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, June 23, 2026

Oh the Wisdom of the Lord

by David Brenneman

"Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12

"My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad; And my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But live in the fear of the Lord always. Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, And direct your heart in the way." Proverbs 23:15-19.

Prepared.

God does prepare us for our next steps in life. He doesn't just dump a situation on us to see how badly we'll crumble. The work of the Spirit of God is to mold us into the character of Christ. Jesus went through every temptation and was victorious over them. Jesus faced great situations but never knuckled under them. John wrote that which he was lead to write about Jesus and said he easily could have written a whole lot more.

Desires can be either good or bad, depending on who is going to be honored as a result.

Desires are often what drives us to do good or not. To achieve or to not achieve.

Setting your desires on whatever we learn that God desires we will never go wrong.

Solomon started out really well in his commitment to the Lord and over time completely lost his way.

He let worldly desires push aside the life that the Lord wanted for him. In carefully reading the story of Solomon in 1 Kings you can see many many violations of God's Word. Things he acquired that the Lord said not to. From things to wives.

We too can allow worldly desires push out God's desire for us. We're not immune to it and we had better understand that Satan's schemes include this particular battle for all who believe.

Do you want what God wants for you? Even if you don't fully see it now?

Do you read the letters to the Churches and consider how elements of those warnings and admonitions could be directed at you?

Interestingly enough...Solomon had this to say, even though he didn't live it out, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established." Proverbs 4:23-26

The worst we do is to not pray before jumping into what we think isn't beyond our ability to handle.

"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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:12-13.

This isn't directed just at evangelists, Pastor or teachers.

This is directed to all Believers.

The desires of Christ are towards those who are perishing. The desire of the Father is the same.

When the Church is complete...all these desires we see in this world...will be shattered from the ground up.

So what good is it to crave what the world craves?

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. These things are those things that will grow us in Christ. To make us better Ambassadors for Christ. To be lights in our dark world.

In James we read "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8.

It still is being asked: Do you desire what Jesus desires? Do you put that before your own desires?

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, June 22, 2026

That Cross, Our Cross

by David Brenneman

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:24-27.

“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.’ For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:9-15.

"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. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4.

There is but there isn't a lot to unwrap in these three sets of the Scriptures.

The point that's common is that this life we live...well read it here: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

We probably aren't ever considering just how much we're still trying to see our will being done, even in the smallest of ways, rather than that which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wills to be done.

While having dreams is nice, might even be a good thing, they're not entirely necessary for a successful life in Christ.

The core truth about OUR dreams is that they must fit in with GOD'S plans.

What we dreams might indeed be great, wonderful, extremely plausible, beneficial to mankind let alone ourselves. Yet the truth is they're not going to fit in with the Father’s plans for humanity.

There's still yet to come a 7 year great tribulation. There's still yet after this period a thousand year reign of Jesus Christ here on Earth. These are absolutely immovable points in human history that are going to be coming.

So what's best? What's best is to check your dreams with God's plans for you. Check your desires with God's plans for you. Don't waste time, energy, resources, on what does not have His blessing. Don't fill your mind, heart, with the useless, fill it with what honors His plans for you.

I have, if it were measured as such, gigabytes and gigabytes of useless data in my head. Wasted time, wasted learning, because those things had nothing to do with taking up my own cross and follow Jesus. Of wasted ventures on both the selfish and perhaps the unselfish things of this world.

The Disciples were taught to take up their own cross and to follow Jesus. Their lives were spent learning how to live in the character of Christ. They weren't taught to fit in doing their own thing. They were taught to fulfill their purpose in Christ...and to teach others to do the same.

I am now a year and a half into a morning and evening commitment to spend time in God's Word and a few devotionals. It does mean saying no to many of the more common things the world indulges in. Sometimes it means losing sleep.

When you read "Your kingdom come, your will be done. On earth as it is in Heaven." do you take that personally or are you just thinking good thoughts about it and perhaps trying to fit that in after you get what you want in life out of the way?

Daniel kept his commitment to pray 3 times a day. His was a heartfelt time of prayer.

Jesus often got away to talk to His Father, our Father.

We read in Hebrews 11 of those in the faith who did great things. These are the cloud of witnesses that have shown us all what a more excellent way looks like in the Lord.

My own cross may or may not look like your own cross but there is a cross to bear to follow Jesus. Jesus wasn't making a suggestion when He said it. He wasn't making suggestions when He taught what prayer should include from the heart. Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior never taught suggestions to live the righteous life that God desires for us all.

It may indeed mean watching your dreams never coming to fruition. Many of mine will only exist in the land of what might have been only because God said no. Which is perfectly fine with me because His will being done is beyond far more important to me.

Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness is what should be driving us. Prayer with a sincere heart. Keeping our commitment to meet with Him daily. This is the beginning of taking up that cross.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, June 21, 2026

Where's Your Grace?

by David Brenneman

"Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:21-35.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10.

What do people see when they see you? Who do people see when they consider your life?

Do they see the character of Christ or do they see something darker?

It's either going to be the light of Jesus Christ or its not.

We certainly aren't a people who follow this: "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:19-27.

We sure can forget who it is we represent can't we? We sure can miss opportunities to show the light of Jesus Christ can't we?

I too miss opportunities. I too neglect to remember in the heat of the moment.

This grace we have been given is for us to bestow upon others.

We, like the one Jesus spoke of in our opening passage, have been forgiven much and should by all means remember this and forgive in the same manner, the same way.

We are not to keep the grace and mercy of God in our hands. We're to give it to those whom the Lord causes to cross our paths.

A year now and it doesn't escape me that the temptation was there and at times is there to retract the forgiveness that I knew that I had to bestow on those who did me wrong. Weekly I still pray for salvation for these people. A reputable source reassured me that I did nothing to contribute to what transpired. Additionally, I believe the Spirit when He too said it wasn't of me, that that situation a year ago was from God. The more important outcome of that particular situation is the continued prayer for the salvation of those involved.

You may face deeper situations or not so deep. But in everything we face these are just situations in the eyes of Jesus Christ.

You can either bestow grace and thereby glorify God in your situation or you can withhold it and deal with the consequences of a heart that isn't aligned with the character of Christ.

My personal example is but one. We face situations every single day of every type of thing. If we're walking with Jesus we should be acting in the character of Christ.

There shouldn't be grumbling or complaining. Shouldn't be outbursts of anger. Shouldn't be us shaking an visible or invisible fist at people we encounter. We should have the mind of Christ. Should be setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. This extensive passage we opened with ties in directly with what Jesus used in His model prayer to teach the Disciples how to pray. If we do not forgive we won't be forgiven.

Add this to your thoughts today: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12.

You have the choice to let Jesus shine through you or to hide His light from others by withholding the grace, the unmerited favor, Jesus gave you.

You.

Jesus forgave you of all your sins so you ought to wholly forgive others who sin against you.

Give away the grace that was given to you...the Scriptures easily state that there's a lot more where that came from.

Forgive as you've been forgiven.

Give away as freely as you have received.

Walk in the character of Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, June 20, 2026

The Anger of Man...

by David Brenneman

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you."Ephesians 4:31.

Are you struggling with memories of people who've treated you badly? Whether or not you deserved what they did to you, it may still hurt terribly and have continuing repercussions. And it may be difficult to stop thinking about it. Yet God instructs

you to cast off your anger and forgive. But how can you do so-especially if you've been disrespected, treated cruelly, or even outright betrayed? It's not easy, but it is necessary.

The best way to keep your heart from succumbing to bitterness is to see the Lord's hand in every circumstance that touches your life. Believe that He can work through whatever has been done to

you for your good and His glory- and praise Him. Because when you say to God, "My times are in Your hand" (Psalm 31:15), you acknowledge His ultimate sovereignty over your life and His good plan. You take the power away from your destructive thoughts and give Him room to heal your wounds, deliver you from bitterness, and set you free from whatever bondage is in your life. So regardless of what others have done, forgive them, trust God to vìndicate you in His time, and be grateful that He always has the last word.

Jesus, I will obey You and forgive- -help me to do so completely., Amen.

-Trusting God with Today. Dr. Charles Stanley.

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:19-27.

"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made both of them." Proverbs 20:12.

"Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you." Proverbs 20:22.

It doesn't take much to find people bent on payback, bent on revenge, for even the most trivial of things. Look at how synonymous "Karen" has become concerning portraying women and now even men as dolts who's anger and self-righteous stances has become.

Lest we forget: "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7. And: "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:10.

So so many Christians as well neglect these truths. Read how the story ends. Read the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation.

My Dear Reader what good is it to maybe gain personal satisfaction for a mere moment but lose out on what the Lord will have accomplished on your behalf that would be more than anything you could possibly have ever considered?

If we set aside whatever is going through our minds and do as commanded...praying for those who persecute you...we would do well. We would be going down the road towards the righteous life that God desires for us.

We likewise would do well to remember that what we read here as well as what else we received through God's Word on the subject aren't suggestions. They're not hints. They're not hacks to get what our sinful hearts are looking for.

We have what Jesus said.

We have to take up our own cross and follow Him. The character of Christ is to be our goal.

When anger rises...and by far nobody including myself are immune to it...we need to keep firm hold of the word of God in our hearts.

When we are letting unbridled anger rule we will always fail.

There is a thing as righteous anger. This isn't what we are talking about today. We need to really evaluate our situation before we are going to react or act in anger.

People the world over put Christians under a microscope.

People are ready to pounce on professing Christians for their behavior.

Then we also, as we read earlier, have the Lord Jesus Christ who examines our hearts.

For those who are saved...His Spirit resides within our hearts. He knows our thoughts and intentions.

Practice your Spirit empowered ability to be "quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger".

Broken things from the physical to the relational are strewn about our lives because of anger not held in check.

Consider before you take a step.

Consider before you speak a word.

Take up your own cross and follow Jesus.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, June 19, 2026

What if You were the Recipient?

by David Brenneman

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:" Revelation 2:1.

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this:" Revelation 2:8.

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:" Revelation 2:12.

All in all 7 churches were written to and all 7 eventually vanished from the pages of history.

But what they were written to about wasn't just for them...what they were written to about was words of encouragement and warning to the future church of Jesus Christ...and us.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." is repeated at the end of every letter that John was to write and to take to each church after his time on Patmos was completed.

The early Church was getting both commendations and condemnation from Jesus. These churches all existed at the same time and yet in retrospect they mirror the various seasons that have come and gone with the universal church.

You were written to in this final book of the Bible as well as I and everyone who's been a part of it and will be until the Rapture of the Church.

You could, if you looked, find aspects of the condition of your heart in these letters if you're being honest with yourself.

The whole of the Bible is a love letter to mankind. Of the rise n fall of mankind because of sin and the redemption plan of God the Father through Jesus Christ.

Have you ever read through your entire love letter from Jesus?

If you have not, why not? The Bible wasn't just written, it was inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.

Your guesses at living the righteous life that God desires for you aren't going to cut it.

Your reading in your Bible what constitutes the righteous life that God desires for you will.

Jesus loved you enough to die a horrific death to conquer sin, death and the grave and He wrote you all of that and more for you to enjoy and learn from.

You see, if you have ears to hear, eyes to see, then you have what you need to begin to hear and see what the Spirit has to say to you.

All Believers can hear and learn from the Spirit of God...if they but open up themselves to be taught.

Who should care about what they think they'll miss out on should they put their life in Christ first?

Do you really ever consider the Word of God as 'optional' in living life for Christ? Do you ever commit to sitting down to read and then brush it aside because something came on tv or the computer or your phone instead? "I'll catch up tomorrow". Really, my Dear Reader, are you so fully certain that you have a tomorrow? What if God calls you home tonight? Are you really willing to stand before the Author of your life, of the Word of God, and ply an excuse for not taking the time to get to know Jesus better, to walk in His footsteps?

Your letter awaits.

You were written to.

You are the recipient just as I have been.

You who have ears to hear, hear what is written to the Churches.

Nobody in Christ should be ashamed at His appearing when He returns for His Church...but Scripture indicates many will be.

Will you be among those or will you return to your commitment to learn from the Spirit on how to live a life approved by Jesus Christ?

You are the recipient.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Confused? Unhappy? To Find, You Must Lose

by David Brenneman

"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Micah 6:8

Life can be complicated, but your relationship with God doesn't have to be. Instead of relating to the Lord based on a demanding set of rules, the prophet Micah gave us some simple guidelines to help us keep our faith uncluttered. What does God require of you!

First, do justice. Do what you know is right. Don't compromise the truth or rationalize away what the Word of God instructs. Obey whatever God has shown you to do and quit worrying about the rest.

Second, love kindness. Put others first and view them with

compassion-even if they've hurt you or you disagree with them. Instead of insisting on your rights, trust the Lord to defend you. God will take care of both your reputation and rewards.

Third, walk bumbly with your God. Esteem the Lord for who He is-the living, eternal, all-knowing Sovereign of all that exists. He knows what He is talking about, So do whatever He says, acknowledge

Him in all your ways, and keep Christ at the center of your life.

Put these principles into action and be at peace with the knowledge that you're being pleasing to God.

Jesus, thank You for showing me how to please You and empowering me to do so. Amen

-Trusting God with Today. Dr. Charles Stanley.

Good vibes, happy thoughts, good feelings, positivity, talking good about yourself to bolster your self-image...none of these will do a thing to truly help you through your life.

While Scripture says "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." Philippians 4:8 there is this that immediately follows: "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 4:9.

Paul, in the book of Romans, spoke of practiced sin. Here we read of him referring to practiced righteousness.

My Dear Reader you are going to be tempted to diverge from God's plan for you, and it happens, or you will walk as He's wanting you to.

The Bible maked life actually far more abundantly clear about life than the thousands of self-help books, lectures, college and university courses portray life.

When life isn't clear then stop. Stop and pray to our Father in Heaven in Jesus Name and ask your questions that you have.

Secondly is never assume you are on the right track. Check yourself often to be sure that you're walking with Jesus as His Word directs.

Thirdly, be listening to the promptings of the Spirit of God. Everyone who is saved in Christ Jesus does hear from the Spirit of God within them.

Read this slowly and take it in, take it to heart, because the message is for all who are in Christ. It gives the command and the reasoning behind it: "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain." Philippians 2:1-16.

The Scriptures we're not written to be good suggestions for a happy life.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

We will often mess things up in trying to still seek our own kingdom here on Earth. Then life becomes a chain of disappointments. A chain of discouragements. Nothing done really seems to work or matter.

Go back to your first love which is only found in Christ.

Let go of the things you have tried and return to what always works all the time.

Then you'll find an unexplainable joy and peace that you were trying to create for yourself.

Don't take it from me, or Dr. Stanley, or Dr. Jeremiah, or Pastor Begg or Pastor MacArthur, or anyone else...take it from Jesus: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Time is Near...Always

by David Brenneman

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near." Revelation 1:1-3.

Throughout many of the books that we read in the New Testament are the teachings that tell us that we are to live each day as if today were the day Jesus will return.

To live life as if today could be that day would certainly change how a great many people view their lives.

As odd as life is depicted in Hollywood and the other places these types of scenes are filmed...they do quite often get this aspect right. The aspect that in potential world ending events people's priorities abruptly change. Most everything gets tossed out the window that isn't about the direct need of the moment for which they are facing.

Yet all too many professing Believers in Jesus Christ aren't at all living life as if His promise to return for them is a high priority for them.

Part of how we live our lives isn't just to live in the character of Christ, but also to live as though we fully embrace His promised return.

We are to allow the grace poured out upon us to others. We are to show mercy as we have been shown mercy from on high by God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are also supposed to do what we do as unto the Lord with one hand and be ready to stand before Jesus with the other. Just as Nehemiah had those who returned to Jerusalem with him do.

We cannot, as professing Christians, live lives as if we can just go live life however we please. We are still here to further the gospel. We are still here to live transformed lives. We are still here because of His purposes for us. We aren't to live as though we have a ticket to go to Heaven so anything else doesn't matter.

We aren't here to bring glory to ourselves. Scripture explicitly states that we're to live lives in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We are to be students of God's Word for our entire life. We are not promised health, wealth or prosperity. We are promised a new life in Christ that will bring honor and glory to God.

How are you doing in being prepared for Jesus to return for you?

Make sure that you read that statement again and make it intensely personal.

How honestly selfish have you been living your life for you more than you have for your calling in Christ?

We all do it in all kinds of ways and don't really see it that way.

We can often treat prayer to our living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as optional and attach an self-justified excuse to it.

We can often treat meeting with Jesus daily in our Bibles as optional and attach another self-justified excuse to it.

We can often excuse our behavior towards others with a good self-justified excuse.

Notice the pattern? Self-justification is a cancerous weed in our lives. We are to be dying to ourselves daily and living for Jesus daily.

We are to take the Word of God as commands and not suggestions.

I've done it, I am certain you've done it too.

We need to be ready for Jesus.

We need to be aware of what our spiritual gifts are and to be sure we're using them to glorify God in Christ Jesus.

We need to do more self-examination to be sure we're not allowing selfish decisions, selfish desires, to be growing in our lives.

Jesus IS coming. Will you be. among the excited or among the ashamed? Among those looking forward to what He might say about how you lived your life or among those who will be ashamed at not having done what you were called to be doing for Him?

Right now, in this here this now, you can do something about it. You cannot change your past but you can change your present.

Because...the time is near.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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