A Scribe on the Wall

Several years ago now, I believe that God gave me a message, He would be telling me things and it was up to me to tell others. To me, it's much like the Watchman on the Wall as described in the Old Testament. The Watchman was told that it was on him to warn others about any approaching dangers. God's apparently gifted me with being able to type and write. So I put the old definition of a writer along with the concept of a watchman together. Jesus is coming soon...are you ready?

Monday, April 20, 2026

That Which the Lord Requires

by David Brenneman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remember that.

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

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

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

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Disappointments and Discouragements

Disappointments and Discouragements.

by David Brenneman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can either run to discouragement or run to Jesus.

You cannot do both.

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

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

- Russell Kelso Carter 1886

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

I've carried a burden

For too long on my own

I wasn't created

To bear it alone

I hear Your invitation

To let it all go

Yeah, I see it now

I'm laying it down

And I know that I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

You saw my condition

Had a plan from the start

Your Son for redemption

The price for my heart

And I don't have a context

For that kind of love

I don't understand

I can't comprehend

All I know is I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh (oh)

My heart has been in Your sights

Long before my first breath

Running into Your arms

Is running to life from death

And I feel this rush deep in my chest

Your mercy is calling out

Just as I am You pull me in

And I know I need You now

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

And my heart found a surgeon

My soul found a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

Again and again

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Our Best, Not Our Leftovers

by David Brenneman

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14.

Are you pressing on? Is there a mindset of determination to finish the race that IS set before you?

If indeed you are saved in Christ there's a segment of the race of life for you to run with endurance.

In a relay race many participants are aligned on the track to give their best performance towards winning the race. Each one individually giving their all for the race set before them.

We take up a baton in the faith when we came to Christ, and are to give of our lives the best as unto the Lord. Running the race set before us with determination and hope in Christ.

There's really no room to be lazy about it if we're looking ahead to when we WILL stand before Jesus.

Ours is but a small part, maybe, but in Christ all parts are meaningful.

All parts matter no matter what our perspective is concerning it.

Do we really give of our time to the Lord as we should?

Are we maintaining the right heart attitude? Do we really?

To look at the attitude that the Lord Jesus was trying to instill in the children of Israel it wasn't just doing a duty it was for them to live a life well pleasing to God...and in a way that they would have appreciated had they stayed committed to it.

Our lives can't be seen for what they will be or would be in Christ until obedience defines our walk with Jesus.

Ours is to run with endurance, perseverance, commitment, towards whatever is important in our lives that God says is important.

Dedicated time in God's Word.

Honest, from the heart, prayer.

Lifting up others in prayer.

Preferring one another above ourselves.

Listening to the Spirit and following His direction even if and even when the world doesn't understand it.

Run with Jesus, staying with Jesus.

You have a particular calling in Christ that's yours to pursue with your everything, not your leftover time, leftover money or leftover strength.

Give of your best to the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, April 17, 2026

Stand With God or Stand With the World

by David Brenneman

I keep as a reminder that saying "I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God".

When we look at various parables that Jesus said about the talents and others where He condemned those who didn't believe to that place where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That place has gone by various names in the world yet all in all its that place of the condemned called Hades or Hell.

What is falsely presumed is that Satan's ruling from there. Satan no more wants to be there than any of the countless trillions of people and certain demons who are there.

It IS a place of painful torment. We read for sure the words of Jesus when He spoke of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Jesus wasn't making it up He was speaking an absolute truth.

We were given the choice to receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior or we choose to reject Him as that. That's what was made possible when Jesus gave Himself on the cross for the sins of mankind.

This world in which we live, everyone who's lived has had to choose as well as all who live today and every day until Jesus returns, has an eternity decision to make.

To deny Jesus's offer of salvation through faith in what He did to save a person guarantees that decision means going straight to that place of torment.

There's that matter of Satan in this world. He prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. His minions follow in his footsteps. Trying to keep the minds of as many as they can from the truth of God's offer to save them through Jesus.

We have to choose because death comes upon everyone. The sooner we choose to live through the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ alone...the sooner we really do begin to live. When we choose not to, oh it may seem like it's all good, the truth is going to come upon all sooner or later.

We know not when our time is up.

We know not if we'll live a long life or in an instant be taken from this world. This world is full of obstinate people. Procrastinating people who think they would rather believe that they can be good enough without Jesus.

The Bible heartily disagrees. There are none who are good no not one. It says in Romans 3:10.

While also it says in Psalms 14 "the fool has said in his heart "there is no God".

My Dear Reader...we either are among the saved in Christ Jesus, standing with Jesus, or we are not and are standing with the world.

There are no other choices. There is no such thing as a conscientious objector in spiritual matters. There's none who will ever stand before Jesus and have any form of defense that will work as to why they refused His free gift of salvation that will grant them eternity in Heaven.

Lastly, that choice of receiving salvation through Jesus Christ alone or not is a limited time offer.

My Dear Reader you do not know if you're going to have another breath to breathe or if you'll even finish your cup of coffee or tea before your time on this Earth is over.

Jesus came and rescued me many decades ago and all I have known is a life with Jesus in it as my Lord and Savior. While I have had a very rocky life in my faithfulness to Him, He's never failed to be faithful to me. While I have had many occasions to be that returning Prodigal Son, He has always been watching the horizon for me to come back.

Jesus is watching the horizon for any who turn to Him for salvation. He will turn away nobody who comes to Him in faith to be their forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives.

As soon as the Church of Jesus Christ is complete, Jesus will return for His bride the Church. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the trumpet, all who are alive in Christ will leave this world. All who died in Christ will get their new bodies first then the rest of us will join them.

These are as certain a guarantee as the sun coming up and it setting each night.

If you're not sure...

"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.

If you're not sure, you can text the word "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459. Someone will get back with you on how to be sure that you're saved or to show you how you can be saved.

You're either standing with Jesus or you're standing with the world. There's no middle ground. Paul exhorted many churches to stand firm in the Lord. Give no ground.

My hope and prayer is that this blog helps people to either come to Christ for salvation or show them the way back to Him.

As for me...I am expectantly waiting for that shout that will call all those who are saved out of this world to forever be with Jesus.

Are you?

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, April 16, 2026

The Why Behind the Why

by David Brenneman

"I trust in Vour word" (Psalm 119:42)

The strength of our faith is in direct proportion to our level of belief that God will do exactly what He has promised. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, impressions, outward appearances, nor the probability or improbability of an event. If we try to couple these things with faith, we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith is not dependent on them. Faith rests on the pure Word of God alone. And when we take Him at His Word, our hearts are at peace.

God delights in causing us to exercise our faith. He does so to

bless us individually, to bless the church at large, and as a witness

to unbelievers. Yet we tend to retreat from the exercising of our

faith instead of welcoming it. When trials come, our response should be, "My heavenly Father has placed this cup of trials into my hands so I may later have something pleasant.".

-exerpt from Streams in the Desert, April 15th.

One sure highlight from the last 11 months has been looking for and actively seeing Jesus keeping His promises to always take care of us and to always be with us.

We had lessons to learn through the apparent to ourselves and all difficulties. Learning how we can do better at our finances. Learning where to find help with food. Learning to pray expectantly about our financial needs to pay the mortgage and bills. Never once were we behind in paying anything.

We learned to get done some things with what we had and to see Jesus provide free things to accomplish much.

I was able to help quite a few people with completing odd jobs for them. Was able to keep my commitments in my Bible reading and Bible studies. This was the more important part.

Looking in faith for what we prayed that God would do according to His Word was and is everything.

It caused us to be strengthened and stretched in our faith. It caused others the same as well. Have been told of from some of that very thing.

Many of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles, we saw happening in our lives. Life Principles that he came up with are straight from the Word of God.

We saw even more deeply the hands of God in our lives.

My Dear Reader, we aren't going to go through a bumpless life. We aren't going to have a life without trials and tribulations. Jesus said plainly that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

But yet still why? In the lives of my Wife and I, this here this now we have grown enough in Christ to be able to recognize and draw strength from the Lord Jesus. Had this happened years ago we likely wouldn't have come out of it the same.

There's a divine plan to our lives to grow and be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. That is the workmanship that Jesus is doing through the Spirit of God in each and every single Believer.

It isn't always going to be our understanding what we're going through. We read of one of Paul's shipwreck adventures. We read it but do we ever really know why the ship had to be destroyed or why they went through all of it? Some points yes but not all.

Our lives are going to be filled with various things to cause us to grow in Christ Jesus. If you're not going through various things you might want to have a serious conversation with Jesus about it.

We're to live our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. There ought to be something that they see.

It's ok to be concerned but take that to the Lord in prayer. We have this hope in all who believe that God is a promise keeper. We have the right to cry out to God for help. We who are saved are the adopted children of God with that right given to us by God.

We have this promise that when we seek the Lord He will be found by us. That when we pray in earnest He will hear our pleas.

There've been several people who thought that I was turning down jobs during those 10 months. Truth is I only turned down 1. The pay was below anything we could live on even temporarily. The rest of the time it was mostly crickets. Silence. As I told many...I can't go through a door of opportunity unless God gives me the key. When He says it's time He will give me that key. Which He did do.

We aren't really good at waiting. For several generations people have been trained to get n go. To rush through and don't stop to consider. To be honesty impatient about getting ahead.

Jesus taught His disciples the exact opposite. Take time to be alone with Jesus. Take time to be still before Jesus. Take time to see things from His perspective. To be who He is making you to be. To make use of the gifts given to us by His Spirit. To stand firm in the Lord. To run the race set before us with all diligence in the Lord.

To 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.

Breathe. Pray. Repeat.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

The Wall of the Lord

by David Brenneman

"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God." Philippians 1:27-28.

"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." Ephesians 6:10-17.

Dr. David Jeremiah Notes on Philippians 1:27: Paul issues the challenge to stand fast in many other letters (Philippians 4:1; 1 Corinthians.16:13; Galatians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). The image refers to the way Roman soldiers would lock their shields together, plant their feet, and present a solid, unified wall of resolution against the enemy.

Last night I was reading in Philippians and saw this note on 1:27. Then had the wondrous image in my mind of soldiers planted at the line they were holding, standing firm in their spot. The first row down on one knee, shield planted firm. A second standing above and behind the first with his shield overlapping the first's shield. Then imagining row upon row side by side in this manner. Where there might be a crack in the wall of interlocked shields is where the sword would go through. With this arrangement nothing could get through them. Arrows would bounce off of them because they couldn't land on any.

Then my mind replaced the average gear these Roman soldiers wore with the whole armor of God. What a sight!

My Dear Reader this is what we're to be doing in the Lord. This is what our relationships with each other in Christ is supposed to look like. That's what I believe that the Spirit was showing me last night.

A lone soldier with his shield still had vulnerabilities. Soldiers who worked together were much. stronger together than apart.

This is why we need to keep each other lifted up in prayer. This is why we need to be with each other in meeting with each other. To be a part of each other's lives in Christ.

Look at how the Lord arranged the children of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years. There was organization to the way they set out. To how they went through living.

The extremely sad part is they were still perpetual complainers.

Grumbling and whining about their circumstances even though the Lord was with them, supernaturally keeping their clothes from wearing out. Their sandals from wearing out.

They had the Lord Jesus there with them and missed out on that unique blessing.

We too can miss out on the unique blessings of being with others in Christ. We can choose to let past hurts keep us from being with others in Christ. We can let even those within the Church who've hurt us keep us from the righteous life that God desires for us.

We are going to have difficult people to deal with in this world. Within the Church and out in the world. Nobody is immune to that.

The instructions from the Word of God are to continue praying without ceasing. To continue in the love of Christ no matter who does what towards us or others.

We are Ambassadors for Christ everywhere we go and in everything we do.

It's a sad sad moment when we run across people essentially being part-time Christians. Living a life one way at church and another under various circumstances.

When we do recognize such behavior begin at once to pray for such people. Letting nothing taint our own position before the Lord. We get shown such things in order to help bring these people back into the life in Christ that they need to be living.

Now imagine our wall of soldiers in the whole armor of God randomly getting up n going their own way, taking off parts of it. Dropping their swords. How well will that line be defended? How long do you think it would be held?

We're still here, going through what we go through as His workmanship, to grow in Christ. To help each other in their journey with Jesus. To cause the light of Jesus Christ to shine. To be obedient in all that we do in Christ, what they're to be doing in Christ.

We need each other.

We cannot live the life in Christ without each other.

The whole armor of God is never to be removed.

Our lives are always supposed to reflect Christ to ourselves and all others.

If what we're doing and saying is reflecting bad on our life in Christ, why are we doing it, saying it, thinking it?

Will our Father in Heaven ever be glorified if we're not doing, saying, thinking as we are supposed to be in Christ Jesus?

Suit up, standing firm in Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

What Am I Supposed to Do?

by David Brenneman

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-2.

What am I supposed to be doing for Jesus? What's His plan and purpose for me?

From the onset, from the moment you're saved, the Spirit has something in mind for you to be doing for the Kingdom of God. He seals you in Christ for the day of the return of Jesus Christ. He also knows exactly how best you can serve the body of Christ.

Not just in the world but in your own relationships.

Something you should possibly know is that after coming to Christ you're quite possibly going to lose some people from your life. Some are going to be happy for you, some might go as far as to revile you. Mock you, get angry with you.

Expect this in case it happens.

Consider well this from Paul: "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.

There's just no way those who have no relationship with Jesus are going to understand much of what you now know and understand about your relationship with Jesus. That's why it's so important to live out loud the character of Christ. So that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. That they see that we have this hope that cannot be extinguished. That we show a love through forgiveness that they've never experienced.

Our live are to be that kind of light.

The light of Jesus Christ is what illuminates us. Not our own but His. It's on us not to hide that light.

The writer of Hebrews in chapter 11 points us to the Hall of Faith. People who went through much in order to be sure that the light of Jesus Christ was going to be seen.

My first full day as a Christian was incredibly hard for me. Those my age were far from kind to me. It honestly took decades to heal from their behavior and words. It's been through the work of the Spirit of God that I am who I am today. Using everything that Satan's minions thought were victories in my life for the good of the cause of Jesus Christ.

In several places in the Scriptures we read of people being drawn up out of the pit. Essentially thinking they were that far separated from God. I do believe that many have gotten it wrong that these same people were dead and were brought back to life. If this were true then I am certain the Spirit would have said as much.

Separation from God is the most horrendous thing ANYONE will ever go through in eternity yet trillions choose that over salvation in Christ Jesus. In 1999 I can look back and see that the Spirit pulled me up out of something that I felt was a pit. I was immersed, drowning in the darkness of Satan's schemes. Spiritually I couldn't breathe. He lifted me up out of that into a newness of life in Christ that was equal to or more than I knew when I first came to Christ in 1974.

Since that day in all that I can, I live for Jesus. Morning's start with being in the Word of God. Praying throughout the day. Listening to what He might be saying to me. Evening's in study Bibles and a few devotionals. I miss nothing that I was called to give up for this kind of life.

You have something for you to be doing in Christ. Begin with your commitment to be in the Word of God and build on this. Add your commitment to be in prayer. Add your willingness to listen and obey. Then see what He wants of you after that. You can't do until you're in training in righteousness.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

"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." Colossians 3:23-24

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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