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, February 20, 2026

In Everything He's There

by David Brenneman

"I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalms 16:8.

So often, we ask the wrong questions of the Lord. We say, "Where are You, God? Why don't You show up? Can't You see how I am struggling-the pain I'm in?" The Lord's answer, of course, is, I'm right here with you. I know exactly what's going on." Instead, our questions to the Lord should be, "What is hindering me from seeing You? What would you have me do and learn? Help me to see You and to experience Your presence."

Jesus is always with you through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. The fullness of His almighty, all-wise being is always present and active in your life-every minute of every hour of every day. He will never be more your Savior, Healer, Mighty Warrior, or Deliverer than He is at this moment. He is the same yesterday,

today, and forever. So no matter how exhausted, battered, bruised, devastated, or even dead you may feel inside as the result of your struggles, realize that Jesus has not abandoned you but is working

in you and for you. He is raising you up into the newness of the abundant life. So don't give up. Keep seeking Him.

Jesus, thank You for being with me in all I experience. Amen.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34.

It would be really easy to turn and panic if I didn't know that Jesus was right now, rights here, in this season of my life.

That passage from Matthew 6 begins with a therefore...it's semi-hidden in the wording but it's there just the same. "For this reason" equals "therefore". So look before at what Jesus said. He was referring to those who those who were pursuing wealth and serving two masters.

We either live lives that are obeying God or lives that are going for what we want.

It's been a ride for sure these last 8 months learning much of saying no to wants and desires. Have to in light of attempting to make sensible decisions and choices to live through these particular times.

Throughout these 8 months we have yet still seen God's hands in our circumstances. Just like other times in our lives when we didn't know what to do or what was coming next. We've just been seeing it back to back sometimes day to day.

We sometimes just don't take God's Word personally enough...we don't realize it's truth applies to us.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.

We cannot live a wishy-washy, lukewarm, life in Christ. We either live believing He will do what He said or we don't. Look at what Jesus said to the Churches in the book of Revelation. He spits out such people.

We can't take God's truth, His grace, His mercy, as a half-measured, half-hearted, thing then wonder where is God in what we're going through.

We also cannot set out on doing something we see to be wanting to be doing then ask Jesus to bless it after the fact. We're to join Him in what He is doing.

We are to keep in mind during the times we struggle and are afflicted that this is for our sanctification in Christ Jesus.

Read a story about a woman wondering about her afflictions, the struggles she perceived she was going through. She walked down a country road and saw a vineyard that was getting overgrown. Wondering why it wasn't getting taken care of. It was then that God spoke clearly to her about the necessity of pruning. If the gardener chose not to prune then there would be no good to come of the vineyard. She was being reminded of the truth of God that He is the one who prunes to make His vine more fruitful...these were the things she was going through. God asked her if she wanted Him to stop. She, with this new understanding, cried out "No!"..

That story is another way to look at what Paul says "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5.

We need what God, through His Spirit, is doing in our lives whether or not we understand it.

We are not alone when we encounter various trials and tribulations.

Further, "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit;" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19.

"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.

So, my Dear Reader, take God at His word. I don't know where the money will come from for our bills and mortgage for the next month. I just know that God always has made a way where there was no way in these last 8 months and He's still on His Throne still intercedes on our behalf. "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 we walk with the Lord

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a burden we bear,

not a sorrow we share,

but our toil he doth richly repay;

not a grief or a loss,

not a frown or a cross,

but is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

3 But we never can prove

the delights of his love

until all on the altar we lay;

for the favor he shows,

for the joy he bestows,

are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

4 Then in fellowship sweet

we will sit at his feet,

or we'll walk by his side in the way;

what he says we will do,

where he sends we will go;

never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis 1887.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, February 19, 2026

His Love is Personal and True

by David Brenneman

"There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."

ROMANS 8:39 GNT

Consider the profound, personal nature of how the Lord cares for you. God loves you. The most magnificent person in the universe delights in you. The Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-cherishes you. Immeasurably and eternally, the Sovereign of the universe has set His affection on you. You are the apple apple of His eye, the crown of His creation.

God loves you. This is not mere sentiment. His infinite goodness is directed to you in myriad ways- through how He created, saved, indwells, guides, and protects you. He listens to your petitions, gives you new mercies every morning, sustains you each day, and watches over you every night. And nothing in all creation can stop Him.

God loves you, He cares for you uniquely as an individual. No one knows you like He does, He knows your dreams, desires, and potential and wants to see you succeed. He calls you by name and speaks to you through His Word in the most intimate way.

"God loves me'" Begin and end each day with this affirmation Rehearse it in your soul, And may you come to know in the most personal way how true it is.

Jesus, keep me mindful of Your love always. Amen

- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley

God Loves You

"As the Father has loved Me, I have

also loved you; abide in My love."

John 15:9

Do you realize how profoundly God loves you? If not, you may feel discouraged and unfulfilled in your walk with Him. I can say this by experience. When was in my mid-forties, I was a very frustrated Christian. I'd been a believer for more than thirty years, and yet something was missing from my fellowship with the Lord. But I didn't know what it was. I knew God. I prayed daily, read Scripture regularly, and served Him. But I didn't have the divine joy promised in Scripture.

However, a transformation began as grasped the love the Lord has for me. God loves me. As simple as that may seem, I'd never truly understood its profound significance. He cares for me

personally. God revealed His powerful, bountiful, intimate, unconditional love to a very grateful Charles Stanley, and He's become more real, joyful, satisfying, and glorious to me every day since. That is what I pray for you. So please, take a pen or pencil and finish the sentence by writing in your name. God loves ___________.

Think about that statement. Close your eyes and say it to yourself several times each day. And accept it as true. God loves you. Personally. Completely. And He will never stop. Praise His wonderful name.

Jesus, thank You for really loving me. Amen

- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39.

At the risk of repetition...oh the depths that we really don't realize that God loves us!

Yes these are two of Dr. Stanley's entries from "Trusting God with Today".

But when life is getting difficult this is where we need to position ourselves. To be ever mindful of this core truth of our life in Christ: we are loved by God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.

We may not gain understanding as to why our lives took the turns that they have. The rock solid truth is that we are loved by our God and nothing is ever going to change that.

We may not see it but it's as an absolute truth as you needing air to breathe.

These particular devotionals from that book just hit me so close to home. Right up there with how the song by Phillips, Craig and Dean "When God Ran"...the part where it's saying "son! he called me son! Do you know I still love you?!".

God's love is eternal and as many have taken to saying: He can't love you any more than He does and can never love you any less.

Many have taken to writing worship songs about the love of God. MercyMe's 2002 song "The Love of God" is one of my favorites.

What always hits me hard is knowing what I DO know about my utter sinfulness...and He still loves me. Likewise I am fully aware that there's other aspects of my life where the sinfulness of me isn't something that I am fully aware of but know is there. He still loves me. I know all too well of the very very dark moments of my life where I was drowning in darkness that He still was there and still pulled me up out of that pit of despair. Those times when all I knew was my perception of how great a distance my sin nature said was between God and I. He still pursued me.

If there's anything of value to be displayed from my life is that singular truth: God loved and loves me.

He loves you too my Dear Reader. Go back up to that one devotional and put your name in that blank spot. No matter how your circumstances appear to be: Jesus still loves you.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loves you, loves me. Satan and all the demons at his disposal cannot separate us from the love of God.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39.

"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.

Do you see it yet?

Do you know it yet?

Jesus loves us and will never separate Himself from us.

The world both doesn't get this nor seeks this but it's on each of us who are counted as His beloved to tell them...to show them.

That old song "Jesus loves me" isn't just words on a page. They're at the core of our taking up our own cross and following Him.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

We truly shouldn't even joke about hatred or hating someone else. God is never glorified in us behaving in any way that doesn't show that God loves people.

Regardless of how evil people can be: Jesus still died for them.

Regardless of how we can be: we need to remember His love for us.

Our lives in Christ are eminently personal to Jesus. We read of how He is a jealous God. "Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5.

Me, personally, as he suggested in that devotional I find myself needing to remind myself that God loves me. I need that because life's situations want me to doubt that truth. Interactions with people sometimes can be difficult and I need reminding that God loves me. Situations with things, with a job, happen and I need reminders that my God loves me. People abandoning me...and I need to look to my Savior who promised He never would leave me or forsake me.

We need to be like the sheep that David wrote about in Psalms 23. Jesus is our Great Shepherd.

Someone once wrote of an interaction with Jesus. Asking how much does He love them. Jesus answered "this much!" and He stretched out His hands and died.

Do you take the seriousness of the cross to heart? The depth of His love for you? The desire that should be within you to live lives in such a way that honors that love that bled and died for you?

God loves me, God loves you.

We will have eternity to scratch the surface of that truth if indeed we are saved in Christ Jesus.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

What We Are To Be Doing

by David Brenneman

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:7-13.

If indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus by His finished work on the cross of calvary...you've got a purpose in Christ that He's planned since before you were born to be doing to glorify His Name.

The war going on in our world today may be called many things. Then President Bush referred to a war on terror. Others make reference to wars on various ideologies.

Believer's everywhere are at war with the members of their bodies.

We must look within to the battleground of our hearts and minds.

"You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:7.

But you may say you don't think you've done anything wrong.

"For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord." 1 Corinthians 4:4.

Think that you're the first to mount a defense such as that?

Consider the truth that you and I are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.

Consider the following:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

There IS a plan and purpose to your life in Christ if indeed you are among the children of God, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

The war these days is for our attention. For our desires. For our thoughts. Does any of this reflect in these Scriptures we just read? Certainly does.

Your affiliation with a denomination means nothing. No where in the passage we just read about the Spirit placing us in the body as He sees fit are denominations even a consideration. We are to be in Christ first and foremost of all in everything. We are part of the body of Christ, not part of anything else on Earth.

We are to engage in that which grows us in Christ to become more like Jesus. There's a war to entice us to spend our time, energy and effort on anything but that.

A few minutes here and there add up to a wasted time in our daily life.

Are you committed to living life for Jesus who saved you? Does what your average day show reflect that?

Are you committed to time in the Word? Are you at all praying? Have you done anything to weed out the garden of your heart? Removing things that aren't going to glorify God? Are your attitudes and actions showing yourself and others that Jesus IS that important to you? When you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life...will it show a life spent striving to please Him in all that you did or will it reflect something less honorable?

My Dear Reader...there IS a plan and purpose to your life in this place in human history for you to be doing. Retirement does not exist in God's economy while the breath of life is still in our lungs. Nothing pleases our Lord Jesus Christ more than to be found walking in this life in obedience and the love of God in Christ.

Was reading in a devotional last night and something was said that was absolutely true. We should join Jesus in what He is doing and not do what we think is the best use of our talents according to our plan and then ask God to bless it.

We must remember what we read here today. We are placed in the body of Christ as the Spirit sees fit. Put where He believes and knows we will do the most good for us personally and our part in the mission of God for mankind.

Life isn't about settling goals for ourselves and giving God the glory after it works out. Life is about living the life we've been given however He wants it lived.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Seek Not Justice on Our Terms

by David Brenneman

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:14-21.

"Did not He who made me in the womb make him, And the same one fashion us in the womb?" Job 31:15.

We who have read the Gospels know of how Jesus was with His accusers throughout His life and ministry. Of how He teaches us, through His Spirit, to do the same.

But oh how we're fooled into thoughts of revenge. Thoughts of payback. Thoughts of ill will towards those who wronged us in so much and in so many ways.

But we must return to what Jesus wants of us in this life in which we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself up for us.

It doesn't belong to us to go after anyone. Vengeance is His to deal with. We're to pray for those who persecute us. We're to go to our Father in Heaven in prayer asking for Him to deal with what we will most assuredly mess up if left to our own understanding and devices.

We only THINK we know what sweet justice looks like.

We fool ourselves in our hubris and pride to think we can be the architects of truly appropriate justice.

We don't know what God knows. Plain pure and simple.

What I CAN promise you is this: Regardless of how you feel in this moment: Christ died for the one you have a problem with. Just as assuredly as He died for you in all your utter sinfulness.

We never ever come out on top in the revenge game. We lose every single time.

One of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles says we stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

You and I can easily be so arrogant to believe that we're in a position in our morality to be able to rightfully administer justice that would be appropriate.

However, my Dear Reader, what if the conflicts you are experiencing, are there for reasons you're to enraged to see, hear or understand?

What we go through in life might seem completely wrong because of where it leaves us at the end of the day. But we can never understand in our rage and pain that in everything He's going to cause all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

That person or people whom we can be so angry with and distraught about...what if they came to Christ for salvation because of how we treated them as Christ wants us to?

What if our behavior mirrored Christ so much that it causes them to drop to their knees to ask why we are being the way we are?

God gives us who are saved His grace and mercy every single day. It's fully arrogant presumption to think we're well off enough in our walk with Jesus that we've arrived at being able to condemn others with a fully righteous judgment as God would do.

To be blunt: I can't trust me and you shouldn't trust you. We are not omniscient, we are not omnipresent, we are lights shining in the world reflecting the light of Christ towards others.

Rage and bitterness are poisons we ingest with the desire that it takes out those whom are so wrong towards us. We will harm ourselves first.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Literally, GET OUT OF GOD'S WAY.

You can't love God with your everything and love others and at the same time play the revenge game intent on justice on your terms.

Newsflash for everyone: regardless of how evil people have been in this world and will be: Christ died for them as well as us. All the sins of all mankind were heaped upon Jesus on the cross. Not just the sins of those who would eventually believe and come to Christ for salvation.

We pray because God can and will deal with those who wrong us. Not can and might, can and will. Throughout Proverbs we read of how it ends for those who are wicked or evil. Those are the facts of life for those who persecute others.

Those who die in their sins never win. They spend eternity forever separated from God.

What if you turned your anger and need for revenge in prayer instead? What if your prayers were the catalyst that brings another to Christ for salvation and then the Rapture of the Church takes place?

All revenge and retribution thinking is and does is all a short-sighted mentality. Even if in the moment you succeed that feeling won't last. It won't. What was done can't be undone. Forgiveness is a command not a suggestion for us. We cannot expect God to forgive us if we don't forgive others. Jesus specifically said as much.

Take everything to the Lord in prayer. Even if we don't feel like it or don't have the words for it.

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.

That verse looks a little different now doesn't it? Focus in on that part where it says: In all your ways.

Jesus wants to see Himself displayed in you. He wants to see it displayed in me.

Pray on, pray over, pray through life.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, February 16, 2026

He Remembers to Forget

by David Brenneman

"And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ” Luke 15:11-32.

Eden, he still sees the flowers there

Noah kept safely in his care

Moses walks the red sea part

David, after his own heart

Every moment in history

Still there in his mind so it amazes me

He remembers to forget what mercy forgave

The past that I regret is forever washed away

The king who knows it all could easily recall and yet

He remembers to forget what mercy forgave

Calvary, he still smells that dusty air

And years past he can hear that one thieve's prayer

That hillside where we broke His heart

The earth shook and the world with dark

It's all still fresh in his mind

But wonder of all wonders, it overwhelms me every time

He remembers to forget what mercy forgave

The past that I regret is forever washed away

The king who knows it all could easily recall and yet

He remembers to forget what mercy forgave

The king who knows it all could easily recall and yet

He remembers to forget what mercy forgave

It's a story taught and preached by hundreds throughout the last 2,000 plus years for sure. But to me, the connection between the song the Hoppers brought out and seeing it in the Prodigal Son story happened last night.

The part many may not get was how harsh the son who left was being. It wasn't as simple as saying he wanted his inheritance and was going to leave. He essentially told his Dad he would rather that he was dead so that he could go do what he wanted with what was to be his.

Rather than fight him on this he gave him what he wanted. Seeing that he wouldn't be persuaded otherwise.

But the key part is that his father never stopped praying for and hoping for his son to return.

Stop right there. This too is each of us in God's eyes. His invitation to come home has been spread far and wide in probably every language and in most every way on our planet. Whether or not we listen and realize all He's wanting is for us to turn around and come to Him just as we are...that's on us.

Now this part of the father's reaction is what I had missed. His father chose to forget the harsh cruel words his son, his own flesh and blood, said to him.

Inheritance or not, his changed heart was what his father latched onto.

We often don't consider and perhaps you have never considered that when you came to Christ for salvation that part of that imputed righteousness that is Christ that the Father sees when He sees you...is God choosing to forget all our unrighteousness.

He knows it all and chooses to forget it. Casting our sins as far as the east is from the west...remembering them no more.

It's mind blowing to me. Last night as well in our group we remembered another song "When God Ran". A few have taken to singing it but my favorite version is by Phillips Craig and Dean.

The song never fails to choke me up. Never fails to probably cause my heart to skip a beat.

Almighty God the great I am

Immovable rock omnipotent powerful

Awesome lord

Victorious warrior commanding king of kings

Mighty conqueror and the only time

The only time I ever saw him run

Was when

He ran to me

He took me in his arms

Held my head to his chest

Said my son's come home again

Lifted my face

Wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in his voice ge said

Son do you know I still love you

He caught me by surprise when God ran

The day I left home

I knew I'd broken his heart

And I wondered then if things could ever be the same

Then one night

I remembered his love for me

And down that dusty road ahead I could see

It was the only time

It was the only time I ever saw him run

And then

He ran to me

He took me in his arms

Held my head to his chest

Said my son's come home again

Lifted my face

Wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in his voice ge said

Son do you know I still love You

He caught me by surprise

And he brought me to my knees

When God ran I saw him run to me

I was so ashamed all alone and so far away

But now I know that he's been waiting for this day

I saw him run to me

He took me in his arms

Held my head to his chest

Said my son's come home again

Lifted my face

Wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in his voice

I felt his love for me again

He ran to me

He took me in his arms

Held my head to his chest

Said my son's come home again

Lifted my face

Wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in his voice

He said son

He called me son

He said son do you know I still love you

He ran to me (When God ran)

(I saw him run to me)

And then I ran to him

(When God ran)

When God ran

Knowing my own sin depraved heart and mind as I do...knowing that in that instant that I asked Jesus to save me...that He ran to me...took me in His arms...head my head to His chest and declared that I had come home.

That overwhelms me every time.

I can't understand why He loves me so when I know how, throughout my life, I wasn't the righteous man I should have been. I have been that Prodigal Son. Perhaps more times than I can recall.

Everyone is a single step away from Jesus running to them. Ready to keep His promises to them. Life can and will be harsh. But those saved in Christ are never alone. We don't need to lean on our own understanding. He's ready to lead, to provide, to handle life with us and for us.

We need to come to Him and simply ask Him to save us. To be the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives. Jesus said that we must come as a child. Simply believe. Believe that which the Gospels proclaim. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life. Was cruelly punished for our sins and the sins of mankind on a cruel cross. Died for our sins, arose 3 days later conquering sin, death and the grave. Now the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He died for me. He died for you. More importantly He arose to become our Savior and Lord.

We can and likely will struggle with the knowledge of our past sins. We can and should be comforted by knowing He chooses to forget.

There's been times when I thought I was oh so far away from God. It's something that I have learned and know to be true...it's not just some saying that I said earlier. I have never been more than 1 step away from His loving embrace. He will always be ready to run to anyone who's turned their hearts to Him.

Think about these things today.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Learning Shouldn't Be Shunned

Learning Shouldn't Be Shunned
by David Brenneman

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait
I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait
And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait
I will move ahead bold and confident
I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
And I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You Lord
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
-(c)2007 John Waller "While I'm Waiting".

Several devotional readings last night were about waiting on God, waiting on the Lord. This song easily came to mind after reading just that word.

We don't like to wait. Several generations now are of a kind that patience appears to be more of a superpower than a choice to make easily.

We don't wait on food sometimes from a microwave and either discover it to either not be done or over cooked. We see people who can't simply drive a vehicle without staying on a cell phone for fear of missing out on a conversation that in all likelihood could wait. We see people dying or gravely wounded from vehicle accidents because of impatience due to other road hazards. We see videos of impatience born out in children destroying things because their parents failed to enforce learning patience. We have no shortage of examples of a lack of patience.

Yet the Bible teaches quite the opposite. Bringing up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. There's much said about patience in the Lord. A fruit of the Spirit is patience. We do not see that getting ahead of God as impatience at the time things didn't go well for us because we didn't exercise patience in the moment.

Read again Psalm 23...slowly.

There's actions and activities that the Lord Jesus Christ brings us to and puts us through that are going to bring about learning about how to be patient of how to exercise patience. It's a fruit of the Spirit so should be a fruit of our life in Christ.

"so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Colossians 1:10-12.

And do not forget these evidences: "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Our aim in this life as Believers isn't personal growth, isn't personal wealth, it's not in a life pursuing fantastic health 24/7. It's not exemplified in anything but testifying of the work of God in Christ Jesus in us and living as lights in this present darkness. It's growing in Christ Jesus to be more like Christ. Personal goals are fine as long as they do not conflict with what God's Word says and His revealed will for us in Christ. We are HIS workmanship. Not His AND our own. Not His AND a career that's not what He wanted for us to be doing.

We learn Godly patience from being fully obedient. We learn this and all the other fruits of the Spirit through our obedience regardless of how we feel in the moment.

We lie to ourselves when we deny what the Spirit says we're being like.

Paul wraps all this up in this: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-25.

Fighting the work of God in your life will cause you to be impatient and thus not to show the fruit of the Spirit in you. "He makes me lie down..." Look at any parent who is making a child rest or take a nap and you'll see the difficulty that the Spirit most likely has with human beings claiming to be Christians to stop n rest...to lie down...when He is saying it's appropriate to do so.

We also disrespect the Lord when we are fighting what He's doing in our lives. Disrespect leads to impatience as well. Because our ways are not His ways. When we insist on our ways impatience shows up.

We must choose to be patient as He does what we pray for. We must accept what He's doing at the rate it's being done for His reasons, even if we don't understand or feel like it.

Our plan and purpose for each of us is wrapped up in 2 things and 2 things only. To grow in Christ, becoming more like Jesus, and to do our part in the body as the Spirit sees fit for us to be doing. It's not going to look like what we think it should because we're in the midst of learning to obey.

"Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”" Acts 9:10.

This is the only response we should have in life. Even when understanding eludes us.

This verse isn't long or complex but does speak volumes about this particular disciple's life in Christ.

Would we respond the same or find some excuse for not because our eyes were not on obedience?

Someone once said to never pray for patience because God would put you in a place to learn it. Well my Dear Reader...wrong instructions but right results.

We want the fruit of the Spirit to be displayed in our lives.

We want our obedience to show others what a life in Christ looks like.

We want to live our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

We DO don't we?

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.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Are We Showing Jesus to the World?

by David Brenneman

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21.

"Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:11-12.

I have been lead to write in the past of the conduct of Believers and today seems to be more of the same. What are we doing in living our lives that isn't glorifying God? What behaviors do we display that are actually dishonorable to our Lord Jesus Christ? What do we 'enjoy' in our lives that shouldn't be there, that we haven't lifted a finger to deal with? We all have these areas. We all are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.

The question is: are you in agreement with Jesus through His Spirit when He illuminates these things or do you dismiss or argue with Him about them?

We are prone to various levels of pride in keeping what's possible in our sinful world that we've convinced ourselves that isn't bad.

But in doing so we dishonor God rather than obey God.

We have the pattern in the Scriptures of what a Disciple of Jesus Christ is to be like. We have the assurance that if we bring these things that we finally acknowledge shouldn't be in our hearts and minds that He will help us deal with them.

The hard core part of living a life that's an approved life in Christ is to want what He wants for you and from you. Even if it's something you don't particularly want in your life at the moment.

As I have read, on and off, concerning adversity in the last 8 months...nobody wants it but it's a necessity to growing in Christ.

That is a huge part of displaying what Paul told Timothy that we read. It's right there in what Paul wrote in Romans.

The more we want what God wants for us the more is likely to be removed from our lives to make room for those things. As many probably heard growing up...clean your plate if you want more of something or if you want dessert.

Nobody going through the harshness of basic training really relishes all the physical pain and suffering they go through, but when they begin to see what it profits them they begin to understand the why.

Nobody who's never run a race really understands what goes into the results that the scoreboard shows unless they have been there done that for themselves.

We cannot know what is in store for us that God has planned for us unless we let go of what we hold onto and submit to His purpose and plan for us.

We have our instructions to living a truly Godly life in Christ Jesus...but are we taking it all in? Are we going to stand before Jesus having obeyed or having disobeyed His instructions for us?

Yes it's probable that we will have to give up some things in life. But isn't what God wants for you more important?

These things in our lives that we might be holding on too tightly to...they will indeed turn to ashes as the Scriptures say. Anything or anyone who's been put higher than Jesus in our hearts will be dealt with.

Take time today to look at your life and see if there is any wicked way in you that you're denying is what it is. Ask Jesus to show you if there is any in your life and to lead you to the righteous life that He desires for you.

We all are immersed in the evils of our day. We all have a fight on our hands to stay right and true before our God. We are being arrogant if we say that we're ok. Nobody has overcome to the extent that they don't need prayer to stay on the path of righteousness. As a song of Charlie Pride says "you'll find all kinds of exits" on this highway that leads to glory. Temptations abound and are wrapped up in bows and fancy wrapping paper.

My sin nature shouldn't be trusted to stay out of the way in my walk with Jesus because I would be fooling myself if I thought for a second that it would.

Paul counted everything as loss in order to know Jesus more.

Are you dedicated to living life with Jesus as your highest priority? Does what you do and have in your life reflect that? Does your reactions to life reflect that?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org