Real Love

Real Love 

by David Brenneman 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:7-19.

The world has tried, through the spoken word, the written word, through songs, through all forms of media, through every means imaginable, to portray what mankind says that love is. Yet in everything tried, everything imaginable, it's not close to being accurate. 

Jesus said: "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13.

And: "And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14:15.

Love is more than just some emotional thing that we try to wrap our minds around. It isn't solely tied to sexual matters either.  

We cannot know what real love is until we learn it after coming to Christ for salvation. It's because He first loved us. His example to us is what we are to share with the world.  

It's nothing that we turn on or off as a situation presents itself to us. 

When we are walking with Jesus we are to be as God directs us through His Spirit. Doesn't matter what anyone pressures us to say or to be, it's the Word of God that stands forever.  

Satan has been trying to hijack the Word of God since it was written. Trying to sway the human race to turn from God to him. He's after the very Throne of God. As it is written "It is Finished!" Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. All that's left is the rest of the Word of God to play out. It all must be fulfilled. Besides the resurrection, people yet unborn would be coming to Christ for salvation. Over the centuries regardless of how much mankind has tried to change or how much Satan's tried to interfere, the true love of God has prevailed. 

We are to become disciples as we are to teach others to become disciples of Christ Jesus. It's not just for the men of God, the Pastors who lead churches, nor just the Elders or Deacons and Deaconnesses. Yes, Biblically speaking there are only those leaders in the Church. There are no women preachers. The Bible says that women may teach women and young children. Anything else isn't from God. 

In our learning what it means to be a disciple we learn the love of God and in turn learn to show it and share it. 

It's been twisted so much by Satan that most don't see the war between what's right and what is wrong. Much harm has been done to give the world a very much misguided experience in what living life for Jesus is supposed to be about. 

We aren't to sit in judgment on others to decide who is or isn't worthy of the gospel message. We love as we are loved by God.  

We are learning how to love the right way when we stay in intimate fellowship with Jesus. Jesus said that the Spirit would teach us all things that Jesus commanded. 

There's no such thing as individual interpretation of the love of God in Christ Jesus. It is what the Spirit teaches us that it is. We are to love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. We are to take that out into the world.  

When we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him...it will include how we loved others as He loved us. It will include how we forgave others as He first forgave us. Plainly put Jesus said that if we don't forgive from our hearts, that is to do so beyond lip service, then we won't be forgiven.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life. 

We who are in Christ will have eternity to try to wrap our minds around how truly deep the love of God in Christ Jesus is for us. 

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19.

Our sin nature twists what our minds try to comprehend about the things of God. We have much to learn in Christ.  

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word what a glory He sheds on His way. While we do His good will He abides with us still. 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. 

Returning the love of Jesus to Jesus we learn how to love Him more and how to truly love others. 

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

The first points us to Jesus.

The second points us to the world. 

Real love isn't defined by the world.

Jesus defined it by His obedience to His Father by going to the cross to save us all from our sins.  

Love God, love others. As He first loved us. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

What has Your Attention?

What has Your Attention?

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.

What you focus on has your attention. If what you're mind is set on is before you then that's all you will consider. 

If it's a game, then odds are good that the proof of what has your undivided attention will manifest itself when anyone or anything interrupts you.  

If your mind isn't set then it's going to go anywhere it wants to wander to.

If your determination isn't set then anything goes. Moreover you will do this often enough and it won't bother you.

Does it bother you at all when you're not giving Jesus the attention due Him?

Does it bother you at all that your mind wanders among the worldly thoughts and desires you have, yet you don't seem to miss fellowship with your Savior?

These things should bother those who look to Jesus to be the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives. 

When someone drives down the road...the road should have their undivided attention. In our world today we have so many people who can't put their phones down to drive safely. They even promote roundabouts as a solution to those who can't stay focused long enough to navigate a stop sign. 

Our world is increasingly distracted from the things of God that lead to a more intimate relationship with Jesus.  

We just don't realize it or recognize it. I am as guilty as the next person. It's easy to justify wasting time calling it all manner of things such as decompressing from the day. Convincing ourselves of what we earned or deserved.  

We do not store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy when we aren't focused on the teachings of the Spirit of God.  

Daydreaming is frowned upon in schools everywhere. Not focusing on the subjects in class is frowned upon. Children are disciplined to focus and then lose that after they graduate to a world that says it's not important. 

To set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world wasn't something that was a good suggestion a few thousand years ago and isn't applicable to today. It's part of the unchanging Word of God that is as relevant then as it is today.

If all the workouts you get Spiritually happen on a Sunday Morning then you will never learn to run with Jesus. You won't ever learn the discipline necessary to keep pace with Jesus.  

Those who train for the Olympics have to have an inordinate amount of focus to pursue their dreams. 

What we train for in Christ is much more than the Olympics.  

What have you allowed to take your focus off of your walk with Jesus?

We can use all the right words to fool people and ourselves to sound all Christiany. But we cannot fool Jesus.  

Remember that...Jesus will return to give to each man and woman according to his or her deeds.  

EVERYTHING will be looked through. Every thought and intention. Everything seen and unseen. Everything that took our lives left instead of right, right instead of left.  

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34.

What you truly value is your treasure. If it's not Jesus then it most assuredly is something else. 

To be truthful, for a long time now I struggled with not having a dream to shoot for. It's taken a lot of work on this often stubborn soul to get me to realize that there's nothing in this world worth shooting for. It's been a waste of my time, energy and effort to pursue worldly desires for success and notoriety. I instead listened to the Spirit and turned to taking that time to get my head and heart deeper into the Word of God. 

You cannot learn to focus on your walk with Jesus if you aren't putting in the effort to achieve it.

You cannot blame God for your life not going the way you want when you are the real problem...not whether or not you were obeying God. The Scriptures say that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He didn't change...we did. 

We choose what gets our attention. We choose what gets us. 

We choose to fully follow Jesus or we choose the couch.  

We choose to accept His will for us or we pursue our own will.

Either what He did to save us means everything to us or it doesn't. 

It meant everything to the Disciples turned Apostles and it revolutionized the world. They taught new disciples to do as they were taught.  

What of you? What gets your undivided attention? What have you willingly put in place of Jesus in your life? You wonder why your prayers aren't being answered...it has everything to do with obeying God before its a considered prayer. You wonder why your stress level is so high...why this peace of God is missing from your life. It's rooted in obedience to God's Word.  

We know not how long we have on this Earth. We do know that we should always give of our best to Jesus. Not our seconds or thirds. The Bible says our first fruits.  

So what if a game is on...if Jesus says that He wants to talk to you would you do it with an undivided attention?

So what if the world around you is in chaos...Jesus still wants your attention.  

When Peter stepped out onto the chaotic water to be with Jesus he was fine because his focus was on Jesus. When he turned his focus and attention to the churning waters he began to sink.

There you go. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus...look full in His wonderful face...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim...in the light of His glory and grace. 

You can change your direction today. Refocus on what's important to Jesus for you today. Start working out with Jesus so that you can run with Him. Keep pace with Him. 

It's going to cost you. But it's worth it. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

No Excitement about His Returning?

No Excitement about His Returning?

by David Brenneman 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." Romans 1:18-25.

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20.

"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 16:27.

"But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek," Romans 2:5-9.

"But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:2-4.

It is so interesting to me that my excitement is growing at the thought of Jesus, JESUS, my risen Lord and Savior is coming back soon.  

Much of the passages that you just read are showing what those in the Church should be looking for with regards to knowing that the imminency of Jesus coming back is much much closer than it ever has been before. 

Long ago when I was undergoing eye surgery as a baby, as odd as this may sound to some, I wasn't with my body. I was with Jesus on His lap while He comforted me. I didn't need many convincing truths to be told to me to come to Christ for salvation back in the latter part of the 1970's.  

While chaos and turmoil are easily defining the present day, to me, I see clearly that the Scriptures are being fulfilled. Regardless of the blindness of the world towards the things of God, God's still keeping it on track for the return of Jesus Christ for His Bride the Church. 

The Church should be more emboldened and way more excited than they are showing.  

Any day now Jesus is going to come back. His Church is going to be leaving this world. First the dead in Christ receive their new glorified bodies then those who are alive today will get theirs and then we will all forever be with Jesus.  

Teaching people anything other than these things is robbing them of the hope to come! That the Church will not be here when all the wrath of God is pouring out on this world.  

All the signs are here, just as Jesus told the Pharisees. They knew more about how to tell the weather than the signs of the work of God in the world. 

It's becoming something much greater in me as the days go by to be even more in my Bibles than I used to be. To be sure to keep my commitments to reading and writing here in the mornings. To always be reading in the evenings to feed my soul the word of God. 

Not only these things but to prepare our home for those who would find it after the Rapture of the Church.  

Truthfully if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation...then you certainly ought to be looking forward to His return.  

He kept His promise and purpose to go to the cross to provide the free gift of salvation.  

He certainly will keep His promise to come back for His Church. 

He has kept His promise to never leave us or forsake us. 

So what are you looking forward to in this day ahead of you? If indeed you are a Believer then you ought to be living out your salvation in Christ. What Jesus wants of you and for you should take precedence over anything or anyone else. 

Will you be found by Jesus in the way He wishes to find you?   

Ever consider that? Will Jesus find you living out life as a fully devoted follower of Him? Will He find you so blended in with the world that it's almost impossible to tell you apart?  

The way people are stirred up today is certainly a keen evidence of things to come concerning the return of Jesus. People intentionally doing what you read earlier. Brutal, haters of good. People consumed with self.

"being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" 

Practice them. Intentionally, willingly, enacting, repeatedly doing.  

It been that way for quite a while now. The weaponization of social media. It's far more deadly than bullets or bombs. In those cases people at least might be removed from this world. The ways that social media has been weaponized people are forced through hell on earth at times unable to end their suffering. Prisons created by the thoughts of mankind. 

Jesus said to be ready because we know not when He will stand up from His Throne to return.  

Does readiness define your life?

Are you feeling fear at the thought of seeing Jesus? Are there things in your life that absolutely are not God honoring that you are now worried about?

People are oh so fine tuned in knowing the weather these days but are missing all the spiritually important information happening all around them.  

The greatest sign to all was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Being different is what Christians are supposed to be. 

A life in Christ is supposed to be transformative.  

Not living as the world does. 

Not reacting as the world does. 

Not behaving as the world does. 

Jesus asked the question: Will the Son of Man find the faith when He returns?  

Only we can answer that question. 

Will the Church be anticipating His return? 

Only the Church can answer that question. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The War We ARE In

The War We ARE In 

by David Brenneman 

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

There's a war going on. One that is right before the eyes of mankind yet isn't being seen. 

Someone once said that there always an element of truth in fiction. 

"The world isn't run by weapons anymore, or energy, or money. It's run by little ones and zeroes, little bits of data. It's all just electrons."

"There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!"

That was from the 1992 movie "Sneakers".  

Much of the movie was the good guys discovering what was right in front of them. 

In our world today we are at war and most refuse to see what's right in front of them.  

Really? Yes very much really.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20.

What are we told to do?  

"for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 3:8.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

"Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness," Ephesians 6:14.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved." Philippians 4:1.

See a pattern forming here?

In order to stand firm in the Lord you must begin with being in the Word of God. Must be in prayer to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ in order to know what His will for you is. To know how to answer those who oppose you. 

The god of this world has a few years left to 'rule'. That's as much an important statement as the truth that Jesus is going to return to bring home His Bride, the Church. 

Biblical truth says that Satan's schemes are going to win over the bulk of humanity. The Church gets raptured and its game on for the next 7 years...his fight against the Word of God escalating through those years as the wrath of God is pouring out on this world. Nothing that Satan will do will prosper. Then at the end of the 7 year Great Tribulation he will be bound and sealed away for 1,000 years. At the end of that time it won't take him long at all to get most of mankind to join him in one last battle that he and everyone loses when all Jesus does is speak a word and ends it all. Doesn't even lift a finger.

This war we are in is very real in our lives. We need to spend less time on frivolous things and more in our learning what it means to be obedient to God's Word and living out lives that point people to Jesus.  

The world we live in today is increasingly getting dangerous. 

AI is writing news stories that nobody can tell from the truth.  

AI is being forcibly pushed into every device we use to interact with the internet and our world.  

AI has no conscience nor knows anything about morality or ethics.  

It's Satan's pinnacle achievement at 'life' when you put it in perspective. 

Things are happening right in front of the world and people don't see where it's headed. Jesus said that while people can see the weather and can discern what kind of day it's going to be yet they don't see nor understand the things of God nor the spiritual forces that are going on around them.

Scripture says that Satan's blinded the minds of the unbelieving. We live in such utter blindness and all those things we read earlier.  

Jesus said to be on the alert. When we see these things happening to be prepared. We know not exactly when Jesus is going to return but we ARE to be ready at all times. 

At all times. Jesus, in a parable, said that if the strong man had known at what time that the thief was going to break into his home he would have been prepared for it.

Jesus is right at the door of soo many hearts yet people think they have time to let Him in at the last seconds before He turns around to leave because the time of His return being at hand. 

The greatest assault on humanity is in the destruction of critical thinking in the last 100 years. By way of medicine that weakens the mind to psychological warfare to twist and pervert the truth of God. You want to conquer the world? Destroy critical thinking and those who promote it. Digitize everything that you can so that you control what people see, what they hear, what they think. That fictional line you read earlier is our world right now. 

Jesus IS returning and all the powers of Satan cannot know when nor can they stop it.

We NEED to keep the full armor of God on at all times. Praying unceasingly. Understanding what the will of God for us is in Christ Jesus.  

We who are in Christ are supposed to be different from the world not blending in so well that nobody sees a difference.

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

Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  

Being anxious for nothing but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God. 

Any of this getting through to you?

My Dear Reader I certainly hope so.

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9.

Open up your eyes and see the things that are really happening all around you and all over the world. 

Now is not the time to be shrinking away from your faith in Jesus.  

Now is definitely the time to be spreading the word that salvation is only through Jesus Christ alone. 

Now is the time to truly be a light in the world as we are supposed to be.  

Nothing written here is meant to scare anyone. Read on.

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5.

"But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.

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

Be sober. That is to think clearly with all due diligence. In Christ we are to be sober in our thoughts. Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. 

Are you seeking the things that are above and not the things of this world? Are you now more aware of the real world in which you live? Are you now considering pursuing the life in Christ that you were meant to live? Good.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Who Do You Say He Is?

Who Do You Say He Is?

by David Brenneman 

"And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”" Luke 9:20

"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.

Ultimately, this is the question we must all answer and the foundation of our confession of faith. To say that Jesus is the Christ means we believe that He is God incarnate, born of a virgin, crucified unto death, buried, resurrected on the 3rd day, and fully capable of forgiving our sins and reconciling us to Himself.  We trust that all He taught is true, we have eternal life through Him, and all He promised and that has been prophesied about Him will be fulfilled.  Is this what you believe?  Do you have faith that Jesus is the Savior?  Who do you say He is?

- Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principle Bible notes on Luke 9:20

His question is THE question you must be able to answer before you leave this world.  There is no other thing, thought or consideration that will ever determine your eternal destination. 

As I have also come to understand, even indecision is a decision.  Choosing not to choose is still a choice.  

All of humanity has that question placed before them to answer in this life: Who do we say Jesus is?

Forget what all is going on in your life for a moment and focus in on your answer.  Turn off the radio, the television or whatever you have distracting you in this moment today.

How you answer that question says everything about how much Jesus's life, death and resurrection really means to you.

All of this about Jesus isn't just some good story with a happy ending.  It isn't a fable or make believe.  It's been proven by way of the Bible AND outside of the Bible. 

Satan's tried for centuries to blot out these truths that lead people to salvation in Christ Jesus but its never worked. 

You must decide whether or not Jesus was a fraud or everything that the Bible says that He is.  

As a book title and several people in this world have said: I don't have enough faith to be an atheist.  

The evidences are everywhere, not just in the Bible.  From the very atoms that make up the human body to the miracle of birth.  The way that this universe stays held together.  

The countless testimonies of the work of God in their lives are either the truth or the greatest mass delusions in the history of mankind, spanning over 2025 years and counting. 

Once you die there's no do-overs. No second chances.  Nothing can reverse our personal choice concerning how we have ultimately answered that question: Who is Jesus?

One of the greatest lies that Satan gets the unbelieving to believe in is: I've got time!  There's no hurry!  I want to live first!  Nothings changed!  Where's this returning that was supposed to happen anyway?  Everything is as it always has!

Funny how God, in His infinite wisdom, already knows that people WILL think and say those things. 

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9.

Take serious the consequences of your decision when it comes to understanding your need for salvation in Christ Jesus. 

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:" Revelation 3:7.

Jesus, upon our physical death is the only one with the keys.  When our time is through, we go through one of two doors.  Once through the door cannot be opened again. 

Jesus is indeed returning and will remove His Bride, the Church, from this world.  Everyone left behind will face the 7 years of the wrath of God as described in the Bible.  

Recently people in Texas saw the utter devastation from somewhat baseball sized hail.  100 lb hail is coming at a point in the Great Tribulation.  The level of destruction would, by itself, be worse than the atomic bomb. 

The judgments of God are very real and archeologists have been finding the evidences that back everything mentioned in the Bible.  The Israelites crossing the Red Sea...in the midst of this sea they have discovered the chariots of Pharaoh's army.  

My Dear Reader you must decide for yourself who Jesus is and how that's going to impact your eternity. 

Coming to Christ means living for Jesus not living for self.  It means loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. It means trusting in the Lord with all your heart And not leaning on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledging Him so that He can make our paths straight. 

Who do you say that He is?

Don't put it off any longer please!

In less than the twinkling of an eye Jesus will someday return and that's it.  No time to suddenly choose.  

Who do you say that Jesus is?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The Inside Out Before the Outside In

The Inside Out Before the Outside In

by David Brenneman 

“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.

"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." Psalms 26:2.

"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.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord," Jeremiah 29:11-14a.

"For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out." Ezekiel 34:11.

"My son, if your heart is wise, My own heart also will be glad;" Proverbs 23:15.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;” Jeremiah 1:5a

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You." Psalms 139:13-18.

It is the experience of mankind to know people from the outside in. To have some form of introduction then work at things from there.

We are known and thoroughly known by Jesus from before we were considered to be included in the human race. Way back at Adam's creation, when the world was without sin, you were always on the mind of Christ.  

In our today's we will either live for Jesus or we won't. We will either pursue righteousness or not. We will either live for self or live for the one who knows us so well. 

The sampling of passages this morning should be more than enough to know that an intimate relationship with each of us is what Jesus desires for us and Himself. 

Jesus's thoughts concerning each of us are beyond what we are capable of fully understanding.

We judge ourselves as unworthy if we're being honest. In one respect we aren't.  

"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.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1.

When in the human court of law a Judge reaches a conclusion at the end of a trial he makes a proclamation then strikes the gavel down to seal that spoken decision. It then becomes something that's to be carried out, be it freedom for the defendant or prison.  

In Christ we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ. His judgment towards those who believe in Him for salvation is "not guilty". When His Father looks upon such people all He sees is the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus has loved us from before we were born. From the inside out. From before we remotely were a thought in anyone's mind. And even at that lowly state we were loved by God. 

His love for us ought to compel us to willingly get to know this Savior of ours who took our death penalty upon Himself.  

We ought to be spending time getting to know Him. Time to honor His choice to stand in our place.  

These lives we live aren't even going to get an honorable mention with respect to eternity. Time will quickly be forgotten when anyone steps into eternity. 

For those who have received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ it will mean an eternity of continuing to get to know their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  

For those who put a hand up at Jesus and refused to come to be saved...it's going to mean that the God ordained penalty for sin which is eternal separation from God paying for those sins...rests upon them. 

It doesn't matter what anyone has said or done...Jesus is ready to forgive and to cleanse anyone and to make them a new life in Christ. 

A new life awaits any who comes to Christ for salvation.

He already has shown everyone that there are no secrets. No secrets exist between You and Jesus. He knows about everything you and I have ever done, said or thought.  

He knows about every choice and why it was made. Why even those who are saved choose things that aren't going to glorify Jesus as well as those who do choose wisely. 

My Dear Reader you can wallow in all the self-incriminating things you have to say and it won't change the truth of God in Christ. He still loves you and wants to save you. 

He knows you from the inside out. 

He can and will help you to forgive you. Yes He knows the one person we have the hardest time forgiving is ourselves. We have listened to ourselves berating ourselves. He knows of Satan and his companions berating us. Getting is to have deep seated beliefs that Jesus would never want to know anyone like us. Lies. All lies. 

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. 

Grace is God’s unmeritted favor towards us. Nobody has ever earned or is deserving of the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Nobody. Yet it's still offered free of charge to all who would take it. 

Someone once said that we who are saved are to catch people and Jesus cleans them.  

Jesus hasn't returned yet because there are yet those who He is looking to save. He knows exactly who the last person is who will come to Him to be saved before the wrath of God is pouring out on this Earth. That's a real series of events that really is coming upon mankind. Just as real as all the events that lead up to Jesus coming the first time. 

Jesus said that He's unwilling that anyone should perish but that all might be saved through Him. 

That includes you and I. When Jesus was nailed to the cross His thoughts were not of Himself or how deserving or undeserving He was to die in this manner. Lifted up to die all of everyone's sins were heaped upon Jesus. Nothing wasn't unaccounted for. 

His knowledge of your life is way more than you will ever know or understand.  

"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" 

- Cody Carnes 2020 "Run to the Father"

He always has already known.

He is waiting just for you. 

His love for you will bring the healing you long for and have been unable to find in this world. 

He chose to love you and I from the inside out in order for truth to be fully revealed and that nothing would be misunderstood.

He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ. There's no other way to escape the penalty of death for sins but salvation in Christ Jesus. Eternity is a very long time to have made the wrong decision to say no to Jesus in horrific unending pain and suffering. That's the judgment of the Court of God towards all who rejected the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

He is ready to forgive you. 

He is ready to save you.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Who's Life is it Anyway?

Who's Life is it Anyway?

by David Brenneman 

"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.

"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 5:24-25.

"And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.  For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" Luke 9:23-25.

"I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

In an earlier post I wrote of the question concerning the depth of devotion and commitment the Disciples of Jesus Christ had towards Jesus.  How much of their life, their passions, wants and desires, were put aside to follow Jesus?  

Paul wrote of laying aside the old self with its passions and desires, it's practices.  Practices.  Things essentially willfully done.  Whether good or bad.  We willfully practice life every day.  We willfully get up from sleeping the night before.  This is a practice.  A way of life. 

We willfully get ready for whatever the day has for us.  Our practice typically includes either time with Jesus before starting out or it doesn't.  These are examples of the practices of the lives of people. 

A full life in Christ is what Jesus promised those whom would follow Him.  At one point there were over 70...until a few things came about.  Some thought His teachings were too deep.  Too this or too that.  Quite probably many thought that they were getting in on the ground floor of a movement to shake off the oppression of the Romans. 

The Disciples really did set aside everything.  Including most if not all involvement with family for these years of His Earthly ministry.  

The world easily will have false prophets and teachers to tell whomever will listen that you can have your cake and eat it too by living however you want as well as living for Jesus.  The problem with all that is inevitably less and less time is going to be spent with Jesus.  Self WILL consume and justify everything it's doing.

It's also yet still a daily battle.  It's going to be until the day that we either die or the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ happens. 

We have to do as we read earlier, dying to self so that we might live to Christ.  

Our minds are impressionable and often easily manipulated.  There's a good reason why so much money and time has been spent in the world on the effects of subliminal messaging.  It's a scheme of the devil that works. 

Honestly...from Jesus's perspective...are we truly losing out on anything by striving to live life for Jesus in all that we say or think or do?   

It's said in the Scriptures "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also."  

Is living for Jesus with your everything your hearts desire?  Is that your treasure?  

Go back and read that excerpt from the book of Timothy.  

Regardless of the why's or the centuries of time, when our hearts are not directed towards the life in Christ that the Spirit is trying to teach us to live in...we will inevitably produce the wrong kinds of fruit.  

Our lives aren't supposed to be our own.  Out of a grateful heart we ought to be doing our best to honor everything that Jesus did for us in taking our place on that cross.  

"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.

Dying to self daily takes a lot of effort.  That's what we see the Disciples doing.  That's what they were to teach new Disciples. 

Given a choice which direction does your heart go...a television show or a half hour of reading your Bible?

Given a choice which direction does your heart go...a football game or time with Jesus in prayer or in your Bible?

It's very easy to say the answer...but looking back on your life...what was the real answer?

We either follow the God whom created us or the god we created. 

We either take up our own cross and follow Jesus or something or someone else's that doesn't lead to a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

A life in Christ isn't to be superficial in any way.  

King David was known as a man after God's own heart.  Moses was known as a friend of God.  Daniel was known as one highly esteemed by God.  

What will you be known for or as in your relationship with Jesus?

It is probably going to hurt, at least for a time, to get traction in living life for Jesus in the way He wants and meant for you to live it.

What I have learned so far is that I find that I really don't miss what I gave up.  Those things that I shouldn't have craved in the first place just really don't compare with what's been developing in my relationship with my Savior. 

Time is an unrefundable currency. 

Once spent it can never be retrieved again.  

Yet what we spend it on impacts our eternity outside of time. 

Time spent on the full life in Christ, those coins seem to multiply.  When spent on anything else...they begin to vanish. 

Who's life are you living? 

You are either pursuing a new life in Christ or you aren't.  

According to the Scriptures we WILL give an accounting of our lives before Jesus.  Those coins of time will be very telling. 

"Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone." 

1917 Thomas O. Chisholm "Living for Jesus".

Who's Life is it Anyway?  

How you answer in your words and actions tells the truth about your relationship with Jesus. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.