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?

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Leave it!

by David Brenneman

Dr. Payson, while still a young man, once wrote an elderly mother who was extremely worried about and burdened over the condition of her son. He wrote:

"You are worrying too much about him. Once you have prayed for him, as you have done, and committed him to God, you should not continue to be anxious. God's command, "Do not be anxious abou anything" (Phil. 4:6), is unlimited, and so is the verse, "'Cast all your anxiety on him"

(1 Peter 5:7). If we truly have cast our burdens upon another, can they continue to pressure us? If we carry them with us from the throne of grace, it is obvious we have not left

them there. In my own life I test my prayers in this way: after commiting something to God, if I can come away, like Hannah did, with no more sadness, pain, or anxiety in my

heart, I see it as proof that I have prayed the prayer of faith. But if I pray and then still carry my burden, I conclude my faith was not exercised." - Streams in the Desert.

This was an interesting part of my reading last night.

If you walk away from praying with your burden still in your hands then it's obvious you didn't leave them there.

Praying isn't for Jesus's sake but ours. Praying is wrapped up in a few things: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9.

It's in rejoicing. It's knowing that the Lord is near. Making a heartfelt, earnest, humble request while being thankful. THEN the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We're not done yet...next whatever is right, whatever is of good repute, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

We cannot complain and commend at the same time. We cannot grumble to and praise God at the same time. We cannot worry and pray at the same time.

During my 10 months of being unemployed there were many days where temptation came knocking on the door to get me to worry. The utter silence from potential employers. The utter silence from people in our lives who knew of our situation. The day in day out constantly going through job listings. But my Savior stayed with us every single day. He never once missed a single day of providing food for our table or money for the mortgage and bills. Praying was and is a daily thing.

Prayer and praising go hand in hand.

Leave what you're praying about with Jesus and recount His promises in prayer and leave.

You should be reading in your Bible to learn what promises are yours to be claiming in Christ Jesus.

Likewise as well...you cannot rest in His promises and be anxious.

I indeed can't comprehend the peace we have had for months on end. I just know from where it comes.

My God brought people at the right time to assist in our lives. Many times exactly when something was required. He is never late, as someone once said He's always an on-time God.

Lastly...you NEED adversity in your life to grow in Christ. There's a very good showing of adversity in the book of Numbers about all the places that the Lord Jesus took the children of Israel before they entered the promised land. All their adversity had a purpose but few ever realized it. There's GOING to be valley's of the shadow of death. There's GOING to be mountain tops.

These are there so that you Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. That's it.

Let go and let God.

Setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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www.lockman.org

Friday, April 24, 2026

Opened Eyes, Open Hearts

by David Brenneman

"The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." Psalms 14:1-3.

"If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?" Proverbs 24:12.

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him." Proverbs 24:16-18.

"Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?" Proverbs 24:19-22.

Wisdom and instruction. These are found in the Word of God. Until we come to Christ...we'll not understand, fully, what is meant by what is read.

The harshest is that there's yet billions who say in their hearts "there is no God". In the midst of these billions are those who only lay claim to a superficial knowledge of God. They believe in God but really are not putting any faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins. They erroneously refer to Jesus as "the man upstairs". They lay claim to that but do not let Him rule in their hearts. Then they wonder why their lives are so difficult.

Believers need to live out their lives in Christ. To stop hiding it under a basket. Jesus's return should be our expectation daily.

There's none righteous no not one. That's what God's word says of all humanity. Only in salvation through Jesus Christ do we have a standing in the presence of Almighty God.

Trillions and trillions of people will be saying be as these "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice(live your daily lives in) lawlessness(sin).’" Matthew 7:21-23. *emphasis added by me.

The daily practice of most of this world is a life in sin. Each one doing whatever is right in their own eyes. Just as the Scriptures say.

An just as the Scriptures say...Jesus has put before everyone the choice of death and life. A life without Him as their Lord and Savior and a life with Him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus is calling to all to come to Him and the truth is as we began reading...there's nobody of their own looking for Him. Jesus calls and people respond. Jesus beckons and people either come to Christ for salvation or they reject Him.

Rejection in this here this now, prior to both physical death or the Rapture of the Church, is an eternally effected choice. What is decided in your life as you live and breathe impacts where you spend eternity. Either permanently separated from Jesus in excruciatingly painful torment in Hell, and after the Final judgment the Lake of Fire, or Heaven with Him forever.

Jesus said the road is narrow that leads to life and way is broad that leads to destruction. The narrow road is what leads to salvation in Christ Jesus. The way that is broad is that open maw that millions fall into every day that find themselves in Hell, not understanding until then that their rejection of Jesus sent them there.

A life in Christ must be more than believing that Jesus lived 2000 years ago. It must be more than just acknowledging that He's the Son of God.

Jesus must be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. You must ask Him to be that to you and for you.

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

My Dear Reader you do not want to die in your own sins. No matter what this world throws at you, nothing is worse than that.

Jesus is calling to hearts all the day long. Is He calling to you? If you're not yet among those who have, yes He is.

All the thief on the cross did was to believe that Jesus was who He said He was and asked Him to remember him. To which Jesus told Him that He would be with Him forever.

Jesus is calling...are you listening?

Open your hearts and let Him in.

Realize that you're "good" in your life will never measure up to all that Jesus did to live a sinless life and to die on a cross in your place.

Jesus is calling...

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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www.lockman.org

Thursday, April 23, 2026

How Will You Be Found?

by David Brenneman

How will you be found by Jesus when He returns?

In 1 Thessalonians, at the end of every chapter, Paul refers to the return of Jesus for His Church.

This was something taught to the Churches from the very beginning.

Are you just living life or are you living it expectedly?

We're to be expecting Jesus.

Are you at all considering that particular truthful statement?

You really should. We tend to remove more things that distract, things that all the sudden aren't as important, when we're expecting someone important to us or those who are in our lives deem important.

Would God be honored by what you're doing today, should He show up in your life today to take you home?

Would you be embarrassed to be found in the midst of something sinful?

We do not know the day or the hour but that's no excuse to not be ready at all.

Some teach that in case of emergency you should have a "go bag" ready. A duffel bag or backpack with essentials in it to tide you over in an emergency situation. Many many people in this world who are Christians have these but aren't really ready to stand before Jesus.

We have been given gifts from the Spirit of God when we came to Christ for salvation. We're to be seeking out what those are and to be like the wise stewards who invested them and not like those who buried them and wasted their opportunities.

Nobody who is truly saved has any excuse for not being about their portion of the Father’s business that the Spirit has for them to be doing.

Are you looking for self-satisfaction or are you looking to please Him in all that you do?

We have work to do in the Lord that's upon us to be doing. As truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ we ought to be making every effort to be about the work of God in Christ through us.

We should make the time to be in the Word of God daily. Should be making every effort to listen to the Spirit daily. Should be applying the same Word of God to our thoughts and actions...again daily.

In doing so we'll be found by Him doing what we're to be doing and won't be embarrassed by His return.

We'll be expectant rather than embarrassed.

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.

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come." Mark 13:33.

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.

"so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

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

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11.

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:42-44.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

None Righteous, None Good Enough

by David Brenneman

"as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving, The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:13-23.

Re-read that last part about those who tell Jesus what they did in His name. The reality is that even those and those who weren't doing anything in Jesus's name will cry out, will shout, will raise a shaking fist at Jesus on that day they all stand before Jesus condemned in their sins. They will try to shout, yell, to stand defiant before Him. To explain why they think they were good enough.

These people are in this world right now. They will be in this world until that last moment of human history when Jesus calls everyone not in Heaven through His gift of salvation to their final judgment day.

There's none good no not one. There's nobody who's capable of the righteousness required that only Jesus fulfilled on a cross over 2,000 years ago.

Scripture says that if it were possible for mankind to bridge that gap to reach across to Heaven then Jesus died needlessly.

There's none righteous no not one.

My Dear Reader we who are in Christ are to shine in our part of the world with the righteousness of Christ in us. So that all may see Jesus and see their need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

The lives of Believers aren't about us getting everything we wanted in life just because we came to Christ. We came because He first came to us. He drew us to Himself. He saved us so that we could tell and show others that He loves them too and wants the same for them.

We live in a highly distracted world. Distractions are everywhere and are indeed persons, places and things.

Those who are saved are being fed distractions to keep us from living out the righteous life that God desires for us and those not yet saved are constantly being distracted from hearing and perceiving the truth of God in Christ Jesus.

There's none righteous no not one.

The only one who ever was and is, is Jesus Christ. Jesus said that it has to be through faith and trust in Him alone are we saved and pass from death to life.

Our definition of what is good or good enough isn't worth mentioning compared to where the Creator of the universe has set the bar.

Our thoughts aren't His. Our ideas on good aren't His. Our views on good and bad aren't of any value at all.

Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins there's no salvation at all.

Without Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives we aren't seen with the righteous.

My Dear Reader...be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. Be sure that you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Without it, you'll never see the face of Jesus with a favorable light.

For those reading this who are saved...live it. Live it like you mean it. Live like it's true in your life.

Only through salvation in Christ Jesus will His righteousness be seen in us. His, which is pure, holy and true.

Everyone must choose to receive or reject the free gift of salvation. The consequences in this physical world will determine where you will spend eternity after this world passes.

Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

More than a Few Moments

by David Brenneman

Prayer is war. It takes the very best a person has to offer and asks him or her to fight with diligence. (Colossians4:2-4, Romans15:30) - Dr. David Jeremiah Colossians 2:1 notes.

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ." Colossians 2:1-5.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4.

"Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me," Romans 15:30.

Something that's been stirring in me is to indeed be more diligent in prayer. To not just repeat lists. To put more heart into what I is on my heart to pray about.

While there's a time and place for what Nehemiah did in his very quick very succinct...there ought to be a better balance that pours out our own heart. King David was known as a man after God's own heart.

Paul's showing us that there's work involved in praying that's going to take some time to accomplish.

Jesus, after their own failed attempt to cast out a particular type of demon, told them that THAT particular type comes out only through prayer and fasting.

All this being said...we're quick to get emotionally vested in what emotionally matters to us. We can pour out emotions like Niagara Falls at a sporting event yet aren't the same towards what matters to God. We can get all churned up from a movie yet aren't moved by what moves God. We can get stirred up and spend hours in intense matters of family and friends...and yet only give the One who went through everything on our behalf on the cross not much more than a minute or two.

And then we wonder why our lives aren't reflecting Jesus to those around us.

Are our hearts really in it for Jesus?

Are our hearts really looking to obey Him in all that we do?

Are we trying to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?

These are some of the things that I find myself wondering after looking in the mirror at me.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2.

There it is...the diligence behind a prayerful heart. We have to decide who it is we're going to please in what we do, say and think.

We are going to have to choose who's heart is going to rule in our heart.

The schemes of the devil involve every single type and form of distraction both known and as yet unknown to mankind.

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.

"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." Romans 12:9-13.

We, every minute of every day, are needing to be diligent to make what matters to God matter to each of us. It's going to be a battle, just as Dr. David Jeremiah said in his notes. It's war. In wars you don't have a whole lot of time for luxuries. Taking on prayer with the same fervency as Jesus did in going to the cross in all obedience to His Father in Heaven...yeah that's going to take some time to learn.

Take real time in I prayer today as if it really was and is that important to you. I say this as much to myself as to each of you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, April 20, 2026

That Which the Lord Requires

by David Brenneman

"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18.

At times, the adversity you face will be so long-lasting, painful,

and profound that your response to any type of encouragement may be, "That's easy for you to say." How could anyone possibly know the depth of the despair you feel? Devotions, sermons, and books about trials tend to oversimplify when it comes to the subject of suffering, and I realize that what you face may be truly heart-wrenching. But that doesn't change the fact that God wants to work through the adversity to advance your spiritual growth.

We know the Lord could erase all difficulty from our lives with just a word-and someday He may do so for you. However, Scripture tells us that when He chooses not to it's because more important than than our ease, comfort, and pleasure is our transformation into Christ's likeness. The Lord is in the process of of teaching us about Himself: His faithfulness, goodness, compassion, and holiness. He is also breaking down all the places in us where we have erroneously set ourselves up as god instead of Him. It is painful. But the process is essential if we are to mature in the Lord and represent Him to others.

Jesus, I submit to You. Do as You see best in me. Amen.

- "Trusting God with Today " Dr. Charles Stanley.

"Stand firm and you will will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today." Exodus 14:13.

This verse contains God's command to me as a believer for those times when I am confronted with dire circumstances and extra-

ordinary difficulties. What am I to do when I cannot retreat or

go forward and my way is blocked to the right and to the left?

The Master's word to me is: "Stand firm." And the best thing

I can do at these times is to listen only to my Master's word, for others will come to me with their suggestions and evil advice. Despair will come, whispering, "Give up-lie down and die." But even in the worst of times, God would have me be cheerful and courageous, rejoicing in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice will come and say, "You must retreat to the world's

ways of acting. It is too difficult for you to continue living the part of a Christian. Abandon your principles." Yet no matter how much Satan may pressure me to follow his course, I cannot, for I am a child of God. The Lord's divine decree has commanded me to go from "strength to strength" (Psalms 84:7). Therefore I will and neither death nor hell will turn me from from my course. And if for a season He calls me to "stand firm," I will acknowledge it as time to renew my strength for greater strides in the future.

Impatience will come, crying, "Get up and do something!" To

'stand firm' and wait is sheer idleness.' Why is it I think I must be doing something right now instead of looking to the Lord? He will not only do something--He will do everything.

Arrogance will come, boasting, "If the sea is blocking your way,

march right into it and expect a miracle." Yet true faith never

listens to arrogance, impatience, cowardice, or despair but only

hears God saying, "Stand firm." And then it stands as immovable as a rock.

"Stand firm." I must maintain the posture of one who stands.

ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and

patiently awaiting the Director's voice. It will not be long until

God will say to me, as distinctly as He told Moses to tell the children of Israel, "'Move on" (Exodus 14:15). Charles H. Spurgeon.

It was, from my perspective, a God thing when He aligns what others have written about to come together.

My Dear Reader, adversity is a required tool of the Lord for our sanctification.

Following the instructions of the Spirit of God is to be our ambition.

Whether to stay or to go, to speak or remain silent, to listen only or to give an opinion...do all to the obedience of Christ Jesus to the glory of God the Father.

Ours isn't necessarily to understand but it is ours to trust and obey.

Ours isn't to seek our comfort and joy but rather that which pleases our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If our way is blocked...then stand firm. If a direction is given...proceed with confidence in the Lord and not of ourselves.

Can you pray "Jesus, I submit to You. Do as You see best in me. Amen."?

The requirements of sanctification are written in adversities. Big or small, seen and unseen, adversity is there to purify, to sanctify, to make us to become more like Jesus Christ.

We're going to face challenges to this sanctification process. We're going to hear good advice and bad advice from even those in our lives who likewise claim to be Christians. What we're to do is take such words and possible actions to the Lord in prayer and await His response.

Satan's schemes involve us in big and small ways to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. To think, speak or to do life where we don't even have it within us to stop to consider if the path we are on has the blessing of God or not.

We can't trust and obey if we aren't at all considering that which is written in the Word of God. If we aren't concerned about what concerns the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was reading through my journal this morning before writing. It's sometimes laughable what I wrote over the years and sometimes sad that there were times I wasn't in tune with the Lord.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...not figure it out and if we can't then go ask.

Adversity is what we need in order to be sanctified. Realizing that the life we have in Christ is to be more real to us than our lives in this world is where our eyes begin to open.

Our life in Christ is to be more important to us than our wants, desires are to be.

We may not see what we want to see in our life. Remember what Jesus said. What does it profit a man to gain the world but forfeits his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Scripture says to give thanks for everything. This is to include whatever adversities that the Lord brings to your life.

As a child of God nothing can touch the life of a Christian without first being permitted by Jesus Christ.

Remember that.

Seek the Lord in this and all times of your life. Don't lean on your own understanding. Especially moreso when life appears to have no challenges or adversity. When we're enjoying life...stop to consider what God wants to say to you through even that time in your life.

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

We must have adversity to grow deeper roots in our faith. Shallow roots will never last through the storms of the spiritual life.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Disappointments and Discouragements

Disappointments and Discouragements.

by David Brenneman

Life Principle #20 "Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice."

We are going to face innumerable disappointments in life. What we do with them makes all the difference in the our world. Note that I didn't say "in the world" but rather "in our world".

We have a choice to either see the outcome of a disappointment as a sovereign choice by Jesus Christ or see it in its negative sense.

You just have to read through Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers to see how an obstinate people, being directed by the preincarnate Lord Jesus Christ, constantly chose discouragement rather than to trust in His Word about taking care of them.

We have a choice to face the disappointments as either a good thing or a bad thing.

To say the least, 10 months of being unemployed, sort of presented me with 10 months of disappointments that could have turned to discouragement in a moment.

I certainly was disappointed by many things related to being unemployed. I was disappointed that the truth if why I was let go wasn't being said. I was disappointed in the broken friendships that should have weathered this. I was disappointed in the silence from potential employers. I was disappointed at the daily spending of hours scouring websites for possible positions with nothing to show for it.

I had plenty of reasons to be disappointed...yet my choice was to trust in my Savior to provide for us during that time and to trust that there would indeed be a job that He says is suitable for me.

There were many people who were inclined to offer their opinions on what I should or shouldn't do. Many with good intentions but who weren't being helpful. As I told as many as world hear it: my Savior holds all the keys. Until He gave me keys to the door of opportunity that I was to go through...I wasn't going to be opening any doors.

Month upon month this went on, and indeed my God was faithful. We never went without. All the bills each month got paid. We had an ample supply of food from friends, family and food pantries.

The choice was ever present to give in to discouragement. I purposed to stand firm, as the Scriptures told me, in the promises of God in Christ Jesus to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. I further purposed to stay committed to being in the Word daily as I was formerly before being let go. Jesus promised to take care of our needs. Standing on that promise was next.

We can choose to go in circles in our own understanding or we can choose to do what we're given to be doing each day by the Spirit of God.

Indeed every single day without fail the Spirit had directed me to be doing something either at home or wherever He sent me.

I also refused to budge on my evening studies. Refused to not write whatever He wanted me to for this blog.

My hope is and will be in the promises of my Savior and my God.

While yes there's quite a few "I's" in the material you've read today, these are in the right context. They point people to the source of why discouragement didn't come.

Was reading through my journal to see that it seems that my various attempts at hiring in where I am blessed to be now were in the month of April over the years. Reading about what I wrote of those rejections.

You can either run to discouragement or run to Jesus.

You cannot do both.

I love the old hymn "Standing on the Promises".

"Standing on the promises of Christ, my King! Through eternal ages let His praises ring. "Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God."

- Russell Kelso Carter 1886

While wallowing in despair is the quick and easy way...run to the Father instead. Fall into His grace and mercy instead.

I've carried a burden

For too long on my own

I wasn't created

To bear it alone

I hear Your invitation

To let it all go

Yeah, I see it now

I'm laying it down

And I know that I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

You saw my condition

Had a plan from the start

Your Son for redemption

The price for my heart

And I don't have a context

For that kind of love

I don't understand

I can't comprehend

All I know is I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh (oh)

My heart has been in Your sights

Long before my first breath

Running into Your arms

Is running to life from death

And I feel this rush deep in my chest

Your mercy is calling out

Just as I am You pull me in

And I know I need You now

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

And my heart found a surgeon

My soul found a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

Again and again

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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