work – Brian Friedl

The Blind See And The Seeing Choose Blindness

Brian — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:51:44 +0000

This passage comes on the heels of Jesus healing the blind man on the Sabbath. The Pharisees have already grilled Jesus who has tried to explain to them who He was many times.

Prior to the healing He was asked who sinned in regard to the blindness, him or his parents. Jesus clearly states it was neither but so that the works of God my be displayed.

The irony in all of this is that the blind man trusted and received sight. No matter how much evidence Jesus shows to the educated religious leaders, they still chose not to see.

They were trained in the Word. No doubt they have seen all the prophecy regarding the coming Messiah. They have seen more then everyone, yet they refused to believe and choose blindness.

We have God’s word freely available to us 24×7. We see the evidence around us every day in the complexity of design in every species that points to a designer. My own eyes have seen the impossible become possible through prayer.

Let us not be lo like the men who saw and heard but choose to be blind and deaf, but instead as those who were blind and now see. Let our mouths not remain silent of what we have seen of Him.

#MPWarrior

#DontBeBlindAndDeafToTheruth

#TheBlindSeeAndTheDeafHearThroughJesus

The Work Trip

Brian — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 12:15:20 +0000

When the gospel struck my heart for real the first time, I gave up my life and asked God to guide me. In looking back, I didn’t even have a clue of what would happen next. I was simply knew I had sinned against Him and needed His forgiveness and guidance. I didn’t fully understand the imperishable inheritance that Christ has secured for me or the work had had given me to do.

Looking back from where my faith is now, I see things even more clearly. My thoughts then were only the beginning of the most amazing relationship in my life. Not only was He my Savior but also my King to whom I swear my allegiance. For I will work for Him with all diligence. When it gets hard I will remember the cross and what He has endured for me.

I must remember this earth is not my home. I’m only on a work trip for my King. It is Him that I seek to please. One day I will return home to receive my inheritance He has protected for me. He has given me my work assignment (Matt 28:18-20) and many instructions on how to carry that out. He has even given me the ultimate teacher, mentor, and helper (John 14:25-26). Let us all press on working diligently for the One who has set us free and allowed us to work for Him!

Reflection

Who are you working for today?

How can you work more diligently for the Lord?

Spend some time today picturing your inheritance the Lord is protecting for you. Praise Him for His mighty victory at the cross. He is such a good King!!!

Prayer

Father, You are mighty in power and have purchased us with the precious blood of Christ. We are Yours forever. You have sent us on a mission to work for You. Let us carry out that work with all diligence, honor, and glory to You. May the work of our hands be pleasing in Your sight. May strongholds be torn down in the minds of those we serve and may they join us on this amazing work trip You have us on. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Do Your Father’s Work

Brian — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:07:03 +0000

What a merciful God and loving Father we have! We were once dead in our trespasses happily letting our bodies do whatever they desired in accordance with every dark and evil force of wickedness. Without acknowledging Him, we carried on as children deserving His wrath.

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

Three Words That Changed Everything

Brian — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 13:38:58 +0000

We love the stories about the little guy who went against all odds and pushed himself to the ultimate limit. The story of the underdog that in the end triumphs gives us a sense that we too can overcome. The notion that anything is possible if you just work hard enough is probably the number one selling movie theme in the world. Certainly one of my favorites anyway!

I’m not against work or giving it everything I have. In fact I have believed for a long time that I could accomplish anything I put my mind and hands to. This was my coping mechanism for the rest of my life’s problems and my solution to all of them. I was in fact a workaholic. My answer to everything was to work harder. I would watch Rocky intentionally so I could press on with what I was facing. After that shot in the arm, I could go back in the trenches and hit it again. But it always wore off.

This method seemed to work most days, but not all. When I was made aware that I had sinned against God, it’s no surprise that my first reaction was to try harder, but Even Rocky couldn’t solve this one. When it happened again, I turned my focus up another notch, and another and yet had the same result. I had to figure out how to up my game in this battle.

Eventually, after wearing myself, my mind, and my ego to the point of surrender, I was able to comprehend God’s provision for me through Jesus. It was His finished work at the cross that rescued me. My work was not enough. It was not possible in my own strength to fix my sin problem. When I came to terms with that truth, not only was there an answer to my sin problem, there was a new relationship in my life that brought freedom.

It’s amazing to me how much time I wasted because I had no understanding the first 3 words of this verse.

“For with God, nothing shall be impossible” ~ Luke 1:37.

I had the second half down but it’s no longer truth when you drop the first part. Don’t waste your time as I did. Let go of the “I am the solution” mindset for a moment and see what God has done for you. Invite Him to be your Lord today and you too will have the victory and freedom you desire. Those three words change everything!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

Make sure to like, comment and share to get this encouragement to as many people as possible. Use the hashtags above so we can see the lives of those that are being impacted. Thank you!
@brianfriedl

Provision And Praise

Brian — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 12:03:34 +0000

The shepherds chose to trust in God’s provision and went to see the thing that was told to them (Luke 2:15). Trusting and obeying meant they got to get one of the first glances of their Lord and Savior.

It also meant an increase in their faith and knowledge that God is who He says He is and that He will keep His promises. For we are all learning to trust in our Father’s provision for us.

There is one other observation in this account. Truth about our Savior cannot be kept to themselves.

“When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.” ~ ‭Luke‬ ‭2:17‬ ‭NASB‬‬

It’s as if truth is a raging river that flows wherever God’s momentum carries it. The powerful force erodes lies and continues to change everything in its path. But rivers don’t stop; they keep carrying on all of what’s been gathered thus far. They fill every nook and cranny the come in contact with.
So why did the shepherd go back, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen? They had witnessed and participated in the work of God! How amazing that God chose these lowly shepherds as His mouthpiece to announce The birth of our Savior!
The same is true today when we go to the cross, hear, and see the mighty work Jesus has done there. God uses the lowly (us) to carry His good news. Let our mouths be filled with proclaiming the provision of our Father in heaven. May His truth flood the nations and may He be glorified!
@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life

Acts Bible Study 20:13-38

Brian — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:07:18 +0000

As Paul travels, he is continuos led by the Spirit and begins to see and communicate a final goodbye to those he has poured into. Knowing that he will not see their face again. He commends them to God and the gospel and reminds them to work hard as it is better to give than to receive.

Read Acts 20:13-38

1) What stands out to you in this text? Where? Who? What? Why? When? How?

2) What questions need to be answered to fully understand the text? For example, Why was Paul sailing around Ephesus? What would have delayed him?

3) What is the main theme?

4) What is the application for original readers?

5) How does this message apply to believers today and you personally?

Dig deep and bathe in the riches of His word today!

Work For The Reward

Brian — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 11:30:33 +0000

Often times I use rewards to motivate my children. We may spend the afternoon working in the garden to receive the reward of going swimming or to a movie. How much greater a reward it is for us to spend eternity with Jesus?

Knowing we will spend an eternity with Him not only gives us energy in the moment for the task ahead of us but gives us hope to endure whatever work or struggle lies ahead of us. For we work heartily because we know we will receive the reward of joy in Jesus!

Personal Reflection

How great a joy is it to you to spend eternity with Jesus? Are you looking forward to that day while you serve here? Spend a few moments thinking about what it will be like having all eternity with Him? What would you ask Him?

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Son and the reward of knowing Him. For we deserve nothing and instead have received everything. May we work heartily knowing that we will receive the reward of an eternity with Your Son Jesus. Blessing and praise to You , in Jesus’ Name , Amen!

#truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl

The Same God For You

Brian — Tue, 03 May 2016 11:01:55 +0000

Did you catch this? The God of Peace who raised Jesus from the dead, is the same God equipping you with everything good and working in you everything that is pleasing to Him. Wow! This is no small truth!

This tells me that God’s plan in me is destined for success. It’s hard to grasp some days how I can be pleasing to the LORD. Then I remember Christ is my righteousness. When God looks at me He sees His beautiful and perfect son who is working in and through us; his blood cleansing us from all unrighteousness and we rejoice!

Personal Reflection

We ought to rejoice in the knowledge of this great truth. God is carrying out His perfect plan of redemption in and through us. The more I meditate on the grace and truth of Jesus, the more I am in awe of the perfect plan of our LORD. Have you taken time to reflect on all that God is doing in your life? How is your life different now, than when you first trusted in Christ? How has He equipped you? How is He working in you that which is pleasing to Him?

Prayer Focus

Gracious and loving God, we praise you that we are part of your plan of redemption. Equip us according to your will and good purposes that we may light your world with Jesus. May you fill our hearts with love for those in need and our lips with the truth they need to hear. Grant us your favor that we may bring you glory forever, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

ALL Things

Brian — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 11:57:09 +0000

This truth is what gives me clear direction in the midst of the greatest storm. We have to remember God is doing much greater work than what we can see. He is reconciling all things to Himself. We are just a part of that process that is causing all things to work together for those who love Him.

He is able to redeem even in those times we see as tradgedy. There is nothing the LORD can’t do! He can take what was a broken life and make it new, but He goes even farther and causes that life to bless and bring truth to many others. What an amazing Father we have in heaven!

Personal Reflection

Sometimes we get so caught up in the trial we are facing that we forget that God will keep His promise and will cause it to work together for good. This is especially true when the trial is self inflicted. Take some time to think about how God may use what you’re going through for your good and the good of others. How can you be a light to encourage others in this area?

Prayer Focus

Powerful and magnificent LORD, thank you for causing all things to work together for our good. Help us to remember this verse in time of need. You are faithful and keep your promises for all eternity. Let us be diligent in looking for ways to encourage others with this truth. Help us to live this truth as the enemy tries to convince us that we have messed things up beyond the Father’s repair. We are so thankful for your love and mercy! We praise you in the precious Name of Jesus! Amen.
@brianfriedl

#allthingsforgood #masterreconciler #truthtalk4life

What Are You Waiting For?

Brian — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 11:06:52 +0000

When we look to ourselves and our feeble attempt to live up to God’s standard we have no place to go but our knees. Who can stand before a righteous and holy God?

His Word gives us the only true hope; Jesus Christ and his finished work at the cross. He is mighty but also merciful with the power to redeem through His son. We are fully content placing our trust in Him as we wait and watch for his return. We are more diligent than even the night watchman who waits for morning.
Personal Reflection

When we watch for Jesus’ return we also see God at work now in our life and the lives of people around us. Take time today to unplug from all the busyness and stress of life and write down some things you see God doing. It may be small evidences of His grace or things that can’t be explained by man’s wisdom.

Prayer Focus

Gracious God, we praise you for your lovingkindness. Without out it we would be left with only the judgement we deserve. For you have redeemed us and called us by name. You have given us the great honor of being your children. May we glorify you in all that we say and do, now and forever more, in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#waitingonyouLord #lovingkindness #truthtalk4life