When Words Fail to Come

When Words Fail to Come
by David Brenneman

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  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 8:26-30.

We oftentimes find ourselves in this area of life where we hear nothing with regards to those things we are urgently praying for and about.

It happens.  In no way does this preclude that we've been abandonded by Jesus. 

In every way it ought to make us cling to Him all the more. 

We can, and often do, get ahead of God's plan for us.  There's just times when that plan requires a few deep valley's to go through on the way to where He's taking us.  We're not always going to have a smooth ride.  In fact it's absolutely not spoken of in the Scriptures that we're GOING to get a smooth ride.  In fact Jesus said (since He IS the Word) that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus are going to suffer in some way (paraphrasing of course).

So what do we do?  Dr. Charles Stanley says to do what we read in the Bible to do.  Duh!  But not.  Many don't consider picking up their Bible when the going gets tough.  But that's always the first step right after prayer. 

And then there's the gut punches that are so strong that we don't know what to say.  The situation is that powerful from our perspective.

That's when what we read this morning comes in all the more.

This week I've been having such a week.  We already don't have all that much interactions with people outside of our home.  When you're searching for a job and 98 percent of the time you get silence in return...and it's been going on for 5 months now...there's just no more words to say in prayer over it...it's just a deep pain that's got no words.

An extremely relative few people have asked how we're doing.  Many tell me they're praying for me, for us.  Only an extreme few cross the line and ask how we're really doing emotionally, spiritually, physically.

In these periods of silence...consistency in the Word is a must.  I can't recall verses like many many Godly men in my life have been able to do.  I just don't have that kind of memory.  But I refuse to give in to even a single day's worth of not being in my Bible in the morning and the study time in the evenings.  My area of struggle is sort of where today's post lies.  I don't want my prayers to be just a repetition of a list of concerns and people but to be heart-felt and genuine.  There's days where the list flashes in my mind but I don't recite it...I just look to a photo of a man being held by Jesus and want that oh so much more than words can say.

Words do escape people at times. 
Words sometimes, regardless of how extensive the human vocabulary is, just can't be found to match a deep, heart-felt, feeling.

The Spirit within knows our hearts way better than we do ourselves.

For that matter even demons know us better than we know ourselves.

Right above my study area, right at eye-level is a decorative wall hanging that simply says "pray". 

I keep a 5 x 7 card on the board behind my computer that is Psalms 143:8-12. 

I know that my job 'drought' will end soon.  I know not from what direction but I know it will end soon. 

Jesus will provide in ways that I never thought possible.  He has in the past and will do it again. 

During the storms with the Disciples...Jesus slept in the boat. 

He knew that nothing was going to happen to Him or them because that was not according to the plan of why He was here. 

In my prayer time I do try to pour out my heart...but there's just some days when I can't fnid the words and know...just know...that that is alright.  Knowing that Jesus knows is enough. 

Someone out there will look past my age and will give me the opportunity.   Why do I know this?  because of the promises of God to always take care of those who are His as He's always done for us throughout my life.

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

Seeking First, Being His

Seeking First, Being His

by David Brenneman 

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 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. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." Philippians 3:1-21.

Matthew 6:33 says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be provided to you.  

How often do you find yourself seeking anything in Christ?  

While in many places in his writings Paul exhorted Believers to stand firm...while you're standing firm...you ought also to be seeking His kingdom.

For many the first thing Monday is just our getting back to what life is about outside of doing what we normally do on a Sunday Morning. Some don't even wait that long. Before church lets out they're already making plans for watching a game or several. Wondering if they have enough food to get through them all. Who will watch it with them. They also have purposed in their hearts to shut out the world during this time. Any interruptions are unacceptable. 

For others it's the same vein yet for other reasons. Their hobby. Their time that they 'deserve' to go do whatever fancy's them. Just leave them alone because they want nothing to do with anything until 'their' time is done for the day.

Some go into Monday as if Sunday morning never happened. As if they weren't just with a group of people supposedly praising God and worshipping Jesus.

Some consider, whether or not they acknowledge it or not, recognize it or not, that they're putting on Christ and taking Christ off before and after their time with fellow Believer's.  

Paul's exhortation of putting on Christ isn't like a change of clothes. This isn't putting on your 'Sunday best' as it used to be called. Putting on Christ is a once for all lifetime thing. Once we put off the old with it's habits we're to put on Christ and leave Christ on.  

While some claim to understand my reasonings behind not getting into sports and some have perhaps seen some of my disdain for sports there's a spiritual reason why I abhor sports. It brings out the worst attributes in me spiritually. Before any get pious and stand there saying that it never happens to them. Go look in the mirror because to some extent it happens to everyone. Whether it's sports or some other thing of this world that we 'love'. Truth is our relationship with Jesus suffers when we 'love' something or someone more than we do Him in this world. With me and if anyone's honest about their behavior concerning whatever it is they 'love' in this world...it brings out the worst attributes of our hearts when those things we 'love' are slandered. Anger, bitterness, rage, are ususally the result and no it's never good to just say those sorts of things are a 'friendly' rivalry.  

When we take what belongs to God and give it to anyone or anything we are sinning. Plain pure and simple.

We ought to be those who are looking for ways to know our Savior and Lord more and more. We ought to be those who show ourselves to be examples in this world rather than blending in with the world to the point they don't even suspect we are a Christian.

I've seen myself behave in ways that are shameful in retrospect when I used to get involved with sports teams. I was berating people. I was belittling people. I would get defensive, act out in anger at people all over a stupid team. Those attributes are NOT the fruit of the Spirit.

I am grieved to see people who both lead in churches as well as those who fill the pews behaving in ways that do not show the love of Christ but rather the fruits of sin all over something in this world.

What are we doing when we do these things? We are NOT drawing people to Christ when we're being prime examples of those who do not know the love of Christ.

When we lay claim to having 'forgot' to read our Bibles but we devoted hours to useless things...what are we saying is our priority in growing in Christ? That it's not high on that list? Yes that's exactly what we are saying by our thoughts and actions.

When knowing Jesus isn't your highest priority...what does that say of your walk with Jesus?  

When letting your light shine in such a way that people see your good works and glorifying your Father in Heaven doesn't mean that much to you?  

Yes this world has much to be had to enjoy but we should never put anything or anyone before our relationship with Jesus.   

Every thought, every careless word we will give an account of before Jesus. When we berated anyone for any reason. When we possibly cussed someone out because of some mistake in a dumb football game. When we ranted and raged over someone carelessly changing lanes in front of us. When someone ripped into us because we don't like their particular hobby. When we will ooo and ahh over people in their lives and hold them up on a pedestal but have Jesus stand in a corner. When we will take the word of a celebrity but won't look to see what the Word of God has to say. When we're adamant about dolting over everything in a child's life, sacrificing time, energy and efforts for them but won't attempt the same to be with Jesus for even 15 minutes. When...well you see where all this is going.  

When was the last time you got real with yourself about what's really right and true in your life? Are you guilty of the sin of thinking that you can put on and take off the new person you are in Christ? Have you been neglecting spending time in God's Word over things that do NOT matter in light of eternity? Have you convinced yourself that you are 'living the dream' and don't realize you've given in to idolatry?   

As Dr. Charles Stanley pointed out...we can't see if we're engaging in idolatry...but we can ask Him if we are and to make it known to us and then to obey in getting rid of it.

While this week is yet half over we're also in the midst of a week to be thankful. Many are going to be with family. Many will plop down in front of a television while watching a game. While it's ok to enjoy such things do not cross the line and become sour examples of Christ because of it. Any Earthly Ambassador is on the job 24/7 365 days a year while representing their country or institution. You are an Ambassador of Christ if you claim to have Him be your personal Lord and Savior. You don't lay that asside for anything while the breath of life is in you. Remember that.

As the Scriptures say: guard your heart. Guard your mouth. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Do not lean on your own understanding. Leaning on your own understanding is telling Jesus "I got this, I don't need your help!".

My Dear Reader...examine your hearts. Really look to see who's in charge of your life. Is it you? Have you decided to yet still do your own thing after coming to Christ? He didn't just save you...He came to give you life but not just life life more abundant. A life we could never see, hear, nor understand on our own.

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 

Confess What Jesus Already Knows

Confess What Jesus Already Knows

by David Brenneman 

"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance." Titus 2:1-2.

"Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." Titus 2:6-10.

"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. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:1-18.

The Idols That Impede Your Faith  

As we direct our focus to the Father and wait patiently for His will to open wide the way in our lives, we may discover that there are many things standing in the way of deepening our relationship with God and exercising our faith in Him. 

These strongholds—or idols—are very subtle. They steal into your life covertly, rooting themselves in your emotions and becoming more important to you than God. 

"No one can identify an idol except the Lord… and He sees your heart clearly. Anything that competes for your total devotion to God is an idol in your life. So what is it in you? What are those things—hidden or known to you—that stand in your way of waiting patiently for the Lord’s will to manifest in your life? Ask the Father to reveal them to you. He’s promised He’ll be faithful to show you if and where an idol exists. But be very careful that you don’t rationalize away what He reveals to you. If the Lord puts His finger on something in your life, then set your mind to deal with it immediately.

Here are some common idols in our lives: Our Own Understanding, A Sense of Security, Goals and Dreams, Relationships, The Past, Hobbies." - Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley 'Waiting on God'

Our deeds, our thoughts and actions, even our intentions are more often than not in our own understanding. The things we started to think about but dismissed. The things we've added to our lives that we don't see anything wrong with. We see them as things to enjoy but don't see that they might be really impeding our walk with Jesus. 

In what Paul wrote to Titus we read how young men are to be and see that building progression to what one is to be as a mature man. We read in James of the tongue...and know what Jesus said was the literal heart of the matter...from out of our hearts comes everything and we know it finds its way to our lips. 

We have to ask Jesus what the strongholds are, what the idols are, what is impeding our walk with Jesus because we cannot trust ourselves to know on our own. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 are quotes by themselves a lot but include verse 7 add verse 13.

"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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding." Proverbs 3:5-7.

When we read, understand these things and add in Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Things take a different turn in our understanding. 

The often missed thing in the Gospels is the Disciples seeking out where Jesus went. Seeking Him should be our thought of the day. 

I completely agree with Dr. Stanley on the spiritual truth that we cannot trust ourselves to be fully honest with ourselves about everything pertaining to ourselves with regards to sin's utter sinfulness.

Seemingly innocent things are taking us away from giving our whole heart to Jesus. We are insensitive to the point that the thought won't ever cross our minds. 

Read that again.  

We have allowed things in our lives to shape our attitudes towards ourselves and others...by our own understanding. Not by way of the Word of God because we've never considered or conceived in our understanding to ask God what He says about these things. We understand them as fun and harmless...why?...think about this HARD...because the WORLD says they are harmless! 

We can more easily let the world sway our thinking and what maturity is in Christ than to seek out and apply what the Bible says that we're to live as, as Ambassadors for Christ.

When some think of the helmet of salvation...this helmet has a mouth guard, it isn't a hard hat. It protects the head all over. 

We can be so easily swayed by people, both the mislead Believers as well as well meaning unbelieving in our lives. This takes us directly to taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We aren't to be wise in our own eyes but seek out the will of God for us. We cannot trust our hearts to make the right choices on our own. God's will for each of us in Christ is our sanctification. Our becoming more like Jesus rather than our world in which we live. 

Have you asked Jesus what strongholds that are in your life that need to go? Don't think you have any? There's your first mistake. We all are human and live among humans therefore everyone is either on the Lord’s side or the devil's side. 

Seemingly innocent stuff keeps the Word of God from progressing through our world. People see us n don't see Jesus...to our shame and dishonor. 

Stop and reflect. Stop and ask Jesus to show you what's a stronghold, what really is an idol in your life. 

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 

Be Sure, Then Living It.

Being Sure, Then Living It.

by David Brenneman 

"To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:15-16.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:21-23.

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ [46] These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”" Matthew 25:31-46.

We are speedily arriving to that date set by the Father’s own authority.  

Being sure of your salvation ought to be on our minds at least in part, once confirmed, move on to the still greater things that awaits us. We do not want to learn 1 second after the Rapture of the Church that what we thought we believed in was false and not a life lived in faith in the Son of God. 

There's so-called churches these days where the so-called pastors and so-called leaders are not preaching the whole counsel of God. They are not mentioning the Name of Jesus. They do not at all have altar calls to ask if anyone would like to come to Christ for salvation. There's so-called churches who ignore the Word of God where it clearly states that those who live a life practicing homosexuality will not see Heaven. Some of those erroneously profess to be preachers of the Word. All such teaching is found in what the Bible says is the doctrines of demons. AI, artificial intelligence, has found its way into the pulpit. AI generated preachers. The use of AI to create sermons. People by the millions are being mislead. These people believe they are saved and yet will be those on His left being told to depart for He never knew them.  

You can't be stiff-necked, stubbornly living your life your way and claim to be living life as a true Christ-follower. That way lay the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. That way leads to the path to Hell. 

We cannot live life both ways either. We cannot live for Jesus on a Sunday morning then go live the rest of the week in whatever way we want. In doing that we are telling Jesus "Thanks for saving me, I got it from here...".

Are you sure of your salvation in Christ? Are you living as though it's true? Is it seen in every part of your life by others? Can the world see enough of the character of Christ Jesus in your life to convict you of being a Christian?  

Are you drawn to seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness? 

Are you removing things from your heart and mind that are taking what belongs to Jesus and you've been giving to idols? No that's not something strictly Old Testament or early Church New Testament. Idolatry is a flourishing vibrant problem in our world today. Escapism to fantasy worlds in virtual reality in movies and books.  

Lying to ourselves as to what constitutes an idol. Lying to ourselves as to what's really getting our love and devotion other than Jesus. 

My Dear Reader we still as yet have a sin nature that's bent on getting us to lie to ourselves about everything from whether or not we're truly saved all the way to whether or not something we're considering in our minds is a sin or not.

Be sure of your salvation then stand firm in it while being in the whole armor of God. Being intentional about our relationship with Jesus about everyone and everything else. A husband's wife and children should come next AFTER Jesus. A Wife's husband and children should come next AFTER Jesus. To a single person Jesus should always be the first and only one to get their heart. 

One second after the Rapture of the Church is too late my friend. Perhaps you have read of the parable of the wheat and the tares. Tares are false wheat. Looks like wheat, acts like wheat while it grows yet is all-in-all worthless. Being sown with the true wheat it believes it is real and doesn't look for anything more. The parable tells us that at the end of all things those tares, false Christians, will be judged and found deficient, having lacked a true relationship with Jesus through the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Be sure that you are saved. Don't risk an eternity of painful torment, eternal separation from God, because of a warm feeling we once had. Don't let your past keep you from asking Jesus to save you. Every type and kind of sinner has come to Christ for salvation and none have been turned away. Don't let your present keep you from asking Jesus to save you. Cleaning people is what His righteousness does. 

"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.

We are to be lights in this world we live in. If we've come to Christ for salvation then in everything we ought to be living life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. If people see us as no different than anyone else then we are failing at being an Ambassador for Christ.  

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror of Truth found only in Christ.  

Be sure, then live it out loud.  

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 

Obedience in Ministry...Yours in Christ

Obedience in Ministry...Yours in Christ 

by David Brenneman 

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

“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 25:14-30.

We were given choice by way of the cross of Jesus Christ. We who are in Christ and those who are not. Our first choice available to us is in receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins or not. 

To those souls yet not choosing this, this choice remains on the table...for now.  

For those having come to Christ for salvation, the immediate choice is full obedience to God's Word or picking and choosing what they will accept and what they will obey.  

We aren't to let circumstances change our level of obedience. Rough as that may sound, read Jeremiah with regards to the harsh sounding, but necessary, instructions he received with regards to obeying the Word of the Lord.  

We even may believe that our path we are on is one of obedience...but there's still a place in time where we were obstinate and didn't stay where we were to be in our utilizing the spiritual gifts we were given. We instead did what that last slave did and buried it. Then go on in life thinking that our choice of a path of obedience is the right way. We have all done it. In probably every person who's come to Christ for salvation, we probably all have been Prodigal's at some point in time. 

For those who know of Dr. Charles Stanley's teaching on Life Principles. There's one that says we are to obey God and leave the consequences to Him. This means when we're doing well and when life makes no sense at all. 

Paul's exhortation to Timothy applies to each Believer. We have a race to run, we have a path to walk. We have a course to complete in Christ Jesus.  

Later in Matthew 25 we read of people who never knew at the time that they indeed were living in obedience to God's Word at the time but they were. They were when they displayed the character of Christ Jesus in themselves towards others.  

Our world exudes selfishness. In overt ways and the extremely subtle ways. We take pride in things that we shouldn't. We indulge in things that we shouldn't. We seek after things that are robbing us of our training in righteousness that is part of God's will for each of us. 

We are either investing what we were entrusted or we are burying it.

But the truth of God's word says we will give an account of our lives before Jesus. Truth be told...any excuse for not obeying isn't going to hold water.  

We have a Savior who knows our hearts. He knows every secret of our hearts and minds. We cannot deceive Him with whom we have to do. We will deceive ourselves but never He who's Name is Truth. 

Look at what you have included in your life. Ignorance is not going to be a defense when we have the Word of God to refer to. When the Word of God says something is sin then it is. When the Word of God says who will not inherit the kingdom of God...then those people will only see the fires of Hell. When we are told to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness its for more than our peace of mind its to grow us in Christ Jesus.  

We must decide who we are going to be obeying. If it's Jesus then we're to give it our all. Dear Reader if it isn't Jesus...remember anything else will get our all as well.  

As the challenge was said centuries ago so it is today "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 24:15.

Choose either serving the Lord or serving your anything.  You, if you are saved, have a ministry for you to fulfill. 

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 

Truth and It's Consequences

Truth and It's Consequences
by David Brenneman

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

"Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them," 2 Timothy 3:10-14.

"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.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever." Psalms 111:10.

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’  And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house—  for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.

There's truth then there's THE Truth.  In a world where we've gone from subjective, and objective truth to asking a computer program what truth should look like and be as a human race we are ever increasingly approaching that day of the Lord.

Christian churches are giving in to the honesty Satanic idea that an AI is able to help craft sermons for the congregations.  That a Pastor ought to just consider it a tool and be responsible about its use.

We are given the Word of God to walk in God's truth.  We are to grow in Christ by putting forth all efforts into that objective.  We aren't to seek short-cuts to that end but to put our whole heart, mind, soul and spirit into truly loving the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can see by Paul's words to Timothy the way these last days that I firmly believe he wrote about that ARE the times in which we live of what kind of people in Christ we ought to be.

That grocery list of the way people will be CAN apply to some within the professing Church. 

When we aren't able to stop to discern right from wrong then we are in trouble. 

When we're more prone to not asking the Spirit to teach us all things, we are in trouble. 

When we want a short-cut to completing what the Spirit gave us to be doing...my Dear Reader...we are in grave trouble.

When we are embracing idolatry and can't believe that THAT is what it really is then we are in trouble.

We cannot expect God to bless a life that's willingly sinning.  In time there will be consequences.

The reality in which Jesus spoke of Abraham and the Rich man was pre-crucifixion.  After Christ arose from the dead He took everyone with Abraham to Heaven.  Some preachers say that Abraham's bosom is still there.  This is contrary to Scripture.  Scripture says, if you look it up, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord...if you are saved.  Everyone else who refused the offer of a life in Christ unto salvation goes immediately to join that very real torment that the Rich man is still experiencing today.

Jesus didn't make up stories of imaginary situations.  He might have created teaching scenarios but in everything He always told the truth of God without regard to anybody being offended.  Even the Pharisees and Sadducees agreed concerning that character attribute of Jesus. 

We have the whole counsel of God in these 66 books.  We have the hope of the promise of God in Christ Jesus to return for those who didn't reject Him.  We have the promise of God in Christ Jesus that even we can't unsave ourselves.  We are going to face unknowns in this world but turning to the world's idea of truth is only going to bring us farther away from the righteous life that God desires for us in Christ Jesus. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Matthew 6:33.

Love not the world nor the things of the world.  1 John 2:15.

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.

The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10.

Without salvation in Christ Jesus you will indeed become just like those in that very true list we began with.  

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.

"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.

Will the rest of the world understand your choice to turn wholly to God's Truth?  No.

Will it be worth it all to go through the rest of your life with Jesus?  Words cannot describe how true that is.

Jesus is returning and if you haven't chosen Him to be your personal Lord and Savior...you will be left behind and will experience the full wrath of God upon mankind that's indeed coming.  A literal Hell on Earth.  Just as the truth of the Scriptures say we need and will find salvation in no other name given among men by which we must be saved...so is the truth of the wrath to come.

Being a good person without that much needed salvation in Christ Jesus will still send you 100% to Hell.  No second chances. 

Let today be that day that you come to Christ for salvation and to know the love of God for you in Christ. 

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Nobody will see Heaven but through Him.  Nobody will see His Father but through Him.

Truth is you need to be saved in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sins. 

Truth is without it Hell is your eternal destination.

That's the truth and the consequences.

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

Say What?

Say What?
by David Brenneman

"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." Ephesians 4:29.
   
    We always need to be careful about what we say because our
words have an extraordinary effect on us and others. What we verbalize we also hear -and it affects us physically, mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually. Choose to speak negativity all day long, and your day will be a lot worse than if you decide to be positive. So consider: Do the words you're expressing enhance or contribute to whatever it is you want to achieve?
    You may say, "But you don't understand. My life is difficult.
Complaining is how I release my feelings." However, you must
remember that your words communicate your beliefs. If you're
always speaking defeat, that's where you'll remain. This is why
David prayed, "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth" (Psalm 141:3). He knew "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Instead, when you face heartaches and burdens, try making a good confession of faith. When you get into a difficult spot, say, "Lord, thank You for Your promises because I know You're going to see me through this and bring good from it." It will make all the difference in your circumstances.

Jesus, set a guard on my mouth and help me always to speak faith. Amen
-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

Ever really consider your words?  Literally it means to stop and reflect on before uttering.  What Dr. Stanley says right here "However, you must
remember that your words communicate your beliefs."?

A man got into a NY Taxi and the driver actually was quite pleasant to converse with on their way to his destination.  The driver gets cut off and to the man's surprise he didn't utter a string of profanities.  He smiled at the person doing this to him until the person drove off. This impressed the passenger to the point of making mention of it.  The driver made a comment about garbage in garbage out.  What comes out of people like that is because of what they take in.

Jesus explained to His Disciples as well as everyone since the New Testament was read to everyone and we read it ourselves.  What comes out of the heart is what defiles a person. Left alone, without the Spirit of God, the heart is desperately wicked the Bible says.

What you say out loud and before anyone lays claim to the excuse "I didn't say that out loud!" remember He who searches the hearts!

Every single careless word we will give an account of.  Spoken or unspoken.  We read we are to guard our hearts.  We read King David wanting the Lord to put a guard over his mouth. 

What you think, what you say, what you don't say, matters.

What you do shows to whom you serve, to whom you belong. 

Our lives in Christ have a fully divine purpose.  From before the first rays of the sun to begin the day til our eyes close for the night.  We are a seriously tempted generation to compromise in all areas that can affect our hearts.  We convince ourselves of good and bad of right and wrong WITHOUT CONSIDERING ASKING JESUS. 

Joshua son of Nun started off his filling of Moses's sandles great then his very next interaction with some locals in the Promised Land he trips up the nation for the rest of time.

We cannot guard our hearts on our own.  We need the strength and help of the Spirit of God to get it done. 

We need His Godly determination to persist in staying the course, to finishing the race, well.

We can't trust our instincts, our gut, as you will because we will lie to ourselves about what's right and good and what isn't.  It's why so much of the Church has problems with pornography, idolatry, adultery, foul language, and all other sorts of sinfulness.

Guard your hearts, guard your mouth, guard guard guard. 

If you're not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit you should be very concerned and should be praying for the Spirit to help correct your behavior.  If your 'habits' are less than Godly, less than the standard of righteousness in Christ Jesus, you should be very concerned.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  That's what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.

Jesus set aside self in order to fulfill His Father's will.  That's our calling as well.  We easily see that in all the tapestry of the life of the Apostle Paul and his exhortation to Timothy.

Are you trying to choose right or wrong, what's good for you and what isn't based on your own understanding?  Speak truth to that notion "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.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth.  Think before you speak.  Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.

Our compromises aren't just "who we are".  We can seek first His kingdom and His righteousness if we but choose to do so and cry out to Him for help.

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

Waiting...and Persisting...Godly Stubbornness

Waiting...and Persisting...Godly Stubbornness
by David Brenneman

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Active Waiting
My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him
PSALM 62:5

    When you wait on the Lord for some request or opportunity, it may feel like you are wasting your time.  Indeed, it may feel as if your whole life is on hold. Like David, you may find yourself crying out, "How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1). But just as God had not abandoned David, He has not deserted you either. The Lord did a great deal of important
work in David's life and character during the waiting times, and He does so in you as well.
    Therefore, understand that your life is not on pause. On the contrary, you must actively position yourself for God's continuing instruction. To wait on the Lord requires strength and courage-it is not a time to be passive, irresponsible, or slothful. Rather, you must choose minute-by-minute to be obedient to the Father and His schedule regardless of how long long your your request takes. Do not
become impatient or rush into a solution of your own own making
you'll only hinder God's plan and prolong the delay.  Instead, trust
the Lord's awesome timing and allow Him to do His esential work
in you and your circumstances. He will certainly do beyond all you
imagine.

Jesus, You are my hope. I'll seek You with everything in me and wait on You. Amen.
- Trusting God with Today. Dr. Charles Stanley.

We are much for patiently waiting in this world.  We have generations after generations being taught to want it, go after it, pursue it, take it.  To not be patient about it. 

Those who wait upon the Lord are those whom the Lord will bless.  Yet while we wait upon the Lord we will always have something to be doing in Christ.  Therefore we are to persist in our growing in Christ.  We are to exercise Godly stubbornness in this.  We are given everything, every day, for a life in Godliness.  That's what the Bible says to each of us.

None of us is forgotten before the Throne of Grace.  I was reminded of a different aspect of this passage yesterday: "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31.  A short video that showed seals who were threatened with a break in the ice and 1 almost didn't get caught up with the rest.  God made a way and it rejoined them.  Even had not it been caught on video it was noticed by our Father in Heaven who made provision for even the least of these seals.

We aren't ever forgotten before our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are His, sealed in the Spirit, forever more. 

We indeed are to be running His race not our own as the earlier post written was talking about.  If you've watched the movie Overcomer you will catch the big race at the end.  Her Dad was coaching her through every hill and valley.  Every place to attack and when to reserve strength.  She listened to her Dad's coaching to win the race.  We too need to realize we oftentimes fail in our attempts at this race we are in because we get to thinking we know better.  That we have enough understanding.  We stop listening to how Jesus says it should be done.  We don't rest when He says to rest. We don't meet Him when He says it's time for a meeting.  We can get too involved with too many things of our own making that we push out our ability to take the race at His pace and timing. 

Our lives are in His hands.

Even when we think we are alone and nobody sees our plight.

Even when it appears that we aren't running at all. 

Even when we have gotten off course He is there to get us back on track. 

Reminds me of the back story of the Mercy Me song "Even if".  Bart Millard has a son who has to have shots every day in order to live.  It's incredibly hard on him to have to do that to his son.  But even in this he understands that God is with him and his son.  No shred of understanding in why they're going through it but he knows that Jesus is in it with them.

My life of the past many months has been a huge question mark.  Jesus allowed my job to be terminated and put me on this path of rediscovery of a sort.  I have stayed the course in my morning's and evening's reading with Him.  In ways we never saw coming He has provided.  I know my new job is coming soon.  My prayers about getting things done around here from long ago are being answered.  I try to persist in doing whatever He puts before me to be doing. 

Our lives are about us following Jesus in whatever He puts before us to be doing.  It's His race.  His rules.  His coaching.  His direction.  He knows everything about the race course set before us.  We can't trust in ourselves to get through it on our own.  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.

Stop where you are.  Breathe.  Ask Jesus to make sure you are running this race of life His way and under His direction.  To search your heart and see if there be any wicked way in you and to remove it.  To lead you in the way that glorifies Him the most.

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

Running Your Race with Jesus or Running His Race with You

Running Your Race with Jesus or Running His Race with You 

by David Brenneman

When you run the race set before you...are you running it with Jesus His way or are you running a race with Jesus your own way?

If it's His race then it's by His rules by His understanding by His direction and in His strength. 

If it's your own way then it's by your understanding by your direction and by your strength. 

We don't start out with Him then give Him a nod then take off at our own pace. We'll surely lose our way doing it that way!

We aren't giving up self if we're still wanting things our way. We aren't losing self if we honestly stand defiant about what we won't let go of. Read what Blackaby said:

Losing Your Life

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.

Matthew 16:25

    Christians are commanded to lose their lives. This means they ought to deliberately release their lives to God and His kingdom. One of the greatest hindrances to your being on mission with God will be your view of what constitutes your "legitimate rights"-that is, those things that you feel you have a right

to experience and enjoy. It's not difficult to turn Over to Christ

those things that are not a sacrifice or that you would prefer to do without anyway. Rather it is the things that are good and that are dear to you that may stand between you and God's will.

    It's good to be near your grown children and grandchildren, for example, but God may want you to go to another city or continent on mission with Him. It's good to get adequate rest, but you may receive a call of distress in the middle of the night. You may assume that you have a right to certain material things, yet God may ask you to release all of your possessions to Him and His purposes (Matt. I9:2I).

    Jesus modeled perfectly this attitude toward life. He had a

legitimate right to enjoy the comforts of heaven. Yet, He did not

look at it as a right He should hold on to; nor did He see leaving

all that was His as a sacrifice too costly to make (Phil. 2:5-11).

As a result, God highly exalted Him and brought salvation to a broken world. Has the world convinced you that there are certain rights you must protect? Are you trying to save your life? Have you noticed that in so doing, you are actually losing the life God wants you to have?

- Blackaby Experiencing God Day-by-Day 

We heavily compromise and refuse to call it that. Yet that's what it is from God's perspective. We don't intend to love the world and the things of this world but we cut ourselves some slack and say "This one is ok. This one isn't hurting anyone. This one's not that bad. This one and no more. Ok. Just one more but then I'll stop there. I'm comfortable so that must mean it's ok with God."

When we compromise in any area we open the door to slow down our race that is Jesus's to lead. We see Him running without any trouble...if we're staying within eyesight of Him. Yet we're not noticing that we are keeping a backpack on and are tossing extra rocks into it with every single compromise we choose.  

Jesus said to take His load upon us for His load is easy and His burden is light. This too is part of running the race of life with Jesus.

When we embrace what we think are our 'rights' in this world. Things we think and are convinced that God gave us to enjoy...and these very things interfere with our growing in Christ...they no longer are a blessing but in all actuality are a curse. We've tossed rocks in with that load that Jesus said we should carry and all the sudden things aren't so smooth anymore.

When we compromise...we do exactly...and Biblically it's absolutely 100% true...we do EXACTLY..what Adam and Eve did...all over again.

When we take our eyes off the prize we lose sight of what we are running for. Many a joke is out there about a dog's attention span being as long as it is between looking at you and a squirrel. The moment the squirrel is known...the dog forgets about you.  

To set your eyes on the things above and not on the things that are of this world means just that. Focus. Establish. Intentionality. Give serious consideration. Prioritize.  

Why do so many Christian's exude such great joy and happiness for things that are of this world yet do not show the same or better at the mere mention of something that Jesus shared with us? Why do so many Christian's choose to create their own kingdom here on Earth rather than to be generous or to serve with what they've been given?

It is more the seasons of storms that show that God's will moved through an area than it we see when we look at peaceful times.

We look at the aftermath of massive rains and flooding and know that God did that or God allowed that to happen. Evidence is everywhere and oftentimes people get stirred up to go help rebuild and to maybe help save those displaced. Yet in the same area prior to it, it was absolutly beautiful and was so commonplace that it escaped the notice of everyone. After the recovery and rebuilding it's finally noticed that the beauty is coming back.

Are you keeping pace with Jesus or are you doing your own thing? Are you by your choices tarnishing your witness before men and women or are you pointing them to Jesus the Author and the Perfector of our faith? Are you honestly looking more like a walking idol worshipper or a child of God?  

You either take up your own cross and follow Jesus or you put it down and do your own thing. Jesus really left little to consider with that.

So how's that race going for you? Are you really staying in step with your Lord and Savior or are you looking around and don't know where He went? He's wanting you to run with Him so that you both cross that finish line together. 

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 Awaits All

What Awaits All

by David Brenneman 

"The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed." 1 Timothy 5:24-25.

"So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:12.

"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." Psalms 101:3.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34.

We have a 'day of reckoning' that's to come upon all mankind, each one of us individually that is.

What will yours look like? This isn't something that 'might' happen. Jesus said it is GOING to happen.

We're in an entertainment and knowledge rich world right now. Every type of thing is just about possible and is right there at the fingertips of everyone.

So what? Well the truth of what Jesus said is the so what.

Jesus said you and I WILL give an account of our lives before Him.  

It's a guaranteed given as much as any of the other promises of God towards us this one is a true statement worthy of all consideration.

What have you included in your life that's not honoring to God? That will be shown before Jesus. What have you included in your life that does honor God? That too will be shown before Jesus. What have you carelessly spoken concerning yourself or others? That will be shown before Jesus. What have you thought about doing but didn't do...that too. What have you done that you thought nobody else saw? Yes, that too.  

We read in the Scriptures that it is He who searches the hearts of mankind. Which means you my Dear Reader. You.

Have you felt or spoken or made it known of something that you 'love' that isn't Jesus? He knows.

Have you done something without others seeing to benefit yourself that shouldn't have been done? He knows.

We can do many many things in this life but the question is should we be doing them. Should we be thinking them. Should we be entertaining them at all. Those are the questions.

We WILL be giving an account before Jesus...we will be wracked with every form of emotion at that time. From shame to tears to happiness and joy and everything in between. There's no defense to be had for our why's of all the wrong choices made or decisions thought and acted upon.  

What IS upon us to do is to obey to the best of our ability before we ever see that day.  

For every believer those things we did rightly and in Christ's Name...those will become the material for the crown with which we give back to Him for all He's done for us.  

Don't you want a lot to go into that crown of righteousness?  

This day is what awaits us all...and it's coming sooner than you are thinking. What you do matters. What you think matters. What you don't do matters.  

So what are you waiting for? Look over your life right now and determine to live appropriately for the One who saved you. Ask Jesus to examine you and see if there be any wicked way in you and to lead you in the way everlasting as David did.  

It may be costly. It may be painful. You may have to lose a few friends over it. But while you consider all this...determine whether or not it matters to you whether or not you think enough about disappointing He who died for you.

We have a day coming...what will yours look like?

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

Spiritual Bodily Discipline

Spiritual Bodily Discipline
by David Brenneman

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.  Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:1-12.

Many start out a year with high hopes of getting their physical bodies in shape again.  They sign up for places to go do workouts, some get personal trainers, all with the idea of 'getting in shape'.

Part of this might indeed be for the physical reasons but some others do so because of the perceived shaming that they get from others who look at them and see either problems or again perceived problems. 

In any case taking care of a body seems to be on the minds of people whether or not they are Believer's. 
Yet the inner-person be it a woman of God or man of God oftentimes gets neglected. 

Paul spoke of bodily discipline but what good is it if we're not taking pains to take care of our Spiritual Body? 

We're obviously NOT running a physical race with anyone to get to Heaven's gates. 

We're to run the race set before us in every spiritual sense.  Yet we're not going the distance in taking care of what we have in Christ.  We don't see or perceive the impact of the physical world upon our spiritual body.  We don't see 'the harm' in the things we claim to enjoy and have made a part of our lives with respect to our walk with Jesus. 

What is in your life that consumes 'your' weekend?  Do you shut the world out when sports comes on?  Do you put your Christian witness on hold when a game comes on?  Do you go places you shouldn't go and participate in things you should not?   Do you tell yourself that you've 'earned' the right to 'let your defenses down' after you say you've worked all week to deserve it?

I've read through the Bible many times and have never found any section where it teaches that there's time slots where we're allowed to just let go and embrace the world.

We can't say we're running the race as Paul exhorted Timothy if we 'miss' a day in the Word of God.  We can't say that w're running the race well if we're not seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.  We can't say that we're in shape for the race set before us when we don't even have the ability to run yet.  We're still, as some were told in the New Testament, still taking in milk when they should have been at the point of solid food in the spiritual sense.  Part of that rebuke was that they weren't even TRYING to get to the solid food.  They were allowing themselves to be happy with the elementary parts of coming to Christ and were not pursuing anything more.

Jesus was behind the words of Paul with telling us to put on the whole armor of God.

Jesus was behind the words of all the others who wrote the New Testament. 

Jesus said to take up our own cross and follow Him.  This involves spiritual disciplines.  This involves training in righteousness.  This involves saying no to things in this world because what is necessary for our Spiritual growth should take precidence over anything or anyone else. 

People mourn those whom they lose in this world when God says it's their time...yet do not mourn their own life that's not living up to the potential that's to be found in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is coming soon and lukewarm people are everywhere.

Jesus is coming soon and there's millions of people who only think they have salvation when in fact they have warm feelings and no clear fruit that they ever came to Christ.  All because of the examples given by actual Christian's who have lived lax lives that are not growing in Christ who are not training in righteousness by the Holy Spirit.

Your life is to be your witness and if necessary use words when that light shines in such a way that they want to know what it is you have that's different.

It's extremely saddening to me when I see aspects of my life that have caused someone to miss a step with Jesus.  To my own shame, in my past, I confess that I mislead quite a few people.  I wasn't up to the task of running the race and botched it up.  My only hope and prayer is that someone else corrected my mistakes.

It's equally saddening to me to see people who are Christian's who actively mislead people by their behavior.  The Scriptures say that we are to be Holy as He is Holy.  Doesn't say anything about a timeframe of when we're excused from doing so. 

If you are involved with anything that's causing your witness to be tarnished by the world...STOP DOING IT.  You are adding baggage to your back in running the race set before you rather than reducing your load so that you can run better.

Yes it will mean giving up your deceptive thinking on what you 'love'.  Yes it is a very powerful tool of Satan to get Christian's to excuse their behavior rather than to confront it.

Where is the commitment that you showed at first to your Lord and Savior? 

Lay aside all that is of the world and  run the race set before you as though trying to win the prize.  That's what we're called to be doing.

Ask the Lord Jesus to show you what you're holding onto that is not growing you in Christ and to help you get rid of it.  It might be painful, it might even be costly.  But it is necessary if you're wanting to grow in Christ and do what makes your Lord and Savior happy with your life in Him. 

If that's not your aim then you are really really in trouble.

Do you want to do what pleases Jesus or do what pleases you?   If those two aren't the same thing...you'd better ask yourself if it's worth it for when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life.   And my Dear Reader...that day of giving an account is now one day closer to being a reality. 

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

Guard Your Hearts

Guard Your Hearts 

by David Brenneman 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalms 51:10-12.

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

"and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!" Matthew 18:3-7.

The direction of the Spirit is where we're to proceed. When He speaks to us it isn't just for us to hear, but also to do. Just as Jesus, after He began washing the Disciples feet said that what He did now they did not understand but they would later on, so it is with many things that the Spirit teaches us. We may not get it until later on.

But guarding our hearts isn't something that is both taught or practiced much in this world. We're taught at an early age to 'go with the flow' by peer pressure. To 'not rock the boat' when we think about taking a stand on something we're beginning to believe in. Another big one is to 'mind your own business' when you see injustice having it's way between people.

We are to guard our hearts. There's more than ample reason by way of just being told by the Spirit through Paul to put on the whole armor of God. It's because from sun up to sun down we are at war with both our flesh and the world. We just don't want to think about it that way, it's too nasty and dark and yes even evil.

The war that's what we wake up to and go to sleep to has eternal significance. It has since Adam and Eve. It's not about gold or diamonds, wealth of every kind. It's not about those things we 'love' in this world. It's not about which version of the Bible we are convinced is 'the only right version to be reading'. It's not about status, of how well people think about us.  

It's about where we are in our training in righteousness. What we are doing to say no to the plethora of temptations we face and say yes to the will of God in our lives.

My Mom will tell you that she learned a harsh lesson in the error of thinking about how she 'loved' a car we once had. God took it away is what she will tell you. Ever since that realization she will never 'love' anything in this world in that way ever again.  

I hear and see people 'love' things in this world and these are the same people whom I see who somehow don't have as much time for being in the Word of God as they ought to have. 

I hear and see people embracing what the Bible says is idolatry. Yet they've believed the lies of Satan and just call it being 'a fan'.

i hear and see the words of people diminishing the value of other people yet they want God to value them.  

These are very very big symptoms of people who have never learned how to guard their hearts. These are very very big symptoms of people who don't take this spiritual war seriously. They aren't running the race set before them as Paul did and exhorted Timothy to do with all diligence. They aren't letting go of every encumbrance in order to run the race as the Word of God tells us to run it.

We run with patience, we run with purpose, we run with as few things hanging off our backs as we can in order to run well. When we bring along things of this world on that race we slow down, sometimes having to stop because we can't do both.

The whole armor of God is for our protection and for the fight at hand.

It's not for us to take it lightly.

Another thing we do is blame Satan for everything when it's us being carried away by our own sin nature. We cast the blame rather than take the blame for what befalls our lives and we find ourselves flat on our faces rather than running.  

Are you in 'love' with some things in this world? Are you accumulating things in this world that have no eternal value? Are you taking those precious minutes and seconds that you are given and wasting them?

Are you among those who say "I just don't have enough time!" when in reality you have more than enough. You just have to let go of whatever is where you put your time towards.  

It's been a very very powerful time this year for me to be intentional about both my morning times with Jesus doing what you are reading each morning as well as my time in the evenings going through 6 devotionals and 4 Study Bibles with their respective notes.  

We have to be intentional about our life in Christ. Jesus taught that to the Disciples and we're to do the same. Jesus taught us to take up our own cross and to follow Him, not to take up that cross AND bring a U-Haul for what we can't leave behind of thoughts, feelings, and possessions. Jesus taught us all to not take this life in Christ lightly. It's serious business. It's the Father's business. He isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved. We are those whom have been sent out into the world for the purpose of sharing what Jesus did for us to show the world a still better way.

The whold armor must be put on. Not just parts that feel comfortable. David tried on Saul's armor and had to take it off because it wasn't for him. Wasn't his size. The whole armor of God for you is exactly your size. Protecting the heart, the mind, all vital organs. Enabling us to stand firm against the schemes of the evil one.  

Guarding your heart means taking active steps to try to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ our Savior. Speaking truth to those things that invade our thoughts in order to bring about the righteous life that God desires for us. Newsflash for you: that righteous life that He desires may not look at all the way you think it ought to look.

My Dear Reader...take this life in Christ seriously. Cast away things that are taking your time away from learning to grow in Christ. Acknowledge what the Bible says about idolatry and those things taking your life down a path that isn't towards that finish line at Heaven's gates. Run the race, finish the course. Fulfill your calling in Christ Jesus. Everyone has one. Nobody comes to Christ to do nothing for the Kingdom.

Guard your heart. Keep that armor on and get used to wearing it all the 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 

No Shortcuts

No Shortcuts

by David Brenneman 

Tempted by Shortcuts

"Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has handed your enemy over to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won't have to strike him twice!" 1 Samuel 26:8

You will sometimes be tempted to take shortcuts to your destinations in life. David faced this temptation numerous times before he finally assumed the throne. Samuel, God's prophet, had anointed David and prophesied that he would be the next king of Israel (I Sam 16:12-13). Yet, David waited on God's timing, he watched in frustration as a crazed King Saul

brought the kingdom into jeopardy. Saul pursued David to murder him, forcing David to flee for his life,

    Then an incredible opportunity presented itself to David. David found Saul in a vulnerable position, sleeping with his army. Abishai, one of David's warriors, offered to kill Saul It seemed to make perfect sense. God had said He intended for David to be the king. By taking matters into bis own hands, David could bring an end to his exile and assume the throne as God's anointed servant, Yet he refused to compromise his integrity in order to become king, even though he wanted the position and it was rightfully his.

    At times you may face similar temptations. Well-meaning

friends advise you to hasten God's will rather than wait upon Him. You may be sorely tempted to take control of your situation, assuming the end will justify the means. These are the times when you must trust God's perfect timing, God may plan for you to attain a certain position or take a new direction, but

the timing may not be right. Watch over your heart. Don't allow others to persuade you to compromise your integrity as you follow God's will. Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-by-Day.

In the last many months of being unemployed I can say that several times there've been some who've likewise encouraged me to take a short-cut to ending this time of unemployment by taking whatever job no matter what it was or where it was. A few even tried public goading to get me to just take the shortcut. But that's never been God's way of dealing with life. The temptation is always there to take things back into our own hands after we lay it at His feet in prayer.

There's a saying that I heard long ago "God gives His best to those who leave the choice to Him.".

Pretty much I'm sure that sentiment was born in "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the human heart. All that God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.  

We will always have that simple temptation to just take it back, that it's ok, our solution will work just as well as what we were praying for. In some ways that temptation will look just like what we were praying for although the means to achieve it will not be the same.  

A life principle of Dr. Charles Stanley is to obey God and leave the consequences to Him.

Do what it is God's put in front of you to be doing to the best of your ability and wait upon the Lord for His timing. If we've not been harboring sin in our hearts then indeed nothing has hindered our prayers before Almighty God. If we have not withheld forgiveness from anyone then our prayers have not been hindered before Almighty God.

This thought of not taking shortcuts goes hand-in-hand with that passage also of King David in Psalms. "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 139:23-24.

Before you jump into what you might think is the solution to what you've been praying for...pray again. 

Remember most of Job's friends were rebuked by the Lord Jesus, all except one, for their inaccurate view of life and of God and their seriously bad advice on how to take the shortcut to end what he was going through.

We surely can desire shortcuts to getting through difficult times, but all they will end up doing is prolonging whatever it was we were going through in order to achieve whatever it was that God wanted to do in our lives in that moment.

That's another life principle of Dr. Stanley's. Adversity will last only as long as is necessary to achieve whatever God was wanting to do in our lives....and not one second more.

You're in good company for taking the longer way, the right way, before God. Joseph, we read, was allauded for his sticking with walking with the Lord. While falsely accused, while jailed, and everything in-between. He could have escaped, could have ran for it when the opportunity came up. But held out for whatever the Lord wanted of him, serving as though he was serving the Lord no matter where he was.

Continue to pray on, pray over, pray through life. Continue to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you...in His time. 

Seek not shortcuts and don't give those thoughts a second thought. Satan's temptations we read about with Jesus all were short-cuts. Jesus shot them all down as well as everything else we have never read that He was tempted with.  

This is our example from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

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 

Pray On, Pray Over, Pray Through

Pray On, Pray Over, Pray Through 

by David Brenneman 

"I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother." Philemon 1:4-7.

"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:44-45.

Quite often we're quick to rush into the urgency of what's on our hearts and minds...but shouldn't we be just as adept at being thankful first?

Do we also forget the remembering of who it is we're speaking to?  

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:9-15.

Jesus wasn't telling us to essentially mindlessly repeat these words but rather to remember the importance of each part.

We do have important things to pray for and pray about...but we should never pray in such a way as those dropping a list off to a butler for him to take care of in our absence. 

If what also separates those whom Jesus knew from those whom He didn't know is that honest, heart-to-heart relationship with Him...isn't an integral part of any real relationship more than just our praying in whatever is on our heart and rather remembering who it is we speak to? 

Our prayers are likely going to be heard in Heaven. But do we hinder the response by how we're treating others let alone the health of our relationship with Jesus?

We can jeopardize our relationship with Jesus by our neglect of remembering our position before our Holy God. He is holy, we are not. We are to strive for holiness as He is holy. We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven in order to not hinder our prayers.  

We should be thankful right after acknowledging the holiness of whom it is we pray to.  

We should remember that we're wholly inadequate because while we are yet sinners Christ died for us. We need to confess our sins. 

Thanksgiving is yet upon us this month. Are you keeping a tally of all that you are thankful for in the Lord? Are you only thinking about food and football? If you are, your priorities are seriously skewed. At least a good healthy portion of your Thanksgiving day ought to be in reflection over the provision of God for you over the last year. Turn off the television or the streaming and tune into what's going on at the feet of Jesus. 

Tune your heart towards thankfulness now. My life since June has been day upon day of thankfulness because I still don't know where it is my next job is going to be. Each month is, at least to me, more in His hands to provide for our needs than it has in years past. Staying committed to my times in the morning in His Word and my evening studies are more important to me than even my employment. I want to know more about my Savior who saved me. I want to honor Him in all I say, think, or do. As it says in Proverbs, He orders my steps. 

Turn your mind towards thankfulness today and make it a personal discipline. 

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