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. So what I hear I type and share with others.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

You Have, If You Are In Christ

by David Brenneman

"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

"From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:28-29.

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;" Hebrews 3:1.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:4-7.

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3.

In Ephesians Paul writes "worthy of the calling with which you have been called".

We who have come to Christ for salvation are the called. We heard His voice and came to Him to be saved, and saved us He most certainly did. Satan's first thing to do to them who have heard and did come is to convince you that it never happened, that you and I weren't worthy, that on some level we just didn't cut it.

Once saved always saved is what the Bible does tell us concerning those who are indeed saved in Christ. The seal of the Spirit of God in Christ is upon all who are saved. Our salvation is not dependent upon our worthiness but on His grace and mercy because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So, as Paul also said, since we have so great a salvation, walk according to our calling in Christ Jesus. Walking with Jesus in everything. The Disciples certainly walked with Jesus in everything.

The thing is there's absolutely no Scriptural basis to show that salvation is a ticket to Heaven only. It it the beginning of our transformation, Romans 12, towards becoming like Christ, since we are His workmanship, Ephesians 2, created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.

Our lives are then in Christ.

Our lives are then to glorify Jesus Christ the One who gave His life in our place, taking on what we deserved that was the wrath of God towards all who remain in their own sin.

We come to Christ for salvation, we also get the things that come with it. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. We're going to have troubles in this world.

As ironically put as the movies are, the Matrix actually does a fairly decent job at showing what goes on, although in NO way is this an actual Christian comparison to truly walking in Christ. I absolutely am NOT drawing parallels between Christianity and the prospect presented in the movies. It's to only show what goes on between the Spiritual world and the physical. Satan's schemes include deceptions of every single kind both imagined and as yet unimagined. As happened in the movies, such happens in this real world we live in. The enemies of God want to silence those who are in Christ Jesus.

Satan's out to cause destruction and at minimum divisions in families, in the Church. To get Believers to believe even the most subtle of lies in order to prevent the Word of God from being effective in their lives and to help others in Christ with their own persecutions that they face.

All those who have been saved have a calling in Christ Jesus. All will be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. All will have something to be doing in the body of Christ. All who are saved are the branches as He is the Vine.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5.

By ourselves we are going to be guessing at our calling. We need the rest of the body of Christ to help us understand what our part is.

Rest assured, in Christ, you my Dear Reader, if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, have a calling in Christ to fulfill.

At our minimum we are called to be doers of the word and not just hearers only who delude themselves.

We are going to have a Godly evaluation by Jesus for the things we did in our physical body for Christ some day. There IS that day of accountability coming to all who believed.

With such things before us, is doing our own thing really going to go well for us in that day?

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto 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.

The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Pray for those who persecute you.

If indeed you are saved and you haven't been living a life out of respect for all He did for you to save you...you have some time to get that rectified. To make that right.

There will evidently be many who will enter into Heaven by the literal skin of their teeth. Nothing to show in appreciation for all that Jesus did for them to save them. The Bible speaks of that fact.

It's another reason to not forsake the assembly of the Church of Jesus Christ. We need others who are more mature in Christ to help us understand our calling in Christ.

Don't go by your known talents and abilities. Steven Curtis Chapman sang a song called "Whatever". You should look it up on YouTube.

For all that Jesus did and went through to save you, whatever He calls you to do for Him is for you to be doing. In Colossians we read "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

Every single person has a physical body that, when healthy, has every single body part doing what God designed for it to be doing. Your eyes do their part. Legs, hands, arms, stomach, liver, their own parts.

In the same way in the body of Christ each part is to be doing their part as the Spirit directs, as He sees fit.

In this world we have hospitals and extended care facilities to show what happens when a physical body isn't working as God designed it.

Be sure of your salvation then be sure of your calling in Christ Jesus. We are here still rather than immediately going to be with Jesus because our first calling is to be a witness to the power of God in Christ Jesus unto salvation. So that others might be saved. That they see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. While here we are called to grow in Christ. To become more like Christ. We are called to be alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We are called to put on the whole armor of God.

There's plenty to know about in our calling in Christ Jesus after receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Ask, Seek, Knock.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, July 14, 2025

Come Quickly Lord Jesus

Come Quickly Lord Jesus
by David Brenneman

"in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

"so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray
Come, Jesus, come
Let today be the day
Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break
But I'm holding on
To a hope that won't fade
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
There'll be no war
And there'll be no chains
When Jesus comes
Let today be the day
He'll come for the weak
And the strong just the same
And all will believe in the power of His name
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
One day He'll come
And we'll stand face to face
Come and lay it all down
'Cause it might be today
The time is right now
There's no need to wait
Your past will be washed by rivers of grace
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
-(c)2024 Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come".

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “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 25:31-46.

Is there a love in your heart for the return of Jesus Christ? A longing that causes you to want to cry out "please come quickly Lord Jesus!"?
A longing that you can't quite find the words to say to explain it?

Shouldn't there be?

In any journey away from home there comes a time when you long for it again. But how do we long for a place, for THE person, when we have yet to see both? The Promise of His coming.

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:35-38.

"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 3:9.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.

"looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!" 2 Peter 3:12.

Do you not pray for His return? I know that I do. The opening lines of "Come Jesus Come" reach deep into my heart...touching a part of me that longs so much to be with Jesus.

Do you have yourself so wrapped up in whatever is going on in your life that you've neglected to long for, to pray for, the return of Jesus Christ?

Are you going to be counted among those who will indeed love His appearing?

My Dear Reader please consider it well that this particular promise is just as valuable and valid as all His other promises.

For me His return is something of a reunion and a relief. A reunion because I know when I was a baby getting surgery done on my eyes, He was with me, comforting me. I can tell you that photo in the back of the book "Heaven is for Real" of Jesus? That face is pretty much what I can remember it being like.
The relief will be because the battles of my life internally and externally will be over. My sin nature will trouble me no more.

But to be held by my Savior!
I don't have to imagine what it will be like for me. I already know that I will be crying. I will be one of those whom He will be wiping the tears from my eyes.

We would really do well to not just be reading THROUGH our Bible but to dig deeper into it. The love of God in Christ Jesus is evident throughout it if we would but slow down going through it.

Jesus keeps His promises. He said "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3.

Do you not long to go home to forever be with Jesus? Paul wrote that he certainly did. He was torn between his calling in Christ Jesus and his desire to be with Jesus.

Come Jesus Come...let today be the day.

"I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.

Is your hope alive? Are you listening for that shout to take us out of this world to forever be with Jesus?

There's a crown for those who are longing for His appearing.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Sunday, July 13, 2025

What is Shown...Your Decision

What is Shown...Your Decision
by David Brenneman

"saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” Acts 28:26-28.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25.

It's interesting that a textual slip of the tongue often has people saying it's fruits of the Spirit when it's a singular fruit with one set of descriptions concerning that fruit.

It's really been interesting studying through the Bible getting 4 different views of the New Testament from 4 different men of God.

Paul really is an interesting study by himself as well. His personality really was transformed throughout the letters you read that encompass most of the New Testament. You can see in the finer points, if you look for them, exactly what he described about the various Spiritual gifts that would be going away...as they were...over the years...leaving him as well.

The foundation being Christ, the Apostles on top of that...then throughout the years of the early Church we see vibrant fruit of the Spirit in people. The building up of the Church of God that still stands today.

It's interesting to note that the things he spoke about concerning false prophets, false teachers, false preachers, is very much infecting the Church today. People whom Paul would have called out publicly to their own shame and disgrace.

It should not surprise you, my Dear Reader, that Satan's schemes involve mimicking the fruit of the Spirit. We read this in other parables, just written differently, by Jesus. The wheat and the tares. Tares being false or fake wheat. I. it's first breaking through the soil they look the same. Yet when they both start growing the evidences prove out who is or isn't a child of God in Christ Jesus.

In the final Judgment of God, which literally is an unknown short number of years from now plus 1,007 years, those false prophets, preachers, teachers will be trying to defend themselves as to why they should be able to enter into Heaven.

The Apostle Paul wrote about making sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. To find out after the Rapture of the Church that you weren't saved is absolutely not the right time to know.

You indeed may be showing similar fruit of the Spirit but if you aren't sealed by the Spirit of God after coming to Christ for salvation, it absolutely does not matter.

Read what it says in the Bible, don't take my word for it. Jesus Himself will separate the truly saved from those who are not...Biblically speaking...without a word.

He will not conduct interviews.
He will not use a scale of 1 to 10.
He will not grade the deeds of people on a curve.

He will look for the seal of the Spirit of God.

When someone comes to Christ for salvation they become His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. A transformation begins to take place. Romans 12.

The purpose of the fruit of the Spirit is God the Father’s glory. That people would see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

The really sad part is that opening passage wasn't just referring to those Jews who were too hard hearted to understand. It's for all who have come up with excuses to reject the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

To die without salvation in Christ Jesus is to immediately enter into Hell. To die with Christ is to immediately enter into Heaven.

I am a proponent of the view of the age of accountability with regards to understanding salvation. Children for sure who do not know right from wrong are certainly that. Those who's mental facilities have never progressed beyond a child's are certainly that.

Sin has a price. A death penalty. Payable upon physical death. Everyone who has lived pays up or is acquitted in Christ at their time of death.

My Dear Reader with watching the headlines of the last decade going into even the coming few years, I absolutely would not be surprised that we are on the cusp of the return of Jesus Christ as He promised to keep.

Are you sure of your salvation in Christ? Have you been lead astray by false teachers and false preachers?

Once the Rapture of the Church happens the 7 year Great Tribulation begins. The wrath of God comes upon the Earth. Billions of people will be dying. Read it in the book of Revelation.

You can't save yourself. The only way to salvation is through the cross of Jesus Christ.

"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.

Satan's wanting as many as possible to be deceived into thinking they are saved so that they won't go when he KNOWS that the Rapture of the Church WILL take place. Sadly he believes more of the Bible than most professing Christians.

The Bible says that our goodness is as filthy rags compared to what is evidenced by the goodness of the fruit of the Spirit.

There is no one good no not one we read in the Scriptures.

We need the righteousness of God in Christ imputed to us by coming to Christ for salvation in order to be seen by God the Father as good by His definition of good.

Be sure of your salvation.
Your eternity depends on your decision.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Our Light, His Light, Our World

Drawing Near

by David Brenneman

The times are indeed drawing near for Jesus to come back. The events of this world are coming together in preparation for the Day of the Lord. This passage is as relevant today as it was when it was written:

"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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:3-18.

There are subtle things happening in our world that are not what the mainstream media says they are. There's certainly things happening that are not what the governments of the world say is happening. They merely are able to say what they are because of the control they exercise. This is no conspiracy to those who are in Christ Jesus. As my Spiritual Dad often refers to some, we are students of the Bible prophecy. We look into the Scriptures to see if these things are so. We stand on the Word of God as the defining truth.

There's great significance in how, almost daily, world events are being shaped both nationally and meteorologically. The world itself is being prepared for the return of Jesus. It's not global warming or climate change its Bible prophecy coming alive before our very eyes.

Long ago the Lord Jesus wrote throughout the Old Testament many many points that were all directed towards His first coming and every single one came true.

In fact after His resurrection He opened the minds of a few of His Disciples to see from Moses onward everything that mentions His coming, His sufferings and His dying on the cross.

We stand on the Word of God concerning the rich salvation we have in Christ Jesus. Should we not stand on all His promises including that of His return to fulfill His words to bring us home to forever be with Him?

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

What a rich revealing of what is to come! What joy should be had in the heart and mind and soul of Believers to know this promise is for all who believe!

We are far far closer to the return of Jesus Christ than ever before in the last 2,000 plus years. Literally there's nothing left to have to happen Biblically than has already been done. What's occurring in our day is the finalizing of the details. The refining of the national setting.

A very significant aspect that may very well occur in the near future could be a world where the United States isn't a defining power as its been for many decades. Biblically speaking either the United States withdraws from the world picture or God removes it by way of either war or natural destruction.

Jesus is certainly coming again. We are considered blessed if we are indeed looking for His appearing.

Do you get excited at the prospect of Jesus returning in your day? I certainly hope so.

We're to live each day as if today were that day. Jesus said that.

We know not the day nor the hour so live in anticipation.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 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. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Are you ready?

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, July 11, 2025

Drawing Near

Drawing Near
by David Brenneman

Long ago the Lord Jesus wrote throughout the Old Testament many many points that were all directed towards His first coming and every single one came true.

In fact after His resurrection He opened the minds of a few of His Disciples to see from Moses onward everything that mentions His coming, His sufferings and His dying on the cross.

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

What a rich revealing of what is to come! What joy should be had in the heart and mind and soul of Believers to know this promise is for all who believe!

Jesus is certainly coming again. We are considered blessed if we are indeed looking for His appearing.

Do you get excited at the prospect of Jesus returning in your day? I certainly hope so.

We're to live each day as if today were that day. Jesus said that.

We know not the day nor the hour so live in anticipation.

Are you ready?

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Early One Morning

by David Brenneman

To wake up this morning and have the chorus of this song playing through my mind...

A thousand generations falling down in worship

To sing the song of ages to the Lamb

And all who've gone before us and all who will believe

Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever

If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

We'll sing the song forever and amen

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever

Hear Your people sing holy

To the King of kings, holy

You will always be holy

Holy forever

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

Jesus

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all (oh, stands above)

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever (we cry holy, holy, holy)

Hear Your people sing (we will sing) holy

To the King of kings (holy), holy (holy is the Lord)

You will always be holy

Holy forever

You will always be holy

Holy forever

When you awake each day does talking to God cross your mind?

When you start your day are you asking Jesus what He's got for you to be doing today?

Regardless of what circumstances you find yourself, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus, talking to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ ought to become like breathing.

Prayer is nothing less than a heart to heart conversation that the enemy of God cannot hear or know anything about.

Praying isn't difficult if we watch little children do it with ease.

Adults overthink prayer and praying.

We often think it's an optional thing to do among other's that are on our calendar or list of things to do.

So let's start there. You wake up for the day, providing the Lord didn't call you home that is, what things that you do that are non-negotiable? Many, if not everyone, trudge into the bathroom as their first step of the day. Some wash their face and do other rituals.

Getting dressed is probably next. In all this...there's time to pray.

We head for the kitchen in most cases next. Still time to pray. In some households others are up, conversations happen. A prayer is a conversation with God so you already know how to have one.

If you're wanting God to do things in your life, prayer is where it begins. But realize as well, there's much more that He has in store for you than your prayers encompass.

Make praying in the morning a non-negotiable thing. Jesus, your Savior and Lord, went through the most horrific of things on His way to save you by dying on the cross and rising from the dead 3 days later, wants to hear from you.

Add reading a chapter in your Bible to your prayer time. Your Bible is absolutely not only for church time. You aren't going to grow in Christ very well if you have no idea what your Bible says. Devotionals can be good to assist your Bible study but should never replace your Bible study.

People often complain about not having the time to read their Bible. Try listening to it. The Bible app allows listening to the Word of God on both Android and Apple devices. Many of these same-said people are also devout followers of various sports or other forms of entertainment. Ask yourself this: Will I be examined by Jesus for my knowledge of those things after we leave this world or will it be on my understanding of His Word and that which I have done in my life for Him?

Paul wrote the Church in Ephesus to not give the devil an opportunity...yet we get easily convinced to take down the door meant to keep him out and some remove a few walls to make it easier for him to come in!

We don't utilize that profoundly powerful opportunity to get to know our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ better! Instead we cater to the various desires of our hearts which quite often is not what Jesus wants of us. We treat the Christian life as something of privilege in that we should only seek the blessings of God to create a peaceful wonderland we call our home away from home.

Jesus said plainly that those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus are going to suffer. It's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. We are far from perfect and the Spirit's job aside from protecting the Word of God is our sanctification. That process by which we become more like Christ Jesus.

Some can view a life thrown in disarray as falling apart when it's the life of a Believer...in God’s plan and purpose that life is coming together.

When you start your day your mind is susceptible to the influence of your enemy, the enemy of God.

Philippians 4:8-9 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. 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."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "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."

Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Further we read:

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For 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 8:5-18.

I will leave you with this...

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish

that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier came each task.

“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.

He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn’t show me.

He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

“My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning,

and paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish

that I had to take time to pray.

- Anonymous

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Godly Perspective

Godly Perspective
by David Brenneman

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

"He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:29-31.

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

"Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24.

"For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4.

Life Principle 14: God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

In this hurry-up world, waiting for anything can cause us to lose our temper and our good sense more often than we care to admit. Yet the Word of God insists we learn some of life’s greatest lessons while we wait. Though waiting rooms can be hard classrooms, God promises vast reward to those who wait for Him.

When we wait on God …

We discover His will.
God does not allow delay in giving us the desire of our hearts to lead us along. Rather, even as we wait, He reveals His will to us and works all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

We receive supernatural energy and strength.
As God deepens our relationship with Him through times of waiting, He also increases our energy, faith, endurance, and strength (Isa. 40: 29-31).

We’re victorious in battle.
When we do things our way in our time, we end up defeated. But when we wait on God and obey His commands, He ensures our victory (Prov. 20:22).

We see the fulfillment of our faith.
Though others may encourage us to forge ahead instead of waiting on the Lord, we must remember He’s the only One who can truly help us and who will never let us down (Is. 49:23).

We witness Him working on our behalf.
While we actively wait, God actively works (Is. 64:4). Every single day, we have the greatest Mediator working on our behalf. And even when things seem to go wrong, He’s making sure that everything works according to His purpose. What a wonderful promise!

Although waiting can be one of the more difficult things in the Christian life, it’s not wasted time. God gives us instructions through periods of actively waiting, keeps us in step with His will, prepares us for His answers, and uses the time to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait on Him, God will use the long pauses in our lives for our blessing—both large and unexpected—if we let Him. - Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles Devotional.

Waiting. I myself as well as most people I have ever met or known do not like the idea of waiting.

For several generations now there are billions of people who detest waiting. These generations are often referred to as the microwave generations. Even with the speed of life they’re impatient about how long things take to get done. 2 minutes in a microwave to many is an eternity.

We often go to appointments, from Doctor's offices to tire or brake shops and we check-in and are instructed to wait.

We get unexpected news and the unfortunate next steps are waiting.

We get to building something new and learn that part of the process the video we followed said is that to get the right results you do these things then wait.

Yet we read in the Bible that we're to wait upon the Lord. We are to exercise patience. We are not to make hasty or rash choices or decisions. Me? Guilty as charged.

In this season of my life waiting has been appointed by God for me.

Ever really consider it that way?

You are driving to an appointment and there's delays and many times frustration sets in. Then after some time you're moving again with no explanation. My Dear Reader, that too was of God if you're willing to accept it.

You are having a great day and then all the sudden the unexpected call comes from a friend in need. This too was from God if you'll accept it.

The things in our lives from the small to the great all come through the hands of Jesus Christ before they get to each and every single Believer in the world.

I am unemployed at this time because of nothing I did wrong. It has been because My Savior says this is for me right now. I will indeed be employed again as He sees fit in His timing. It's on me to keep busy with whatever He puts before me to be doing. Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that whatever you do, do as unto the Lord because it's Him who we serve.

God always answers prayers with only a certain set of ways.

Yes, No, not right now and wait, I have something better in mind.

Throughout the Scriptures this had always been the way things are.

Our impatience never speeds up what God had ordained on our behalf. We can choose to patiently wait upon the Lord or we can literally push Jesus out of the driver's seat and resolve things ourselves.

What a visual huh?

Our impatience is quite literally our pushing Jesus from the driver's seat.

Scripture says that those who wait upon the Lord will be saved.

Before you take further steps in deciding this or that today, stop and ask Jesus about your next steps. If He’s not involved you're on shakey ground.

We are to be followers of Jesus Christ not leaders of Jesus Christ. He leads, we follow. Regardless of whether or not it makes sense to us at all. Job's whole ordeal made no sense. Daniel spending the night with a bunch of lions made no sense. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a firey furnace made no sense. Yet they all kept Lord Jesus as the one leading and all saw the victory.

Perspective is everything. Praying for and keeping a Godly perspective means everything.