A Scribe on the Wall

Several years ago now, I believe that God gave me a message, He would be telling me things and it was up to me to tell others. To me, it's much like the Watchman on the Wall as described in the Old Testament. The Watchman was told that it was on him to warn others about any approaching dangers. God's apparently gifted me with being able to type and write. So I put the old definition of a writer along with the concept of a watchman together. Jesus is coming soon...are you ready?

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Anxieties and Relief

by David Brenneman

"When I am afraid, Iwill þut my trust in You." PSALM 56:3.

Do you realize that you can turn your worries into something

positive? God repeatedly commands you not to fear-to

make a deliberate decision whenever you experience apprehensions. So rather than allowing anxiety to take up residence in you, you view your worries as warning flags or triggers that directly drive you to the Father's throne of grace. In this way, your trepidations can serve to grow and strengthen your faith because you consciously make the choice to trust Him in them.

You see, prayer, infused with thanksgiving, is where the battle

is fought and won against fear. When you go earnestly and boldly

to the Lord regarding your concerns the moment they arise, you

immediately focus on His power, wisdom, and sufficiency. And

because He can handle anything that comes at you, fear's hold on

you is weakened.

So when you are afraid, choose to trust in the Lord and commit yourself to Him in prayer and praise. Magnify the presence and power of God-think about what He has done in the past and what He's promised to do in the future. Not only will your anxieties flee, but the peace of God will certainly strengthen your heart.

Jesus, please remind me to turn to You as soon as fear arises

so I can immediately express my trust in You. Amen.

-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

This exerpt is actually today's reading that I will read again tonight. I was but wasn't looking for it but considering what's been happening with me in recent weeks it appears to be a God moment for me and for me to share with all of you.

I have no explanation for the high levels of anxiety that have been trying to get a grip on me. I do know that each and every time I run to my Savior in prayer to deal with it.

It's not to the point of paralysis but it can be marginally debilitating. It gets in the way of trying to get work done.

Cody Carnes had a song out called "Run to the Father". The chorus goes like this: "I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again".

This, my Dear Reader, is the appropriate response to fears, to anxieties, to things that try to disturb the path of life in Christ Jesus...and it works. Time and again it works without fail.

I know, logically, that there is no reason to be gripped by anxieties or panicked thinking. Yet there's times it just happens and knowing what to do in the Lord is more than half the battle.

We do ourselves much harm by thinking that He's too busy with the universe to help us in our lowly estate.

Jesus is never too busy to run to us. He ran to us when we turned to Him for salvation and He promised to always be there throughout all our growing in Him.

We are also not defined by what frightens us. We are not defined by what might be called success either. We are defined as children of God. Adopted heirs to the throne. Ambassadors of God in Christ Jesus. We are not defined by our sin but rather by our Savior who is Christ the Lord.

My prayers concerning this repeated anxiety is to keep running to my Savior no matter what until they cease to be a problem for me.

Running to the Father in times like this or any time that the world is closing in on us or threatens to disturb what we have in Christ is always the right thing to do.

Long ago I used to have people in my life who knew me well enough to sense things in me that I wasn't seeing myself. Some have gone on to be with Jesus, others moved to other cities or just plain fell away from the relationship we had because of their life's circumstances. Moving from my hometown to another city then to the city we live in now often doesn't help much when it comes to relationships that are deep and meaningful. You do tend to be alone in a crowd for a long time, in my case many years.

But the sole constant has and always will be is my Savior Jesus Christ. So regardless of who is or isn't in my life my relationship with Jesus is what I continue to cultivate. He's always there to calm my fears. Always there to listen. His Word is always there to comfort.

Lean into that way of thinking yourself when life feels like a great mass of unknowns that hit you all at once or even a little at a time.

Run to the Father through Jesus the Son, give Him the glory great things He has done.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, August 3, 2026

Open Eyes Open Heart

by David Brenneman

These are some notes and questions that were memorable enough for me to keep from several years ago.

"Jesus replied:'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment..."

What gets your attention and affection more than God?

What gets the attention in your week more than God?

What are you chasing, hoping that it will satisfy you that isn't God?

What are you going after thinking its going to provide a soul level happiness that isn't God?

How often do you prefer to choose your way instead of God's way?

What area of life are you most tempted to choose your way instead of God's way?

Jesus said that your life journey is now to surrender and go all in with with your heart your soul and your mind. Not to earn the love but because you received the love.

Not trying to get it but live out of it.

Christ followers are being baited into fighting people and not ideas.

When the culture tries to get you to fight people and not ideas don't take the fools bait.

Consider what these questions are asking you and I.

In our world where status is becoming the driving force of acceptance, making critical decisions based on that and emotional responses is becoming more the norm.

Look at the plethora of videos both real and imagined using AI to display the folly of people in just traffic incidents. Of how people aren't thinking or considering the ramifications of their thoughts, emotions and actions.

Look at what drives you. What has become the most important thing in your life? Is it still in pleasing Jesus or has that been slacking?

Are you going with the flow or are you resisting what the world is offering? Have you started putting your relationship with Jesus lower in your priorities?

No catastrophic change to your relationship with Jesus is going to happen overnight.

You'll compromise a little here, a choice there.

There's great significance in heeding the warning to stand firm in the Lord!

Our lives are not our own. This we must never forget.

The early Church was radical and different. Much different and easily much better than the Church of today. Their priorities were each other and growing in Christ. Daily they went about house to house. As a Church they were living out what the Disciples had learned of putting their all on the altar. Of giving up everything to live in obedience to God's will.

There was a video that I watched yesterday that wasn't the first of its kind on the subject for me to hear.

It was of someone asking AI if it was the devil what would it do.

The thing is while I don't know if this person in this video actually went through with this supposed conversation with AI, the things stated were actually accurate.

Of how subtlety would be the hallmark of its work. In getting people to just turn away from God even for a moment to something a little more attractive. To get people to pay more attention to this or that and to make these things more interesting.

We can't be too careful!

Indeed our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus but our hearts must stay there too!

We are needing to call things as God's Word calls things and to not redefine things to make them less offensive to ourselves.

We need to be as committed to helping others grow in Christ as the early Church did.

We need to turn away from the allure and seductive ways of the world and back to living for Jesus with all that we do.

When we use worldly excuses to not come together and it's acceptable to those in the Church then the devil has a foothold.

Jesus called the Disciples to be fully devoted followers of Him.

Not part-time. Not when they could fit it into their schedules.

Review those opening questions.

Are you comfortable with doing lesd and less with Jesus? If so, you ought to be terrified at the notion!

Are you striving to please Him in all that you do or have you decided that it was ok to do less? Again this should shock you if it's true!

Consider well what choices and decisions you made based on emotions rather than God's Word that has directed your life away from His plan and purpose for your life.

Pray that your eyes may be opened to the truth about you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Are You Uninviting Yourself?

by David Brenneman

"But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’ And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, ‘Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the slave said, ‘Master, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’ ” Luke 14:16-24.

"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he sent out other slaves saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.” ’ But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”" Matthew 22:1-14.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. [40] Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:36-44.

Matthew 24:37 "like the days of Noah." Jesus' emphasis here is not so much on the extreme wickedness of Noah's day (Ge 6:5), but on the people's preoccupation with mundane matters of everyday life ("eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage"--v. 38), when judgment fell suddenly. They had received warnings, in the form of Noah's preaching (2Pe 2:5)-and the ark itself, which was a testimony to the judgment that was to come. But

they were unconcerned about such matters and therefore were swept away unexpectedly in the midst of their daily activities. notes from MacArthur Study Bible

Much to take in my Dear Reader but indeed much is at stake.

Daily, millions of people are at the end of their God-given opportunity to accept the gracious offer of salvation through Jesus Christ and with their physical life ending they wake up in Hell.

Make no mistake, there are trillions and trillions and trillions or more "good" people in Hell. People whom others thought very highly of, of whom those yet alive who knew them thought they deserved to go to Heaven.

The great problem with this is that our opinion does not matter concerning who is or is not worthy of Heaven. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, determined back at the cross of calvary that through salvation in no other than Jesus Christ would anyone enter into Heaven.

Excuses, excuses, excuses. We read here earlier of the excuses and their kind, that people have given and are giving as to why they never accepted the invitation to come to Christ for salvation.

There are no second chances after you die.

None.

You either turn to Jesus for salvation now or reject it and pay for your sins yourself for all eternity...regardless of how good you think you are it does not and never will factor into your accessibility to Heaven.

"And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

My Dear Reader it grieves me deeply that people who've crossed my path rejected Jesus to the point of death and did indeed die without coming to Christ for salvation.

My prayer for those who read this message is that you would indeed stop with the excuses, the fears, the worries, of what you've been lead to believe might happen to your life and just trust Jesus to save you and believe that He's got something much greater in mind for you.

You can never know until you turn to the living hope that's found only in Christ.

You can never understand the things of God without the Spirit of God that comes to live within the hearts of those who truly believe who makes understanding possible.

Don't value whatever you are pursuing or possess or desire rob you of the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. These people in these Scriptures we read did this and are in excruciating painful torment in Hell. Not a single human being ever entered into Heaven nor ever will without saying yes to the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The choice is yours. There's only two options. Yes to Jesus and spending eternity with Him or rejecting Him and spending eternity in endless painful torment for all eternity.

The painful endless torment is testified to by Jesus Himself for all who rejected Him. It's a very real very intense thing.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Jesus testified to this over and over again. Weeping people because they thought they were good enough. Thought they weren't that bad. Thought that their good deeds counted for something. But without salvation in Christ those deeds amounted to nothing.

Gnashing of teeth. Grinding teeth in rage and fury at God. Sort of is self explanatory. People so full of themselves that they reject God's judgment regardless of the fact they cannot change it.

Coming to Christ for salvation in this here this now is as simple as what's necessary for a child to understand it.

"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.

The Father’s plan for salvation was and is infinitely simple. You just read what it is and how to obtain it. Acknowledge your sins and your need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Ask Him to forgive your sins and be the leader of your life.

Don't uninvite yourself.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Commitments in Christ

by David Brenneman

This is my observation...it's never a good thing when worldly excuses become acceptable for forsaking the assembly, whether it be Sunday or days that people committed to gathering in His Name. A commitment in the Name of the Lord ought always be something we strive to accomplish with all diligence.

Granted health reasons are acceptable but otherwise every effort, when the cause is meeting in Jesus Name, should always be taken to fulfill that commitment.

Our world's seduction is to present reasons to the contrary concerning keeping our commitments in Christ. Placing our wants, our desires, ahead of what's been directed by the Spirit of God for us to be doing.

In reading through the book of Ezra at what they had the diligence to say and do in the face of such opposition it reminded me that we take too many liberties when it comes to our sticking to our commitments in Christ.

I can, you can, easily justify within ourselves as to why we won't attend a gathering that's being done in the Name of Jesus. Be it on Sundays or any other day of the week. We place our plans ahead of God's plans because the world does it. That's really the bottom line.

It's never going to help us grow in Christ if there is no iron to sharpen against iron. If there's nobody to meet with then you're left wanting in the Lord.

I know this isn't a popular consideration of the topic but this is what I have been presented with to write about this fine Saturday Morning.

Some may not think of it this but in essence we're putting our fleshy desires before the spiritual needs of ourselves and others when we prioritize these things ahead of the training in righteousness that comes from meeting with others in the Name of Jesus Christ.

To coin an older generation "It's just WRONG".

For some people these times to meet are the only times they meet with people of faith outside of Churches that they attend. They have no other Godly influences in their lives. They are dependent upon these for their times of iron sharpening iron as King Solomon wrote about in the book of Proverbs.

The next saddest part is how many professing Christians have no problem telling people that what they want to do is more important than meeting together. That kind of mindset says that God's plan of training us in righteousness can wait for another day. That our desires are more important than His plan of sanctification in our lives. They just don't want to consider these thoughts...likely because guilt is attached to it.

Pray about your wants and desires. Ask Jesus if indeed you're putting what you want to experience or enjoy ahead of what He's trying to accomplish in the lives of children of God.

Jesus sacrificed His wants and desires for the will of His Father in Heaven.

All of us probably spend most of our days of the week without a proper true Godly influence. Satan's aim is reduce that time to zero and quite often we're sadly on board with this.

Think about your commitment to a life in Christ. Are the things you pursue going to turn to ash when tried by the fire of truth when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life?

Think about these things because you don't know how much your keeping your commitments in Christ are either going to grow yourself or others in Christ. Your absence might be felt for days weeks or years because your input or thoughts may have been just what someone else needed to hear.

Consider well your thoughts of just how important keeping your commitments to Jesus are.

When Peter's attention was on Jesus Peter had no trouble standing on the water. When his attention was on the world...he began to sink. You do the math.

Until tomorrow...

Friday, July 31, 2026

Jesus's Message to You

by David Brenneman

Was watching a clip on Facebook Reels of part of a sermon of Dr. Charles Stanley's.

In it he was talking about how often something comes upon us that is really heavy, really difficult to live with, to deal with, and our response oftentimes is to cry out to God to get us out of it. Rather than to seek God in the midst of it. We oftentimes don't care to be going through it and aren't looking to God for anything but deliverance.

The heavy things we go through, things we need to get our train of thought aclimimated to, are oftentimes brought about on purpose by God. We need that training in rethinking who's behind what happens to us.

We who are saved are children of God who need much training in righteousness to become more like Jesus Christ. Training isn't going to be all easy-peasy lessons. Training is going to have obstacles to overcome or work around.

The points of all are a message from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Trust Me.

When you understand or don't understand: Trust Me.

When it feels good or doesn't: Trust Me.

When it hits you hard and it feels like you lost the ground beneath your feet: Trust Me.

What we are met with daily are things to build our trust in Jesus in order to grow us spiritually. We oftentimes miss what's going on because we keep taking off our spiritual glasses and lose sight of the Godly perspective that the Spirit is teaching us to have.

No doubt the pains, physical and or mental, truly hurt beyond words. Take those to the Lord in prayer. That's what He wants you to do.

Big things needing done in your life. This or that with the car, the home, the job. Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Truth is saying: Trust Me.

"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." Proverbs 3:5-6.

When Peter stepped out of the boat his eyes were on Jesus with trust. When he took his eyes off Jesus we know what happened.

We struggle so much at times because we don't think that God really has time for us with everything else He's doing.

We serve and belong to the Creator of the Universe. The Lord of all creation. The One who conquered sin, death and the grave. The One who said that He would supply all our needs in Christ Jesus.

We downplay stress, downplay our anxiety by calling these things something else. We participate in self depreciation, self-abasement, that we aren't worthy of God's time or attention.

We listen to our sin nature in these things rather than the Spirit of God within us.

An with this we come back around to: trust Me.

I know of someone who's got a lot on their mind of things that they want to get done around the house. Acknowledging that they're not making great progress. My observation to them was its because they were trying to get their needs fulfilled themselves that weren't for them to fulfill. Take these needs to Jesus in prayer.

As Dr. Stanley said God doesn't have problems only situations. As a child of God your needs are His responsibility.

Take your situations to Him in prayer no matter what they are. We keep trying to figure out how to handle or do what He's already prepared to for.

Jesus is saying: Trust Me.

My truck situation isn't mine to worry or be concerned about. The day that it occurred while I was yet describing it, He was showing me He's got it covered. So I am not worried or concerned. Indeed His blessings continue with other needs that I have had on my mind. Sometimes even this week it was a fulfillment of a desire or two.

Go back to the lesson of Peter and keep your eyes on Jesus. Take everything to Him in prayer and don't take it back because you're not comfortable with His timing or don't see Him doing anything.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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 4:6-9.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Following Jesus is More Than That

by David Brenneman

"The Holy Spirit . . will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

JOHN 14:26

Many of us have heard the expression Follow Jesus" all of our

lives. But what does it really mean? There are people who think they`re pursuing Him when they agree to a morally Christian lifestyle. But if your idea of seeking after the Savior is merely going to church, listening the Bible when the pastor reads it, giving money, and saying some prayers, you are missing the mark.

When Jesus was about to be crucified, He explained to the

disciples that they would be able to follow Him just as closely after He was resurrected as they did when He walked the earth with them. How? Through the presence of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit would give them direction so that they wouldn't be left to do their own thing. The same applies to us. In following Jesus, we don't have to figure out what to do or how to carry out His will-He shows us.

Because Christ no longer physically walks the earth, we must

develop a keen sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Once we learn how to listen to Him and obey faithfully, we need never doubt how Jesus wants us to follow Him.

Jesus, make me sensitive to Your Holy Spirit so I may always

follow You. Amen.

- Trusting God with Today. Dr. Charles Stanley.

There's more for your life than you can possibly imagine. More than you honestly could ask or think as well because it's beyond your comprehension. Certainly is beyond mine.

The many many times and ways my life has taken different direction from what I was both wanting or expecting is beyond measure. Even yesterday there was an incident with my truck. I wasn't letting it both me during my work day. I got out and verified a few things and plans began forming that weren't there before. My God knew this was going to happen on that particular July 29th of 2026, even though I did not. A short conversation with my brother later and a ballpark idea of cost was in my head. A while later on the phone with my Mother telling her all this and a second call was coming in. A side job opportunity that God sent to help pay for what was coming.

For sure God doesn't have problems only situations. For sure trusting in Him and walking in His ways to the best of our abilities enables us to see the fingerprints of God in our lives.

But you have to be doing your best to follow Jesus daily. Keeping your heart right before Him. This isn't some part-time job this is a lifestyle that's meant to change you into the kind of servant of God that brings honor and glory to Him.

Your life in Christ isn't at all about you gaining wealth and happiness or even prosperity. Might not even be health. He meets you where you are at and works from there for your good and His glory.

But know this...in reading those letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation...being lukewarm about your dedication and your commitment will not go well for you at all.

Make the time, give up what you have to, in order to be living life that shows yourself and others that you really are a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

There's so much more that He's willing to do through those who are fully devoted, fully committed, to the life that He's planned for them.

Obeying God and leaving all the consequences to Him. Another Life Principle of Charles Stanley.

This a big one. We may think we're being good stewards of what He's given us but sometimes we get in the way of God by doing so. We may think of how little we will have left or be thinking of how it was a waste from our vantage point in the past...but honestly the risk is with the Lord. Not with us.

Following Jesus isn't like following various influential people in the world. None of them have the power of the resurrection behind them. None of them has omniscience or omnipresence. None of them has perfect wisdom and knowledge of all potential possibilities and their outcomes.

I had noted all the times various kings took from the treasuries of the Lord and gave to this king or that king in order to turn them away from Jerusalem. They never prayed they just took what was valuable that wasn't theirs to give. Doing life their way rather than to ask the Lord.

We often try to follow Jesus the same way. We often don't come to Him with our situations and dive in trying to do it ourselves. This isn't being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

We need to rethink our priorities.

First is obedience to God's Word.

Second is in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Third is to 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.

This may or may not include you picking up a shovel and doing some work yourself.

Take a few steps back and observe the lessons that Jesus was teaching His Disciples about following Him. Look at their conclusions, look at their confusion. Look at yourself when you look at them. Read all 4 Gospels when you do.

Oh there is so much more for us to experience in Christ when we follow Him as He leads the way.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

It Isn't For 'Other' Christians, It's For You

by David Brenneman

"We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Whether you realize it or not, once you accept Jesus as your Savior, you become His ambassador. God immediately empowers you through His indwelling Spirit to be an influential bridge builder to those around you who need to know Christ. You're surrounded by people who don't know about His amazing provision and are headed to hell because of it. His desire is for you to reach out to them. They may think they don't need Christ and want to be left alone. But realize that everyone wants to be loved accepted, and freed from their sins. You can be the one to share all Christ has done for them and how much He cares.

Unfortunately, we often get distracted from this mission. We

spend our lives as Christians pursuing our own happiness, prosperity, comfort, and authority. But that's just the overflow. Our true

purpose is to represent Jesus to the lost and introduce them to Him

Just as Christ built the costly and everlasting bridge between us

and the Father, we do the same between others and His awesome

provision.

God has made you to be an extension of Jesus' life, love, power,

and wisdom to those around you. See yourself as He does and be

the best ambassador you can be.

Jesus, help me to reach others in Your name, Amen.

-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

What we're to be doing in Christ isn't living for self. Studying God's Word isn't for others in Christ with the passion or motivation, it's for everyone in Christ. Praying isn't to be just a repeating of the same words, it's to be our thoughts and feelings being conveyed to our Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even when we don't know what to say, we're to join Him where He is in prayer with reverence.

"Not my job" has been an exceedingly overused phrase for more than a few generations now.

People not willing to put forth the effort to actually work at something to achieve something good. They just want what they want when they want it.

A life in Christ isn't supposed to be like the lives of everyone else in the world.

It's not about pursuing things that the world says we ought to pursue.

As Dr. Stanley said it, so does the Scriptures: we are Ambassadors of God in Christ Jesus.

Ambassadors, much like dedicated soldiers, deny personal self-interests daily in order to please those whom they're there to represent.

To not be following through with growing in Christ to the best of our ability is to be shirking our duties and responsibilities as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.

To be putting self before our God is never going to end well.

How much time do you invest in the study of God's Word? How consist are you? How dedicated are you in your commitment to this endeavor?

How personal are your prayers? Are they more or less akin to a standard form letter that indeed most people in the physical world hate to receive?

Hearts and lives that are moved by the truth of God's Word are what Jesus loves to see. Read 2 Chronicles 34 about King Josiah. Of what is said of him by the Lord Jesus.

Him and several other Kings who's hearts were turned to serving the Lord had reforms to remove the evil the wicked things from Jerusalem and Israel. The Lord was well pleased to see their hearts rended and become tender to the things of God.

Casting out those things that harmed their relationship with the Lord was a common theme for those who did choose to follow the Lord and obey Him only.

What do you need to cast out in order to return to being the Ambassador that you are in the name of the Lord?

What has taken the Lord's place in your heart when you spend your time, energy and effort living life?

It's the responsibility of every single Believer in Jesus Christ to be pursuing their life in Christ to the utmost. With fervor. With their everything.

Our prayers ought to be exceedingly personal. We, after all, have a personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Share your feelings, not just your lists of wants and desires or even wishes.

Scripture says that in everything give thanks to God. Do you? For the good and bad?

Scripture says we should pray for those who are in authority over us. Do you?

How committed are you really being in your life towards fulfilling your calling in Christ? You absolutely have a calling in Christ since coming to Christ for salvation. Scripture says that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you would walk in them.

Scripture says that it itself is everything that you need to live a life in godliness. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Nobody who is truly saved will have any acceptable excuse for not having done their best as unto the Lord. It's why we must do as Paul wrote...run the race set before us. Running as though we're intent on winning a prize.

So, Ambassador, what are you going to start changing in your life today to start fulfilling your role?

Renewing your commitment perhaps?

Ask the Spirit to show you what you should be studying. I did many years ago and it's really been life altering. My only regret is that I didn't ask decades ago with the same desire to please my Savior.

We removed things from our lives to make room for our commitments to serving and learning our Lord Jesus Christ. You may need to do this too. Just as King Josiah did.

Start today with pursuing a right relationship with Jesus again. Turning away from the things that don't help you to grow in Christ.

And honestly, if you're truly committed to this, pray that God would show you what needs to change if you're not seeing it. Be prepared for what comes next...even if it's painful...do it.

Open up your heart the way you always should have been in your prayers.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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