Not Forgotten

Not Forgotten 

by David Brenneman 

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7.

"And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:22-32.

Notes for Luke 12:6: "The Lord remembers even the sparrows that end up for sale at the market and knows their plight. So you never have to worry that He has forgotten you. He knows your situation and how best to deliver you from your troubles. Trust Him."

It's very easy to consider the thought of being forgotten. It happens at various times throughout our physical lives so why wouldn't it happen in our spiritual lives? Well the answer is right there. We're never forgotten before whom we have to do.  

In Isaiah it says "But Zion said, "the Lord has abandoned me, and the Lord has forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her nursing child? and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before me." Isaiah 49:14-16.

Would it be possible that there's so many voices coming at Jesus all at once that He would miss your prayers and petitions? Never. He is God and we are not. He is able to save all of humanity on an old rugged cross then He is able as well to hear the pleas from across the universe if need be.

Much of our lives isn't spent as it appears to be. We may think of things in terms of successes and failures as the world defines them. 

We may think of what others have that we do not. We may think of how WE would do things different if only we had this or that opportunity or this or that amount of money.

The truth is when we come to Christ the only objective of the Spirit of God in us is to make us more like Christ in whatever way is necessary to each of us. What the world thinks isn't even a close second. It's not even on the top 100 things of importance.

Growing in Christ and helping others to do the same is the only set of priorities there is.  

It's not about our comfort because of all the teachings of Jesus to do with the storms of life. It doesn't take an arborist to know that when a tree topples and we see very few heavy roots that it never weathered many storms because of that.

We can do like the world and become experts of a sort when we see lives cut short. We don't know what opportunities that God gave people and they steadfastly turned them down.

We don't know what God knows about each of us. We don't see just how His hands are indeed involved in each and every life on this world. All 8 billion plus people, the effects of those coming into the world and the effects of those leaving the world for either Heaven or Hell.

Unfortunately for many, the truth of the gate is wide that leads to destruction and the way is narrow that leads to life is only understood after they die.

But by no means are we forgotten before God. In the last 6 months of my life alone with all that this unemployment time has been like...I can testify to the many times and ways that He has provided for our needs. Out of the blue. Without a prompting by us. One might argue that since I'm still as yet unemployed that He has forgotten me. All the evidence points to the fact that He's been sustaining my Wife and I through this time. There's no evidence, spiritual evidence, that we're a victim of bad decisions that brougth us here. There's a life principle of Dr. Charles Stanley that says that we're to obey God and leave the consequences to Him. I did 6 months ago and I was unemployed as a result. I obeyed God in befriending a fellow Believer. He opened the door by way of invitation and I took him up on it. He being this newfound friend.  

The world would see it differently and does. I've been chastened by a few that I must have done something to provoke what happened. No. I just obeyed the promptings of the Spirit of God and a newfound friendship resulted as well as the current situation.  

But after all this time surely I must be seeing that God forgot me right? No. I have had unique opportunties to serve others in the last 6 months that never would have happened otherwise.  

Forgotten? By no means. If I or you as well believe in the promise of His resurrection then we also ought to not forget His promises to never leave us nor forsake us. One without the other is an impossibility.  

But what of all that you're going through? Yes? What of it? Yes there's been many times of silence and solitude. Yes there's been a lot of rejections from potential employers. Lest anyone who doesn't know...my prayer during this time has been that I would not be confused as to who my next employer would be...and God has not failed in that request. My new employer has just not been revealed to me yet. Even these 'no' responses are more evidence that I have not been forgotten.

My Dear Reader...this message today is also just as much for your benefit as it is to my own. A reminder this day that His eyes are on my life. Do you remember that opening verse about the very hairs of your head being numbered? Each night I go through my devotional and Bible studies...I notice a hair that falls and am reminded of that passage. Off handedly I wonder what number that hair was.

Yet I know that there IS a number and that my Savior knows exactly what number it was. Just as assuredly as I know that the times of my life are in His hands. He said that I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that I might walk in them. 

The Apostle Paul was always hit hard with anxieties about life. Learning to be anxious for nothing was a daily part of his life.  

What IS on each of us as Believer's is what it says in Colossians 3:23-25. 

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

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

Obey God and leave the consequences to Him. What our thoughts on what we're going through emotionally are...take to Jesus.  

The other day I renamed my prayer journal "What's left at the feet of Jesus". Right above my laptop on the board behind it is the word "Pray".  

While I wait upon the Lord, He gives me things to do. They may seem insignificant at the time but I can see things being done. Many jobs that I had in between the larger times of employment have been free schooling. I can't afford the cost of school so God brought school to me.

When you pray Jesus is wholly attentive to everything we have to say and what the Spirit adds to it. Every 

Single 

Time.

In the meantime, I praise God for His provision. I remind myself, at the fantastic advice of Dr. Charles Stanley, that God loves me many times throughout the day. When I remember He loves me I remember that He keeps His eyes on me.  

Job went through what we would call Hell on Earth. Blunt but true. Losing everything except for his wife and his life. The physical torment of what his body was suffering through would have been too much for most people. Yet he wasn't at all forgotten by the Lord. Satan meant it for evil but God meant it for good. Job's life after this time was over was by and large better than the first part of it. He was physically blessed and more importantly spiritually blessed to be a better friend, better father, better husband than he ever would have been apart from that storm of life. 

We will see the truth of God that all things come to pass. This season of my life will pass. It is not here to stay. Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 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. Promises, not wishful thinking to bring about good vibes.

Jesus loves me this I know. 

For the Bible tells me so. 

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 

Prayer Requires Persistence, Involves Conflict and Spiritual Warfare

Prayer Requires Persistence, Involves Conflict and Spiritual Warfare 

By David Brenneman 

“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.

"Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:5-13.

Luke vs 7-8, The idea that prayer is a passive activity has no place in the Word of God. Prayer is persistence, conflict, and spiritual warfare. Hebrews 5:7 " - Notes from Dr. David Jeremiah's Study Bible.

Luke 11:9-13 Prayer is a matter of faith-taking God at His word and

trusting His promise to work on His people's behalf-even when His

work is invisible, when the answers are long in coming, and when

He seems to be withholding His blessings. The act of persistent

prayer proclaims a believer's commitment to Him (Luke 18:1-5) - Notes from Dr. David Jeremiah's Study Bible.

By and large its becoming more evident to me the truths found in Dr. David Jeremiah's Study Bible notes. 

To the tune that I rearranged my study to highlight to Pray more, remembering that God loves me and to not cease to pray.  

It's the aim of Satan's minions to keep our hearts and minds away from truly deep active prayer. 

He and they do not want a single prayer to escape into Jesus's awaiting ears...and my Dear Reader all prayers DO reach His awaiting ears.  

Consider Daniel. 

"Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision." Daniel 9:20-23.

From the moment Daniel set his heart and mind to pray and he began doing so, the command was issued to go to him. Yet the one sent faced fierce opposition to getting to him. Daniel persisted in praying. He knew that regardless of any response as he surprisingly received it was on him to persist in prayer. 

We may not receive such wondrous personal responses but we can be assured of the same effect that the Lord hears and will respond. 

My last six months have mostly certainly been an exercise is persistence in prayer. It's also been fraught with disappointments and at times discouragement. But I indeed must press on. I can no more not pray than not breathe. Quite often the anguish of my heart over being unemployed has gripped me and I just didn't, and sometimes still don't, know HOW to pray. 

As Dr. Stanley has pointed out in his Life Principles Study...we aren't defined by our circumstances. We are defined as having come to Christ for salvation and as such are Children of God, the bride of Christ. We are His Disciples. We are beloved of God. Making it personal on a daily basis, many times a day I am learning to remind myself that God loves David Brenneman. That He died for me and He has a plan and purpose for me. He promised never to leave me nor forsake me. 

These things are part of my prayer life. 

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:5-8.

Do you have a private place to pray? Find one. Has it been a while since you last prayed? Guess what, God noticed. Think about that.  

We have every temptation assaulting our minds to keep us from praying. Even to the tune that we're blinded by things of this world that we 'love' as being so important to us that we can't see we have squeezed out time with Jesus. 

You have done it, I have done it. We all give away our time with Jesus to things of this world that we 'love'.

We have to be persistent in prayer. I need to be reminded of this daily. It's too easy to be distracted from praying. I like what one version I read of Luke 11 that said that the Disciples noticed how important getting up early and getting away to pray was to Jesus that they asked Him how they ought to pray as John the Baptist taught his disciples. 

Have you noticed how important prayer was to Jesus? Don't you want that for yourself?  

God’s will is wrapped up in our relationship with Jesus. You aren't to go it alone living life once the Spirit indicates what God's will is for you. He leads we follow. He speaks we listen.  

Persistence, conflict. Oh expect the conflict. We got to see the behind the scenes conflict in Job's life. We see it in Daniel's life. We see it in the enemy of God fighting over the body of Moses. There's going to be conflict in our lives with the enemy of God to fulfill His purposes and promises to us.

Expect the spiritual warfare.  

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.  

In no other place is it so clearly written of our warfare than in Ephesians 6.  

Pray On, Pray Over, Pray Through. 

Whatever the Lord Jesus Christ has said in response to our prayers will come to be. What good and acceptable thing has He ever said would happen that has not?

We can't give up. We cannot make room for doubt.  

Start your day reminding yourself that God loves you and what is best for you.  

Then prepare for rough waters whether they arrive today or in the near future. It's better to prepare than be caught off guard. 

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

Where Your Heart Is

Where Your Heart Is 

by David Brenneman 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9.

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." Colossians 1:16-18.

It's a very small yet dangerous phrase. We oftentimes don't take into consideration the depths it goes into our very souls. The children of Israel certainly didn't. Even with all his wisdom King Solomon didn't.  

Jesus said that the greatest commandment was "You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit."  

Question is: Do we, or does the Lord our God get the leftovers? Our anxious thoughts begin when our minds and hearts are on the world around us. We don't stop to consider keeping such things in the world in the hands of God. Before we know it, Jesus isn't in first place in our hearts.

It may be a western thing or it could easily be a way of thinking that goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. Loving someone or something more than a person believes is a bad thing. 

We are experts at convincing ourselves and others that it's ok to love this or that. To pour our hearts into things or people rather than wholeheartedly pursuing a right relationship with Jesus. We tend to categorize our lives. This is for God this over here is for me. That's God's time, this is my time.

What it comes down to is a religiously flavored version of doing whatever is right in our own eyes. 

Paul, Peter, all the Apostles, Pastors such as Timothy, taught that no matter what Jesus should have first place in your heart. Nothing else should be capturing our thoughts and actions to that level of obedience. We obey what we elevate in our lives as being important.  

Dr. Stanley in his Life Principles said that #19 is anything you hold too tightly to you will lose.  

You and I will face putting things and people in a places in our hearts that ought not be placed there. 

If our hearts belong to Christ then only Christ should be in our hearts. In the times after the exile when they were rebuilding the Temple some tried to set up both living spaces and offices in areas of the Temple for themselves. When discovered the prophets purged the Temple of those things.  

We lie to ourselves when we choose to believe that we're not subject to the temptation of idolatry in our lives today. Satan started off with it and until the day of his final demise he will continue in promoting it.  

What does this say?

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17.

We are going to have the temptation to put things in our lives to take our eyes off of Jesus Christ. We will convince ourselves that we aren't doing anything wrong. 

We will convince ourselves with many a logical and empirical reason for what we're including in our lives. 

We will have a struggle but whether or not we actually fight it remains to be seen. 

What does it say here?

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39.

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5-6.

There's a war going on in your life, in your world, in your heart and mind.  

Either you will gladly walk into the chains and prison or you will appeal to your Father in Heaven through the Lord Jesus Christ for help in your time of need.

First John 2:15-17 spells it out very well. Jesus Himself says what's required of taking up our own cross and follow Him. Carrying that cross should take your everything.

Does Jesus have your whole heart?

Look around at what's in your life. 

Look at where the hours go that you spend. Are they really spent in service to the Savior or have we convinced ourselves that is what we're doing and it really isn't?

Look at what drives you. Is it consistent in a life of obedience to God's Word or is it riddled with going after things in the world?

Everything we go after that's not going to work with what Jesus wants in our lives will turn to ashes.  

If you're going to be heartbroken by a thing no longer being in your life then you have a heart problem.

If living for even a person is more important than your life in Christ then you have a problem. 

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21.

“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34.

Do you say with all confidence that you do love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and spirit? All means all and that's all all means.  

It plainly means we don't love houses, cars, sports, entertainment, things past, things future, people, places or things, anything with any part or portion of our hearts.

Taking every thought captive means to realize that our thoughts can and will try to betray us. 

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

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

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 

You Will Never Not Choose

You Will Never Not Choose 

by David Brenneman 

"So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”" Matthew 27:17.

     

     Indecision is a decision. This thought sums up the choice Pontius Pilate made when he encountered Jesus Christ. Pilate

believed he could postpone his decision about Jesus, but he was wrong because every action he took led to a choice, even though he sought to avoid one.

     When Jesus came before Pilate, the Roman governor of that distant outpost, He discovered a man who was torn. Even Pilate's wife added to his confusion, warning her husband to "have nothing to do with that just Man" after having a dream about Him (Matthew 27:19). Pilate and Herod debated, and neither could find any wrong in Him. Yet the throng clamored for the release of Barabbas, so the expedient political decision was to send Jesus to His death.

     We all come to a point when we have to make a decision about Jesus. We must accept Him as our Savior, or we reject Him. Once we take Him as our Savior, we must choose to enthrone Him as our Lord, If we think we can postpone and not decide, we have decided already. - Dr. David Jeremiah Walking with God. 

Your choices are always before you. 

Not deciding on a course of action is still making a decision. It really is a one or the other situation. 

We can go through our entire life without choosing to accept Christ as our personal Lord and Savior thinking we will just "get religion" before we die...and will have chosen to reject Him regardless. There is no religion to get with regards to a life in Christ. There's a personal relationship in which we truly begin to live for the first time in our lives that comes when He comes to live in us through His Spirit.  

Read well this word from Jesus. 

"And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you." Luke 12:16-31.

You have absolutely no idea how quickly your life will be required of you. 

I personally know of a friend who's husband merely stood up to cross a kitchen floor and fell flat on his face dead. Zero warnings of any kind and no way to resuscitate. In a split second their final decision was set in stone. 

You play with your eternity as if it weren't something worth your time to consider and you will have chosen to spend it in eternal torment. Pain on a scale you could never imagine in a million years. 

And it will get worse even from Hell's perspective. There's a day fixed by the Father's own authority when all who have lived will stand before Jesus. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Those who rejected the free gift of salvation will indeed get a glorified new body but then will be cast into the lake of fire for all of eternity. 

Again take not my word for it.  

Read what Jesus said. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21.

You always have a free gift from God given towards you for the express purpose of giving you the opportunity to choose wisely. It's that very breath you are breathing. 

While there's been countless millions who think they chose to end their lives, the truth is God permitted their final choice to stand. We can't choose to not breathe if we are choosing to live.

Coming to Christ isn't what the enemy of God wants people to believe. It's not about giving up the best of living for something less than second rate. The truth is it's our giving up what's been less than second rate for the absolute best that's available only in a life in Christ. 

Satan's only aim is to kill and destroy. Jesus's is to seek and save the lost.  

But what's involved with a right decision that leads to a right relationship with Jesus? Read on.

"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.

You are already making a choice. 

Whether or not your current choice stands is up to you if you haven't chosen the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Once you do choose His free gift of salvation you cannot lose it. It's entirely founded on the work that Jesus did. His work on the cross is entirely complete. We receive His Spirit and are given the opportunity for a new life that will be beyond all that we can ask or think about. 

Just remember my Dear Reader...not choosing is still choosing. You're not going to understand the things of God without the requirement of a real right relationship with Jesus. It's going to remain foolishness to all who have chosen to reject it. 

Everyone in Hell has no doubts as to why they are there suffering. They undoubtedly disagree with God over it but they are fully aware they choose to reject Jesus. 

All in this world as yet can choose life. A life that will only really be seen when we choose correctly. 

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 You Feed Your Heart With

What You Feed Your Heart With 

by David Brenneman 

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

That verse 18 stuck with me last night and across all the versions that I was reading last night it was consistently the same.

Be careful of what goes into your ears! The many times throughout His ministry, Jesus said profound words and finished with saying "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" should be something we grasp onto. 

We are a very complacent people when it comes to what we feed our hearts through our ears. Many times, in times of war, this is how people are broken. An incessant barrage of auditory methods that go straight to the heart and mind of individuals. Satan's first attack on humanity began with "Did God say...". The days whereby Jesus was tempted in every way in the wilderness was through the words spoken by Satan. In our world it comes from those whom we listen to from video's, podcasts, streaming content, video games and all forms of 'entertainment' including sports and recreation.  

We are not well versed in taking care of how we listen. We even convinced ourselves that our music is not that bad, it's after all got a good beat and makes us feel good. Music, exactly like visual formats, hits a very different part of our brains than the written word we take in with our eyes. 

In hospitals they have learned that specifically orchestrated music therapy activities bring healing. 

We listen to secular music and don't realize what it's doing to us spiritually. We can also overdose on even spiritual music and neglect the Word of God. Any good thing can be abused.

As Jesus said here...take care with what you listen to.  

I learned a long time ago about doing this before I was even aware of the verse where Jesus said something about it. I wasn't glorifying God with my behavior from what I was watching on television. I wasn't glorifying God by most of the secular music I was listening to. I wasn't glorifying God by my behavior while participating with other's during a football game. Quite the contrary I was only glorifying everything but God. I was verbally tearing people down. My intake of secular music was warping my sense of right and wrong. 

My Dear Reader take care what you listen to. Read that passage again. Jesus was NOT making a mere suggestion.  

A garden will only grow well when it's tended well.  

We sew seeds of all kinds of negativity in what we allow into our ears. We do not build people up in Christ if our only intake of material is that which is of the world.

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." Colossians 4:5-6.

There's at least 13 times in the Bible where there's a statement of having ears to hear.  

How is it we so easily look to the world's anything to build ourselves up in Christ when that way never works? 

We choose what we listen to. 

We should really 'listen' to what we have accepted as good and ok to listen to. Are we ever going to glorify God with this stuff? Are we feeding rage and anger by that which we take in? Are we feeding thoughts of sins such as adulteries or idolatry? Are we causing ourselves to dwell on characters in a song that were unfaithful?  

Think about what you're feeding yourself through your ears. We are a culture hung up on all forms of auditory and visual consumption. We have just adapted to soaking up anything in order to honestly keep from thinking. We take in all kinds of information through these methods and not all of it will ever help us turn our eyes upon Jesus. 

Take care of what you listen to. 

Jesus said that every careless word that people speak about we will give an accounting for. Those careless words start with careless listening. We justify what we listen to and even convince ourselves wholeheartedly that it's good. 

Take care of what you listen to.

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 

Hearing But Not Hearing, Seeing But Not Seeing

Hearing But Not Hearing, Seeing But Not Seeing 

by David Brenneman 

"Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”" Luke 7:36-50.

7:49, 50 Although Simon no doubt had heard Jesus teach, he had not accepted His message. Instead of inviting Him into his heart, Simon invited Him to dinner. Many people still have that sort of superficial relationship with Jesus. They are social believers-they would like Him as a dinner companion--but they do not want Him any closer, certainly not as Savior.

- Notes from vs 49-50 of Dr. David Jeremiah's Study Bible on Luke 7:49-50. 

"Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.” Luke 10:23-24.

It's going to be a horrific day for countless trillions and trillions and trillions of people who fall into the catagory of what Dr. Jeremiah says in his notes. People who want the benefits from being around those who are saved in the Lord Jesus Christ but not coming themselves.

I've had those in authority over me in such a place in their lives. They can talk the talk, but certainly aren't walking the walk. They even gave great prayers at gatherings yet as Jesus said, their hearts were far from Him. Jesus said you would know people by their fruits did He not? It's not a matter of casting judgement upon others it's doing as Jesus said to do which is inspect the fruit. If He indeed commanded us to inspect the fruit, then by all means, INSPECT THE FRUIT.

"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:43-49.

No doubt there will be eager and ready to accuse me, accuse you, of judging others. Read the Scriptures in context before you lay such accusations. 

Some will read this post and think that I'm talking about them. If such a thought comes to mind...go to the Author not to the writer.  

When presented with who Jesus was in ways that actually WERE on a level that even a child could understand it as Jesus said it would be and people STILL reject the word of God for them...which is to be saved...then yes, easily yes they have no excuse before whom they have to do...who is Jesus Christ the Lord.

We cannot just gather around others who ARE saved, enjoy the benefits, and then go on our way. The Scriptures say that a day has been fixed by the Father's own authority for the moment in time when the Church of Jesus Christ will be complete and for Him to return to gather that Church to Himself. Which He WILL do.  

Countless millions and millions of this generation of people living today will be left behind because they loved to be at places where the real sheep of the pasture of the Lord were but did not want to really be saved by Him.

Everyone will be without excuse in the day we stand before Jesus. I cannot fathom how Jesus will do it because the vast amount of time it would take individually would probably TAKE eternity for each individual who's ever lived to stand before Jesus. The Scriptures say that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord.  

In one of the Left Behind books LaHaye and Jenkins might be onto what it will be like on that day both the Behma Seat Judgment and the Final Judgement for all mankind. In His abilities and authority, Jesus will have a face-to-face with everyone who has ever lived all at the same time. This makes sense in the reality of the real world right now. Jesus is on His Throne and yet hears the prayers of all who are praying to Him right this very instant and nothing anyone has said has been missed, or dismissed because He can't keep up. His eye is on all who are on this world at all times and in all places...to the tune He is also fully aware of all the thoughts and intentions going on in everyone's minds and hearts.

It's extremely important to know for sure that you are saved. What comes out of your heart is but one indicator. If you can't point to a time when you came to Christ for salvation, you DO need to do something about that. You cannot just keep asssociating with Christian's and think that will sway the thinking of Jesus towards you on that judgement day. As Jesus explicitly said to those kinds of people He will say to depart from Him for He never knew you.

Do you want to hear those words from Jesus? 

By the way huge mega 'churches' are growing with people who are only there to feel good once a week an do not have a real relationship with Jesus...and even those small 'churches' where there's pockets of the same...there's going to be a lot of people still here when Jesus comes to take home those who are His own.

As it's been said to me on more than one occasion, just because you walk into a McDonald's it doesn't make you a happy meal. Just because you step into a garage it doesn't make you a car.

You cannot call yourself a Christian if you have never come to Christ for salvation...personally...in your life.

It doesn't work that way. Jesus said the road to Hell is wide and the way to Heaven is narrow. Millions fall into Hell daily...and few are going to Heaven daily.  

You my Dear Reader must have come to Christ for salvation yourself or your life will be shown to be a shambles before Jesus when He tests it by the fire of His truth of His Word.

Your good intentions, your taking care of others. Your 'trying' to live a good life and respecting others. You not stealing, you not doing the 'things' that the Bible says you shouldn't do. All YOUR efforts to live a life that might be 'good' in your eyes is still rubbish in the eyes of the Savior because you have never come to Christ for salvation. A life full of your efforts to be good is still a wasted life in light of eternity and compared to the only standard that matters: a life in Christ.

Many billions in this world right now have turned from God. They rage at Israel. They rage at Christians. They want nothing to do with the Son of God. Some even say there is no God. This is how it will be before Jesus comes. They have eyes to see and ears to hear but they are missing every ounce of evidence that's right before them that Jesus came, lived a sinless life, died a horrific death on a cross and arose 3 days later to give new life to all who call upon His name.  

They live in fear that God might have them do something they don't want to do and that's more important to them than being saved from the penalty of sin, which is death.  

They live in fear that God might have them give up something that they love rather than to trust that He has their best interests in mind.  

They believe the lies of the ruler of this world over believing the truth of the Son of God who died for them.

You must choose to come to Christ on Christ's terms or you won't have come at all.  

You can't do anything even if you had everything at your fingertips to give 100% all the time to save yourself.   

Nobody can save themselves. If that were possible then Jesus died needlessly is what the Bible says plainly.

"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.

My Dear Reader don't waste another moment holding onto the thoughts that being with saved people is good enough and counts for anything in the eyes of Jesus. 

You my Dear Reader must choose yourself to come to Christ. That decision is yours and yours alone to make. Open your eyes, hear with your ears and come to the Savior who's been waiting for you all along.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

The Right Time

The Right Time 

by David Brenneman 

When we get closer to Christmas there's always time to consider what the celebration really is about and regardless of what any business, small or big, it's never been about making money.  

It's always been about the right time.

It was spoken of long long ago through various prophets, the likes of Isaiah, Jeremiah and others that foretold of a virgin as yet unborn herself that would give birth to the Savior of the world. The Emmanuel "God with us". The coming of the forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah who would make straight the path for the Lord.  

And as we can read and find such in the Old Testament, we read and find that it really happened.  

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them." Luke 2:1-20.

While many do and many don't look for the meaning of Christmas, or ask what is it about, I personally am glad that Charles Schultz did so well to include it in the television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas". When asked of including something so obviously spiritual and Christian into this he simply said "if we don't, who will?".

God came to Earth to save sinners of which all who have come in the last few thousand years can attest that they stand with Paul to say of which they too could be the chiefest of all sinners.  

Jesus came to live as one of us, enduring everything we would, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and yet was still without sin. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Jesus told many that He came to seek and save the lost.

He came, lived a sinless life, was scourged, and died on a cross in the place of sinful men and women throughout human history. 

He took our place on Calvary. 

Jesus came at just the right time in human history to fulfill the plan of His Father in Heaven. God isn't willing, wanting, any to perish but that all would come to Christ for salvation. He doesn't want anyone to spend eternity separated from God. He came to save. But we must ask for His free gift of salvation. He will knock on the door of hearts everywhere until a specific day set by His Father comes and then all who are saved will go to forever be with Him. 

So keep in mind that this time of year isn't about who has come or left your life its about who loved you so much that He laid down His life for you. 

Celebrate that instead of allowing life to drown out the true meaning of Christmas.  

That "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

Take time to thank God for sending His Son to take your place and give you eternal life in Christ, THAT is the true meaning of Christmas. 

Take that great love for you and share it with those around you. 

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 

Patiently Waiting Where He Has Us

Patiently Waiting Where He Has Us

by David Brenneman 

"Life Principle 14: God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

In this hurry-up world, waiting for anything can cause us to lose our temper and our good sense more often than we care to admit. Yet the Word of God insists we learn some of life’s greatest lessons while we wait. Though waiting rooms can be hard classrooms, God promises vast reward to those who wait for Him.

When we wait on God …

We discover His will.

God does not allow delay in giving us the desire of our hearts to lead us along. Rather, even as we wait, He reveals His will to us and works all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). 

We receive supernatural energy and strength.

As God deepens our relationship with Him through times of waiting, He also increases our energy, faith, endurance, and strength (Isa. 40: 29-31).

We’re victorious in battle.

When we do things our way in our time, we end up defeated. But when we wait on God and obey His commands, He ensures our victory (Prov. 20:22).

We see the fulfillment of our faith.

Though others may encourage us to forge ahead instead of waiting on the Lord, we must remember He’s the only One who can truly help us and who will never let us down (Is. 49:23).

We witness Him working on our behalf.

While we actively wait, God actively works (Is. 64:4). Every single day, we have the greatest Mediator working on our behalf. And even when things seem to go wrong, He’s making sure that everything works according to His purpose. What a wonderful promise!

Although waiting can be one of the more difficult things in the Christian life, it’s not wasted time. God gives us instructions through periods of actively waiting, keeps us in step with His will, prepares us for His answers, and uses the time to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait on Him, God will use the long pauses in our lives for our blessing—both large and unexpected—if we let Him." Life Principles Devotional on the Bible app, Dr. Charles Stanley. 

"Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the Lord; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame." Isaiah 49:23.

"For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4.

"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." Romans 8:28.

Stand Free

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" GALATIANS 5:1

     There are forces all around you working to undermine freedom Jesus died to give you. Whispers of condemnation the feelings of fear and insecurity, graceless messages from well-meaning believers, constant criticism from those you love. Day after day your spiritual liberty and God-given identity are assailed from all sides.

     It was this very threat that moved the apostle Paul to write

today's verse. He knew from watching the Christians in Galatia

that a believer's freedom must be constantly guarded and defended.

For just as the truth can liberate us, so the lies of the Enemy can

send us right back to the bondage and defeat we once knew.

     So today consider: Are you standing firm in the freedom Christ

provided at the cross? Are you taking hold of His Word daily? Are

you asserting who you are in Him? If not, take a few minutes to

review the strongholds and areas of weakness that the Lord has

identified and desires to overcome in you. He wants to liberate you.

Ask Him for specific Scripture verses that you can memorize and

meditate on. Then stand firm in your faith by clinging to the truth

that sets you free.

Jesus, help me to experience the fullness of Your truth and

freedom. Amen.

- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley. 

Yes that's a lot of pre-reading before getting to the post...but as has been said before...I don't have much to do with what the content of the post is about. God says to write on this or that and that's what comes of it.

Patiently waiting on God isn't easy at first to do. 6 months of unemployment, 95 percent of the time silence from places that you've applied to will certainly show that patience is not an optional thing but a requirement.

in the 2nd devotional he mentions graceless messages. Those too I discovered along the way. Well meaning people who's suggestions would have put me in a position of getting ahead of God's provision.

We cannot go through this life with even a shred of doubt that we are ALWAYS on the mind of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  

Billions on this world coming into it and leaving it and all the apparent chaos of the times...and He still has each and every Believer on His mind for their good and His glory. All those who are rejecting Him for salvation are all on His mind. All those whom rejected Him unto death and are falling into Hell in droves are on His mind. All those entering the gates of Heaven with praise on their lips are on His mind.

In the "Left Behind" book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins there's the one part of the one book where the Behma Seat Judgment occurs. Everyone, in the way they portray it, approaches Jesus at the same time yet in that moment each person is seen individually by the Savior. I think that's how both that and the Great White Throne Judgement will be like.

In our time here on Earth patience is something that humans have to be taught. Adam and Eve had to learn it after the fall and they were kicked out of Eden. We've all had to learn it since.  

In our patience we shouldn't be looking to other things to fill our time, energy and efforts with other things, other thoughts, other people.

Luke 5:16 says "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray".

A very profound reminder that He could not conceive of a life without communion with His Father in Heaven. We can read of the Transfiguration that Peter, James and John got to see. When Jesus prayed...that was what was happening in just a different way. The Father, the Son and the Spirit all together to plan out the day in the way that the Father wanted to have happen.  

We start the day in any of a few thousand ways but, and I'm just as guilty as all others in this, we should begin with prayer. Jesus got up early to go pray.  

We can have well meaning people in our lives that sound incredulous at what is coming out of their minds to our ears or our eyes.

We can have well meaning people who indeed speak of possiblities that are from the Father.  

Discernment is what should be part of our prayer times. Job had discernment concerning his friends. The Lord Jesus very much agreed with Job's assessment of most of his friends. Only the youngest was not rebuked.  

Patience isn't easy but it is a requirement. We have to be patient about the return of Jesus. We have to be patient about food in the microwave. Patient with those around us.  

Impatience causes those things that are not of the fruit of the Spirit.

It's a leading cause of envy, strife, jealously, anger, bitterness, lack of self-control...it's the root cause of most things that come from the heart that are not good for the soul of man.

So...what to do...what to do.

Obviously the first thing to do is not to pray for patience because that's a core fundamental part of growing in Christ. That is GOING to come whether or not we are prepared for it.  

Pray about whatever is on your heart. Pray with thanksgiving. Pray after the model that Jesus gave. Remember it's a model of priorities it is not to be mindlessly be repeated thinking it's some magical prayer.  

As I patiently wait it's also clarifying things in my mind. Patience with dealing with others causes truth to come to the surface.

Jesus is coming soon and what will He see in how you lived your life for Him?  

Laying the burdens of our hearts at the feet of Jesus should be our everyday thing.  

Jesus wouldn't be rushed in all that we read of His life and ministry. He also never rushed the plan of God for Him from the Father in any way. Satan tried in many ways we can read in the Gospels to rush or stall the plan of God the Father for Jesus but Jesus saw through it.

Mary and Martha is probably the most profound example of patience. Wait patiently at the feet of Jesus and do as He directs even if it makes no sense.  

We are here to do as He sees fit even if it disrupts or maybe ruins our thoughts and plans. The goal is to reach others for Christ to point people to Jesus for salvation...it isn't for our joy and comfort first then anything else afterwards.

Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

First. Not after we get what we are impatient about. First.

Think about that today as you stop and pray.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Making it Personal

Making it Personal 

by David Brenneman 

"There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."

ROMANS 8:39 GNT

     Consider the profound, personal nature of how the Lord cares for you. God loves you. The most magnificent person in the

universe delights in you. The Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-cherishes you. Immeasurably and eternally, the Sovereign

of the universe has set His affection on you. You are the apple apple of His eye, the crown of His creation.

     God loves you. This is not mere sentiment. His infinite goodness is directed to you in myriad ways- through how He created, saved, indwells, guides, and protects you. He listens to your petitions, gives you new mercies every morning, sustains you each day, and watches over you every night. And nothing in all creation can stop Him.

     God loves you, He cares for you uniquely as an individual. No one knows you like He does, He knows your dreams, desires, and potential and wants to see you succeed. He calls you by name and

speaks to you through His Word in the most intimate way.

     "God loves me'" Begin and end each day with this affirmation Rehearse it in your soul, And may you come to know in the most personal way how true it is.

Jesus, keep me mindful of Your love always. Amen

- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley 

Today's comes from the day after the post where Dr. Stanley spoke of getting into the habit of saying to ourselves that God loves_________. Where that line is our own name.  

It can't be seen in this that you just read but in each segment a different word is highlighted in the beginning of the sentence where it says "God loves you". The first the word God is highlighted. The second, the word loves is highlighted. The next to last the word you is highlighted.

We cannot go through life without making this walk with Jesus personal. You read in Ezekiel 18-19 where people came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord and the Lord told them He would NOT be inquired of by them...and He tells them why.

In Revelation to the letters to the Churches there are even churches who would go down the same kind of path as the errant people of Israel.  

They forgot their first love. They went off to do their own thing rather than live a life in harmony with the Savior. Having the appearance but not the reality.

We too must take our walk with Jesus personally. In every respect.  

We must also really really stop to consider what all we have laid claim to enjoying in this life if those things in fully spiritual reality have taken our eyes off of Jesus.

The very thought that you could do things, run after things, that would take your eyes off Jesus should give you pause to consider the possibility.

While our lives are hidden in Christ in God, we still ought to be sure to be walking in a manner worthy of our calling.

Do you make exceptions? "Oh i didn't mean that...it was just a game!". "Oh that's not what it looks like!" "I wasn't serious!" We can make exceptions to our life in Christ to accomodate what the world wants us to love.  

Consider that thought very carefully.

What in this world does the world want you to love that you are going after? Do you not remember the words in the New Testament?

James 4 verse 4 says "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility towards God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.".

Our greatest temptation is to do or add something to our lives for the sake of making our life less of a threat to the world. We probably know of the words of Jesus saying that those who wish to live Godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. If we make ourselves look less of a threat then we won't be as persecuted. Doesn't work that way.

Satan and his minions know who belongs to God in Christ Jesus.

It's on each of us to live lives that are fully personal with our Savior.  

We must make life personal. We begin by remembering that other post by Dr. Stanley where he struggled for years until he began repeating to himself that God loves Charles Stanley several times a day. 

First he acknowledged that he was struggling as a Believer. Then he was ready to be reminded of the second part...that God loves him.

I can fully relate to what Dr. Stanley said in the first post that you hopefully have read where God reminded him that God loved him.

Even here in this post I am reminded to make sure that my relationship with Jesus is personal.

Ironically I knew an owner of a company who, while claiming to be a Christian, took great pains to separate his relationship with Jesus from his business. He at one time rebuked me because I was concerned and was offering myself to pray with him should he so desire. Jesus sees no separation and I don't either....but he did.  

Jesus wants to be just as much a part of your personal life outside of work as He is while you are at work.

We read no where in the 4 Gospels of where the Disciples lived separate lives. Peter was married but stayed with Jesus throughout His ministry to follow Jesus. Undoubtedly there might have been other disciples who were married and in relationships too. There was no separation no time off days when they weren't with Jesus.

You too must not separate Jesus from other things you try to live in your life. You should likewise never introduce new worldly thoughts, ideas or beliefs, into your relationship with Jesus.   

Jesus's admonition is that if anything is causing you to stumble get rid of it out of your life...do NOT embrace it, excuse it, or hang onto it.

Make your life in Christ THAT personal. King David made his relationship with the Lord THAT personal. King Solomon started off with a life that was THAT personal. We saw what happened when he compromised. We WILL fall down into a pit if we compromise.

In John 2:15 we read "do not love the world nor the things in the world. if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the wrold, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God contineues to live forever." Note that this goes right into Jesus mentioning the allure the draw to the words of the coming AntiChrist.

Read that passage in John 2 again.  

Jesus made no exceptions. This was NOT a parable made to hide it's meaning from one group of people while being understood by others. This was plainly taught for all to understand.

This teaching takes time to embrace. I know of people who are Christian's who really DO love this or that in this world. They speak so warmly of these things. I know of others that I can testify to who will tell you they learned in incredibly painful ways what God did to dissolve their love of something in this world.

If you're making your walk with Jesus a right and true relationship...then you must take up your own cross to follow Jesus.  

As the great hymn says "...the world behind me...the cross before me...the world behind me...the cross before me...the world behind me...the cross before me...no turning back...no turning back..."

Is your relationship with Jesus honestly personal? Have you put up walls to separate areas from your walk with Jesus from other parts of your life? Do you love something or someone in this world when you're not to do that?

In closing...remember what Jesus told the scribe: "Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." And another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." - Matthew 8:19-22.

And likewise Joshua 24:14-15 "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and do away with the gods which your fathers served beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But 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 Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are now living, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Make your life in Christ THAT personal. God loves you. GOD loves you. God LOVES you. God loves YOU.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Our Perceptions of Living and His Love

Our Perceptions of Living and His Love
by David Brenneman

"As the Father has loved Me, I have
also loved you; abide in My love."
John 15:9

     Do you realize how profoundly God loves you? If not, you may feel discouraged and unfulfilled in your walk with Him. I can say this by experience.  When was in my mid-forties, I was a very frustrated Christian. I'd been a believer for more than thirty years, and yet something was missing from my fellowship with the Lord. But I didn't know what it was. I knew God. I prayed daily, read Scripture regularly, and served Him. But I didn't have the divine joy promised in Scripture.
     However, a transformation began as I grasped the love the Lord has for me. God loves me. As simple as that may seem, I'd never truly understood its profound significance. He cares for me personally. God revealed His powerful, bountiful, intimate, unconditional love to a very grateful Charles Stanley, and He's become more real, joyful, satisfying, and glorious to me every day since.
     That is what I pray for you. So please, take a pen or pencil and finish the sentence by writing in your name. God loves ___________.  Think about that statement. Close your eyes and say it to yourself several times each day. And accept it as true. God loves you. Personally. Completely. And He will never stop. Praise His wonderful name.

Jesus, thank You for really loving me. Amen

- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

I read this devotional last night and I was so moved by it that I printed it out to keep in front of me going forward.

What Charles Stanley describes of himself, I truly get.  I know exactly what he's talking about to the 't'.

We can be so much about life, doing this, doing that, even all the things that the Bible tells us, and yet come away feeling like Dr. Stanley says here.

Perhaps there's something of this devotional in this passage: "Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.  But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”  But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

We can be so busy, not just with a job, but with everything in life, even doing the right things, and will have lost sight of the good part.

We can be so about what we're doing and have such a full life going on, doing all kinds of things we dreamed of doing, yet will have neglected the greater thing as Jesus mentions.

There's warnings to the Churches of forgetting their first love. 

There's the adage to be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it.  There's wisdom and warning in that one.  We may think we have what we wanted yet in the reality of life we've become such that our true mission in life that's ours to do in Christ gets lost.  We think we're doing everything right yet have forgotten what's most important in the Lord...our relationship with Jesus.

I really do get it and do understand what he was talking about having lived it myself. 

Take this in: "For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6.

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3.

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18.

You and I need to do as Dr. Stanley says here n remind ourselves throughout the day that Jesus loves us.  This is speaking truth to our soul.  This is where we will start to see what he says will come next.

In this exercise you might also start to see where you've actually been looking for love...in all the wrong places in all the wrong things...without realizing it's the missing remembrance of the love of Christ Jesus that we're missing.

Things we do, things we pursue, people we put on pedestals, will never fill that need.  Joys in these things will never last nor will they satisfy...they will leave us wanting and frustrated. 

Today I begin my day with that reminder that Jesus loves me.

Will you do the same?

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

Can We?

Can We?
by David Brenneman

After God's Heart

"After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’"
ACTS 13:22

    Can you think of any higher goal in life than to be a person. after God's heart? Although David was far from perfect, this is what he was commended for. I believe this was because of four characteristics David demonstrated, which we would be wise to emulate.
    The first quality that set David apart was that he prioritized his
personal fellowship with God. If you need evidence of this, look to
the Psalms. David made it a habit to commune with the Lord and
mediate on His Word. Second, David exhibited a strong desire to
obey God. Regardless of what the Lord called him to do, he did so
with reverence and devotion. Twice he could have killed Saul but
refrained out of respect for the Almighty. Third, David had the
courage to put bis faith in God. There's no more striking example
of this than when he faced Goliath. Fourth, David demonstrated a
servant's spirit, Even when Saul tried to kill him, David continued
to serve faithfully,
    By following David's godly example, you cn can be be a a person after God's own heart as well, Certainly, there's no higher calling than that.

Jesus, help me to be a person after Your heart. Amen.
- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

In Luke 9:23-25 it says "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?".

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. [38] And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. [39] He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:24-27.

When you find things repeated in the Gospels, pay attention.

When we 'love' things in this world do we really take into consideration the spiritual implications of that? 

We are not endowed with the wisdom of Solomon.  We can pray for wisdom for life but must also have a discerning heart to use that wisdom properly. 

We can be enthralled with things in the world and lose sight of what it will do to our walk with Jesus.

We don't consider such things as traps in which we will inevitably stumble and alter our walk with Jesus even in imperceptible ways.

We don't see immediate effects and yet the Word of God says that they are there.  When we don't try to make it a habit of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus in life then we open ourselves up to tainted walks with Jesus.

Is not your true desire to be known as a man or woman after God's own heart?  When I read in Ezekiel 15 and 16 in these the Lord Jesus pointed out to Israel the ways they loved the world and the things of the world more than their relationship with Jesus.

What have you made equal to Jesus in your life?

What has your joy, your passion, your keen interest other than your growing in Christ? 

What have you surrounded yourself with?  What do you wear on your clothes for all the world to see?

What do you speak about that almost comes from your lips as singing that isn't of God's work in your life? 

We do that.  We find such joy in things and people that it overflows and yet do not find that in our relationship with Jesus.

Look at King David and how passionate he wrote of his relationship with the Lord Jesus!

Look at the prophet Job and how he lived his life blameless before the Lord.

Look at the prophet Daniel and how he walked so closely with the Lord that he was considered highly esteemed.

Do we think so highly of ourselves that we don't believe ourselves capable of such a thing as a wandering heart, a heart not truly devoted to Christ?

We have the same fallen nature as all other before us going all the way back to Adam and Eve.

We are not going to succeed in such a way as to come up with a way to embrace "the best of both worlds" and yet still live a life holy and acceptable to God.  We can't pour ourselves into the world's desires without depriving our relationship with Jesus.   Jesus said plainly that you cannot serve two masters.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24

Yet professing Christians everywhere both in little ways and big ways deceive themselves into thinking they can achieve it.

The Disciples were trained to put their relationship with Jesus first.
They were to teach others to do the same. 

Are you putting something or someone before Jesus in your life?

A big giveaway is when you set aside no time with Jesus in any given day.  Another is when our minds justify loving anyone or anything in this world and don't see a conflict with loving Jesus alone...with what? What does the verse say?  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit."  As one once said "all means all and that's all all means".

It may mean you cleaning house.  It may mean getting rid of things, activities, rethinking relationships in order to put Jesus where He is supposed to be in your life.

Do you mourn things in your life yet are unaffected by where you aren't growing in Christ? 

Are you daring enough to ask the Spirit to show you what in your life needs to go so that you are really in a right relationship with Jesus?

Everything we are pursuing that isn't glorifying God will turn to ashes when we see our lives tested by the fire of the truth of God. 

What we did in life that's glorifying God will become that crown of righteousness we will give back to Jesus. 

Recognizing that we're really trying to serve two masters is but the beginning.  Praying for God's help to right that ship is what needs to come next.

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 

Can we have a heart that's after God's own heart?  Our obedience and devotion will have everything to do with that.

Love God with our everything and love people as He loves us this is the only right and true order of 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

Taking Great Care, Choosing Wisely

Taking Great Care, Choosing Wisely 

by David Brenneman 

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37.

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

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matthew 15:18-20.

Oh the things that make for difficult days that we don't take into consideration nor enter our minds!

We can and will be our own worst enemy when it comes to ourselves and what we do concerning others. Aside from the above mentioned verses we also read: “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.

Even the tiniest ounce, the tinest minutea of what can come from the heart can mess up a lifetime of efforts.  

King Solomon in all his wisdom and with all that he had been granted in his latter days totally missed the mark with his relationship with the Lord Jesus.

We too can set up idols in our lives.

We too can be like others, doing whatever is right in our own eyes, even with being saved.

We too can justify our 'good' choices just as the rest in this world do.

We too can boast in ourselves when such boasting profits nothing and leads only to destruction.

The Scriptures DO say that "pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling" in Proverbs 16:18.

What things are we keeping in our lives that ought not to be there?

What idols have we buried in our tents and think that nobody but us is aware of? Read that in Joshua 7.

We try to because our sin nature still tries to assert itself in our lives in any way that it can. We need daily cleansing, not just every now an again when we think about asking for forgiveness for our sins.

We can grow callous to sin and just 'get used to it'. We can grow callous to what we hear, and just 'get used to it'. We can grow callous to what we see, and just 'get used to it'.

Should you ever just 'get used' to sin and it's practices in your life?

The Pharisee's and Sadducee's had hardened, unteachable, hearts, because they loved their sins more than they loved obeying the Word of God.

During the time that Jesus had His Disciples He often rebuked them for their hardened hearts. Do you really think so highly of yourself that you aren't teachable? May we ALWAYS be teachable to the Spirit of God.

We shouldn't be so comfortable with ourselves or our lives we lead that we don't ever stop to consider our ways before the Lord.

Just because things are going smoothly doesn't at all imply that all is right before the Lord.

Just because things are going as though through storms doesn't at all imply that we're entirely obedient or that we are being obedient at all.  

We can and will have struggles in life to do with the matters of our heart. Even going back to Cain, he was warned that sin was there, at crouching at the door of his heart, waiting for an opporunity to get in.

We can blind ourselves to much concerning ourselves. Which is why it's every so important to be in a Bible believing, Bible preaching, church. To be among those who know enough to get past themselves and to be accountable to one another. It's not enough to just go to such a church it's imperative to be involved with the lives of others that go there on a one-on-one level.

We do see in the Gospels of Jesus sometimes going one-on-one with some of the Disciples. 

A very hard thing to do is to ask someone else into our lives with the express purpose of showing us our faults and to be there for us to help us overcome them in the Lord.

We cannot go it alone. We cannot trust ourselves to be truthful to ourselves. We will lie to ourselves. We will justify all kinds of sinful practices to ourselves. We will make excuses for ourselves.  

It's what's behind dying to self and living unto the Lord...and no it's not an easy thing to do. It takes intentionality, it takes the power of the Spirit within us.  

Does not Scripture tell us we are not our own that we were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ? To seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness?

We cannot hold onto anything in this world tightly and do those things at the same time. We cannot justify a single idolatrous thing in our hearts. We WILL give an account of our lives before Jesus and Scripture says that every secret thought and intention of the hearts will be exposed.

Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ takes a lot of effort and time.  

Being intentional in turning down things of this world in favor of time spent learning from the Spirit takes a lot of effort because the heart wants nothing to do with it in and of itself. 

Forgiving others takes on a new meaning because when we see it from God's perspective it's freeing in ways we never knew. Unforgiveness is ugly and it is also a sin because it puts up a barrier between us and God. We won't be forgiven if we don't forgive.

So what's going on in your world? What's going on deep down inside where you don't talk about with others? What's the condition of your heart...really?   

Our thoughts will either lift us up or bring us down. They can hinder our prayers or free them to get to the Throne of Jesus in an expeditious manner.

Our hearts can either live a renewed life in Christ or they will cause us many a grief.  

The choice is always with us each and every morning and throughout our day as to who we will serve.  

An you will serve either you or you will serve Jesus. You will choose one or the other.

Who are you choosing?

The Bible says you choose one you will be cursed the other you will be blessed. There's no middle ground.

We will have enough things to be ashamed of before the Lord when we give an account of our lives...do we really want to add to that by willful disobedience, by willfully choosing dumb things to stay in our lives that we should have given to Jesus to deal with?

Choose wisely.

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