Brian Friedl's Blog, page 7

Which Good Works Are Mine?

I’m convinced that a good portion of the body of Christ lives as I once did: semi-disconnected from my purpose. I was well aware of the commission God had given me and actively shared my faith, but still felt something was missing.

My mission looked a lot like a roller coaster of mountain top experiences with amazing experiences with God on the highs and confusion and guilt on the lows.

Thoughts like “I know I am called to more than what I am living” plagued me. These thoughts when examined closely were not an ‘awaken the giant or greatness within’ mentality.

Instead, there was a genuine desire to truly apply every aspect of God’s workmanship in me for the sake of the gospel. The lacking part was knowing how.

I believe that when we answer that question of how, then our lives are filled with joy as we walk in the good works He prepared for us.

The part that keeps me up at night is that many never find the answer to how. We can be confident in our salvation and yet never move on to the work He has prepared and miss the joy we have in serving Him we all that we have been given.

Don’t stop until you get the question answered, continue to present your bodies as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1), and see all of His design in you being used to advance the Gospel.

#MPWarrior

#EmploysHisWotkmanshipOfYouForTheGospel

#WalkInTheGoodWorksHePrepared

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Want a comprehensive guide to discovering God’s workmanship of you and a plan to build a vision so you can more confidently identify and walk in the works He has prepared for you?

Grab a copy of my new book MISSION POSSIBLE:Living A Life That Matters at the link below:

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

Peace That Rules

My life gets a little busy. Having 22 children, 11 grandchildren, an international Young Living business, prayer group of close to 900, and my MP Warrior brand is a lot to manage.

There are times when I can get sucked into a mode of busyness and begin to travel at Mach V. When this happens there is no peace. No peace ruling in me or in my relationships.

I act more like the energizer bunny than a human. The pace is not sustainable and is not healthy for me or my relationships.

I’ve noticed this pace happens when I don’t begin my day feasting on God’s word and spending time Him in prayer.

Jesus is the ultimate example of peace. When the storm is raging, He is able to rest deeply. When He knew one of his own disciple would sell Him out and the rest would abandon, He was at peace.

How is this possible when He knew the cross was before Him? His faith and trust in the Father’s plan was unwavering. He knew His mission, had built a vision to carry it out. He stuck to the plan and walked it out in faith. He didn’t run it out.

You were called to let that same peace rule in your hearts, to which you were called into one body. You are not alone in this endeavor. There is no self-made peaceful Christian. You need Christ and you need others.

Peace comes when we begin each day and moment with Christ at the center. When we feast in His word, we too, are able to understand our mission and build a vision to carry it out. This is even more powerful when we carry it out together with other believers.

In faith, we are the benefactors of the Lord’s peace. As we walk with Him and meditate on His mighty works, our thankfulness fills to overflowing. The peace of God that passes all understanding guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7)

Let your schedule reflect your purpose. Don’t let it be filled by default or overpacked with mindless entertainment. Intentionally let the Lord’s peace rule in your heart. Make time for Him and carrying out your mission first and throughout the day.

#MPWarrior

#LetThePeaceOfChristRule

#ScheduleOnPurpose

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Want to have clarity in your mission so, you too, can be unwavering and filled with peace? Grab a copy of my new book MISSION POSSIBLE: Living A Life That Matters at the link below:

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

His Instruction Or Your Schedule

Who would have thought one instruction could be so tough to live out?

We might do okay living out this passage normally until it’s time for church on Sunday morning and you have a few kids that need to be ready to go.

Mysteriously, one of the shoes and half of the clothing you set out the night before disappeared and, of course, both socks are MIA. You now have 5 minutes until departure.

When you’re child comes downstairs drowning in His older brother’s shirt, one black and one neon green sock, reaching for his farm boots, how will you react?

God desires that we react in love; quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. I have to confess, when we had 20 kids at home, I did not always respond in love.

Often times I let my schedule and my expectations get in the way of carrying out God’s instruction. My mouth moved to complaining of how this “always happens”.

Jesus was concerned about love far more than schedule. Following Him not only requires us to surrender ourselves, but also our schedules and expectations.

This is certainly an area we can all grow in. What scenarios are you most tempted to fail at this instruction?

What’s one thing you can do to help keep focus on this instruction rather than your schedule or expectation?

#MPWarrior

#QuickToHearSlowToSpeakSlowToAnger

#LiveOutTheWord

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Living out God’s word is a key part of living a life that matters. This is especially true when it comes to our mission and building a vision to carry it out.

It is possible to live a life you’re excited to wake up to each day. Grab a copy of my new book to find out how. Click the link below:

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

The Neighbor We Never Wanted

Satan is like an annoying neighbor who won’t leave you alone. He studies you and knows all your mistakes and likes to bring them up to you often.

He also calls at all hours of the day and night; hoping to distract you from your purpose. He carries with him many a temptation to stir feelings of guilt and shame.

There is no neighborhood you can move to that he will not follow. His joy comes from your lack and stumbling. He rejoices in your hurt and anger.

We cannot stay trapped indoors and accomplish our purpose. We must reach others if we are to carry out our mission.

How do we deal with these meddlesome attacks form this ill-seeking neighbor? We submit to the One who desires our well-being. Yes, we submit to His authority, His teaching, and His purpose for our life.

We also resist this enemy. For by submission to God and through resistance against our adversary, we will see satan flee.

This neighborhood is in your mind and is a battleground like no other. Give your mind what it needs to win this battle. Feast on God’s word daily, commune often with Him through prayer and live what He teaches.

#MPWarrior

#SubmitAndResist

#GodWillGiveTheVictory

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Obstacles are a part of our journey to living our purpose. Want to discover more in detail what your purpose is and how to overcome obstacles along the way? Grab a copy of my new book MISSION POSSIBLE: Living A Life That Matters at the link below:

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

Infuse Truth And Pray

In the core of our hearts truth and lies are present. To us they are all truth. They shape our identity, feelings, behaviors, and communication.

Some thoughts and actions, the ones born out of lies, wage war on the truth within us causing a divided heart.

God’s truth has the power to cleanse the lies from the core of our hearts and replace it with truth. He can take back the ground the enemy has stolen.

We need Him to teach us His way and give us opportunities to walk in His truth. We need the Holy Spirit to unite our heart and remove any wavering; all with the goal that our focus and fear may be for the Lord only.

How does this happen? By spending time with God in His word and prayer. Infusing truth is the fastest way to remove lies that cause us to waver. The Lord hears our prayers and answers according to His perfect will.

Set a time to read the Bible daily. Pick a time that is least likely to change or be interrupted. Set a reminder on your phone. You can download and choose plans in the youversion app and even invite others to study with you.

Prayer should happen as often as you think of it. You may need reminders at first to get in the habit. In reality, it is an ongoing conversation with God. Talk with Him today.

My prayer is that you would be walking in Truth with a united heart that is unwavering in its focus on God and advancing the gospel.

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Want to sharpen your focus on the Lord and your mission? Grab a copy of my new book MISSION POSSIBLE : Living A Life That Matters.

I will walk you through each step of discovering your identity, mission, and vision, as well as building a plan of action. Get your copy today:

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

Still Learning

Our pastor preached from a section including this passage recently. These words are easy to understand and agree with but so easy to forget.

I asked my kids to help me with doing some things around our acreage and I received grumbling and disputing. I quickly reminded them of this passage we studied and we went outside.

As we began to work, some of the kids began to hide instead of work. I found myself getting more frustrated as the kids began to do less and less. Next thing you know, I was the one grumbling and disputing.

We must keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His goals not ours. He wants us to train up a child in the way he should go, not teach him to grumble even more.

The beauty of God’s word is that it cuts to the core of our hearts and minds and reveals our need for our Savior. Praise God for His faithfulness to grow us and conform us to the image of Christ.

#MPWarrior

#DoWithoutGrumblingOrDisputing

#StillLearning

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

My Hope. His Word.

There can be long stretches of difficult times in this life. Times where it’s seems there is no end in sight. Struggle and strife day after day tend to break our spirit, mind, and body.

Our mind’s ability to recall is a powerful ally in our fight against depression. We can remember what the Lord has done for His people throughout history; not the least of which is our salvation.

Furthermore, we are told that the indwelling Holy Spirit will bring all things into remembrance. We need the stronghold of His word daily going into our minds so it might be recalled to produce transformation and renewal.

When we feast on His word, individually and with others, we store it throughout our brain so it is ready for recall in a moments notice regardless of the circumstances or emotions we are experiencing.

It is also heathy to recall as many instances in your life where the Lord has shown you His compassion. It is sweet oil for your soul in times of great grief.

Are you struggling to see the goodness of life or perhaps going through a tough stretch? Immerse yourself in His word. Join a Bible study at your church. Put your faith in Him and His word to lead you out of that place.

Know that you are not alone. I have experienced much grief and joy in this life. I am praying over each of you today that you may delight in the Lord and His word!

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I have found the fastest way to move away from depression to long term joy is knowing my identity, understanding my mission, and building a vision to carry it out.

I would love to help you on that journey. Grab a copy of my new book that will lead you through these steps. Click the link below to get started.

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

#MPWarrior

#BattleInYourMind

#PowerOfRecall

#RememberHisCompassion

Cry Out In Truth

I have worked with thousands of people over the years who find themselves in a place of needing to cry out to God; including me.

There are times where life seems just too overwhelming to bear. It is often times caused by our own choices. It’s during these times that if we are not right with God, we may be tempted cry out and test Him to see IF He can do anything to help us?

There is no IF He can help. He is our ever present help in time of need. The if applies more to our intent.

Notice the LORD is near to those who call upon Him in ‘truth’. It also says that He will fulfill the desires of those who ‘fear Him’.

God is not our project manager or cleanup crew that we command after we willingly disobey Him. He is not fooled by self-focused cries. He knows our heart and perceives our thoughts.

When we find ourselves in the mess of our own sin, it is time for us to humble ourselves and own our mistakes. When we cry out to Him, we do it knowing full well that we cannot possibly pay for our own sin; we need Jesus to do that.

At the same time we know His grace, we know what we really deserved and what our punishment would have been. It ought to produce genuine mourning and a growing desire to follow Jesus.

Crying out with a genuine heart is far different that just wanting God to clean up a mess. One leads to repentance and the other leads to more mess.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by a sin mess, I urge you to own it and cry out in truth to God for help. He can save you and He desires for you to do the good works He prepared in advance for you to walk in.

You are never too far to be restored and His purpose for you is unchanging.

Want to hear more about God’s purpose for your life? Grab a copy of my new book MISSION POSSIBLE: Living A Life That Matters.

PAPERBACK

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

KINDLE

http://bit.ly/MissionPossibleKB

#MPWarrior

#CryOutInTruth

#confessRepentAndReturn

Shepherd Switch

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to forget God? That may sound strange but it’s so true.

We have a million different “shepherds” we can let lead us. Everything from TV, social media, movies, music, work, and friends.

We can get lost for hours binge watching or playing games. Generally speaking video games, TV, etc. aren’t the problem. It’s our hearts that has the problem.

We are not unlike Israel who wanted a king when they already had the King of the universe. We tend to want what everyone else has and will follow any ‘shepherd’ to get it.

In so doing, we get ourselves into difficult places of grief, addiction, depression, and jealousy. We forget the rest and joy we had in God and trudge on feeling all alone.

It’s the enemy’s tactic to keep you feeling alone, worthless, unusable by God, and hopeless. None of these things could be further from the truth.

There is only One Shepherd who truly knows what’s best for us; Jesus. He loves you, even when you have allowed other shepherds to lead you astray.

He has the authority to forgive sins and restore your relationship with your Heavenly Father. You simply need to sincerely ask for forgiveness and return to Him. Let Him be your Shepherd that leads you to living water and rest.

A sheep needs a shepherd. Let Jesus be yours today.

Like these devotional? You’ll want to grab a copy of My new book MISSION POSSIBLE: Living A Life That Matters. Click the link below to get your copy.

PAPERBACK

http://bit.ly/MissionPossiblePB

KINDLE

http://bit.ly/MissionPossibleKB

#MPWarrior

#WeNeedTheGoodShepherd

#RepentAndReturnToHim

Same Mind. Same Mission.

What’s the secret to great relationships? Having one mind according to Christ.

Yes we could all benefit from boosting our communication skills, but in the end having a shared Mission will withstand any challenges that we face.

Your spouse, child, or friend is not to be your enemy but instead a co-laborer for Christ. How can you help each other succeed?

Jesus knew that unity was key and prayed over us in John 17:

‘“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”’ ~ John‬ ‭17:20-21‬

Jesus desires us to be unified like He and the Father are one! That’s unity!

Our unity is a testimony to God’s plan of redemption. How else could people across every ethnicity, culture, continent, gender, and financial background join together in one mission to love people and advance the gospel?

Have the same mind with one another according to Christ. Let us advance the gospel together!

#MPWarrior

#SameMind

#SameMission