Often times we think suffering is bad and we avoid it like the plague. However; there is good that comes from it in any case.  For the sinner who suffers, he is reminded that God is Holy and he is not. He has a need that can only be met outside of himself and in the person of Jesus Christ.  For the believer, she draws closer to God as she cries out for help. God shows himself faithful in His time and He is glorified as the believer trusts through the trial and faith grows.   

Personal Reflection

We don’t know the quality of something until it is tested.  Suffering tests your faith in God according to His will. Often times when we are tested we take our eyes off of Christ and put them on ourselves and our situation.  This tends to make the test seem even larger and distracts us from choosing what’s right and bringing glory to God.  Are you suffering today?  If so, how is God testing your faith?  Ask Him to help you keep your eyes on Christ and to be faithful in trusting Him and bringing Him glory. 

Prayer Focus

Father, help us to endure the testing of our faith. Let us be found faithful with eyes unwavering from you. In the times of great trial, let us remember where our help comes from. It comes from you , o LORD.  For you are our ever present help in time of trouble.  We praise you for your faithfulness.  Thank you for testing us and showing us our need for you.  Let our actions be according to that need.  In Christ’s mighty Name we pray, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#sufferforHim #glorifyHim #truthtalk4life

Scripture teaches us that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Many believers in the Bible had significant wealth including Abraham, Solomon, and Job to name a few.  While they had wealth, there hearts still feared the LORD and He was their first love.  So wealth is not the issue, it’s where our love and affections are placed that determine our relationship with it.  It is possible to be wealthy and have a great relationship with the LORD. 

I heard it once said that we have mind viruses – Ideas that find their way in our heads and do damage.  Here are a few when it comes to money:

• Money is the root of all evil
• It’s better to be poor
• It’s more noble to be poor

The problem with these statements is that they are fragments of scripture and thereby destroy truth.  Often times our affections are tested.  Who or what do we love more God or money? Notice it’s not the money that’s evil.  It’s our affections and our heart that is being tested.  It’s the love of money that destroys.  It’s better to be poor if we had to choose between wealth or God.  It’s more noble to be poor only if it means we would ruin or first love. 

I have heard and agree that money makes a good steward more effective and a bad steward even worse.  It really just amplifies your affections.  Don’t be held captive by the mind viruses above and at the same time, make sure that your affections are for the LORD.  A lover of the LORD will do great things with all he has been given while a lover of self will squander what he has been given and not even be able to help himself for the better. 

Personal Reflection

What views of money do you hold that may fall into the category of mind virus or non biblical view.  If money is an amplifier, what would it look like in your life if you made an extra $2000, $4000, or $10000 per month.  Confess, if need be your lack of good stewardship, incorrectly placed affections, and possibly pride.  Ask God to help you have an appropriate view of wealth and a vision to use it for His kingdom and purposes. 

Prayer Focus

Father God, we acknowledge that you own it all, cattle on a thousand hills and our wallets we carry today.  May our affections and fears be rightly placed in you.   Teach us to be good stewards and increase our responsibilities that we may have more of an impact for you.  At the same time may we always find contentment where you have us.  You are the great provider and we trust in you.  In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#mindviruses #hearttesting #truthtalk4life

We must learn that the battles we face are mostly fought in the spiritual realm in our mind and guard accordingly. So we test the spirits.the voices we hear in our heads,that are directing our thoughts. The spirits know who Jesus is but will not desire to confess it.   

Battling the enemy takes a plan and strategy. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, verse 5 summarizes this battle strategy well:

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭NASB‬‬

We must not let down our guard but instead fight in the strength of Christ and train our minds for battle with the Word of God. This is war!

Personal Reflection

How can we know that the spiritual dialogue in our head is from God?  It’s more than a feeling.  I’ve heard people justify sins by feelings.  Someone told me once, “I feel like God is leading me to divorce my wife and enter into a relationship with a different women He has brought to me”.  Lies!  The best way to tell is to test all things against scripture.     Do you use scripture as your rudder to steer your choices in all dimensions?  To use it as a rudder you need to have it in your head and heart.  If you don’t already have a time set aside to study God’s Word, start today! Youversion.com has some great reading plans to choose from. Drink deep of the living water of His Word!

Prayer Focus

Glorious Father, teach us to test the spirits and take every thought captive.  Let us not remain naive but instead be equipped for battle.  Sanctify us by your truth; your Word is truth.  Keep our feet on Your firm foundation as we face the trials of this life with grace and truth.  May our lips be filled with praise to your glorious Name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#spiritualwarfare #ready for battle #truthtalk4life