A Scribe on the Wall

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

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Eyes and Ears

by David Brenneman

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh." James 3:1-12.

“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light. So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Luke 8:16-18.

What you see...what you hear. Of all the sensory inputs you have these two, by far, are greater than your sense of smell and touch or taste.

These two are what will either condemn or gain the praise of God towards anyone.

We either lift up the Name of Jesus with the tongue or we can throw a bucket of mud upon it in an instant with a slip of the tongue.

We can either listen to what helps us to grow in Christ, strengthen our faith, or we listen to the world's idea of joy, and entertainment.

When we put all 3 of the main points of those 3 verse segments together...we see something more to how our lives are to be lead than maybe we hadn't seen or realized.

There's no 'off time' for a Believer in Christ. We are to be aware of our speech, love and conduct at all times. Many a parent has inadvertantly learned to perhaps their shock and horror that a slip of the tongue had written upon the child they were forgetful was in the car with them at the time and their inappropriate words came out of their child's mouth.

Jesus, the Spirit, and Paul through the Spirit...teach us to to be careful. Careful of what we say, what we think, and what we say.

We can easily grieve the Spirit because of our carelessness in our speech or in what we listen to.

We don't consider that in that day upon which we give an account of our lives before Jesus that all that we said or listened to will be the main points of that accounting.

What we did in the body for Jesus. What we didn't do in the body for Jesus that we were supposed to.

What we said in the body for Jesus.

What we didn't say when we were supposed to.

Being careful of what we listen to also reaches into who we listen from. Some may not agree with what was written a few days ago and on other days of men not being taught by women. That's straight from 1 Timothy 2. Which is why, Biblically speaking there are no women preachers. Elder/Pastor/Teacher is in the male in the original language. Never in the female tense or use.

Being careful of what we listen to goes on to what music we listen to. Not all supposed Christian music that's out there actually has a proper language to it for worshipping our Lord and Savior.

intentionally listening to music that does nothing to uplift others or to point people to Jesus...or even speak of things that are sinful...ought not to be done. In my own ignorance of my younger years on this I used to listen to quite a bit of music that 'felt good', had a good beat etc. With no reguard for what it was feeding my heart.

And there it is.

The Spirit resides in the hearts of Believers. What are we feeding it?

Are we feeding it a constant diet of useless things that by no means the Spirit will agree to? Are we feeding it supposed teachings from people who are not called of God to what they are doing but claim they are? Are we feeding our hearts junk that is absolutely going to be embarrassing later on when we stand before Jesus?

What we feed our hearts eventually comes out of our hearts. That's what Jesus made sure His Disciples understood. That what comes out of the heart defiles the man/woman. Not what we physically eat.

Some may think that I harbor a gripe/grudge against sports in general. I do not. I do not like wht it does to some people who claim to be Christians. They toss "let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth" aside when the game starts. There are no exceptions to any part of living for Jesus. There's no 'free pass' while the game goes on. While it's likely 'ok' to be a fan of a team, by no means does it give anyone claiming the Name of Jesus the right to berate, belittle, or verbally shred, anyone for any reason. These are still people that the Father sent forth His Son to die on a cross for. Period. As I used to hear some men in God call these people and all people, these are still the image bearers of God.

Are you careful of what you listen to? The Berean Church wouldn't even take the Apostles at their word. Jesus said you will know people by their fruits. You will know if you are following a true man of God by his fruit...that which comes out of his mouth....by what he does...and if he's open enough...what he too listens to.

In James it says that he who knows what he ought to do and does not do it...sins. He doesn't say they make a mistake. He doesn't say they just messed up. They sin.

When we join with the world we inevitably set our hearts against what God wants. We read that too in the Scriptures.

When I was young, and in school, with a precious few years as the exception, I was constantly the target of cruel words by my peers. It didn't seem to matter what I tried to do to fit in it just wasn't working. In retrospect it's possible it's because of coming to Christ. I had even at one point tried to do the 'if you can't beat them, join them' mentality. To be honest, after actually succeeding at that, I was royally disgusted with myself.

Look at your life, look at your pod cast library. Look at what you stream, what you sit and watch on YouTube or other social media means. Look at your web browser history. Look at the stations on your radio. Look at the books you choose to read and or listen to.

Are any of these pointing you to growing in Christ or are they keeping you from that goal?

Another thing...don't trust your judgement in this. Be honest enough to ask the Spirit about it.

It's entirely possible to be a fan of a sport without crossing the line to uttering unwholesome words.

It is not possible to live a life that does utter unwholesome words and say it doesn't affect you. It, according the the Bible DOES work towards hardening your heart. Desensitizing you to the will of God for you. Making you ineffective in the work of God meant for you.

To trust in the Lord with all your heart means feeding your heart the right things in order to be able to do that.

Take care of what you listen to.

Take greater care of what you say.

People are watching...and...we WILL give an account of our lives before Jesus. Perhaps that day is much closer than we realize.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, January 12, 2026

Living Not Just Living

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." Romans 8:28-30.

"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.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33.

Our priorities in life are often so mixed up. We may indeed have desires of our hearts to have or see fulfilled but as Christians, as children of God, part of the body of Christ, the Church, we have a life in Christ that's to be fulfilled first.

Our adversaries are all around us. While yes according to the Words of Jesus they have to get His permission to engage us in many ways, they're always gathering intelligence on every single Believer. What weaknesses to want to explore or expose.

The Spirit, the Helper, is ready and desiring to teach us all things towards our sanctification in Christ Jesus.

When we came to Christ it wasn't just to get a 'get out of Hell free' card.

It was to also get all that comes with it. A new life in Christ. A new spirit within us. To be an active participant in the body of Christ, the Church.

Those of our adversaries watching us will push the envelope whenever they can. Distractions abounding we really have to focus on our walk with Jesus.

We have no inate ability to just say "your will be done" in and of ourselves without the help of the Spirit of God.

Do you seek to become all that the Lord wants you to be in your life or are you treating the life in Christ as a AAA membership where you pull Him out of your wallet only when there's a need or to get use of a perk because of the membership?

There's a greater purpose to our lives than we can understand or imagine. It's not our getting out life what we want but getting out of life what He wants of us. We are at His disposal, not the other way around. We are to seek to be all we can be in Him rather than seeking our personal comfort and well-being.

Growing in Christ is to be our aspiration. Our primary goal. To live, to be, to become all that Jesus wants of us to be transformed into.

Our sanctification, our becoming more like Jesus isn't going to be a painless experience. We are sheep in training. Learning His voice. Learning obedience. Letting go of things that aren't beneficial and taking up things that are.

We have spiritual eyes that we are learning to see with. A spiritual armor to learn to be in.

We read the Bible but are we reading it? Have you asked of Him who saved you: What is your will for me today? Have you ever had an Isaiah moment where you tell the Lord: Here am I! Use me!.

Do you find yourself going through the day without ever thinking about what you're actually doing for Jesus? Or that He has something for you to do?

Are your thoughts always somewhere other than on your life in Christ?

What we want out of life is irrelevant compared to what our part of God's plan for us towards humanity should be.

It's why we ought to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.

It's why we should let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth.

It's why we should love our neighbors as ourselves.

It's why we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

It's why we are to be making it a habit and priority to seek to grow in Christ.

What kind of reception do you really want from Jesus when you stand before Him? A well done or a stern rebuke or reprimand.

Are you taking your life in Christ as seriously as Jesus did when He went to the cross for you?

We read in Romans at the beginning of this post that we are called according to His purpose. Have you prayed about what that is for you?

We read that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Do you seek to know what it is that you're to be doing for Him?

My life, your life, is not ours, we came to Christ we were no longer our own. We were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Living for Jesus a life that is true. Striving to please Him in all that I do. Yielding allegiance glad-hearted and free. This is the pathway of blessing for me. O Jesus Lord and Savior, I give myself to thee, For thou in thine atonement didst give thyself for me. I own no other Master, my heart shall be thy Throne, My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ to thee alone.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Trust in Christ Takes Us Down the Road

by David Brenneman

"Do not fear them, for the Lord your

God is the one fighting for you."

Deuteronomy 3:22.

When things are going our way, trusting God is easy. But when overwhelming battles, painful trials, unmet needs, or lost hopes assail us, we may be tempted to ask, "Can we still trust Him?". We may question why a caring Father would allow sorrow and difficulty to touch His children's lives. We may even doubt whether He is willing to do anything about our circumstances.

But God assured His people, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you" (Psalm 50:15). Can we truly rely on Him to do that? At such times, it is necessary to recognize God's character-to understand that He is not only able but also willing to fulfill every promise in Scripture. Even when we cannot comprehend why the Lord would allow certain situations to occur, knowing His ways can help us trust that He will always act in a

manner that brings about eternal blessings for His children. Also,

believing in His character and love makes it possible to continue

obeying Him, which means we position ourselves to endure and

triumph in the face of the challenges in our lives. So today, don't despair. Know Him and keep trusting.

Jesus, help me to know You better so I can trust You

- Dr. Charles Stanley Trusting God with Today.

Throughout the Old Testament there's example after example of times when life for those you read about were presented with rock solid reasons to trust in the Lord. Some did, some did not. The way it was presented was not at fault. Rather the heart of the recipient was.

We want explanations for the why's in our lives. We don't like delays of any kind. A cup of coffee in a microwave for less than 90 seconds is too long for most.

Have you ever really thought about the truth of what God says of Himself with regards to what He purposes He will do? Well you might have but not in this way.

All jokes aside, consider the resurrection of Lazarus. Indeed there will be a day, according to the Word of God, that a shout from Heaven will be proclaimed and the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive and remain will also rise to a new life, new body in Christ. Jesus can and does give life to whom He chooses. He authorizes those taken from the world as well. This is but one example. But had He not been specific many more people might have been raised from the dead as well.

Delays and time taken are for our benefit. Otherwise should everything from God happen instantly everything about it would be missed.

"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.

To trust requires a span of time. At least with a moral perspective it does. As He thinks so it is. However, we cannot handle such a wondrous concept ourselves.

We build trust with our Savior with everything that we go through in our time on the Earth. We need the things we go through in order to learn the voice of our Good Shepherd. Sheep that we are we need that. Sheep need even to be corrected concerning their thinking more highly of themselves than they ought. Sheep need to learn the voice of their Shepherd. Once they do they won't follow anyone else.

Our trials and tribulations that we are going through and will go through are teaching us to trust the Shepherd of our souls.

When we choose a shortcut vs the way that He is leading us to and through...we will miss out on the lesson of trust building.

When we worry rather than listen for His voice we lose out.

When we...the list can go on and on.

Our prayers should include a thankfulness for the trust He is building in us as well as seeking to know Him more.

When we learn that trust we don't rely on our own understanding.

When we have that trust the peace that passes all understanding comes to us.

When you pray, be thankful for all aspects of your day.

It's to me a great mercy of God that our consequences don't arrive instantly in our lives.

How important is your trust in your Lord and Savior to you?

Seems an odd question to ask but what did Jesus say?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30.

And they follow Me.

You either follow yourself, the world or Your Savior.

Does this now have a deeper meaning to you?

“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15.

In our day to day we face the temptation to follow anything but the Word of God.

We face the temptation to wallow in worry rather than to trust in the Lord.

We face the temptation to listen to erroneous teachers because their siren sounds appear to appeal to us. It's entirely possible for the right words to come from the wrong mouth. We cannot dismiss what is said about who are to be teachers of the Word of God and to whom they are to teach. Men are to teach over all. Women are not to be teachers of men. Women are to teach children or other women. That's from the Word of God.

Temptations are going to be in our lives to try to get us to not listen to the still small voice that is our Shepherd.

You are in good company with those who did right by the Lord when you are trusting God with your everything.

Jesus said plainly to be careful of how you listen. Trust is built by actions and speech which impact our belief.

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.

Ask Him before you follow someone's teaching. My convictions are not your convictions. Seek out the Spirit of God to show you what you should listen to and from whom.

The Berean Church wouldn't even take the Apostles at their word but examined everything. As should we. Our trust in the Lord is what takes us down His path for our lives.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, January 10, 2026

What We Really Do...What We Are Really Like

by David Brenneman

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.

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

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians 5:1-4.

Oh my Dear Reader, what we do when we don't think first.

We often miss, if not have altogether missed, that connection between letting no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth along with the immediately following verse of what it does to the Spirit when we do.

There it is. Now you can see it.

But will it make any difference in your life?

Jesus said specifically that we will give an account of EVERY careless word we speak. All our thoughts and intentions are laid bare before whom we have to do.

How often do we at least try to resist? How often does the prospect of a battle to control our thoughts and actions come to mind?

We are more easily prone to going with the flow of the world with regards to its lusts than to stand firm in the Lord.

We get on a bandwagon with others and enjoy the feelings of being included and don't see what it's done and is doing to our testimony before mankind.

This particular devotional is somewhat personal to me. Mark Wills had a song out a long time ago that, when I first heard it in my car, I almond wrecked because of being overcome with my emotions.

"Don't Laugh at Me" - Mark Wills, 1998

I'm a little boy with glasses

The one they call the geek

A little girl who never smiles

'Cause I've got braces on my teeth

And I know how it feels

To cry myself to sleep

I'm that kid on every playground

Who's always chosen last

A single teenage mother

Tryin' to overcome my past

You don't have to be my friend

Is it too much to ask?

Don't laugh at me, don't call me names

Don't get your pleasure from my pain

'Cause in God's eyes we're all the same

Someday we'll all have perfect wings

Don't laugh at me

I'm the cripple on the corner

You pass me on the street

And I wouldn't be out here beggin'

If I had enough to eat

And don't think I don't notice

That our eyes never meet

I lost my wife and little boy

When someone crossed that yellow line

The day we laid 'em in the ground

Is the day I lost my mind

Right now I'm down to holdin'

This little cardboard sign

So don't laugh at me, don't call me names

Don't get your pleasure from my pain

'Cause in God's eyes we're all the same

Someday we'll all have perfect wings

Don't laugh at me

'Cause I'm fat, I'm thin, I'm short, I'm tall

I'm deaf, I'm blind, hey, aren't we all?

Don't laugh at me, don't call me names

Don't get your pleasure from my pain

'Cause in God's eyes we're all the same

Someday we'll all have perfect wings

Don't laugh at me

Here was a song that hit on much of my childhood school experiences. It epitomizes that passage of letting no unwholesome word come out of your mouth...and gives examples as to why it matters.

In my elementary school days I learned how cruel words could be from the other side of the fence as well. I thought it would make me one of the cool kids to join them in what was known as cut down sessions. Using words as weapons to be wielded in however you can with the object being to get your opponent to break. It had to have been the Spirit convicting me not long afterwards and it resonates with me even today to absolutely stop that...I was hurting people in a place where the damages can go on for decades.

We still have bandwagons today, couched in the form of entertainment of every shape and kind. We laugh it off with excuses that appease our conscience. We give no second thoughts to what should have never happened in the first place.

We can look at our digital world and should realize today's people have the hardest time escaping the words spoken by them in the past.

Promising political figures crushed out of running all because a tweet or video was found of them carelessly speaking a long time ago. Artists of music and video decimated by the same. Careers of sports figures ruined by careless words.

Taking every thought captive is part of the spiritual warfare we are all in. Yesterday alone for me was extremely hard in keeping my thoughts from going straight to discouragement and residing there. I already was exhausted from lack of sleep. I thank God that He saw my weariness and weakness and stepped in to hold the line.

My Dear Reader think before you speak. Look hard at what you allow to come out of your mouth. We are to lift people up not tear them down. There's no Godly 'fun' in weaponizing our words...no matter the personal validation for it. Remember every careless word that people speak they will give an account of before Jesus.

Is what you are going to say going to harm or help? It's something that I try to keep at the forefront of my life.

You can't change what you have said or done but starting today you can change going forward.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, January 9, 2026

Investing in Watching, Living Like It's Today

by David Brenneman

“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.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. [6] But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and *settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 25:1-30.

How well do you live life concerning the return of Jesus Christ? How often does it cross your mind that maybe your behavior or your words should have been different? How many of your thoughts have been taken captive to the obedience of Christ?

Paul lived life thinking that maybe Jesus would return. He tried to pass that along to others.

Jesus taught through His parables over and over again to be mindful, be watchful, be on the alert...have you been?

Millions of people a day pass on to eternity thinking they yet still had days to live.

Millions more enter into the world never having a clue what's in store for them.

Of those millions who pass out of this world into eternity...many fall into Hell while others enter into Heaven.

Where would you find yourself?

We must decide in this here this now about where we will spend eternity. We either believe in Jesus Christ and trust in His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins or we don't. That choice determines our destination.

Yesterday in my evening reading I was in John. The chapter about the resurrection of Lazarus. There actually is a tie-in to the story, I don't consider it a parable, of the rich man and Lazarus. In the second story Abraham says plainly that if people wouldn't believe Moses and the Prophets neither would they believe should someone arise from the dead. Lazarus arose from the dead and the Pharisees and Sadducees were even more adamant that Jesus had to die. Likewise they sought to put Lazarus to death a second time to end Jesus's credibility. They didn't believe even when someone arose from the dead.

You have possibly a profound choice to make. Either Jesus was who He said He was or He was a liar, a possible lunatic. Over 500 people witnessed His life after the crucifixion. The Apostles saw Him taken up into Heaven. They said plainly that as they saw Him go, so shall He return.

If indeed Christ is your personal Lord and Savior, are you living like He is returning or are you living life like His return is way off in the distance?

Are you fitting Jesus into your schedule or do you meet with Him whenever He wants to hear from you?

All of us are a heartbeat away from eternity. A heartbeat away from no more second chances. A heartbeat away from Heaven or Hell. That's a rock solid truth from the Word of God.

We who are in Christ are supposed to be living like it. We are supposed to be pursuing righteousness not the darkness that's in the world.

We are supposed to guard our hearts in Christ, not give the world free reign to reshape it.

What came out of your mouth today that wasn't honoring to God? What excuses do you hold onto that keep sinful thoughts and actions in your life?

Before you go any further today...settle the question about your eternity. Once death makes its claims there's no second chance.

Jesus died a death He didn't deserve to give you life.

Don't be satisfied with what you may think about the afterlife.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 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 3:16-21.

I am watchful...are you?

I strive to live for Him as best as I know how...do you?

I found peace with God through what Jesus did on the cross for me.

Have you?

What will you say when you stand before Jesus? There is no right answer that starts with "Because I...". The only right answer starts with "Because He...".

Don't take another breath until you get serious about this.

Possibly billions will cry out for Jesus to come back once He does come back for His Church. A cry that will not be answered.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ then live like it.

If you haven't decided...what's keeping you? There's no fears to be entertained by not coming to Christ for salvation. The gift of salvation is free and Jesus said that any who call on Him will be saved, none will be cast out.

"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.

I am listening every day for that shout from Jesus to come home. There has been so much overwhelming evidence in my life that the life in Christ He gave to me after asking Him to save me that there's no other explanation.

Live life like today's the day. Don't schedule your time with Jesus. Just do it wherever and whenever.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, January 8, 2026

No Exemptions to His Rule in Our Hearts

by David Brenneman

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such as a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32 NASB.

Do you think at all before you speak? Do you create excuses and personal exemptions for your behavior and language in order to 'enjoy' your life's activities?

This indeed is something the world does in great measure and abundance.

We too, in order to not let go of what makes our enjoyment of pleasures not go away, create exemptions to the Word of God.

We can be just as cruel to others in the world as the world is. We can and we do.

Try going to a city or town with a college or university and wear clothing that's not aligned with that places teams. Doesn't matter if it's a Christian or not, certainly unwholesome words come out of the mouths of the masses.

We lived that example for years. I have the personal testimony of a friend that where they grew up it was the same for them...and they happen to be a Pastor of a church.

In and of themselves, in most cases, these things in our lives are not bad for us. It's what becoming a 'die-hard' fan can do to us that matters entirely. Christians behaving in a certainly un-Christ-like manner. My Dear Reader, check your mouth and motivation at the door.

If the Scriptures explicitly state that we will give an account of EVERY careless word...what manner of Christian ought you to be?

My personal experience is this. I grew up with the family liking of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I got on the bandwagon and was being as those were around me and to be honest it bothered me. But not enough at that point to stop. My high school was the West Wolverines. Try having that and being in Columbus, Ohio where most have a deep seated--honestly hatred--of anything mentioning Wolverine or more specifically Michigan. Out West Wolverines were indeed named after the Michigan Wolverines. Our helmets were similar, just a different paint scheme. Living among people, again Christian and non-Christian alike spewing such hatred wears on a person.

My Pastor friend's experience was the opposite. He lived on the boarder of Michigan and Ohio and was a Ohio State fan and had to live with the hatred and disdain from the opposite direction.

Christians are to guard their hearts.

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

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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." Philippians 4:7-8.

Circling back around. I do still like some aspects of football. I am extremely ignorant of the rules and barely know what it takes to get a touchdown let alone a field goal.

I hate what God hates in this that I won't be around people who are going to use a form of entertainment to tear down those whom Jesus died for. There's simply no excuse.

There will be no exemptions for any Believer when they stand before Jesus. If we are going to give an account of our lives before Jesus...that if every careless word spoken we will have to explain...why add to our atrocities in this?

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37.

I already have enough to have to give an account of before my Savior and Lord. I would prefer not to be intentionally adding to that list...my hope is that you my Dear Reader wouldn't want to intentionally add to your own list.

There are just no exemptions with regards to sinful practices permitted in the Word of God for Believer's.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Every single Believer is to represent Christ to the world and other Believers. Jesus allowed no exemptions to anyone who asked Him on anything in living for Him.

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:5-7.

Think before you speak.

Think before you say something that might be you excusing your behavior to follow peer pressure.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

He Cares, We Need to Let Him

by David Brenneman

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

"casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 NASB.

It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when We can feel that "He cares for me." Christian! Do not dishonor your faith by always wearing wearing a a look of

concern. Come, cast your burden upon your Lord.

You are staggering beneath a weight which your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden would be to Him but specks of dust on a scale. Nothing is so sweet as to

Lie passive in Goď's hands,

And know no will but His.

Letter XIX, HARVEY NEWCOMB (1833)

Suffering child, be patient God has not overlooked you in His provi-

dence. He who feeds the sparrows will also furnish you with what you need. Don't sit down in despair, keep hoping, and hope forever. Take up the weapons of faith against a sea of trouble, and you will overcome your distress.

There is One who cares for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your grief, and his all-powerful hand will bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud will scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom will give place to the morning. If you are one of His family, God will bind up your wounds and heal your broken heart.

Don't doubt his grace because of your trouble, but believe that He loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life you might lead if you would leave the providing to the God of providence! With a little oil in the jug and a handful of flour in the barrel,

Elijah outlived the famine (1 Kings 17:7-16)-and you will do the same.

If God cares for you, why do you need to care? Can you trust Him for

your soul, but not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens; He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then! Be done with fretful care. Leave all your concerns in the hand of a gracious God. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening

It's very easy to have a burden drop upon us and leave it there. We just buckle down and try to carry it ourselves and adjust to life with it. Either not thinking to ask for help or thinking that asking for help is a sign of weakness. At first we know not that as a child of God that we can unload such things at the feet of Jesus.

We are to learn to be like Christ and at the same time remain dependent upon Him.

Our lives are not our own. When we came to Christ we were purchased by His blood. An unbreakable covenant written in His blood.

Something that I think works with what Spurgeon said here is what Dr. Charles Stanley said in a devotional as well. "When we’re unwilling to submit ourselves to the authority of God, sin binds us. Instead of being under God’s rule, we’re being ruled by the very things that keep us bound in the darkness. We could list many things here that we allow to occupy the place only God should hold within our hearts. Thankfully, God freely offers us His grace, which covers all of our sins and releases us from their bondage.".

Our perception of life shapes our lives. We know not when we began adding things that occupy the place that only God should have in our hearts but my Dear Reader it HAS happened.

Don't believe me? Take just a week and upend your time outside of your work. Don't do or pursue anything that you normally do that consumes your 'me' time. Replace it with time with Jesus. Watch where your mind wanders off to while you do this. It's going to happen.

Take a look at what you have pride in. I am one who's reluctant to hear of being proud of something. My first inclination is to the passage about pride coming before a fall.

We are the first to need the eyes of someone else to tell us what we don't see in ourselves.

I sorely wish the professing Church would do more in the teaching of accountability among its members. I haven't been a part of a group in over 26 years and several churches and denominations where I have found one on one accountability being taught and practiced.

We are vulnerable when we aren't held to a higher standard in Christ.

We start making choices on our own that are questionable at best.

We don't consider asking because there's no clear path towards someone to ask.

We then are more vulnerable to being the prey of the enemy of God.

We start listening to the world on how to find success. We start to incorporate their ideas rather than the teachings of the Bible.

My Dear Reader really look at your life and what really has a place in your heart. There should only be one throne in your heart with only Jesus as the occupant of it.

"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.

When we look at nature and more specifically at sheep. When they're not keeping with the main group they become vulnerable to being prey to anyone or anything.

When we're living the life that we're to be living we are going to see adversity. We should be very concerned when it's pretty much always smooth sailing. We grow closer to Jesus through our adversities not necessarily through all the peaceful times. A sheep learns dependence upon the shepherd through their experiences with the shepherd.

A tree cannot grow to be old tall and healthy without the storms of life to cause deeper roots.

While the things we experience appear to be heavy...when we leave them with Jesus we learn to deal with them properly.

When we remove things from our lives that are taking His place we learn what a truly right relationship with Jesus is all about.

Look at what "Love not the world nor the things in the world" another time. Don't trust your judgment in what's harmful and what you think isn't. Honestly, that's not your call.

You can't say you are trusting God with all your heart when you're deciding what decisions are yours to make and what are His to make concerning what's right for you.

We add a load of things to our lives that don't need to be there.

God cares for you.

God loves you unconditionally.

God has a better plan for you than you can imagine.

It may not look like what you think it should but when you know that you know that you know it's from Him you can trust it completely.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Romans 8:28

“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.”

Psalm 27:13, 14

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org