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?

Friday, September 11, 2026

True Confession Changes You

by David Brenneman

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge." Psalms 51:1-4.

Do we really see the depths of our sins?

There's an acronym called ACTS. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. This world be a prayer model.

Another prayer model that Jesus never intended for us to just memorize and repeat without giving it due consideration is what's been called "The Lord's Prayer".

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’" Matthew 6:9-13.

How personal are your prayers? Are they so personal that you disregard what the Scriptures also say? "Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2.

Do we have an intolerance for listening to the prayers of others?

Do we really think on our sins?

Do we really understand what actually IS sin in our lives?

Do we know WHAT is sin from what is not? Would we recognize, confess, that which God calls sin as being sin rather than the things we call them? They aren't mere mistakes, goofs, errors or any such thing. Sins are sins. They are as David said against God and God alone.

Do you understand yet that appeasing our conscience isn't confession? Talking ourselves into self-justification isn't going to work when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him?

In both models from above confession is a key part.

Forgiveness is a key part of what Jesus said in teaching His Disciples that prayer model. If we don't then we won't be forgiven.

What we get from the direction this post is going is to get God's perspective on sin and to not introduce our own or anyone else's views on sin and it's consequences and impact on our walk with Jesus and our lives in this world.

Does it really sink in that it IS against God and God alone we sin against?

Does it sink in that we are quite possibly being disobedient to the command to bear one another's burdens by keeping silent or actually looking down on those who do pour out their hearts before the Lord?

Are we praying to think, walk, act in the character of Christ?

Are we forgiving others as we have been forgiven?

Are we hiding our sins in plain sight by calling them anything but sin?

Are we even aware of what we lose out on in life because we have done such things?

Are we even aware of how deeply we offend God by our willful sins?

Does that bother us at all when we ARE being wilfully disobedient in this?

Think on these things today as you go about your day.

How high a priority is what Jesus said to pray like to you?

Are you renaming sins in order to keep them in your life rather than truly confessing them and removing them far from you?

As David also said when he tried it that way...his sin found him out.

We risk being desensitized by the grievous nature of embracing sin rather than removing such from our lives.

The Church of Jesus Christ is only wounded all the more when confession of sin isn't even a heartfelt consideration.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Yes You Do, We All Do

by David Brenneman

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Galatians 6:7-10.

"Have you ever heard of a farmer who planted corn yet harvested wheat? Or have you seen tomato seeds grow into watermelons? Few things in life are as certain as the agricultural principle that whatever seed you plant, that's what you'll reap. The same is true in technology: garbage in, garbage out. And in finance, if you don't invest, you won't get a return.

The same, of course, is true in the spiritual life. Through the

books we read, the company we keep, the movies we watch, and the music we listen to, we are sowing either to the Spirit or to the flesh. When we sow to the Spirit, we set our affections on things above-seeking first God's Kingdom and His righteousness. By praying, studying God's Word, sharing our faith, and bearing one another's burdens, we sow to the Spirit. But if we sow our lives and money to the flesh, according to the apostle

Paul, we reap corruption.

Holiness is a harvest gained by careful sowing. Will you reap

the reward of holy sowing? Or will you be surprised by what your

harvest yields?"

- Walking with God, Dr. David Jeremiah

Quite often in reading the two devotionals that remain in my evening reading, both Dr. David Jeremiah and Dr. Charles Stanley share the same thoughts. Dr. Stanley's on this one is "You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.".

When we sow selfish choices we reap what comes of that. When we sow in righteousness we reap righteousness.

When we sow self-centered thinking we reap the awful results of that.

And it's impact can go on for generations. If you're not sowing time in prayer, time in the Word of God, you're not going to reap a crop of righteousness. If you sow spending time, energy and effort on worldly desires you'll reap things that aren't going to benefit you spiritually...an those might not be remotely a healthy thing.

If we're sowing things like secular music we're going to reap both now and down the road thoughts that will not be God honoring. It will color our attitudes towards people in the here and now as well as the future.

If we are sowing things that do not benefit the race set before us then we will struggle all the more in that race.

Satan's schemes involve doing whatever he can to slow you down in that race set before you. Getting you to willingly take time you can't afford to lose and make you believe it's ok.

Are you sowing good in your life for Christ? Do you waste it on things that aren't going to help you grow in Christ?

Are you sowing good choices and decisions that your personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would be proud of?

There's the thing right there.

Who are we sowing our time, energy and effort for?

Either we are in the driver's seat or the Spirit is. Only that which is done, thought, lived for Christ is what will matter when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives. All the rest is considered waste. Refuse. Subject to being burned up.

Consider the truth that every single person is sowing something with every single choice, every single thought, every single day. The Believer in Christ Jesus is to sow unto righteousness in Christ Jesus our Lord. Growing in Christ daily. Fervent in prayer. Fervent in the Lord. Being the one casting off all things that slow them down.

Sowing words, thoughts and actions that will reap glory unto God and Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Perhaps today is the day when you and I begin weeding our lives of things and thinking that has been slowly draining our efforts to run the race set before us in Christ.

You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Persistence in Prayer: Not a Suggestion

by David Brenneman

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:9-13.

"I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs." Luke 11:8.

"So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God." Acts 12:5.

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," Ephesians 6:18.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;" Colossians 4:2.

"pray without ceasing;" 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

"rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer," Romans 12:12.

"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart," Luke 18:1.

Was praying a short prayer this morning about what to write about this morning and all of this came from a short search.

Myself included, how often are we practicing persistence in prayer?

How many of you have considered that last passage as Jesus teaching exactly what He Himself practiced with His Father in Heaven?

How often have you prayed once, perhaps not really with your whole heart, and moved on in your day?

This message is as much for me as it is towards all who would be reading it.

How many have made prayer lists and forgotten them?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your persistence in prayer?

How often are we waiting for the Lord to answer before we rush headlong into a situation?

Is it your habitual practice to pray?

Worst yet, have you told someone you would pray an yet either offered a very lame excuse for a prayer or didn't at all?

Knowing your enemy is a crucial part of Spiritual Warfare.

Your enemy and mine knows the extreme value in disrupted communication.

He knows what answered persistent prayer does for a Believer's faith.

He knows.

He also knows that the less we pray that we will quite often not take him seriously. We will just adapt and just forget to pray. Convincing ourselves that what we would pray for or about that God's too busy or wouldn't think was important enough to deal with or handle.

He knows. He knows that it isn't just keeping people buried in situations that can keep them from thinking about praying to God for help.

He also knows that, for many people, keeping them busy with things they enjoy will keep them from a active fervent life of prayer.

Stop and consider what Jesus was doing when He was teaching His Disciples the value of persistence in prayer.

The Disciples who became the Apostles were teaching the early Church the extreme value of persistence in prayer. So what happened? Satan's tactics happened. Subtle advances here and there, then get each generation to accept it.

It's going to hurt to persist in prayer sometimes. Giving up something for you and I to gain what can only come through prayer.

Dig out your old lists or begin new ones.

Have that same attitude as you have always seen in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior with regards to persistent prayer.

Unless you get a resounding "no" from the Lord you keep on praying.

Unless you get an answer to prayer you keep on praying.

Don't entertain excuses to not pray.

"I need my sleep" is an excuse not a reason.

"But I'll miss the game" is an excuse not a reason.

"I will miss my show!" is an excuse not a reason.

We, you and I, need to practice persistence in prayer because God's Word says unmistakably that it's for us to be doing.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

The Rest We May Never Know

by David Brenneman

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." Psalms 42:11.

Many a time we can be tempted to be envious of what God's done or is doing in the lives of others around us.

What we do no know is the rest of their story.

With each of us, the Author and Perfecter of our faith is to be holding the pen of our lives, writing on our hearts that which is there to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.

We often don't get what He's written or is writing on our own hearts, let alone what we think we see in other's!

We indeed can be so focused on our own life that we neglect to consider that those around us have the Lord working in their lives. Either to address disobedience or to take them a few steps closer to being like Christ in this day.

A few days ago the passage about the landowner who was choosing to pay everyone who worked in his fields the same was brought up. Those who had born the heat of the whole day were grumbling because of the fact that everyone was being paid alike. Yet the Landowner replied with "is your eye envious because I am generous?".

THE Landowner is Jesus. If He so chooses, people are indeed blessed. If He withholds blessings that's for Him to decide as well.

We do not know the rest of the story with even our closest family let alone those whom we know or outside of those we know.

What we DO know is the same Lord is Lord over all and all who are in Christ are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.

What we can perceive as someone being blessed could also be the result of someone's actually finally obeying in something they should have taken care of a long time ago.

What we think we understand of other's lives is skewed by our sin nature filter.

Our lives are not wrapped up in possessions or status in the public sector.

Our lived are defined by what the Author and Perfecter of our faith is doing in each Believer to make us more like Christ.

Again, we don't know what hidden things that others are struggling with. We don't know the rest of the story. Only Jesus can see into the lives of all.

We must remember the words Jesus said to Peter after he asks Jesus "What about him?" with regards to John. Jesus "as for you, you follow Me!".

Many people leave this world with a great many things unaccomplished. Doesn't mean that what Jesus was doing was incomplete in any way. All who leave this world in Christ step into Eternity in Heaven complete in Christ. They have no consideration of their life left behind with regards to what they didn't get to do. They are with Jesus.

We, each of us, must take Jesus's words to Peter to heart. "As for you, you follow Me!".

Pray for yourself with regards to growing in Christ. Pray that your eyes don't get you into a trap where you're thinking more of what He's doing with others that we do see and have no regard for what we don't see Him doing. Pray for our hearts to be more like Mary rather than Martha. Pray that we'll be content with what's been granted to us. Pray for our own hearts to be as Jesus would have them to be. Pray for patience for ourselves that we don't get impatient towards God with His work in our lives.

In everything give thanks.

We don't know a lot more than we think we don't know. Think on this one.

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." Philippians 4:11-12.

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”" John 21:22.

We must remember we are all an unfinished work in the Lord until our time on Earth is through. We don't know what's truly happening in the lives of others. The command is for us as well. "What is that to you? You follow Me!".

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, September 7, 2026

Who Has Put Them There?

by David Brenneman

"It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding." Daniel 2:21.

"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." Romans 13:1-7.

"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, [2] to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men." Titus 3:1-2.

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

"The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts." Proverbs 21:1-2.

"They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21.

Regardless of what personal thoughts are concerning those in Church leadership, your job, or in local, state or Federal government...read indeed what the Scriptures say concerning such people.

Add to such a revelation the Lord's commands for all who are in Christ.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

Consider as well "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

To knowingly circumvent laws or ordinances or policies that are for certain not against the Word of God is to knowingly sin.

Another subject along the same lines is that of opinions. If our given opinions on these whom the Lord has put over us isn't going to look favorably upon the Lord we ought to keep such to ourselves.

The critical parts of anything we do in our lives in Christ is whether we are obedient to the Word of God and are walking in the character of Jesus Christ.

Our sin nature will do whatever it can to convince us of how to get whatever is right in our own estimation.

But will that which we convince ourselves of keep us right in the eyes of whom we have to do?

Would Jesus approve of your views, your disposition, towards those whom He has established over you?

Would He frown upon hearing what comes from your heart and out your mouth?

Does that very thought, that your heart is open and laid bare before Jesus, cause you to squirm?

You may not like whom He's established over you, regardless of position, but the truth of the matter is, He put them there.

When all Believers stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives...their obedience to God's Word is the paramount most important part that will be revealed in their lives next to their love of their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

In this, this passage too applies "Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Do you need to stop and ask forgiveness for the state of your heart in such things?

Do you need to make right what you've skirted in your doings among men and women?

Review that passage from earlier. Knowing the right thing to do and not doing it, sins.

We have a calling in Christ to grow in the character of Christ. To do this daily. Not just when in Church.

Yes, there's times when obedience comes at a cost. But in the Lord we have to be obedient to the Lord.

Pray over your past choices. Pray over your current decisions. Pray as the writer said "see if there be any hurtful way in me" and to lead you in the way everlasting.

You may not be able to take back words you've said. You may not be able to make restitution for things done. But from this day forward you CAN choose to be obedient and to be keeping your thoughts on these things right in God's eyes.

NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Be on Guard

by David Brenneman

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?" Matthew 20:15.

Would Jesus be wrong to bless some more abundantly than others? Would Jesus be wronging anyone whom is a child of God in such a manner?

My Dear Reader it would only indeed be wrong if we try to impart something wrong to the Lord.

Does Jesus bless some more than others? Yes. Does He withhold blessings from some? Maybe.

The bigger picture is of that of which we are a part. We are in this here this now at His direction. We are part of His plan for all humanity in this here this now.

A great danger is to be envious of what He's chosen to bless others with in our point of view.

He blesses whom He blesses and withholds blessings from whom He chooses to.

There's other factors involved that we might not be remotely aware of.

There's potential lessons for us to learn that we haven't even approached yet in our training in righteousness.

"What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy." Romans 9:14-16.

Some, not having grown enough in the Lord, aren't ready for what they believe they deserve out of life.

Some, are actually getting what appears to be blessings but really are not. As Scripture does also say of some, they are receiving their rewards in this life rather than in what's to come.

Paul taught many people the value of contentment. Of having a lot and doing without.

Another thought to consider is that we should not be wise in our own estimation. Scripture warns of this as well. Our reactions to God blessing others should not include being envious.

Likewise those who are abundantly blessed should not spend it on their wanton pleasures either.

Honestly it can be taken as celebration before the race is won.

All who are in Christ are to run the race set before them with their eyes on the prize. Not taking their focus off Jesus's approval for anything.

In God's eyes there is no such thing as a retirement plan other than when we cross over from this world to the next. No Believer should take their foot out of the gas, should slow up in their running, should sit to rest, while the race is still set before them.

My Dear Reader are you wiser than your Savior concerning what your being abundantly blessed would do to your walk with Jesus?

Consider these words "Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God." Proverbs 30:8-9.

"Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” Luke 12:15.

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

We each are growing in Christ at a different pace. We are at different levels.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Your Most Important Relationship

Your Only First Real Relationship

by David Brenneman

Come, ev'ry soul by sin oppressed—

there’s mercy with the Lord,

and He will surely give you rest

by trusting in His Word.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,

only trust Him now;

He will save you, He will save you,

He will save you now.

For Jesus shed His precious blood,

rich blessings to bestow;

plunge now into the crimson flood

that washes white as snow.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,

only trust Him now;

He will save you, He will save you,

He will save you now.

Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,

that leads you into rest;

believe in Him without delay,

and you are fully blest.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,

only trust Him now;

He will save you, He will save you,

He will save you now.

Come then and join this holy band,

and on to glory go,

to dwell in that celestial land

Only trust Him, only trust Him,

only trust Him now;

He will save you, He will save you,

He will save you now.

'Only Trust Him' John Stockton 1874.

It always brings great joy to my heart and soul when an old hymn rolls through my thoughts.

It is an astonishing thing to me to watch people insist on going it alone in life, even though they're claiming they're not. Laying claim to believing in Jesus yet are not trusting in Him...as evidenced by their life's choices.

In all seriousness...that's treating Jesus like some mere acquaintance rather than the Lord of their lives.

It's treating Jesus like He is just someone whom you're aware of but aren't seriously trusting for day-to-day life.

It's treating Jesus like...well...just as He said He will say to such people in the final judgment "depart from Me for I never knew you".

Jesus must be more. He must be YOUR more. He must be the deepest part of your life.

My Dear Reader if you're not trusting in Him fully, completely, then you're in real danger of never having had a real relationship with Jesus.

You were meant to have a deep loving relationship with Jesus. Not something superficial. Not something optional.

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Do you know His voice? Do you listen for it?

We don't know how long Adam and Eve walked with Jesus before the fall. We don't have it in words just how painful the new separation between them was but we do know that it indeed was painful for both them and Jesus. The lives of a few animals were among the first costs of the first sins. Killed to make coverings for them.

Broken relationships are everywhere these days and people are craving anything and sometimes anyone to try to fill that God shaped void in their hearts.

Broken relationship after broken relationship because people aren't asking Jesus to be a critical part of the relationship.

Careers failing due to various reasons but in the thick of things was Jesus really a part of that career?

We tend to mentally separate parts of our lives...and inadvertently include Jesus.

Jesus is to be Lord of all or He isn't Lord at all.

There is no 'me time' away from Jesus. That, my Dear Reader, ought to scare you to your core if you ever find yourself justifying a thought such as that one.

Pursue your relationship with Jesus with your everything. Ahead of whatever love you have for anyone in your life. Jesus said so.

Only trust Him only trust Him now.

Those who want God's best will leave the choice to Him.

Ours is to trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Are you developing your relationship with Jesus or are you satisfied with doing your own thing?

Are you going to be ashamed at how your relationship with Jesus will be revealed when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life or will you be excited to see Him?

You, My Dear Reader, you must choose to be all in with your relationship with Jesus. Not part time but all the time.