the mouth. He knows the hearts and minds of men and acts upon that knowledge.   I have caught myself too many times over […]

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]]> There are no thoughts or feelings hidden from God.  While it is true that that mouth is the overflow of the heart, the LORD knows the overflow long before it leaves the mouth. He knows the hearts and minds of men and acts upon that knowledge.  

I have caught myself too many times over the years justifying sinful thoughts and actions because “I’m human” or because “God’s grace is sufficient”.  When we do that, our relationship is not being built on love but instead selfishness.  Salvation is less about what we get and more about what was given and why. 
The gospel by its very nature reveals to us the depravity and wickedness in our hearts, demonstrates how we have estranged ourselves from our Heavenly Father, and provides a means of making it right through surrendering all that we are. 

The core in all of it is love. God’s love for us and our response of love back.  This is not a “How do I get to heaven” thing.  It’s a “I have sinned against my holy and perfect creator; I surrender and want to be shaped by Him” kind of thing.  Do you get the subtle difference?   My salvation isn’t motivated by my desire to get to heaven, but instead it’s driven by my desire to love and obey God because o who He is and what He has done. 

Reflection

Are you still moved by the great gift of love that was given to you at the cross or have you forgotten your desperate need? Be honest and check your heart and mind.  Do you really want God in charge of every aspect of your life…total surrender?   Remember there is no fooling God.  Let this truth pierce your heart and bring you to a place of worship and surrender. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we confess that our flesh is weak and it seeks our own gain. Help us to let go of choosing strength in our flesh and depend completely on you. For You are our Rock and our Refuge. You are our Salvation. Apart from You there is no hope. Thank you for rescuing us from ourselves. You are all we need!  Let our hearts be pure and filled with love for You in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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]]> https://brianfriedl.com/flesh-or-god/feed/ 2 1188 The Real Provision https://brianfriedl.com/the-real-provision%ef%bb%bf/ https://brianfriedl.com/the-real-provision%ef%bb%bf/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2017 10:54:18 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/the-real-provision%ef%bb%bf/ God has been, is, and always will be the Great Provider.  Whatever He gives to us has been carefully apportioned “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.   Notice that God’s giving is inseparable from Christ’s glory.  When God gives in a way that leaves us with humble means, He has done that […]

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]]> God has been, is, and always will be the Great Provider.  Whatever He gives to us has been carefully apportioned “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”.   Notice that God’s giving is inseparable from Christ’s glory.  When God gives in a way that leaves us with humble means, He has done that in accordance with that glory.  When He blesses us with prosperity, likewise it’s in accordance with Christ’s glory. 

Paul came to realize that the real blessing isn’t the gift itself, but the knowledge and confidence that what God faithfully provides through Jesus is enough to get him through no matter the physical need or circumstances.  God’s provision in Christ cannot be compared with the physical needs we have in any moment, yet God in His great mercy chooses to meet those as well. 

What and amazingly merciful God we have that is able to patiently teach us this truth.  Most of us rarely go without anything. Some of us know what it is to scrounge for a meal.  All of us have been given everything we need in Christ. This provision is greater than any other found in the physical realm.  Let us not miss the fullness of the phrase:

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength ~ Philippians 4:13

Reflection

For which is greater;  to learn to be completely content and strengthened in Christ or temporarily  satisfy our physical needs?  We must master the demands of our flesh and put them in their proper place.  When we do, we see the real provision God has given us through His Son Christ and we ovegrflow with joy in all circumstances. 

Am I content with what God has apportioned to me?

What needs distract you from seeing what God is providing for you in Christ Jesus?

Ask yourself, “Do I really believe that I have all I need in Christ?”

Prayer

Heavenly Father and Great provider, You seek to show me my heart’s deepest need and are teaching me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Your provision in Christ is all I need. Write that truth upon my heart with your permanent marker of Love. May Your truth be the fuel of every thought and may our response be lips filled with praise.  We lift all of this in stour Son, Jesus, Amen!

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]]> https://brianfriedl.com/the-real-provision%ef%bb%bf/feed/ 4 1070 Encouragement For The Tired Soul https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/ https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:57:48 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/ Doing the good work our Father in heaven  prepared for us to walk in can be very draining.   When you invest in the lives of others and bear their burdens, the potential exists for our bodies and minds to take a beating.   We must make sure that the fuel for your ministry isn’t […]

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]]> Doing the good work our Father in heaven  prepared for us to walk in can be very draining.   When you invest in the lives of others and bear their burdens, the potential exists for our bodies and minds to take a beating.  

We must make sure that the fuel for your ministry isn’t just your strength or skill.  Knowledge of the Father’s love and the eternal comfort He has given us is like and endless supply of food and water as we minister in the desert. 

I love the phrase “good hope”.  There are many choices for the objects of our hope. I hope that snow only falls on grass.  Somehow it never does.  I hoped the Packers would win. Where did that get me?  The hope we have in our salvation, through Christ,  cannot be compared with any earthly hope.  For it is always good and results is righteousness. It is a hope that never disappoints but instead is always increasing faith, more hope, and love.  We have that hope because of God’s marvelous grace.  Remember this was given to us while we were yet sinners(Rom. 5:8 NASB). How much more hope do we have now that we are children of God and see His goodness!

One other quick observation: Paul prays for hearts to be comforted and strengthened in every good work and word.  The goodness of God should be spurring us on to good words and deeds.  How can we contain the goodness of God?  For it was designed to fill us to overflowing; hat others may be filled to overflowing and so on.  

May your hearts be comforted and strengthened today as you work for Him in word and in deed!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

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]]> https://brianfriedl.com/encouragement-for-the-tired-soul/feed/ 2 1060 His Strength https://brianfriedl.com/his-strength/ Thu, 29 Dec 2016 13:41:58 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/his-strength/ While I grow weary God never does.  He never sleeps or slumbers. For He is our strength and everlasting hope.   There are two ways to run in this life; in our strength or His.  Those who try to run ahead of God and those who wait on Him.  This reminds me of The contrast […]

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]]> While I grow weary God never does.  He never sleeps or slumbers. For He is our strength and everlasting hope.  

There are two ways to run in this life; in our strength or His.  Those who try to run ahead of God and those who wait on Him.  This reminds me of The contrast between Saul and David in 1 Samuel.  Saul is impulsive, jealous and short-tempered. Where David, having been annoited already, waits on God for Saul’s removal as king.  God is our strength day in and day out in all circumstances. 

Archaeology confirms that God brought a flood, led his people out of Egypt, parted the Red Sea, defeated Goliath through David, sent His Son to die for our sins, and resurrected Christ.  Given thes “impossible” feats, can He not handle the troubles that are facing you today? Can He not provide the strength required to overcome?

There will always be giants before us, but a more powerful God in and beside us!  

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life

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]]> 977 Courage is not “No Fear” https://brianfriedl.com/courage-is-not-no-fear/ https://brianfriedl.com/courage-is-not-no-fear/#comments Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:22:34 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/?p=277 I’m studying the book of Joshua. In Chapter 1, God commissions Joshua to lead the nation of Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land. This is no small task. There were several obstacles to this commission. That time of year it was certainly common that the river would be high, even above its […]

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]]> I’m studying the book of Joshua. In Chapter 1, God commissions Joshua to lead the nation of Israel across the Jordan and into the promised land. This is no small task.
There were several obstacles to this commission. That time of year it was certainly common that the river would be high, even above its banks. Some estimate well over a million people left Egypt during the exodus. While some died in the wilderness it’s fair to say there were probably a good number of people still alive to now cross the Jordan. Let’s not forget this is a “stiff-necked” people, quickly turning away from God and His leading as well as professional grumblers

I find it interesting that In the first 9 verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous 3 times. Where does that strength and courage come from? The place where all of our help comes from…The Lord.

God has promised 2 things. The Land and His Presence.

COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR BUT TRUSTING GOD AND TAKING ACTION IN SPITE OF IT.

Joshua doesn’t hesitate but instead trusts in the promises of God and expects Him to show up and deliver the victory. He already knows the road ahead will have struggle but knows He serves a big God.

Whatever lies before you today, remember the Lord’s promise of His salvation and that He will be with you always. Seek His leading and take action to follow Him. He will equip you and give you strength and courage by leading you through that which you fear. What a great God we serve!

Reflection

What causes you to fear the most?

How big is that thing compared to God?

Prayer

Father, we know in our minds that You are Lord over all.  Help the rest of who we are take action on that truth by faith.  Let no fear capture our hearts and keep us from pursuing you.  May we be filled with a courage that is born out of a deep knowledge of and trust in You. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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