Your Mission in Life

Your Mission in Life 

by David Brenneman 

My point of still being alive today is the same as it is for YOU, as long as you have salvation in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins that is.

I am to be intentional about my days to both live them in the character of Christ and to grow with respect to my salvation. To grow in Christ...so should you be. 

It's not about how many places we can visit, nor how many books we can read. It's not about what sports that we know the most about. Nor has it anything to do with the television or movies or games that are out in the world. 

Jesus taught His disciples to always live for the obedience due God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

While I do have, much as I am certain you do as well, have a bucket list. Things you want to do or experience before you die. 

While my list is mostly possible, it's not a priority to me. What God wants of me and for me is to grow in Christ. To live my life in Christ Jesus in such a way that people see the works that I do and glorify my Father in Heaven. 

The world is ever increasing in its abilities to distract people from spiritual growth. AI is being treated as a miracle of humanity to grant all kinds of things. 

Cell phone addiction is a real thing. AI conversations are a daily thing for most even if that don't realize that's what they're doing. The culture is creating a multitude of groups of people to keep the masses preoccupied with anything but a life in Christ.  

It takes discipline to shut off the world and to focus on growing in Christ. Are you willing to accept such discipline to become what Jesus wants for you?

Are you willing to give of your best to the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you fallen for the lies of the world, of Satan, that you deserve the things that preoccupy your life that have nothing to do with what your being saved has anything to do with?

Do you live a life that is truly looking forward to hearing how well you did living for Jesus? Or have you settled for less? Are you settling for less when the Spirit wants to do more with you?

The Spirit wants to grow you in Christ. Wants you to glorify God all that you say and do.  

Question is: Do you truly want the same?  

Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit of God showing in you? 

You and I must daily, throughout the day, make choices that ought to be directed towards seeking God's approval with our lives. 

I can do many things but I need to do whatever the Spirit directs me to be doing. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and obey His commands.  

Are you listening for His voice? Are you obeying in what you're commanded to be doing, saying or thinking?

We all will give an account of our lives before Jesus...in all likelihood there will be people who will see their lives amount to very little. 

You need to make Godly choices but you can only do that by being intentional about learning what constitutes a Godly choice. 

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

Praying at all times. Intent on obedience. Spending time in prayer. Spending time in the Word of God.  

We've been shown clearly what we should be doing, saying and thinking...it's on us to follow Jesus...it's on us to obey.

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 

Risen and Returning

Risen and Returning 

by David Brenneman 

This morning is the 7 year anniversary of starting this blog. The message of it has never changed. To point people to Jesus or show them that He's willing and ready to have those who've gone astray come back to Him. 

My thoughts this morning are rather intense, heavy, even.  

While I still have much of the song "More About Jesus" in my mind, "He Took My Place" is there as well. Along with Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come".

The Easter message isn't just that the only possible way for salvation to be accomplished had happened in the person of Jesus Christ, but that the certainty of His former promise was now on the table. 

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 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 14:1-3.

With Jesus fulfilling all that the Scriptures said about Him, we now have the gift of salvation available to all who would call upon His Name to be saved.

We are not at all automatically saved. 

We must choose to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins. 

We can never get to Heaven without Jesus's crucifixion at the heart of everything. We cannot ever do enough good to satisfy the penalty of even a single sin let alone a lifetime of them. 

My Dear Reader, let today be the first day of the rest of your life in Christ. If you haven't made that choice to ask Jesus to come into your life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life, you ARE going to die in your sins. Your next destination after dying is never going to be Heaven. Jesus plainly said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.

If indeed you have come to Christ but haven't been living it, make today that day that you came back to Him. Everyone, at one time or another, has been that Prodigal Son or Prodigal Daughter. Sometimes several times in their lifetime. 

Jesus is right there waiting with open arms to receive you back. 

I would encourage you all to look up the song "When God Ran". Many years ago it certainly did drop me to my knees when I realized that song was about me.

Jesus Christ is coming back soon. Everyone who names the name of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior will one day be taken from this world and into His waiting arms. The rest of this world will begin to see the full judgment of God being brought upon mankind. 

Come to Christ while He as yet may be found!

He is RISEN!

He IS coming again!

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 

The Story of Jesus, The Story of His Love

The Story of Jesus, The Story of His Love 

by David Brenneman 

Tell me the story of Jesus,

write on my heart ev'ry word;

tell me the story most precious,

sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell how the angels in chorus

sang as they welcomed His birth,

“Glory to God in the highest!

Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Tell me the story of Jesus,

write on my heart ev'ry word;

tell me the story most precious,

sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the desert,

tell of the days that are past,

how for our sins He was tempted,

yet was triumphant at last.

Tell of the years of His labor,

tell of the sorrow He bore,

He was despised and afflicted,

homeless, rejected, and poor. 

Tell me the story of Jesus,

write on my heart ev'ry word;

tell me the story most precious,

sweetest that ever was heard.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,

writhing in anguish and pain;

tell of the grave where they laid Him,

tell how He liveth again.

Love in that story so tender,

clearer than ever I see.

Stay, let me weep while you whisper,

love paid the ransom for me. 

Tell me the story of Jesus,

write on my heart ev'ry word;

tell me the story most precious,

sweetest that ever was heard.

-Tell Me the Story of, Fanny Crosby 1880.

I love to tell the story

of unseen things above,

of Jesus and His glory,

of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story

because I know it's true.

it satisfies my longings

as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story!

'Twill be my theme in glory

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story;

more wonderful it seems

than all the golden fancies

of all our golden dreams.

I love to tell the story;

it did so much for me,

and that is just the reason

I tell it now to thee. 

I love to tell the story!

'Twill be my theme in glory

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story;

'tis pleasant to repeat

what seems, each time I tell it

more wonderfully sweet.

I love to tell the story;

for some have never heard

the message of salvation

from God's own holy Word. 

I love to tell the story!

'Twill be my theme in glory

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story,

for those who know it best

seem hungering and thirsting

to hear it like the rest.

And when in scenes of glory

I sing the new, new song,

'twill be the old, old story

that I have loved so long. 

I love to tell the story!

'Twill be my theme in glory

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and His love.

- Kate Hankey "I Love to Tell the Story" 1869 

Was considering what God would have me write this morning in between Good Friday and Resurrection Morning...and this came to mind...just songs of Jesus. Someone last night at the church service we went to said that I should tell my story. It very well could be forthcoming. But this here this now is about the sacrifice of my Savior and my Lord Jesus Christ more than it ever could be about me. 

The story of Jesus is the most important of all stories yet Jesus is immensely interested in ours. Wanting to be with us throughout it from our birth until either He calls us home or we see the Rapture of the Church.  

"“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."" Isaiah 55:8-9.

We can't know unless we slow down and get intentional about our life in Christ just what a life with Jesus is really about.

We get to spend every day with Jesus yet we don't often see it that way. 

We can talk to Him whenever and wherever but we don't often see it that way. 

People should be seeing Jesus in our lives every day. But more often than not they likely aren't. It's a sometimes hard fought battle keeping self at bay. 

So then let's keep our eyes on Jesus. Consider His story. Not just within the confines of the Gospels but the Bible as a whole. It's not just history but His Story about how deep, far, and wide and high His love for us really is. 

I'm reading through Proverbs, one per day, in addition to my other reading. It's my second month in a row. I would encourage you to add it to your reading as well. The more you spend time reading it the more you'll see on how to live a life approved by Jesus.  

My story starts before I was born as the Scriptures teach us. Jesus knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. He knew all our days before there was as yet a single one. 

We often don't consider it enough the need for the older hymns. These were, to me, more heart-felt and personal than modern music can be like. Many of these were taken from the Scriptures, many of the more modern are taken from feelings and emotions.  

King David wrote many a song to remind himself of all that he'd learned about God.  

I would love to have the word of God so well written into my heart that I might not sin against my Savior and my Lord.  

This story of Jesus began centuries ago in the Old Testament, foretelling His death, burial and His resurrection. His life on Earth directed solely towards obeying His Father in Heaven. To be that perfect sacrifice and take the place of sinful man and woman on calvary. To satisfy the requirements of God for salvation. 

There was a man more than a man

Called Jesus Christ of Galilee

There was a place where Jesus prayed

A place that's called Gethsemane

There on a hill called Calvary

There stood a cross of agony

Nailed to that cross where I should be

He took my place at Calvary

Now I'm a child of royalty

And even angels can believe

My Jesus cared so much for me

He took my place at Calvary

Christ Jesus lives He lives today

From sin and debt He set me free

Now hand in hand each place I go

My Jesus Christ He walks with me

And when I ask how could it be

That He could care so much for me

The answer comes so tenderly

He took my place on Calvary

And now my Lord the son of God

I share with everyone I see

I give my best my all to Him

Because He gives so much to me

Now if His own you'll wanna be

Come join His royal family

Let your heart sing joyfully

He took my place on Calvary

- Charley Pride "He Took My Place".

Jesus's story is about seeking and saving the lost. Even a wretch like me...and you. 

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

That's perhaps the most famous passage in the Bible. But don't forget the words Jesus said right after those.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:17-21.

The story of Jesus includes you. 

He took my place and your place on Calvary. The death He died He died once for all. 

The world, 2,000 plus years ago thought they'd won over the man called Jesus.  

The world didn't realize that Heaven was just counting down from 3. That in 3 days Jesus would rise from the dead, conquering sin, death and the grave.

Jesus's story is about His love for you. For me. For all who would call upon His Name. 

"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.

Salvation is near, right at the doorstep if only people would open the door and let Jesus in. 

Jesus stretched out His hands wide to show how much He loved us...then died for us. Then in days arose to be both Lord and Savior to all who would believe in Him.

The story of Jesus is the story of sacrificial love that we can spend a lifetime trying to understand and we won't scratch the surface. 

Jesus loves me this I know...

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 

No Front Necessary No Pretending

No Front Necessary, No Pretending 

by David Brenneman 

"Because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise," says the Lord; I will set him in the safety for which he longs.?

Psalms 12:5

     The human body is an amazing creation. For example, when a person runs for a long distance, blood flow to the lower extremities increases to supply the muscles. When an infection attacks a certain part of the body, antibodies scramble to the site of the contagion.

      The principle that God teaches us through the body is that supply moves to the point of need- and there's a close parallel in the spiritual life. The Lord's help flows to those who admit their inadequacy. Self-reliant people, who may deny their need for divine intervention, are often blinded to their poverty of soul and spirit because of their self-sufficiency. But those who open their broken spirits and contrite hearts to the Lord are filled.

      Your need, whatever it may be today, is the signal for God's great and all-encompassing provision. And it isn't just for the obvious place of lack but for all the emotion, energy, and woundedness associated with it, So stop denying it. You don't have to pretend to be strong and invincible. Open your heart to Jesus. Admit you need Him. And watch as He shows you that He is indeed God.

Jesus, thank You for answering my need and ministering to my heart. Amen.

-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley. 

The subject line may be talking about no front or pretending necessary...but it also should include our not dismissing either.

We're living in a world of 'experts' and of frauds and of those choosing to be ignorant of situations and circumstances. People choosing to go on about their business because of the inconvenience of what stopping to do the right thing in God's eyes, according to God's plan, would mean for them.

People intentionally choosing to hang onto what they have rather than to submit to what God's wanting of them.

Abraham was commanded to take his one and only son to a certain place and sacrifice him to God.

This was to test Abraham.

Jesus told the following story:

"Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37.

In Proverbs it says "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it." Proverbs 3:27.

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

We cannot afford to look at those around us in the same way that the world looks at those around them.

In the recent months of my unemployment we have seen God provide in ways we never would have guessed. Expected yes, guessed, no. But, my Dear Reader, those who listened to the Lord Jesus and came to our aid are the one's who will in turn be blessed by their generosity.   

We cannot afford to either put up a front, a good acting job, in front of others and yet still pray for God to provide for our needs. You need to be real with those whom God's put in your life. Cast aside your initial embarrassment. Cast aside anything to do with your pride. There are lessons to be learned by what we go through and there's glory to be had for our Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by what we encounter along the way in this life we have been graciously given to live.

Many also pretend that nothing's wrong when most everything has gone wrong. Just hoping that nobody will find out...and that God would provide anyway.  

Then that third group...people who have indeed been amply blessed who keep it to themselves and or dictate how, when and where God's money, God's possessions (which is everything since it all belongs to God) should be utilized.  

In that parable of the Good Samaritan we read of people with a caring heart and those who did not possess one.  

We read of the right thing to do and those who completely did the wrong thing.

To steal a line from Star Trek, "Risk is our business". We must take risks with everyone we encounter in life. We don't know if they'll spiritually benefit from their encounter with us or not. That is the only real point of our interacting with others in our lives. We're to live lives in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We're to go through various trials and tribulations, not being surprised by them, but to glorify God in them.

We're to point people to Jesus. We don't save anyone, only Jesus saves. We don't cleanse anyone's hearts, only Jesus cleanses the hearts of those who've come to Him for salvation.

We are supposed to, in all things, glorify our Father in Heaven. We are supposed to be INTENTIONAL about growing in Christ. We are NOT supposed to be intentional about fitting in with our world around us nor are we supposed to be consumed with creating our own slice of Heaven here on Earth at the expense of all else. We aren't still here to see our wants, desires, and dreams come true. God may yet allow them to come to fruition if they coincide with His plans for us but they are not on His list of priorities.  

The only chief priority of a Christian is to see Jesus glorified, and to join Him in pointing people to Him for salvation and see the Church of Christ grow into completion..which is when Jesus will return for His bride the Church.

My Wife and I have learned that we can do better at living life that glorifies our Savior Jesus Christ during these last 10 months. We can get along with less and we can learn how to get things under control to where we can bless others as we too have been blessed.

You, my Dear Reader, must always put what you're being lead by the Spirit to do ahead of everything else. Even if nobody else understands it, obeying Jesus no matter when or how you're to do it...just do it.

Part of my work life, and unfortunately a friendship, ended in June of last year but in the ensuing months since God's shown me that things are going to be ok. That He has had this planned out for a long time and He's got every detail worked out for my good. 

Some people in my life, our life, understood and supported us through these months, others stood at a distance.  

Some had eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit was saying to do. 

We choose who we will be in that story of the Good Samaritan.   

We choose if we're living for self or living for others as Christ did.

We choose to honor Christ in our everything or we don't.

We ALL will give an account of our lives before Jesus one day.

Our excuses won't hold water when we indeed knew what we were being lead to do and didn't do it.

Our excuses won't hold water when our hearts weren't into obedience even at the risk of sacrifice.

Our excuses won't hold water when selfishness took hold rather than obedience.

That day is quickly approaching for when we will stand before Jesus if indeed we're saved.  

Be true and honest in your walk with Jesus. When He speaks, listen and obey. When He directs, just follow and go. Be intentional about learning to be more like Him and see what He will do in and through you. 

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

Obey and do even if it means probably sacrificing to do so. If God so blessed you once to grant you such a blessing, don't you believe He can do so again? Didn't He say as much in the book of Malachi? Test God in this?  

Lastly, don't try to be wiser than God in what you have and how it should be used. As stated earlier...it all belongs to Him.

Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind and ALL you spirit. Love yoru neighbor as yourself.

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

Knowing, Believing, Walking

Knowing, Believing, Walking

by David Brenneman 

"but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31.

"I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” John 11:42.

"‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; For I am accomplishing a work in your days, A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’ ”Acts 13:41.

"When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”" Mark 2:1-12.

"for we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7.

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

"and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory," 1 Peter 1:8.

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13.

The story told within the Gospels is there to show every type and kind of person in this world the truth about Jesus, pointing people to an inexorable conclusion that He indeed was the Son of God.

Even the guard, at the end of the day He was crucified cried out "Surely this was the Son of God!".

But do we live like this is true? Do we live like we know that we know that we know? Do we give here and there to the cause of Christ and yet live for self the rest of the time? Looking at the professing Church...do we see Jesus?

We're not here to satisfy our own desires after we come to Christ for salvation. We're still here in part for our sanctification. To grow with respect to our salvation. To see the world through the eyes of Jesus and not ourselves.

Scripture say that we are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Scriptures say that we're ambassador's for Christ. Representing Him wherever we go and in whatever we've been given to do among men and women.

Do we live that out? Or do we continue to spend on ourselves and give only what salves our conscience in order to get a 'feel good about doing something' for Jesus then go back to spending it on ourselves?

Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that we've arrived. We won't 'arrive' until either God calls us home or the Rapture of the Church takes place.

We're to listen to the Word of God.  

Listen in order to believe more fully today than we did yesterday. Do for Jesus more today than we did yesterday. Learn more of Him today than we had known of Him yesterday.  

I've whittled down a lot out of my life of what I now see were trivial things that were consuming my time, energy and efforts. I still have a ways to go. Jesus wants all of us, all of our hearts, all of our minds and all of our efforts.  

What are you doing with what you've been given from Him today?  

Today isn't just today because it came after yesterday. It's today because it's a gift from God for us to use appropriately for Him because it's the only chief reason we're still here. To do whatever He's called us to be doing until that yet future day when we stand before Him to give an account of our lives before Him.

Consider that well. You will give an account of your life before Jesus. Is it filled with trivial, non-Spiritual fruit bearing, things that you did, said or thought? Hate to break it to you but EVERYTHING we go after that isn't going to grow us in Christ, isn't going to let our light so shine before men and women so that they glorify our Father in Heaven is just that...non-Spiritual fruit bearing.

A waste of time and resources for the Kingdom of God. Yes there's things in this life meant to guide us into a rest and respite, we're not to let those things consume our time and attention.  

We have been given time to learn about Jesus. To learn how to have a character that stands up to anything the world throws at it because it's the character of Christ.

But if we aren't putting in the efforts...how do we expect to see results that will make Jesus proud of us? If we aren't giving our all, how will we ever expect to hear a "well done!" from Jesus?

Do you have a DAILY time in the Word of God? Do you DAILY talk to Jesus about what's weighing on your heart and mind? ARE you just telling Jesus what you think He wants to hear? You DO realize how foolish that is? He already knows and is waiting for you to be truthful and honest about it...it needs to come from you.

Are you realizing the theme of all the verses that you read earlier? Jesus gave many many convincing proofs of who He was. He went through all the firey judgements of God the Father upon Him on the cross. Shouldn't we do more to live for the One who gave up everything for to save us?

Are you digging into your walk with the same passion or more than you do the things you pursue in this world? Are you as fired up about what you learn in your Bible as you do that game you were whooping it up about? That movie that got you all fired up? That song that you heard that thrilled you?

We have just so much time in the day and more often than not, myself included, we waste so much of it on things that we've convinced ourselves that matter. Things that we've been pursuing that aren't at all adding to our story of Jesus in us.

Think about where your time and money is going. Are you hoarding the blessings of God given to you? Or do you seek out whomever the Spirit is wanting to use you to reach, to bless, or to lift up? Do you spend what you have been blessed with on your own pleasures? Do you set rules for 'your' money that are limiting what God can do with it? Do you set rules for your possessions? Doesn't all 'your' money, and possessions belong to God?

You've got to choose to whom you will follow, yourself or the Spirit. There's only one Captain's seat within us and only one can rightfully sit in it to guide our lives in the way that most honors what God's wanting to do in and through us.

We can talk a good talk about following Jesus...but in seeing all these evidences...and more...shouldn't we do more to really do it? As the Scriptures say...can anyone really out-give God? Can anyone really live a Godly-successful life with one foot in the world and the other in Heaven?

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

Are You? Do You? Why Don't You?

Are You? Do You? Why Don't You?

by David Brenneman 

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears." Psalms 18:6.

"I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me." Psalms 142:1-3.

"From my distress I called upon the Lord; The Lord answered me and set me in a large place." Psalms 118:5.

"I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah." Psalms 3:4.

"O Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me." Psalms 30:2.

"Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications." Psalms 130:2.

"It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24.

"I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications. [2] Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live." Psalms 116:1-2.

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears." Psalms 34:4.

"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.

Our walk with Jesus began with a prayer...would not it follow that we ought to continue in it?  

We are not going to go through a day where we shouldn't have been praying, be it for ourselves or others. Prayer ought to be like breathing when we get down to it. 

There's really only a few times when Satan's minions are going to make it seem like you're not needing to pray. When they've been ordered to leave you alone, or when you're already doing what they would rather you be doing.  

Many times we're going to be tested by a lack of trials and tribulations. When things are going so well, will you still stay focused on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world?

When we are in a very real situation and we find ourselves up against an apparent wall...are we praying to our God in Heaven or are we circling our own wagons waiting to figure our for ourselves on how to handle the situation? 

Our lives are in Jesus's hands. 

The sooner we truly get this the better life will be.

We have so many examples of those who cried out to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have the instruction to be crying out to Him. We have example after example of those who did and just what Jesus did for them.  

I will admit my prayer life isn't what it should be. In this I am a work in progress. Recognizing the signs of worrying vs praying is crucial. 

In the now going on 10 months, there were very few times when worry tried to get a foothold. In every way that mattered our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ heard us before we prayed and had a plan worked out before we were ever in that moment. 

Even now, with the new job on the horizon, we're a few weeks away from getting through April's bills. I know that my Savior has a plan for it all. I also know this has been both a blessing and a teaching experience for us. Both with regard to seeing His wonderful provision towards us but on how to be sensitive to the needs of others when we're prompted by the Spirit to provide for others.  

We aren't supposed to ignore the needs of others even if it's inconvenient. We're to obey the promptings of the Spirit of God at all times. 

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered...that's why I trust Him.  

Praying is to be a heart-to-heart communication between our heart and Jesus.  

Praying is also a tool to grow us in Christ. We cannot consider a life lived if it's avoiding that which we're instructed to live it like.

Honestly, if you're well off, seek out whom it is that the Spirit would have you help. Our wealth isn't necessarily for our good pleasure first. First, it all belongs to God. And if you were blessed once to get where you are, I would hope that you would believe that if you gave as prompted, that you believe He could bless you again.

Our lives are hidden in Christ. Our hearts should be learning to mirror His heart. Our desires should be learning to mirror His desires.  

All the 4 Gospels show clearly how reliant Jesus was concerning talking to His Father daily.  

If indeed you're seeking a peace that passes all understanding, you need to begin in heart-to-heart prayer. 

Jesus wants our heart-to-heart and will take care of our needs before we even ask. Note that wants aren't necessary a part of that equation. Wants are options not necessities. 

"Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6.

Right now is the time to be working on a right relationship with Jesus. 

Right now is the time to be real with your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

Right now. Not later. Not when you have time. Because if you wait for when you have time you'll never have the time. 

Remember that Satan's minions are going to probably leave you alone if you're already doing what they would rather you be doing...not investing in your walk with Jesus.  

Not communicating with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not making your walk with Jesus as important as it ought to be.

And before panic of any kind tries to set in...remember that Jesus is always on time. Not early, not late, on time...His time. Scripture says that we know He knows our needs before we do. Be thanking God for that.  

Blessed assurance Jesus is mine oh what a foretaste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long...praising my Savior all the day long. 

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

A Song in Your Heart

A Song in Your Heart 

by David Brenneman 

"After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mark 14:26.

      Praise is greatly honoring to God! In the Old Testament account of King Jehoshaphat, God's people faced a seemingly  insurmountable enemy who was determined to destroy them. Yet God assured them that they would "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 20:17). The people of Judah

believed God. Their army was led by singers, offering praises to the Lord for their promised victory, and the victory came. When King David led the procession bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, he praised God with all of his strength (2 Samuel  6:12-23). David's praise was pleasing to God, and God's powerful presence remained in David's kingdom to give him victory against every enemy.

      Jesus was about to go to Gethsemane and to the Cross, where God's greatest victory would be accomplished. He led His disciples to sing a hymn. The disciples were all about to fail Him, and Jesus was about to be cruelly executed, yet Jesus insisted that they praise God. Their praise looked beyond the cross to God's ultimate victory. Praise is rooted not in circumstances of the moment but in the nature and trustworthiness of God.

      You ought to rejoice when God asks you to proceed in the work of His kingdom because you know the victory is already secured. Don't focus on the problems and failures of others. Focus on God's assurance of victory. If you have trouble praising God with a song in your heart as you serve Him, it may be that your focus is not on God, but on your circumstances.

-Experiencing God Day-by-Day Devotional Blackaby and Blackaby 

There are days where I wake up with a song, a hymn or just a chorus playing in my mind. Sometimes, but not all the time.  

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:19-20.

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16.

"Sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts. Worship the Lord in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy Before the Lord, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness." Psalms 96:1-13.

"O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him." Psalms 98:1.

Think there's more than a few places where this is where our hearts are directed?

These are but a few examples. In Heaven we read of praising Him all the time. Revelation speaks of the praising going on around the Throne of God.

When mowing season begins this is a special time of just taking an hour or so to listen to praise and worship music. I can sing along and it won't drive anyone away over the sound of the mower.  

In sickness and in health we often hear at times of a wedding vow. Yet when we read of the acts of the Apostles whether they were chained to a wall or on their own. Whether they were not doing so well or they were feeling good, they praised God in their circumstances. 

Note the timing of Jesus after the Last Supper...He had them sing before He was betrayed. Peter was on the ropes shortly thereafter. When you consider it, he went through a much shortened version of a Job experience. Both were sifted by Satan with restrictions. 

Paul, as we read later, saw the value of praising God in song. 

What can wash away my sin...nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again...nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow! No other fount I know. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!.

Hallalu, Hallalu, Hallalu, Praise Ye the Lord! Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children; in His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness.

Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!

These and so many more are those that can lift up a soul when life is listing to one side, where and when things aren't going as well as we would like. 

While there's something to be said for newer songs the old hymns reach deep inside where many of those don't seem to go.

When we're setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world...we find praise happening. 

We find a peace that passes all understanding. We find ourselves in a place we cannot explain yet love to be in because it feels like Jesus has His arms wrapped around us just as He did when the children came to Him. 

The when and where often can change the ways people see us and make them want to know why we are how we are being. 

"But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”" Acts 16:25-30.

Part of our testimony could be our joyful song at the right time to disarm those around us.  

While we may not see it, we often make a difference when we least expect it.  

In good times and not so good times it's often a song that can turn the tide in how we find success in our walk with Jesus. 

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