What to Do What to Do

What to Do What to Do
by David Brenneman

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

There's been, unfortunately, no end in sight of those who both believe and have been taught that a person must try on their own to earn the right to enter into Heaven.   That it's possible to be good enough to go in. 

The Bible says otherwise.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:20-21.

Jesus says of Himself that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The ONLY way.   The ONLY truth and the ONLY life. 

We today will have no more success than anyone else in human history at entering Heaven on our own merits.

Hell is full of those who thought their good works, their grandiose contributions to humanity, their Nobel prizes even, should be the just and noble cause to let them in without Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. 

Simply put that's one of the big fat whopper of a lie that comes only from Satan himself.

Whole religions speak of works salvation.  Many, both in Catholicism and outside of it believe that Pope's automatically go to Heaven based on their high exalted position in the Catholic church.  That's not at all what the Bible says. 

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13.  Apostles ended with the 12.  Prophets were seen within the Early Church and have existed throughout the last 2,000 plus years as well as Pastors and Teachers. 

With regards to exalting one above the others with regards to these, our same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ also taught His Disciples all about servant leadership.

"And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:24-28.

Works that anyone thinks that they can do to even set a toe into Heaven will never be enough.  It would not matter if that from birth they did everything right in life.  Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins there's no seal of the Holy Spirit upon such a person, who only receives it through coming to Christ to be saved, that allows them into Heaven. 

Good works alone sets a person's eternal destination as Hell.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.

Some point to this passage in error.  "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." James 2:26.  The works of God referred to are those He prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.  Having faith unto salvation and doing nothing for Jesus is what James was warning people about.

Jesus plainly said in our opening passage what we must do.  From the perceived lowest of human beings to whomever the world exalts the most...all must come to Christ for salvation, all must look to Jesus as the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives, or its assured that Hell is where they go next one second after they die.

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,  that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;  for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”  However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:8-18.

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

My Dear Reader, only believing that Jesus is real isn't the same as being saved.  Believing that a chair is real isn't the same as putting yourself on it and putting your life in its hands.  The same is with salvation.  Believing in the need for it isn't the same as asking Jesus to save you.  Believing that you'll get around to it is like wading in waste high rising flood waters and being offered a life jacket and refusing because you don't think it's necessary yet.

My Dear Reader you know not the day nor the hour of your departure from this world.

You know not the day nor the hour of the return of Jesus Christ for His Church and all those who have died in Christ and await that glorious day.

Whatever your reasons for thinking that you have to do something more than believe...let go of them.

He did all the work on the cross.  He said plainly "It is FINISHED!".  What His Father sent Him to Earth to do to completely make the only way to Heaven was fully completed in Him alone through faith in Him.

You may or may not realize or rationalize it yet...but salvation in Christ Jesus is free.  No strings attached.  No other conditions other than to turn and repent.  Asking Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.

If you are reading this and do want to know more about Jesus and how you can be assured of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, call or text "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459. 

A new life in Christ awaits all who do.  A life that you cannot fully comprehend until you do.

Jesus is waiting at the door of each man’s heart knocking, asking, to come in.  He won't force His way in.

You must choose.

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.

Faith Comes By Hearing

Faith Comes By Hearing
by David Brenneman

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.  For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;  for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13

"However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:16-18.

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17.

So many many people throughout the centuries have defiantly stood upon the mountains, hills and plains of this world questioning the existence of God and many such more the truth of the Scriptures concerning Jesus Christ.

Yet in all this defiance towards their Creator, when these people die, of which it is now too late, only then do they come face-to-face with the error of their ways.  Many are still raging against God in all their painful torment in Hell.  They will probably do so for all eternity.  Still many others down there weep uncontrollably because they missed it completely and all the evidence was right there before them.  These are those whom Jesus said are weeping and gnashing their teeth.

It is so incredulous to me that in a world of so many countless convincing evidences concerning Jesus Christ, the Bible and the vast sum of knowledge at the fingertips of people...that people still are obstinate and stubborn against the Almighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ.

Some are convinced that they must do something to be saved.  Jesus spelled it out...the only work for any is to believe in God the Father and Jesus Christ whom the Father had sent to save them.

Some are so deep in self-righteousness that they cannot look beyond their views to who and what Jesus really is and could be to them.

Some are so full of pride that there's no room for any other perspective on life concerning anyone or anything.

All these are blinded by the god of this world.  Those who refuse to see the light of Jesus Christ are indeed willfully self-blinded as well.

The truths of God's word have never been shown to be in error.  The words Jesus spoke of Himself have all been 100% proven to be accurate and true.  Everything written of Jesus from the Old Testament has been proven to be true. 

After His crucifixion and resurrection hundreds saw Him alive and knew without any doubting that it was in fact Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

Cultures outside of Israel at the time of His resurrection were likely visited by Jesus before He ascended back to His Heaven.  Many reports exist of this.

Yet the world decries the same as those whom were just fed by Jesus...show US a sign.  They were attempting to manipulate the Son of God to their own gain.

The harshest reality known to an unsaved mankind is one second after they die.

All pride, and self-righteousness, all falsehoods are stripped away.  Satan's schemes are ended with them.  There's nothing more that he has any need of doing to them concerning God, concerning salvation, concerning life.  They've entered eternity and he could care less.  He's moved on to other's among the living to try to keep them from the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

That, my Dear Reader, is what's trying to influence your reality.

A war that Satan's lost at the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead still wages on.  Still is a losing game for him.  And he's still a sore loser.

He tries from the get-go to lie about, cheat and steal the word of God from people.  He tries to make convincing proofs to those who are saved to not try so hard to obey Jesus's commands.  He is exactly what Jesus said about him.  He's a liar and the father of lies. 

Satan's schemes include redefining whatever God has said of Himself or of how to live life.

Satan's schemes include doubting God in even the smallest of ways.

Satan's schemes include inducing compromises on any level in anything he possibly can in the lives of Christians.  Getting them to justify these things as well.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.

Every evidence that anyone should need is available to them.  Everyone will be without excuse before Jesus.  Every single person in Hell now and between now and the Final Judgment of Jesus Christ has no valid excuse for rejecting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  The Devil made me do it isn't a defense before Jesus Christ whom everyone has to stand.

The Scriptures say that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Willingly and unwillingly every single person who has ever lived will do this.

Oh the horrors that people in Hell are living with because they chose to reject their Savior Jesus Christ!

There is salvation in no one else!

We can't fathom eternity.  We have lived through periods of pain and suffering at times but nothing that's remotely close to never-ending.  No sleep no no respite from it.  Souls don't sleep. 

Everyone has before them a choice to make.  Acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and rejecting the same.  The cross of Jesus Christ brought that choice to all. 

You who have claimed the Name of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior...live it.  Whatever you do be sure you live it out. 

You who have not chosen the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ...why are you so hesitant?  Don't think that you're so far gone that there's no hope.  Jesus died once for all.  All included you right where you are.

Jesus kept His promise to come and die for the sins of mankind to make the way where there was no way to save mankind. 

Jesus is going to keep His promise to return to claim all who have believed in His Name for salvation.

Before you are eternal death and eternity life.  Those in Hell haven't even seen their worst punishment yet.  They will receive a glorified body and will then be cast into the lake of fire at the Final Judgment.

Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross will receive a glorified body to spend eternity with Jesus.

You must choose and I must say that time is running out.  Whether or not you follow Bible prophecy...there's nothing left that is written in the Bible that has to happen before Jesus comes back.

Let today be the day that Jesus becomes the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  Step out of death into life.  Go back to the Scriptures that began this post to Romans 10 and take it to heart.

If you need help understanding salvation in Jesus, call or text "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459.  There's people there to help you understand how to be saved and to know for sure that Heaven and not Hell will be your new home.

God's Word says that everyone has been given a measure of faith...you have enough to take the next step...my prayer is that you do.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. New American Standard Bible (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit. 

Your Great Appointment

Your Great Appointment 

 by David Brenneman 

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.  This I command you, that you love one another." John 15:16-17.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.  Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.  This I command you, that you love one another.  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  He who hates Me hates My Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.  But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’   “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:1-27.

"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29.

"Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches." 1 Corinthians 7:17.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism," Ephesians 4:4-5.

In our world ignorance is growing at an exponential rate both concerning the things of God as well as things in living a daily life.  

Many so-called churches gather people and get them to feel better but aren't equipping them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

While the rest of the chapter is included for context, the opening passage says it all and well.

We have a divine appointment from Jesus to be doers of the Word of God, a particular job to be engaged in for the Kingdom of God until either the Rapture of the Church happens or God calls us home. 

"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Need anything more be said?

What all do you engage in to grow in Christ?  Are you only eating Spiritual nourishment only on Sunday?  Are you only talking to Jesus when others are praying and say nothing from your own heart?  

Are you doing anything with regards to living out your salvation in Christ?  

Most have jobs to do to provide for themselves and their families.  After this is the time we have until its time to sleep and rest.  What are you doing with this gift from God?  Yes, it's a gift.  You very well could be caught up in any number of things and probably are not.  Do you use any of it to stop and read your Bible?  Do you use any of it to talk to Jesus about whatever is on your heart and mind?  

When was the last time you had a truly meaningful conversation with Jesus?  

He says He has appointed you to go and bear much fruit.  Have you?  Not all fruit will be seen in this life.  We may only know of some of it or none of it while we yet live. 

We often pray the Lord's prayer but for those who do, have you thought about it?  Give is this day our daily bread.  Jesus spoke to His disciples after the found Him speaking to the Samaritan woman and said that He. had food to eat that they did not know of.  His food was to do the will of His Father. 

Do the will.

We know from the letter to the Thessalonians that the will of God for us is our sanctification.  To become more like Christ in our conduct and character.  

This means homework.  This isn't going to happen by way of time through chance.  This is going to come by way of our personal interactions with Jesus through His Spirit.  We aren't here, after getting saved, to go do our own thing.  

We aren't here to pursue, with God's blessing, a life of personal gain in all areas that the world calls signs of great success.  

We are to grow in respect to our salvation in Christ Jesus.  

We are to be lights in this world for Jesus.  

We are to be about the Father’s business as Jesus was about the Father’s business.  

We are to be workers in His fields as He was a worker in His fields.  

We are to have a life that cultivates a healthy relationship with Jesus.  

This world is fully opposed to that ever happening. 

This world is yet still under the thumb of Satan.  This world wants you to love what it has to offer in such a way that you forget about your obligations to live out your life in Christ in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 

There's a really significant reason that there's a passage that reads: love not the world nor the things in the world. 

Traps are everywhere. 

These aren't evident to the point of being recognized as such. 

These are chains of the mind that are only broken by a true devotion to our relationship with Jesus. 

Satan's schemes are meant to disrupt your relationship with Jesus.  

We are to pray for discernment.  We are to pray for eyes that see.  We are to pray for His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  

Satan's schemes will burn up that time between the end of the physical work you do and the time you must go to bed if you let him.

You will be distracted by anything and everything. 

Anything and everything to try to keep you from your divine appointment. 

Identifying what amounts to wasted time isn't easy nor at first enjoyable.  Next comes acting on what you have identified. 

Jesus said that if anyone desires to follow Him they are to take up their own cross and follow Him. 

Are you doing this or have you allowed so much to occupy your hands and arms that there's no room for the cross you should be carrying?

Are you?

My Dear Reader you are going to stand by yourself before Jesus one day to give an account of your divine appointment that we read about first thing today.  What will yours show of how seriously you took your appointment?  

We will use excuses but will they fare any better than the man who buried the talents he was given and the excuses given were actually factual of his Master that testified against him?

Praying isn't for other people to do.

Prayer is for you to build your relationship with Jesus. 

Prayer is for you to know your appointment and to be empowered to fulfill it.

Reading your Bible is for you to be doing to grow in Christ.  

Too many people claiming to be Christians are in reality anorexic Christians because they aren't eating!

You are not going to be Spiritually strong enough for life if you aren't in the Word of God daily.  

You aren't going to be able to fulfill your calling in Christ if you aren't developing your relationship with Jesus. 

Take a hard look at what you say is important to you and weigh that against your relationship with Jesus.  Many many people need to clean house and get back to Jesus in a fresh new and right way...does this include you?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

Pew Potatoes

Pew Potatoes 

 by David Brenneman 

"Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:19-24.

"But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” John 5:17.

"Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." James 1:21-25.

There's not much difference between a couch potato and a pew potato. Just sitting, listening, getting hyped up yet accomplishing nothing. 

It's certainly food for thought to consider whether or not you are either. Living a life of both won't fare well when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life. 

My Dear Reader that IS coming for everyone who claims to be saved in Christ Jesus! What more are you doing than those in this world who merely think they are good enough for Heaven and should be let in?

Are you only going to Church services and keep to yourself the rest of the week? Do you not interact with people? Do you not realize that is your mission field?

Jesus said to beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. His harvest is the Father’s harvest. Therefore we are to be workers in His fields. We do have a job to be doing.  

Granted some people, such as myself, get drained easily by too much interaction with people. There are other things that can be done in service to Jesus that don't necessarily mean heavy interactions with people.  

The Lord Jesus Christ is going to ask you some very important, direct, questions. It's as solid an event as His first coming, death, burial and resurrection.  

Those who aren't saved will be shown that apart from salvation in Christ Jesus their lives amounted to nothing. Their judgment on what is good enough for Heaven will be shown to be worthless. 

Fruits of righteousness should come from someone who is attached to Jesus Christ the vine. 

Something should be evident to others of our obedience to God's Word. 

So this day you really need to take stock in what your life is amounting to. Are you doing the Word of God or are you merely a hearer only who deludes yourself?

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? What will he give in exchange for his soul? - Jesus. 

Who cares if you stay caught up with the Jones next door. Who cares if you have that fancy house or car. If you aren't living a God honoring life in Christ Jesus it's worthless. 

If you aren't engaged in what you are here in this life to be doing as part of the body of Christ you are totally wasting your life. When that kind of life is tried by the fires of the truth of God in Christ, it all goes up in flames. It's said right there in the Bible that man's works will turn to ashes. 

Do YOU want to see all that you have done in your life turn to ashes in front of the One whom you came to for salvation thereby showing that it really didn't mean that much to you?

Get off the pew, off the couch and listen to what the Spirit says and go after it. Scripture says that the gifts and the calling of the Spirit of God are irrevocable. They are yours to be using...and they should be used!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The Essential Godly Perspective

The Essential Godly Perspective 

by David Brenneman 

"Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.  Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38.

There's more to your story, your life, than what you hear, see, and think about.  

A Godly perspective is something that you are to develop as a Christ-follower.  

There are no Christ-followers who sit on the sidelines.  Note carefully the rebuke of the one in the parable of the talents who did nothing with what he was entrusted. 

Look carefully at what's to be considered by us in going through this life.  We are to cognizant of the Spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We are to be cognizant of the fact that we battle not against flesh and blood.  We are to keep in mind that we should strive to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  

We need a Godly perspective on living life.  God wants to do good things through us that He prepared for us to be doing.  It's on us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Look at the Gospels and what all it really encompasses in learning all that Jesus commanded the Disciples of Jesus. 

Going through life with our eyes squeezed shut, hands over our ears and our mouth pressed shut isn't going to change what we know to be true about these truths. 

We become part of the body of Christ when we come to Christ for salvation.  That body's function is to bring glory to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God. 

If indeed you aren't pursuing a Godly course of action in your life then you'll find that you're fighting God's will for you.  1 Thessalonians 4:3a says that God's will is our sanctification.  

Sanctification is our becoming more like Christ. 

Not necessarily our being more successful.  

Not necessarily our being rich.  

Not necessarily our being well thought of.  

So what's your perspective? Are you  at all seeking things that are above rather than things that are of this world?

Are you more worried about everyday things, jobs, etc. than you should be?  As one put it, worry is you essentially praying to yourself.  I view it as a prayer with no direction.  The things of this life can get us as distracted as Martha, Mary's sister.  Mary chose to stay at the feet of Jesus.  Jesus said she chose the better thing and it would not be taken from her. 

Taking the things of God that you've been given when you came to Christ for salvation and not using them is akin to what Jesus said about those who take a lamp light it then put it under a basket.  It's useless. 

Those who do this will probably not fare well when they stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives.  They shouldn't expect to hear a "well done". 

Take stock of your thoughts and intentions before you act on them.  

Look well at your why's in your actions.  

Ask Jesus to give you His perspective on the gift of life in Christ that you have in Him. 

Things aren't going to really work out for you until you do.  Oh you may see success, power, fame etc. but the cost will be when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life and there's nothing to show. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

The Intentional Life

The Intentional Life 

by David Brenneman 

"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:11-19.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. " Colossians 3:2-3.

Was considering the notes of the various study Bibles last night concerning John 12 talking about Mary (Martha's sister).  

How often do we shut out the world and sit at the feet of Jesus? 

What are we being intentional about to further the Gospel in our hearts and minds?

How important is it to each of us that we finish well the life in Christ that we've been given to live for Jesus?

Are we taking the time to listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Because He very much is speaking to each and every single Believer. The onus is on all to pay attention in class. 

Right now is a generation of the most intellectually laziest high school and college students ever. Both seeking ways to use AI, artificial intelligence, to get out of the most mentally beneficial aspects of learning. There's a lucrative business in providing cheats that disguise the use of AI.

People who will someday really need to have that information they didn't make an effort to learn. 

Now apply that to your Spiritual life. What are you being lazy about? What aren't you doing that you know you should be doing?

Indeed we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them...but...we must be intentional on walking in them. 

Our world, as Satan's schemes have proven, is all about getting people to stop any form of critical thinking. Go with the flow. Do what feels good. Don't think, just do. Make your own way that gets you all that you want without regard to the consequences. 

Setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world isn't a suggestion. It's a survival trait.

You can't begin to understand the things of God unless you are intentionally in the Word of God. You can't truly get beyond providing a grocery list to God in prayer unless you start making it personal. Personal to you and to your desire to be like Jesus. 

Cheaters never win and winners never cheat. 

We rob ourselves when cheating becomes a viable choice. We rob ourselves when we don't embrace our relationship with Jesus in the way He desires to have with each of us. 

What are you doing that you really know you shouldn't be doing? What thoughts do you entertain that you aren't even attempting to stop having? These are negatively impacting your relationship with Jesus. This should bother you!

What of this world are you elevating above your relationship with Jesus? These things in this world are going to fade away. You're going to either watch them fade away or you'll suddenly find yourself facing eternity and everything and everyone will be behind you. Only Jesus will be before you. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. This too wasn't a suggestion. This is very much a part of what the Disciples were to teach all new Disciples. This was part of "everything that I commanded you".

You're never going to realize the rewards of being intentional in your walk with Jesus until you just do it. 

You're not going to realize how much you've been trapped inside worldly thinking and desires until you intentionally set things aside in favor of enriching your life in Christ. 

You will never know the benefits of being intentional until you do it. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.  

The Accounting to Come

The Accounting to Come

by David Brenneman 

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.

What do you think of concerning your choices and decisions in your life? Are you aware of what we just read that is going to come upon everyone?

A Christian can only build upon the foundation of those firm standing Believer's who came before them. We have that as our starting point and it's our obedience to God's Word that increases to our account. 

The Gospels contain various parables of the talents. The King entrusting talents to various people and on the day of his return exacts an accounting of what they did with what they were given.  

This passage here works with those parables. 

We can choose the selfish road or the selfless road. We can choose to rightly pursue a life in Christ or we can pursue our own goals.  

While it says plainly that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them, it's our obedience to God's Word that brings these things to light. 

Our world inundates humanity with thoughts of how to live for self. It's everywhere. How you neeeed this or need that if you are going to be the best you that you can be. 

This world also teaches that there's more than one way to Heaven. That it's ok if you're good enough by your own standards, by your own estimation.  

The world teaches that sin is too harsh of a word, that its best to just call those things mistakes.  

These types of things are all a part of Satan's schemes.  

Realize that this world is at odds with the Creator of all things. Satan's against God in everything and uses his influence wherever he can to keep people from following Jesus Christ. If he loses that battle and those people do find salvation in Christ Jesus, he then switches tactics to get them to not take it seriously.  

A quote that I saw again the other day says "Everyone thinks that I am crazy. That I take this Jesus thing too seriously. I don't know, but I do know He took me pretty seriously when He died on the cross.".

Seriously. That's the idea. That's what those in Christ Jesus should be taking life. We should be recognizable as followers of Jesus Christ. We shouldn't be blended in so well with the world that we have no distinction as being a Christian. 

We should take time to be in the Word of God daily. We shouldn't solely take someone else's word as to what it says and should be investigating it ourselves. We should be working on our relationship with Jesus, on how we interact with Him. Our prayer life shouldn't be stunted. When we pray it shouldn't be as if we're simply contacting Customer Service. It shouldn't be that we treat talking to Jesus as if He were our butler either nor some genie to do our bidding. 

The seriousness of the Apostle Paul is everywhere in the books he wrote about living out the Christian life in such a way that honors God in Christ Jesus.  

Will the content of your life go up in flames or will something come of it that can be given back to Jesus for all He's done for you?

Paul describes it as running the race with the thought in mind to win the race. Running with endurance. Running with persistence. With intentionality. For the right reasons. 

We are all given the same amount of seconds per day. The same amount of minutes. What are you going to be doing with your allotment? 

What will you do for Jesus today that you didn't yesterday?  

The choice is yours and the consequences are real. If we aren't being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus we face a world that's more than eager to conform it to their way of living. 

When your life's reviewed before Jesus what will it show? Commitment or compliance?

That's for you to decide. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.