When You Pray, When You Are Under Fire

When You Pray, When You Are Under Fire
by David Brenneman

"But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.  I was crying to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about.  Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.  Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah." Psalms 3:3-8.

The truth of life for all Believer's is that you're going to go through many types of trials and tribulations in order to enter into the rest that's available only in Heaven.  Acts 14:22.

We shouldn't be surprised as we read that it says:  "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." 1 Peter 4:12-13.

Keeping these things in mind:
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.

And then:

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.  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.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:5-17.

We CAN, through Christ who strengthens us, combat what the world and Satan's schemes drum up against us.  We most certainly should keep in mind we will NOT be immune to trials and the tribulations that are SUPPOSED to come upon us for our need is great to become purified in Christ to become more like Christ. 

We are, likely, hardly scratching the surface of our need for sanctification in Christ.  We are all different and on differing levels of growth in Christ.  We ought to be making it our goal in life to set our goals as being what Jesus wants for us rather than anything that anyone says otherwise.

So keep in mind you SHOULD be going through various trials and tribulations.  If you aren't, most certainly ask Jesus about it since His Word says that is the path we take to Heaven and His presence.

It's also how we are in Christ before others that shows them just what a victorious life in Christ looks like.

Temptations come to everyone, both the saved and the unsaved alike.  How we deal with them as followers of Jesus Christ shows where our hearts are.

What Paul wrote of in Ephesians 6 about the whole armor of God wasn't an optional suggestion meant only for 'front line' people in serving God.  Newsflash: EVERYONE who is saved in Christ Jesus IS on the front lines in spiritual warfare.  That whole armor of God is for everyone to be in at all times. 

Many in this world who are Christians, whether new or long-time, as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ are surprised when various things happen to them. 

While we live, we should expect them. As my Saturday Morning Men's Group leader is fond of reminding us: God has no problems, only situations.

You too WILL and SHOULD have situations in your life.  They're meant to grow you with respect to your salvation.  You face what YOU do when you do because WHAT you face the Lord’s prepared for you because in this here this now you're ready for it.  You may not think so, you may question it extensively, but you're ready for what He's allowed you to experience. 

Remember, my fellow Believers, everything we face in life has to be approved by our Savior and Lord before it gets to us.  We are in His hands. 

It's incredibly difficult at times to remember that.  In the moment we forget a lot of things. 

Just hold onto the truths of the promises of God in Christ Jesus.

There's no way that you can review your life and find a single instance of Jesus ever failing you by not keeping His promises to you.

When we pray, be thankful for what you are going through in your life.  Let it draw you closer to Jesus.  Remember He's allowing what you're experiencing to give you the opportunity to love Him even more.  Never to push you away.

And it's perfectly alright if none of what you are going through makes any sense at all. 

A very absolute truth is if God leads you to it, He will see you through it.

The Lord lead the children of Israel through all that Pharaoh did to them in His judgments.  He didn't lead them to the Red Sea to abandon them to die.  He split the sea and lead them through on dry ground.  Not even damp ground.  Not soggy ground.  Dry ground.  To the last detail they were cared for in their salvation from Pharaoh.

We will not be abandoned in whatever we go through in life by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Be sure to thank Him when next you pray!

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

Your Calling, Your Story

Your Calling, Your Story 

by David Brenneman 

Ezekiel 33:7 "Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me." 

“Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life." Ezekiel 33:7-9.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.

"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20.

"But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:11.

The anniversary of starting this blog is coming up soon. My mind is blown as to how far reaching it has gone out into the world. Never in my life had I thought myself capable of such a feat...and I am partially right. This feat wasn't by my hand nor by my ability. This was possible only through the Spirit of God.  

"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

My Dear Reader...whether you see yourself as big or small...influential or insignificant...you matter to the body of Christ in this here this now in human history. 

The Spirit HAS placed YOU in the body of Christ just as He saw fit to place you.  

I had to learn the hard way in order to actually get TO that lesson in my life. I had a clue as to what was coming in my life and attempted to make it come about in my strength by my wisdom and through my efforts...and it cost me nearly my life. 

You too may think you know what you're to be doing in the body of Christ. Be sure of it. Pray on it. Ask God to clarify things...and above all...proceed at the pace He wants you to proceed at. Don't assume or presume to know your next steps. 

A Scribe on the Wall the name has many separate meanings that come together to explain it.

A scribe was a writer for others. 

On means to up higher. 

the wall means where.

Those as described in Ezekiel as watchman on the wall were given a specific set of responsibilities. What I was told by the Spirit was that I would be given things to write and it was on me to write them. In this I have been obedient to do. I am blown away most of the time as to what it is that God's wanting me to write. It starts when it does and it ends when He says so...when there is no more to write for that moment it ends. 

But I wasn't always ready for this. I certainly was excited at the prospect in the late 1980's. But I wasn't really ready to begin it although I attempted to anyway and thought I could go into some let us say unhealthy areas online with the thought that I could reach people for Christ. Satan's minions saw this and exploited everything they could that God permitted to happen to me. I look back on the absolutely abhorrent choices that I made in those years and it was a miracle that I survived. 

You my Dear Reader might have had something similar happen with you. You might have interpreted your calling and got out ahead of God and were just as soundly defeated. Turn back and get right with God in acknowledging your waywardness and confess the sins of your actions.  

Everyone in Christ who is indeed saved HAS a divinely appointed purpose in the body of Christ. There are NO exceptions to this.

There are none with nothing to do in the body of Christ. If you're saved in Christ Jesus then Jesus Christ has a Spirit lead plan for you to be doing.  

Mine arrived about 7 years ago. Over 2,700 posts later He still is using me for this purpose.  

If you are claiming the Name above all names as your personal Lord and Savior then there's no such thing as you having nothing to do in Christ. 

Asking, Seeking and Knocking that Jesus said about praying...do that for yourself in learning what you too SHOULD be doing for Him. 

Jesus said its the doers of the word who are being obedient to Him. 

Scripture says that you have something to be doing in Christ. 

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

My journey is still ongoing in this ministry. Yours might be more in person in your local Church. Yours might be as a solid prayer warrior.  

Nobody wants to hear these words from Jesus when they stand before Him "Why didn't you do what I gave you to be doing?".

My Dear Reader you are never going to be alone in your doing what He has for you to be doing for Him.  

Just do not presume or assume you know. I do not know if there's more for to be doing here in my local Church or not. That much hasn't been made clear yet. Not everyone has big profound responsibilities in the body of Christ. Paul wrote about that in his letter to the Corinthian church. No matter how big or how small you perceive your part in the body of Christ...do it with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Yes that's the same as the verse where Jesus said how we're to love God. 

Don't let your fears of what He might want you to be doing hinder your own obedience to God. 

Your being afraid isn't going to be an acceptable excuse when you stand before Jesus...

especially if you consider all He did to save you. 

Jesus faced everything we would fear on His way to the cross to save us.

Whether my writing steps on toes or is an unexpected encouragement beyond my expectations...I am to write as He says, how He says, and because He says.

My proofs that this is right for me is that He's never missed a single day to give me my assignment. He is in charge of global distribution. While I pay to have a website address He brings people from all over the world to find it. I don't get discouraged by the lack of comments. When I see it's been seen over 1.7 million times in over 130 places in the world...His success rate is phenomenal.

We would do well to see success from God's perspective rather than the extremely flawed view the world has on the subject. 

Look to the Spirit...ask Him what it is for YOU to be doing and then give it your all in Christ...at the pace He wants you to go at. Pray on, pray over and pray through whatever He has for YOU to be doing. 

You were born at exactly the time in human history to achieve His purpose for you in reaching the lost in the world and to grow with respect to your salvation.  

Make sure your response to whatever He's wanting you to be doing for the Kingdom of God is always "yes Lord!".

And you're going to love what it is He will have for you to be doing. 

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 

Our Eyes Our Hearts, Our Lives

Our Eyes, Our Hearts, Our Lives 

by David Brenneman 

Where do you seek Godly motivation from? Do you seek any at all?  

We're not still here after coming to Christ just to do whatever we want that we deem 'good' to be doing. As in just not doing what the Bible says we shouldn't. We're to be the voice, the hands, the feet of Jesus to this world we find ourselves in.

Our mission that we've been given is to live a life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

I've been very blessed in the last 9 plus months and then some through God's provision for our needs both with food and money for bills. None of that would have been possible if obeying the Word of God wasn't happening. If listening to the Spirit wasn't happening. Even now, as I await the next steps in the physical world, my thoughts are towards praying in advance for those whom I will be working with. Praying ahead as it were.  

Do you pray for those whom you might come across in your day? Hate to break it to everyone, everywhere, but EVERYONE you meet is in YOUR mission field. You were put where you are for God's glory. Your co-workers are not some separate group of people that you just put up with for 8 or more hours a day. Those people you see on the way to work or the way home, maybe at your lunch time, are there for a reason.  

When we consider a few things today maybe it will spur you on towards love and good deeds as Paul wrote we should do.

Consider that ALL the churches written to and that have existed since the New Testament was written anticipated the return of Jesus Christ.  

Do you? Do you live TODAY with the anticipation that TODAY could be the day that Jesus stands and calls out as the Scriptures say He will in order to usher in the Wedding Supper of the Lamb with His bride the Church?

Do you live today as though what God would have you do...no matter if it's cleaning restrooms to just driving or walking...as if you were doing it for Jesus?

Scriptures says that in whatever we do, do it as unto the Lord.  

Are your personal wants and desires secondary to the will of God in you?  

The word of God is active and sharper than any two-edged sword, able to go places in our lives and the lives of others that NO other book can do. But is it?  

When you pray, are you just saying words, or do you put your heart into your prayers?  

Are there feelings attached to your prayers that reach to the innermost part of your being?

Do you BELIEVE that God will keep His word to you?

Today's post is more or less one of reflection to be sure that we're walking with Jesus and not sitting on the sidelines. There are no bench warmers in God's economy.

There are none who will succeed in God's eyes who are not living as they ought to in Christ.

Success in God's eyes is nothing like what the world calls success. What the world calls success is what Satan calls success. Keep that in mind.  

Are you intentional in the mornings to be starting your day off with prayer and time in God's Word? If not why not? Isn't it important enough to you to begin your day with your Savior and hearing from Him?

Are you intentional about doing your best as unto the Lord as is mentioned in at least Colossians 3:23-24?

Are you intentional about time in the Word near the end of your day? Or are you more involved in anything but that as your day winds down?

We can and do so many things that stunt our growth in Christ.  

We also do not make the most of our days even knowing that which the Bible says "for the days are evil".

We do not give our best as unto the Lord because what we're doing isn't our best even for our worldly masters.

How will we stand before Jesus awaiting the reward He's prepared to give us for what we've done in the body for Him....if there's nothing for Him to give us because we did NOT live for Him?

Think about what you're doing and your why's for doing it. Think about how Jesus views your life right now.

Would He commend you on how well you are doing in living for Him or would there be an entirely different conversation?

Are you seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness?

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

Consider it well that while you probably do have great things on your mind, situations that are beyond you, going on in your life. You must still strive to please Him in all that you do. God is not a rewarder of iniquity. God will not bless while we disobey.  

Turn my eyes upon Jesus. 

Let me look full in His wonderful face. 

So that the things of Earth will grow strangely dim.

In the light of His glory and grace. 

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

Listening and Circumstances

Listening and Circumstances 

by David Brenneman 

How well we listen when being spoken to directly impacts our circumstances.  

If we are claiming the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus Christ, as our personal Lord and Savior, listening first before speaking, or doing, ought to become our highest priority. 

We must start with listening in order to begin trusting. The statement "actions speak louder than words" is in error to the Word of God. 

"This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:19-22.

We might also be remembering that very valuable statement "you were given two ears and one mouth to listen twice as much as you speak".

To go further, those who listened to Jesus were those who's eyes were opened, even if for a little while. 

Those whom trusted in Jesus began by hearing Jesus speak. 

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17.

Much is right there in the Scriptures on the high value of listening and its impact on circumstances. 

The children of Israel in the wilderness...look at the cause and effect of their listening and their circumstances. Laying claim to listening then a short while later are flagrantly disobeying the Lord. 

Look at Chapter 11 of Hebrews. Those who listened and believed also trusted with all their hearts and were richly rewarded in Christ both then and what was to come.

Listening certainly implies shutting up. Our simple brains cannot accurately input and output at the same time.  

If we truly live out "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" as Proverbs 3:5-6 say...then it begins with listening...then the circumstances are adjusted accordingly by God.  

When we start letting our words get in the way of God talking to us then we WILL miss the things He is saying to us. 

Our words have an eternal weight, did you know that?  

Part of that account we will give before Jesus is not just our actions done for Him but the words we spoke. Of how we listened and obeyed. All that we did that wasn't in obedience to Jesus and our reason for being in this world--which is to point people to Jesus--will be burned up. Laid waste...and accompanied by profound embarrassment in all likelihood. 

Would you speak as you do, even listen as you do, if Jesus were physically right there with you?  

Life Principle 18 says: as Children of a sovereign God, we are not victims of our circumstances.

We aren't victims of the situations we find ourselves in but we can be in error and contribute to ill circumstances by not listening and doing accordingly. 

You don't pay attention and a Police Officer is monitoring, you'll likely get a ticket. You stay aware of your surroundings and you obey the speed limit and you avoid such things. 

A very large part of the passage from Proverbs where it says to bring up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it BEGINS with their listening to instruction. 

You learn from the Spirit by listening to instruction. 

You learn to have a fruitful relationship by listening. 

You, in these examples and still others, directly impact your circumstances by listening. 

So listen first and if you must then speak.  

"The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Proverbs 13:3.

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.

Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness begins with listening. 

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

What Do We Worry For?

What Do We Worry For?

by David Brenneman 

"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 8:31-39.

We can and do at some point worry about the past, the present or the future. We just immediately go into the denial portion of justification on whatever level makes us feel better. 

Throughout the Bible we have a plethora of examples from Genesis onward to pretty much the other end of the Bible.  

Leaders, Prophets, Priests, Kings, average people, example after example is there.  

We're lousy with dealing with things we know not the full extent of. 

We who are in Christ are not just on a journey of learning to be like Christ, we're learning to trust wholeheartedly in what it is that God, through His Spirit, puts before us.

We hate that missing puzzle piece that we can't find. 

We hate that little bit that often makes no sense that we get wrapped around the axle trying to figure out. 

We hate when a doubt arises that clouds our judgment. 

We hate when we're at a loss as to how to proceed. 

Are you seeing "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 perhaps differently in light of this discussion this morning?

Our own understanding us finite, limited, restricted, hemmed in, filled with unknowns.  

To some it causes outright panic, to others, they metaphorically put their heads in the sand to avoid the potential coming complications. 

We need to remember the word of God in these moments.  

We are His workmanship. Stop right here for a minute. What does that mean? It means He who began a good work in you will see it to completion, whether or not we understand or not. He's responsible for His work. We're to do our best and leave the consequences to Him. 

Created in Christ Jesus for good works. He has works for you and I to do. We may not understand the why's behind them but the onus is on us to obey to the best of our ability. 

Read the rest of the verse. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.

God already knew everything that you were going to experience in your life long before you discovered any part of it to be real. 

We need to remember that more often. That in each and every single event in our lives, God was NEVER surprised by what's transpired or is transpiring right now. 

We also must realize that the promises of God in Christ are not going to eliminate the trials and tribulations of our lives...they will get us THROUGH those things or AROUND those things.  

Worry is a prayer that goes nowhere but from ourselves to ourselves. 

A prayer, which is what ought to be our first reaction to trials and tribulations, is our conveying to God our dependence upon Him to do as He promised in our lives.  

Jesus exemplified His dependence upon His Father throughout all His years on this Earth. 

He knew that when His Father initiated something that His Father’s plans would bear themselves out and Jesus just needed to trust and obey. 

Worry was perhaps the greatest temptation of the last 9 months for me. As of yesterday I was given a verbal confirmation that I am now gainfully employed. Worry tried to creep into my thinking. I thank God that the Spirit wouldn't let it persist. 

You too my Dear Reader have a choice to either allow worry or allow prayer to be what moves you forward in persistence or anchor you to the ground in despair.  

We're not promised any semblance of understanding of the who, what, when, where or why's of our life experiences.

We ARE promised to never go through any of those things alone when we are following Jesus.

Satan's schemes involve isolation. They involve trying to get you and I to believe we're unlikely to receive anything from God because of our past or present.  

God keeps His promises not on our merits but on the truth of His character in Christ. He imparted His righteousness to us when we came to Christ for salvation.

Pray on, pray over, pray through life.

Everyone who waits upon the Lord will not be disappointed.  

Psalm 23 is rich with what everyone goes through after coming to Christ for salvation.  

You must choose to trust and obey. You are going to face that challenge every moment of your day.  

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. This too is the answer to worry.

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 

His Story is to be Our Story

His Story is to be Our Story 

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.

-Fanny Crosby 1880. "Tell Me the Story of Jesus".

Something that we were told in yesterday's sermon certainly was illuminating to me. It's not really as difficult and as complicated to tell others about Jesus. Just relate what He's done and is doing in your life and why you believe that it's Jesus doing these things in you and for you. It doesn't matter, such as is my case, that you don't remember what a life was like before you came to Christ for salvation. Be sure OF that day and just share how the truths of Jesus has shaped your life ever since.

We all can tell a story of Jesus that's been getting written on our hearts as we go through this life we were given to live.

We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10. We CAN and SHOULD see the hallmarks of His work in our lives if we're believing that we were saved by Him.  

Jesus met us at the point of our need when He came at that particular moment in time. He's never left us for a single nanosecond or less. He's started a good work in us and will continue it until either He calls us home or we see the Rapture of the Church. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

Telling of what has and is happening in your life that you attribute to the work of the Spirit is telling the story of Jesus.

Your story will be different from mine but that by no means will make it any less significant. Your story or mine won't be the same as Dr. David Jeremiah or Billy Graham or even Dr. Charles Stanley. That's ok too.   

There's no formula or format that's the ideal when it comes to a personal testimony of the work of God in Christ Jesus in our lives. 

Paul covers this in a letter to the Corinthian church. We are all different parts of the body of Christ. Each one is to do and be as they were called in Christ to be.  

Every single story of every single life in Christ is wonderfully precious in the sight of God. 

There are no insignificant stories of Jesus or of any child of God. 

Oh Satan and his minions would LOVE to have you believe that there's no value to you sharing your life with Jesus to others. That's what he's tried to do for several thousand years. Getting Believers to shut up about their life in Christ.

Your life in Christ may or may not 'sound' like what we think is good and acceptable. In Jesus's eyes your conversion story is absolutely worthwhile and a joy to His heart.

So write about your life in Christ. My book is my at length story of Jesus in my life. It's the truth of what Jesus has been doing in me ever since that bright sunny Sunday after the church service when I was in the Pastors office meeting with the Elders and the Deacons.  

Jesus began a good work in me and He will keep at it until either I am called home or the Rapture of the Church happens. 

Our past, our now, our future is wrapped up in this truth: "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." Romans 8:28-30.

Don't put your story down or deride it in any way. Your story is most precious in the eyes of your personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we want the story of Jesus we want to hear everything. We are part of that everything in Christ. 

Write it out, talk it out, the story of Jesus written in our hearts as we become more like Christ.

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 

Each of Us is Special in His Eyes, Loved as We Are

Each of Us is Special in His Eyes, Loved as We Are 

by David Brenneman 

"The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" Exodus 4:11.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5.

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

"As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:1-3.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.

My life might be personified in these passages by way of defining what my life has been and quite literally what it was defined to be. A life in Christ because of Christ and for Christ. Unique in its inception throughout its days and culminating in that day that I stand before Jesus to give an account of my life before Him.  

I was born with both visible and invisible birth defects. No one, not my parentage, not my genes, not anything of this world is at fault for the conditions under which I find myself living.  

The Scriptures that we shared this morning I likely will use at some of the opening portions of my book..

because they're about me.  

They might just be about you too.

How you are, why you are is wrapped up in the life you were given to live in this here this now in human history for Jesus's plan and purpose to reach the lost among you in a way that you, my Dear Reader, were uniquely made for.

You weren't made in any way, shape, or form, a mistake. 

You are beloved of God in Christ Jesus. He loved you so much, loves you so much, that He came and lived a sinless life then after being cruelly mistreated died on a cross to rise again 3 days later to grant you eternal life in His Name. 

Not a day has gone by that you have ever been forgotten by Jesus. 

The same wonderful Scriptures say that our names are written on the palms of His hands. The very thoughts of us are ever before Him. 

Perhaps, and I know that I was lead to bring this up before now and must say it again, the worst thing taught in schools is our comparison of ourselves to others.  

It should never cross our minds to compare ourselves to others in Christ. We and they are at different places in our growth in Christ. We have differing gifts as the Spirit saw fit to bestow upon us. We are at different places in our walk with Jesus. We are to support and uplift each other in Christ...but we are not all the same in Christ. 

You are not defective. 

You are not defined by the world. 

You are not the sum of your past mistakes. 

Just because you aren't like others that in no way diminishes your life in the eyes of your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

The truth is Satan's schemes include berating, belittling, harassing, and in every other way, your value in your eyes. 

Read that last sentence again. 

Your value in your eyes. As long as we allow him to get us to devalue ourselves we won't try to accomplish that which is ours to do in Christ Jesus. There's your reason as to why others and perhaps your views of you are what they are. 

Speak truth to all that is against what the Bible says you are in Christ. I went through DECADES of being immersed in Satan's negative attacks upon my heart and mind to the point that in 1999 he tried to push me to the brink of committing suicide. But in that moment, my Savior Jesus Christ, said enough was enough and reached down and pulled me out of that abyss. He showed me that my ways weren't working and that my life had to be unconditionally His...not just part of me. 

When He set me back on solid ground He healed me of the wounds that were inflicted upon me. He did it. I regret nothing of turning my whole life over to Jesus. He's been my assurance that I am loved by Him. My Dear Reader He wants to do the same in you.

We lose nothing that wasn't worth losing by coming wholeheartedly to Jesus to be His. I don't miss anything that His Spirit had lead me to give up. His grace and mercy every day are a wonderful sight to see and experience.  

Throughout these unemployed months He's kept me from the fears that grip most during such a storm. He is in full control of this storm. He takes away my fears and has replaced them with a peace that passes all understanding. Just as He said He would. 

You have nothing to condemn yourself in the way you were born. Many a vibrant Christian person have physical affirmaties that live fully vibrant lives in Christ unlike any others.  

I am half blind in one eye. Need glasses to compensate as well as to correct the vision I do have. I am not without joint pains now and again. I have unique food allergies. I have a metabolism that isn't normal. Yet I am exactly who Jesus made me to be to accomplish His work for me in this point in human history for His plan and purpose.  

My hope and prayer is that you too might see that you are loved in Christ in a way that surpasses your understanding. We will spend eternity and never fully grasp how much Jesus loves us. 

Don't look down on your condition. 

Ask Jesus to still use you as He desires and give Him the glory great things He has done and will do in your life. 

Ask Him to use you and show the fruit of His love to you in the lives that you are here to touch. 

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