No Not Anything

No Not Anything 

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. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-39.

Oh the things that seem to be "bad timing" that stuff of "why did that have to happen now?" is not outside of God's plans or His grace and mercy. 

My Dear Reader read on again what the Apostle Paul wrote. 

"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, ” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10.

We who are in Christ are GOING to face both the big and small things in life that will be beyond our understanding as to why or why now. We won't understand until we get to the other side of this life and only when Jesus explains it to us.

That bad cold you had? Yes you missed work. Yes you used up some PTO time. Yes you felt miserable going through it.

But you don't see or know why God allowed it. I can't see why he's allowed me to go through this. I have a doctors appointment on Monday about something else and going into it will be cutting it close because of this.

But my Dear Reader...God allowed it.

He will still cause even this to work together for good for me because He loves me. 

When the car breaks down, when we're facing something that delays us, whatever it is He has His reasons because He is in control and He is the all-wise, all-powerful, all-knowing One. Not you or I.

We shouldn't gripe at Him for allowing us facing adversity. All adversity is unpleasant in the moment but it always intended to bear the fruit of righteousness that God desires for us. Our adversity is there to cause us to learn to grow in Christ. Our adversity is NOT there because God is punishing us for something.  

Scripture says that there is, therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

So get THAT thought out of your mind. 

Continue in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

Even in your adversity. 

As Dr. Stanley said, adversity will last only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish what He's doing in our lives. Not one second more. 

Ask yourself if God's teaching you something in this to show you what it is so that you can glorify Him in it.

So nothing is separating you from His love because you're possibly miserable in your circumstances. 

Just as yourself what He wants you to get out of it and then write it down to remember it for the next time. 

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 

Fighting Within the Body of Christ

Fighting Within the Body of Christ 

by David Brenneman 

Many do not realize how much it affects the body of Christ when professed Believer's attack other Believer's. In fact the Scriptures warn us against such frivolous acts.

While no Believer in Jesus Christ is going to get everything about his or her life right, we are repeatedly forewarned to not go there. 

For beginners, for starters, this brings shame to the Name of Jesus.

We are told how to treat others within the Church. Of how Husbands are supposed to love their Wives as Christ loved the Church. We are told what to do if you're thinking of going up against another in Christ.

We are taught to prefer one another above ourselves. 

What I can tell you with all certainty is that the one whom you attack will be defended by Christ Himself. 

We do not know where others are in their walk with Jesus. 

We don't know what's been happening in their lives.  

We don't have all the details. 

We display arrogant presumption by choosing to attack rather than to back up and seek understanding. 

I also can provide a litany of evidence to support what happens when someone attacks another child of God. It never ends well. 

Instead of attacking try understanding. 

Instead of berating try empathy. 

Instead of whatever it is you're doing try taking the road that Christ wants you to take.

I know of several people who are wrongfully attacking other Believer's. They are presumed guilty before they ever have the facts. To be honest they would actually find more compassion in a court of law. 

What happens when Believer's attack other Believer's? Satan wins.

The body of Christ suffers.

Nobody knows the hearts of all involved except the Lord Jesus Christ.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.”

Matthew 18:15.

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” Matthew 5:23-24.

“Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4.

“Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.” 1 Corinthians 6:7-8.

“Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22.

To the extent that grace, the unmerited undeserved favor of God rests upon us...so extend to others, especially to those of the household of God. 

I too know what it's like to be completely misunderstood in a leadership position. My demeanor had to change with the demands of my position. It cost me several friends. To this day they won't forgive me. Yet I did nothing wrong but to follow the Word of God in the workplace. Let all that you do be done as unto the Lord.

Lastly how do you think it will fare for any who are Believer's who have caused dissension within the body of Christ when they stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives before Him?

How will any defend themselves while facing the Truth?

Be careful of the battles you choose to fight. You're either on God's side or you're on Satan's side. You are either furthering the Kingdom of God or you are hurting it.

When we pray Jesus said in no uncertain terms that we MUST forgive or we won't be forgiven.

My prayer concerning this subject is that those who read it would be sure they aren't attacking the body of Christ...the very thing that Satan is eager to do. 

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 

Don't Know Why

Don't Know Why

by David Brenneman 

When you don't know why...press on anyway towards the upward call of God in Christ Jesus for you.   

Right now, medically, I have no explanation for what I am going through. Swelling of my right leg, a little to my left. A nasty cold or whatever this is on top of that.  

Yet in this, God's timing is always perfect.  

There may indeed be some spiritual battle that I am not aware of or it just may be for me to go through for no other reason than because God says so. 

We will go through things with no understanding as to why. Look at the prophets in the Old Testament. 

Many went through things that defy explanations other than it was the will of God for them.

You too may be going through a rough patch or two. The important thing is to still bring everything to God in prayer.  

When looking at our individual faith history we will see these rough periods and will remember how the Lord saw us through them.

At no point are we going through anything alone. Always remember that. 

There's times when we go through things at what appears to be bad timing yet there's no such thing in the Lord. 

Pray on, Pray Over, Pray Through. 

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 Danger of Our Own Standards

The Danger of Our Own Standards
by David Brenneman

When reading through the Old Testament, then seeing what's found in the New Testament...you can see lessons from the past and how they relate to the present.

Throughout the Old Testament we see what happens when people do whatever is right in their own eyes.  Even many of the righteous ones fell now and again to not ask the Lord about their plans before doing them.

In the New Testament we read in depth of the necessity of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 

Simply put there's too much evidence that demands the verdict of not trusting ourselves when it comes to what's going to honor God in our lives and what shouldn't be there.  What's safe and what is not. 

A for certain lie of both Satan and our sin nature is that we don't need to pray about this or that. That we can handle it, no need to bother God with it.  It's not THAT important to pray and wait for an answer.

Then we read of how little it took to alter the course of the children of Israel.  Many many dying in the wilderness not being permitted into the Promised Land.

We do it ourselves every single day.
We make decisions, commitments even, without a single consideration as to whether or not it will impact the world around us or us in the long-term.

We embrace this or that and it feels oh so good, how could it be bad for me?

Quite often all it takes to start a landslide is a pebble at the right time and place.

God wants me to enjoy this life doesn't He?  Yes.  However, we need to be sure He's the one we keep our thoughts concerning. 

We do have kingdom work to be accomplishing.

The duration of which is our lifetime. 

Will we sabotage our walk with Jesus by entertaining what we think isn't that bad?

Will what we listen to feed the heart in such a way that we're living lives approved by God?

Jesus said to be careful how you listen.

We read of how our thoughts and intentions will be weighed.

With respect to this...what manner of man or woman of God ought we to be?

Are we really questioning what is trying to get a piece of our hearts and minds?

I know through personal experience how trying to fit in with other's, even other Christians, actually brought out some of my worst behavior and speech.

I know through personal experience how delving into things that I shouldn't have seriously hurt my walk with Jesus.  I was surrounded in darkness and it was on me faster than I thought possible.

Taking every thought captive.
Standing firm in the Lord.
Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.
Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Are you really honoring what Jesus did on the cross to save you by what you are allowing in your life?  Whether or not you think you enjoy it...will you still embrace it if it's not conducive to a Spirit filled life in Christ?

You have to decide who is going to come first. You or Jesus.

You have to consider your choices more carefully.  You are either going to honor God or honor self.  You'll either send your sin nature into the corner of you or allow it to run rampant.  Either Jesus will be seen by others in your life or they will only see you.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14.

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

Holy Calling, Holy Service

Holy Calling, Holy Service 

by David Brenneman 

As I was wrapping up my reading of the Gospel accounts and began into the book of Acts...one of Dr. Charles Stanley's comments was really interesting. The Disciples, now Apostles-sent ones, were each doing as lead by the Spirit. Even to the point made by Jesus to Peter after he was restored by Jesus, "What's that to you? You follow Me!"

We really do often struggle with the "next" in our lives as we progress in our time on this Earth. In school we look forward to being out of it. Some look to further schooling, some to careers, some to family businesses, some to military life. The world then shuffles most everyone towards an idea of retirement.  

Yet, in the Bible, the only retirement program is when either Christ returns or we pass on from this life to the next. In the chapter I was reading in Acts, when the Apostles decided to appoint 7 men to oversee the distribution of things to the Church the comment that Dr. Stanley made was to the effect: do what the Lord has invited you to be doing. Don't get into what you were not invited by Him to participate in. 

I was then considering the lives of the Apostles from the Gospels as well as what history records of how their lives ended. By no means did they ever consider leaving that which they were appointed by the Spirit to be doing in service to the Lord. 

I have known quite a few very Godly Men in my lifetime. These men exemplify what I am talking about this morning. To keep on doing what it is you were called to be doing until God says otherwise. Our retirement program is only in Heaven. Jesus only sat down at the right hand of the Father when His work was done. The Apostles did not cease from their calling in Christ until they breathed their last. 

The body of Christ, the Church, is to keep on keeping on in whatever capacity, activities, that the Spirit sees fit to assign to each member until or unless He alters that plan. 

Is it those in the Church who sabotage the progress of the Lord within and without of the Church by pursuing their own desires of worldly retirement by ceasing on their own from what they were called to be doing? I do not know.  

I only can go by what we can establish within the Scriptures.  

It took decades to see the beginning of what this ministry that God called me to be doing with this blog. To write whatever He gives me to write when He wants it shared. I see the pattern of the lives of the Apostles...and believe that the only way this ministry for me will end will be when Jesus returns.  

An example that I hold up as a profound encouragement is that of my Spiritual Dad. Mike Wingfield writes and distributes Prophecy Today Newsletter through Prophecy Today Ministries, www.ptnews.org. 

Mike began as a Pastor and after leading at various churches felt that the Spirit was going to redirect his service to the Lord. Which is when the Newsletter was born. He's been completely faithful in keeping his assignment. He too plans on continuing until the Lord Jesus Christ returns or he is called home.  

Other strong examples are Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor John MacArthur, Dr. John C. Whitcomb, Dr. James Boyer, Dr. Herman Hoyt, who all continued in their calling until called home to be with Jesus. Dr. David Jeremiah continues in his calling. Pastor Alistair Begg continues to write and speak even though stepping down as Lead Pastor. 

Our examples in the Lord show us to keep on giving our best as unto the Lord until or unless He says otherwise.  

My personal point of view is seen throughout this post. I will have plenty of time to rest when I rest in the Lord after leaving this world. 

For you, my Dear Reader, you need to do as the Apostle wrote.  

“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.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB1995

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 

David's Prayer For Deliverance and Guidance

David's Prayer For Deliverance and Guidance 

by David Brenneman 

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness! And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah. Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.” Psalms 143:1-12.

The more you read of God's Word the more and more often you ought to begin to see things that you can claim as your own. Things that you relate to. Things that you desire for yourself. 

There's much to unpack in these short 12 verses. To go verse by verse would take too long for a post, maybe not for a sermon but certainly for a post. 

King David's prayers are yet another reason why he was considered to be a man after God's own heart. 

It that a desire for you? To be a man or woman after God's own heart? Are you of those who only act Christian-like in certain circumstances or is it your life?

We either represent Jesus Christ or we're representing ourselves. 

We either make it our ambition to glorify God or to glorify ourselves. 

We are either all-in in following Jesus or we're not and fall among the lukewarm Christians Jesus says He will spit out of His mouth. 

How are you doing with this in your life? Read David's prayer again. 

How personal are your prayers to Jesus? How much of your heart have you truly exposed to God?

Many in the world want "their" "me-time" even from God. They run off on a vacation and leave even Jesus behind. They leave behind their Bible and the things they do with Jesus until they get home as if He were optional. 

How much of your life would be part of your life if you truly desired to be a man or woman after God's own heart?

Would you be involved with this thing or that thing if you truly realized how it's affecting your walk with Jesus? Not how you've convinced yourself that it isn't, but rather how Jesus sees it. 

We convince ourselves by our own standards of measurement what is right and good for our lives without ever seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness to find out what God thinks or says about it. 

We rate additions to our lives based on our flawed sinful nature. Not by God's Word. 

Think in these things and pray as David prayed...for God's deliverance and guidance today. 

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 

Personal

Personal 

by David Brenneman 

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Psalms 139:1-24 NASB1995

How personal do you take your walk with Jesus?

Is His presence in your life your first thought or somewhere down a list of people?

I read this passage this morning and began piecing together what we know of the Disciple's lives.  

They were considered uneducated. 

They were of various backgrounds as far as employment goes. 

They were a mix of single and married. 

They were from what was considered the 'just getting by' crowd to those who were from families that had money due to their family business.

In other words they were made up of people not too dissimilar to people in the Church today. 

People like you and I. 

There's meme's out there of the Disciples trying to get away for a day from being with Jesus that are and yet are not funny.  

The truth is they never accepted the idea of being anywhere else. 

Reread the passage from today. 

How personal was David's thoughts of his relationship with his Lord and his God!

Do you really put things above your times with Jesus? Do you put things above your time with Jesus?

A great snare of the devil is how to get us to waste our time, our energy, our lives rather than counting the cost and living appropriately in the Lord. 

I have perhaps 6 dozen movies yet really can no longer see a value in watching any again. I can't see a value in watching any new movies that don't have a solid Christian theme. I find no value in sports due to what it brings out in me which is nothing good. I find no value in berating people, belittling people, raging at people over a stupid game...and thereby ruining my testimony in Christ before others.  

The Disciples were living a life that exemplified being with Jesus. Single or married they lived a life that was to have what Jesus said and taught as their highest priority.

Consider how deeply David felt a little such thoughts. 

“I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil.”

Psalms 101:2-4 NASB1995

He set a standard and would not be moved. 

The bar that I personally have set it seems the Lord, thankfully, adjusts in my life to make me more like Christ.  

It was a personal choice to remove televisions from our home. That was one worthless thing. We still do have other things that we're more controlling of to try to curtail that are just as worthless.

It was a personal choice to no longer read science fiction novels for me. This was replaced with more time in God's Word. Something of eternal value.  

We do more damage to our testimony and our life in Christ by holding onto whatever He says isn't beneficial to growing in Christ.

We lose out on the righteous life that God desires for us to be doing when we control rather than the Spirit controlling whatever is in our hearts and minds. 

We cannot know what the Lord's plans are for us until our obedience is complete.

So my Dear Reader...just how personal is your walk with Jesus?

What are you keeping in your life that has no business being in your life for it serves no purpose in the Lord?

If you find yourself convincing or trying to convince yourself of what you deserve to have in your life...you're in trouble. 

If you have reached what the world refers to as retirement and have given up on serving the Lord as you once did...you're in trouble. 

All the Apostles gave their all until the day the Lord called them home. 

Jesus, the epitome of the standard, gave His life in the fulfillment of the Father’s plan for Him. 

Jesus would not let anyone or anything deter Him from His Father’s plan for Him. 

Are you going to follow in their footsteps?

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