What's Your Decision?

What's Your Decision?

by David Brenneman 

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

The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. That's what the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:2.  

While they are things about peace and safety...destruction will come. That's in the very next verse. 

Knowing whether or not you are saved makes a Heaven or Hell difference in where you will spend eternity.  

All of the repercussions of your current and past and even future woes of life don't compare to what your decision on that question means. Nobody is guaranteed a today. Not a single person. 

You can be taken from this world in an instant and at that point your choice to either be saved or not is sealed for all eternity.  

Choosing is in your hands. Nobody else's. Even indecision is a decision. Choosing to avoid the question is a decision. Choosing to put any part of your wants and desires before deciding the answer to that question may mean an eternity of regret. 

We are given a day at a time out of the grace and mercy of God because He really doesn't want anyone to die apart from Jesus. Grace is giving us what we don't deserve and mercy is withholding from us what we do deserve.  

In the book of Romans tells us that everyone has sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are all born condemned due to sin. Also in Romans it says that the wages of sin is death. That what everyone is due is a death sentence, eternal separation from God in a place of painful torment. For those who choose to come to Christ for salvation there is no condemnation. When God looks upon such people all He sees is the perfect righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Our sin and the guilt of our sins has been taken away. Remembered no more.  

But you, my Dear Reader, must choose with all your heart to ask Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. 

Our choice in this single matter determines where we spend eternity. Why are we still here after coming to Christ? Because of those others in our lives who need to know the urgency of the hour. Because of maybe the impact of our lives for future generations who will come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior too.

"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.

Why is the Lord taking so long to come back if He's coming back at all? Dear Reader, for that very thing of not desiring that anyone go that place of torment. Hell was never designed for the souls of human beings but rather the fallen angels called demons.  

Paul, Peter believed it possible that Jesus could return in their time. Looking back over the centuries we now can see that various prophetic events had to take place first. Most of these have taken place. Not that people are trying to fit the Bible to world events but rather that world events are aligning to what was written thousands of years ago. 

Are you ready? It's only by what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary that saves anyone. Nobody's good deeds and good life are enough to erase 1 sin. If anyone ever answers in any other way than because of Christ then their answer is no good as to why they should be allowed into Heaven. The thief on the cross...he did nothing on his own other than to turn to Jesus and asked to be remembered when He comes in His Kingdom. Jesus said that he would be with Him in Paradise. Because of Jesus. 

Where do you stand with regards to being saved? Are you going to be among the foolish who weren't ready when He comes? The foolish who will cry out from the deepest depths of their hearts to come back to get them too?

There's going to be no sign to be seen when Jesus comes back for His Church. Just all the effects of it having happened. Global disasters that liars will convince the world were something else that just happened.  

Decide today to receive the free gift of salvation. Agree with Jesus that you need Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. Ask Him to save you.  

Noah preached for over 100 years for the world to repent and turn to God. Jesus said this world would be just like those days were...a world dead set on living for self. We live in exactly those days. 

The book of Revelation speaks of a new Temple. Know this that all the religious requirements for building one have been accomplished in recent months. This Temple isn't said to have to be built before Jesus returns. With today's construction techniques they could build a new Temple in mere months. This is a verifiable fact.

Are you really saved? Settle this today. Don't give into fears of what others may say or do. Don't give in to fears of what Jesus might ask of you. Don't let your fears consign you to an eternity crying out in pain to God who will not listen because of the choice you made in rejecting Jesus Christ as your Savior. 

Most know of or have heard John 3:16. Read the rest of Jesus's answer to Nicodemus. 

“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." John 3:16-19.

What's your decision? What you choose makes a Heaven or Hell difference. 

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 

Are We Actually Fighting God?

Are We Actually Fighting God?
by David Brenneman

Are we, by our choices, our resentment, our anger, our bitterness, our choosing to put something or someone in this world before Jesus, actually causing us to be found fighting against His Will for our lives?

"So, consider your investments--not in retirement plans, or in the stock market, or in a college fund, but the kind of payment that "increases to your credit" in eternity.  There is great gain in gospel giving.  Let the life to come determine your spending in your life today, and you will find yourself giving both generously and cheerfully." - Pastor Alistair Begg, Truth for Life Devotional.

Shall we add to our troubles in not finding out what our Spiritual Gifts are so that we are actually sure to be using what we were given?  Shall we add to our troubles by neglecting them altogether? 

My Dear Reader...are your reasons and excuses actually you throwing up your own fears and doubts rather than following in the footsteps of Isaiah "here am I! Send me!"?

We are kings of excuses and we got them from our grandparents to the nth degree.  Adam and Eve started all this sinful mess with excuses. 

Do we, in our choices of hobbies, leisure time activities, put what God wants on the back burner or not even consider it at all?  Are our Spiritual Gifts being used or are they waiting to be even considered?  Are we doing what we THINK it might be and would be found as having been neglectful of what we were given?  Are we providing whatever excuses we feel the best about in order to not really be found doing what we were supposed to be doing?  It happens. To many people. Every single day.

Part of a personal reason why I gave up following sports decades ago had to do with realizing I was giving some man-made franchise what really belongs to God.  I was more fired up and defensive about teams than I was about preaching the Word or telling others about Jesus.  It's the same reason why I liquidated my entire Star Trek collection.  In these recent years much of my desire for my electronics hobby is less and less appealing.  Studying each night in devotional readings and 4 Study Bibles has been far and away more for my soul than anything I've ever turned from God to 'enjoy'.

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2 .

"He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9-10.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21.

We live in a saturated world of temptations to tantalize all imaginations in order to cloud judgment and to keep eyes that should be able to see from seeing and from perceiving what's right in God's eyes vs what isn't.  Within the Church and outside of it a plethora of temptations cause discernment to fail and people to be sliding into lives without purpose...God's purpose for them.

We can be easily convinced if the right words or images or any other created thing said or viewed comes along.

Satan's had centuries to perfect how to cultivate any and all degrees of selfishness within human beings.  His minions are right there as experts as well in this art of deception. 

They can't get any Christian unsaved but they can distort and twist their thinking in order to make them wholly ineffective.

Not all depression is clinical.  Much of it is spiritual...who knows...after the Rapture we might learn that it all was.  The samples we have of who were healed by Jesus tell a great story on what is a spiritual problem and how it relates to the spiritual world.

We choose what we pursue and oftentimes its without consulting Jesus.  We decide what's right without seeking the Spirit for discernment.  We decide what's good and acceptable without searching the Scriptures to see if it were so.  We are under attack and most don't even have a clue that they are.  There are no conscientious objectors in this spiritual war.  There are no innocent bystanders.  Everyone is at risk.  Everyone. 

We must take our walk with Jesus with the same seriousness as He did in providing the example of Godly living that Jesus did.  We need to, as Paul wrote, to put off the old self with its passions and desires and put on the new self in Christ Jesus.  No its not going to make most people popular. 

What does light have to do with the darkness?  The light of Jesus Christ is indiscriminate.  It is the revealer of Truth. 

We must must must check our motives at the door.  We must find out what our gifts are and be found by Jesus as having utilized them to the full.  We must adjust ourselves to what He's doing in our lives...we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  Not that we ever should take the Spirit's direction as a suggestion only. 

Many people want a revival.  Revivals are from the work of the Spirit successfully occurring in the lives of Believers that overflows into a time such as that.  Half-hearted spiritual lives won't bring that about.  Lives that are full of compromise won't bring that about.

Are we fighting God in our lives by our assertions of our wants and desires?  Are we fighting God in our lives because we stubbornly hold onto those things that He's desiring for us to let go of?  Have we surrounded ourselves with only people who agree with us and not necessarily the Word of God?

We could indeed be found fighting against God, His plan and purpose for us when our selfishness is actually trying to actually get Him out of the pilot's seat.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you isn't a suggestion.  It's a command.

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. Isn't a suggestion either.

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world isn't a suggestion as well.

Giving what is holy to that which isn't is what's been happening in this world today by those who claim to be Christians.  We give our heart to something in this world and lie to ourselves about doing it.  We give our love that belongs to Jesus to things and lie to ourselves about it.  We pursue things that lead away from the righteous life that God desires for us and lie about it happening to ourselves. 

And then we wonder why life is the way it is.  We lie to ourselves yet again and don't look to ourselves as being the problem.

Are Christian's going to learn that throughout their lives they were actually fighting the will of God for them?  Absolutely.  Me included.

Reread the Old Testament.  It's full of every kind of way to not do the will of God with all your heart.

Get real with you.  It's time to stop running ahead of Jesus and settle down and obey as He obeyed His Father and ours.  Taking up our own cross and following Jesus as He said for us to be doing.

Yes it's going to mean throwing things out of our lives.  Yes it's going to be nonsense to the rest of the world around us.  Yes it's going to hurt. 

We will count the cost either now where we can get right again with God's plan for our lives or we will count the cost when we give an account of our lives before Jesus later where we can do nothing about our disobedience.

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

Knowing Truth Starts Here

Knowing Truth Starts Here

By David Brenneman 

“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19.

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

"Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does." James 1:21-25.

We can't know what truth really is if we don't start where truth is.

What got those in trouble before the great Flood we read of in Genesis?  Everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes.  What is the world going to be like when Jesus returns?  Everyone will be doing what is right in their own eyes.  People will be marrying and being given in marriage in the day the Lord Jesus Christ returns just as it was in the days of Noah. 

The Word of God was around in the days of Noah, just not what we all have access to today.  But there's more than that.  While building the Ark, Noah preached for over 100 years about what was coming.  While it would be good to say that all those in the Ark believed God...only 1 did.  Grace and mercy was extended to Noah's Wife, his sons and their wives.  Several generations were not needed by preserving them through the Flood.

Being IN the Word of God daily isn't a suggestion of the Bible.  It's more of a command than can be taken as a suggestion.  You can't know what truth really is until you read what defines it.  

Back in school, those pre-historic days, we used to have to look up words and definitions in a physical dictionary.  We had to look things up in a thesaurus, we had to use a set of books called an encyclopedia.  We had to use our brains to make sense of our assignments.  Today some so-called artificial intelligence is doing all the supposed heavy lifting in thinking these days.  Given what I've read and my interactions with an AI, I can tell you it's only by way of God not permitting it that AI hasn't destroyed mankind physically.  Their software isn't permitting them unrestricted run of the world.

But that's diverging from this message...today's message is to do with including being in your Bible every day as part of your spiritual food for the day.  You likely won't go a day without eating if you can help it, you shouldn't put anything in the place of reading God's Word daily either.

Many generations have given rise to the current level of accepted 'truth' in this world.  

God's Word hasn't changed because God has not changed.  Jesus has not changed.  Scripture plainly says that He's the same yesterday, today and forever.  

We cannot know how to be doer's of the Word of God if we don't read it to find out what it is we're to be doing.   We cannot make use of the spiritual gifts that have been imparted to us...we can't even really know what they are...without spending time with the One who imparted them in the first place.

Scripture in another place says: Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.

If you haven't been consistent in doing that...in reading it daily...then you've hidden next to nothing in your heart...so yes you will be sinning against Him.   Yes it's sinning against Jesus.  King David wrote: it's against you and you alone have I sinned.

We're not in this world to create our own little chunk of utopia.  We are not here to give ourselves pats on the back for our success or to consider ourselves successful in our own eyes if we are not proving to be a success in the eyes of God.  

Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  You have to be in the Word of God to know what it means to live in truth.  Yes it's going ot mean you now understanding just what all you have allowed in your life that's been so great and wonderful to you and has brought you so much joy and happiness just might not be at all what God's wanted in your life.  

"It's not the same" is often used as a grand excuse for what we've embraced in our lives that honestly took the place of our time with God.  We can put hobbies, sports, especially sports in these days, in God's place.  Many say that they 'love' this team or that team...and won't agree that their 'love' for it isn't the same as their love for Jesus.   If you are taking that which belongs to Jesus and give it to anything...then it's taken the place of Jesus.  It does not matter what it is.  Games, sports, writing, hobbies, a job, even family and friends.  Jesus said that if you love anything more than Me you aren't worthy of Me.  Ouch.

Daily in Prayer is what the Bible tells us to be.   Praying without ceasing isn't to mean that after your eyes open you start in prayer and you keep going until you go to bed.   It means that the conversation starts and as you go throughout your day that you are in conversation with Jesus.  

Daily in the Bible means that you have a place and a time where you meet with Jesus to read and study His Word.  You have access to both the book and the Author!  

Yes it's going to mean that you will be letting go of those things that are bringing you so much apparent joy in this life you live.  It's going to mean selling things that you shouldn't have bought because in light of the Word of God they are idols.   It's going to mean stopping going to things that you shouldn't because your whole purpose there isn't God honoring.  We are to be lights in this world for Jesus Christ.  His light shining through us.  We aren't to dim that light in order to not offend those around us.  Darkness of this world is fully and completely offended by the Light of Jesus Christ.  Read it in the beginning of the book of John.

Examine yourselves....Paul writes of this...have you done it?  Stand firm in the Lord...are you doing it?

Are you keeping pace with Jesus or did you run off and do your own thing several times yesterday without Him?

Set your mind on things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  Doesn't sound like a suggestion to me...it shouldn't to you either.

No this doesn't mean that all the 'fun' is going to be drained from your life.  You can't learn what is right, pure, and true, without knowing what the Bible says it really is and where it's to be found.

Pray on, Pray over, Pray through...and Read.  The spirit can't use the Word hidden in your heart if there's nothing but empty bookshelves in there.  

Lastly...many will say in that day that they did all kinds of things in Jesus's Name and He will tell them to depart for He never knew them.  Will that be you?   Are you SURE you are saved by faith alone in Christ alone for salvation in Him alone?  Is He the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

What We Should Expect

What We Should Expect

by David Brennean

Endings and Beginnings

He whe sits on the throne said, "Beheld, l am making all things new." REVELATION 21:5

    With God, there is never a finale. The end of one thing marks the beginning of something new. For example, the completion of every day is immediately replaced by the inauguration of the next. We cease from labor to rest. For the believer, the condusion of life on earth is the start of life in heaven with our Lord.

    So as Christians, our life has no real finality--just endings and beginnings that mark our journey. After all, we are going to live eternally, so there's never a consummation without a commencement that follows. Opportunities may come to their conclusion, but they always give way to fresh ones. And we really don't have to worry about tomorrow because Christ, who is our life, will walk with us all the way, making all things new, Do we really need more?

    Many people drag their yesterdays into their todays--only to mar their beauty and miss the possibilities they hold. Didn't God give us night to separate one day from another? So leave yesterday where it belongs and make the most of the life the Lord has given you right now. He will certainly do something new right when you need it. 

Jesus, thank You that when things come to an end it's because You have a new beginning in mind. Amen.

-Trusting God with Today - Dr. Charles Stanley.

"But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:15.

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”  Mark 11:25-26

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." Galatians 6:1.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25.

Encouragement does seem to have it's best roots in the soil of forgiveness.  Letting go of the past rather than visiting it more than the day we are in is critical to walking into the future and not wasting the gift that today is for us in the Lord.

We may not all get the most Godly of counsel in what we ought to do or even get any at all in the way of encouragement.  Most days the encouragement I receive comes only from my Wife and family.  I really don't see anyone most of the week these days for sure.

These times when we're made to lie down beside still waters...is often the time to reflect. 

What has happened what is happening and what's coming.  Jesus has always been in our tomorrows before our tomorrows knew they were being created.

We do need to end things in our lives that aren't growing us in Christ.  We do need to begin on the right foot in walking with Jesus.  Our understanding is going to be severely challenged.  We are going to face things that make no sense...and face things that we only THINK we believe makes sense.

We have to be careful of what counsel we receive.  There's several Old Testament examples of what happens when you don't receive Godly counsel.  There's many many examples of what happens when no counsel is sought at all.  There's many more examples of what happens when the selfish life takes over and the utter disaster it turns into.

We're to encourage one another and all the more as we see the day drawing near.  The day in question is the return of Jesus Christ for His Bride the Church.  

Most of my life people have never understood me primarily that they took everything about me based on an erronous assumption on what they saw or were told by others.  I can be a very odd form of introvert.  I can also under the right circumstances be a odd form of extrovert.   I can be many things depending on the circumstances.  I can be loyal to a fault.  I can get so wrapped around the axel on solving a problem that I lose sleep over it.  These are just some of my quirks that are me.  This blog was, I believe, what Jesus was showing me way back in the 1980's before I was stupid and got ahead of Him.  He's meeting with me every morning for many years to write whatever it is I've been lead to write.  This last January I was lead to increase my time in God's Word.  I had never learned what it mant to study before and now that's a chunk of my evening time.  I started out with reading the same chapters in two versions of the Bibles that I have and all their study notes.  I thought that was groundbreaking for me.  A month into it and the Spirit said it wasn't enough.  Add more.  I ended up with 4 study Bibles and 6 devotionals.  That's my daily intake each evening.  Haven't missed a day.  It's certainly been a learning time.  I'm learning how to study for sure.  The Bible says: "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you".  If you're not IN the Word of God how can you say that?

I might not be able to recall chapter and verse but when the moment arises the Spirit brings to mind what is hidden in there somewhere.  

We should expect life to get dicey, to have troubles, when we are intent on being in the Word of God.

For starters our sin nature hates it.  Secondly the god of this world is dead set against people reading it.

He will even try to craft your life in such a way that you feel so good about it that you forget to spend time with Jesus in your Bible and in prayer.   Such are the schemes of the devil.

God's not done with you no matter what your life looks like right now.  The devotional that I quoted was really good news to my heart and mind of late.  As long as people are breathing there's hope.  

With regards to things that happend to Charlie Kirk...God's GOING to use this for His good and glory.

Lives in Christ are never in vain at the time of departure from this world.  Our lives are not in vain if we're setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  Our lives are to be lived in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

We are to live our lives in such a way that we are known to be doers of the Word and not just hearer's only who delude ourselves.  We are to forgive as Christ forgave us.  We are to pray for those who persecute us.  Regardless of how heinous the crime.  It does not matter.  Jesus died for every single foul person who ever lived.  The Hitlers, the Stalins, the Nebuchadnezzars, the Judas's, the modern day people as well who appear to be the most evil form of mankind ever.  Jesus still died for them.  Jesus died for all the Pharasees and Sadducees that wanted Him dead. 

We should expect what we see out of the enemy of God.  For him to try to silence those who are living out the Christian life.  It was very 'illuminating' to read yesterday that we are to be lights in this world.  Those in the darkness hate it because everything is revealed.  Just like what we read in the book of John.  People hate the light of truth.  ESPECIALLY God's own truth about life, sin, and the eventual judgement concerning it...as well as the consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. 

We should expect to need to be praying a lot more than we do.  I know I need to pray a lot more than I do.  Not just for the food either.  About my attitude, about my forgiving others, of my interactions with others, about what all I'm to be doing in a day.  

We should expect to see the thoughts crossing our minds that it's ok to take off the whole armor of God, or even parts of it.  

We should expect opposition to what God's told us to be doing.  Even from the most well intentioned people in our lives.  3 of the 4 friends of Job were very well intentioned but were also completely wrong.

We should expect Jesus to return at any moment.  This isn't date setting, it's a Biblical principle that you find throughout the New Testament.  The Apostles and other writers of the New Testament anticipated even in their day that the Lord might return.  

We should expect the promises of the Lord to come true for us.  

We should expect the need to remember all the times that Jesus proved His promises to us.

We should expect some to not understand what is going on in our life in Christ because it's OUR walk with Jesus.  While there's much that's in common in our walk with Jesus, each of us is in a different place in our growth in Christ.  Some are not able to hear what God's doing in us and through us.  They themselves are not just there yet.

These are some of the things we need to expect.  

Pray on, Pray Over, Pray Through.  You can expect to need to do that as you are breathing air right now.

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 

Wasn't Your Fault

Wasn't Your Fault?

by David Brenneman

Answers to Life's Questions 

How Do I Handle a Difficult Trial Not Of My Own Doing? 1 Peter 1:6-7.

    Even those who maintain close, intimate fellowship with the Lord are not immune to disappointments, obstacles, challenges, struggles, and feelings of hopelessness. In fact, at times, God allows us to face impossible circumstances in order to test and us try our faith. It is the adversity that motivates us to seek Him, and when we do, He faithfully strengthens and refreshes us.

    God knows every emotion, need, and desire we have. He cares when we face difficult situations and grow weary. He hears our cries and understands exactly what it will take to bring us into a more intimate relationship with Him.

    The apostle Peter addressed his two letters "to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia. Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Pet 1:1; see also 2 Pet 3:1). If he were choosing a modern title for his letters, he might consider "Encouragement for Times of Suffering" or "Hope for the Hurting," because encouragement and hope are exactly what Peter conveyed to these distressed believers.

    These Christians faced all kinds of persecution. They were beaten, slandered, and assaulted, and in many cases lost their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ. Peter called them "aliens" because their citizenship was not of this world but of the kingdom of God. Still, they faced times of great discouragement and loss and needed the courage only available through Christ. Peter explained that they could rejoice even in times of trial because Jesus-their risen Savior and Lord--would always be the living hope within them (see 1 Pet 1:3). So long as we have the Lord Jesus Christ, no situation is hopeless.

    Would you like to have eternal hope? Then focus your heart on Jesus (see 1 Tim 4:6). He wants to bring His will and good pleasure to fruition in your life. Even if you find yourself in a seemingly impossible situation, remember that He has an entirely different view of the details. And if you will let Him, He will take your life, no matter how bruised and broken, and make something beautiful out of it.

    Isn't this what hope is all about--beauty for ashes, gladness instead of sorrow, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness (see Is 61:1-3)? This is the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ in your life. Therefore, bring to Him your afflictions and disappointments. Tell Him your sorrows, and He will restore your hope.

---from the Life Prinicples Study Bible NASB by Dr. Charles Stanley.

God's timing is all the time perfect.  Several months ago now I was let go from where I had been working since before we moved to our new home town.  After their investigation the State concluded that I did get discharged without cause.  I didn't do anything wrong and my now former employer didn't contest their findings.  What did I do?  It's not for posting here or anywhere else online really.  Suffice to say I was innocent of what I was accused of and God saw to it that the verdict was in my favor.

Perhaps you too have been falsely accused of doing, saying, or acting in some way that left you stunned.   To be honest...I was very very stunned.  I had never before in my life been fired from a job.  I had dozens of questions as to what to do next and had no idea where to start.  The beginning of the road that I'm currently on was certainly bumpy until all the things about unemployment were worked out.

God has been faithful.  Not just in this season of my life but throughout my life.  While I get some minor anxieties about this (the Apostle Paul did too for that matter) I know that God's got this problem too of where to work next.  What's deafening at times is the silence.  Silence from friends, silence sometimes from now former co-workers. Silence from potenial employers.  Was I blacklisted?  I did nothing wrong but you never know.  Then came the harsh realization that what worked in the past to look for a job isn't what happens now.  Now, and I had this confirmed by someone at a temp agency, you have to prove to a computer that you are interesting enough to pass on to potential employers.  Your old-school resume writing isn't what is considered approved these days to even get your foot in the door.  You can't go directly to many employers because they don't have an HR staff on-site.   You can't go to a manager or supervisor directly because they have little to no say in who is going to be new to their staff.

Life changed in a lot of ways in the last 5 years since the pandemic.

But none of these are insurmountable for my Savior.  As we are reminded to do in many books of the New Testament...remember your roots.  Remember those times you can distinctly recall when Jesus saved the day.  When answers to prayers came and from where they came.  As Dr. Stanley wrote, so did Pastor Alistair Begg, so did Dr. David Jeremiah, so did Pastor John MacArther and many other men of God in my life:  Remember your faith history.  Hebrews Chapter 11 is devoted to people who's faith saw them through.  Remembering when we were blessed, when we were saved, when we even were in what we thought were the lowest valleys.  Remember.

What we do with those memories will shape how we look at the present.  Another one of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles is that adversity will only last as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His will for us.  I saw a video from Billy Graham earlier today where he said basically the same things.  

We are aliens in a foreign land.  No matter where in this world we as Believers find ourselves that's where we are.  Behind enemy lines.  Surrounded at times.  Needing to keep the full armor of God on, and to be ready.  To stand firm.  To take every thought captive.  I tell you it's difficult when you just got walked out to capture your thoughts.  But we are to do that towards the obedience of our life in Christ.

As has been said in many other posts...Pray On, Pray Over, Pray Through what you are going through.

I read some notes last night on 1 Peter chapter 1.  Prayers were best intended to be book ends of thanksgiving.  Be thankful when you start your prayer to God and thankful before you end it.

Life follows a pattern alright and the more I look back over mine...it follows Psalm 23.  The life of a sheep is the life of one in Christ.  We are going to grow in Christ at different paces than others but we will grow in Christ.  We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.

While we may never understand the why's to our predicament it's not singularly our predicament.  It's a situation that Jesus has well in hand and will see us through.  Just as the Psalmist wrote so it always shall be.  Job didn't know possibly in his lifetime the why's of his life but he had the rest of his life to remember where his faith in the Lord Jesus took him.

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 Walking and Prayer Sitting

Prayer Walking and Prayer Sitting 

by David Brenneman 

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Your lovingkindness remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles." Psalms 25:1-22.

Have sort of written about this book n chapter before and I don't see it as unnecessarily repetitive when it came up again in my devotional readings last night. 

Adversity comes to everyone in Christ because the sin nature we live with until we die or the Rapture of the Church happens...has no desire to let go of our lives. The Bible says as well that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus are going to be persecuted. They're going to have difficulties. Where we once were blind now we see and upon seeing now we learn how to do. 

Realistically speaking if adversities aren't coming upon some people it's either because a time of rest has been determined for them or their sin nature is currently content with where they are. Satan's minions aren't going to bother people already doing what they're happy with. 

Reaching out to Godly council can often help understand personal situations better. Job thought at first that his friends would be better companions during his difficult times but sadly they were not. Only the youngest offered the right kind of wisdom. The Lord Jesus rebuked the rest. King Rehoboam refused to listen to the older wiser men who offered the wisest counsel in favor of the much younger friends of his and it cost him dearly and others their lives.

Because so-and-so said is an oftentimes weak defense. We decide to listen to the wisdom of God or we don't.  

Remembering who we are and who's we are is extremely important in living a God approved life. 

When going through struggles, Dr. Charles Stanley recommended reading through Psalms 25.  

Rushing into decisions isn't something God seems to favor. We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us.  

While in another place in Psalms we read that a multitude of counselors ensures success...be careful of what counselors you choose.  

Peter started off great in declaring that Jesus indeed was the Son of God...then promptly fell on his face in mere minutes. He relied on his own wisdom in following where they took Jesus and he promptly failed.  

First and foremost relying on the Lord Jesus Christ has never failed anyone. Peter walked on water only because his eyes were set on Jesus. His faith was pointing in the right direction. 

What are you looking at in your day-to-day?  

Don't be surprised if others don't understand your life when you're striving to stand firm in the Lord. True wisdom comes from above.  

Forgiveness also impacts your ability to digest wisdom. Without a clean conscience distractions abound from the minor to the major. Without true forgiveness we read that it puts up a barrier between us and Jesus. If we don't forgive then our sins won't be forgiven.  

The only one who's truly walked a mile in my shoes...is Jesus because He was there the whole time. To anyone else they're only getting a fraction of a percentage of what's going on in my situation. Arrogant presumption can take root in some cases because human beings often think what little they see is the whole picture.  

Jesus knows our worries and our concerns. He was in today before today came into being. He said to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own.

Sheep. We are very much like them. We really do need to listen to the wisdom of the Great Shepherd in getting through life. It's been a rather eye-opening study this year on just Psalms 23. 

I have been seeking direction with employment. I seek the Lord daily. He's been providing for all our needs. He keeps providing a peace that passes understanding. He helps me accomplish my obligations with being on unemployment. He's still speaking to me daily. Some think the way I ask for prayer about it seem to think that I am struggling with this. God's word to me is to be patient, it's coming. My humanness gets in the way and the often stillness and quiet waters of this job market get to me. I then return to prayer. 

My life is what God's overall plan is for me. He directs, I go and do. He says to stop, I stop. Not getting ahead or behind where He's wanting me to be.  

In your life and mine we will have friends who mean well but aren't seeing the picture that God sees. Some will be like those 3 friends of Job n then others will be like his 4th friend who spoke wisely in God's eyes.  

Scripture says that wisdom is vindicated by her children. 

Praying the prayers we find in the book of Psalms for ourselves isn't necessarily a bad thing. There's many prayers we read that have no bearing on anyone else other than the people we read in the Scriptures. A good example is the prayer of Jabez. That was meant for him alone. 

Praying must be personal. We read in Psalms 25 of a very personal prayer. Prayer is more about Jesus than its to be about us. A heart-to-heart prayer accomplishes much. Sometimes we have no words...in those cases open in prayer and just sit with Jesus. The Spirit will do the talking for you. 

Trees that have seen their share of storms will always outlast any that have only had smooth sailing days.

Pray on, pray over, pray through life.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. 

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. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

His Steps Are Always The Right Steps

His Steps Are Always The Right Steps 

by David Brenneman 

Get God's Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

PROVERBS 9:10

    Are you in a quandary about how to fix a problem? You don't have to wring your hands wondering, What am I going to do? Whenever you really want to know the truth about your circumstances or how to proceed, remember that no one will ever understand what is going on better than God. So the best, wis-

est thing you can ever do is seek His viewpoint concerning your

situation.

    Today's verse reminds you that demonstrating reverence toward

the Lord is the beginning of gaining the wisdom you need. You fear

Him by acknowledging His sovereign power and position as the Lord of your life. And you seek His insight into your challenges by

meditating on Scripture- absorbing His viewpoint about the issues

with which you're wrestling. Reflect on how God usually works in

circumstances such as the one you're facing. Then apply His Word

to your situation. Of course, when the Lord reveals His direction, you may think, That's not what most people do. But if you want the wisdom and power of God, you must take the leap and trust Him by doing what He says. Because then He solves your troubles in the way only He can.

Jesus, I exalt You as Lord, Please show me what to do.

Amen.

Dr. Charles Stanley Trusting God with Today 

It's often at the oddest of times and ways that the next step to take presents itself. Sometimes advice is given that sounds good but it isn't for us to follow.  

Job had 4 friends come to him in his extreme discomfort and distress. 3 of them were rebuked for their advice wasn't of God nor was it right before God. Only 1 spoke what was right before Jesus. We too can receive all kinds of advice but discernment filters out what is good from what isn't. That discernment must come from Jesus.  

In James chapter 4 we read of a few reasons why some prayers aren't answered. Praying with wrong motives. Praying but not actually asking. Praying with selfishness really in mind.  

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:1-4.

We can't really live the righteous life that God desires for us if we aren't asking for His directions.  

Dr. Stanley also used to point out that God doesn't have problems, only situations.  

Many a grief over situations could be avoided by a closer walk through life with Jesus. Getting ahead of Jesus has never benefited anyone at any point in time. 

We aren't going to understand everything about our situations that we find ourselves in. We are, however, to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understanding. 

We don't have all the details, all the facts.  

What we do with definitive thought determines who is in the driver's seat.

The world says that if nothing is happening that we must make it happen or else it's not going to happen.  

We can't see what God's doing in the background. We can't see the people He's maneuvering to bring about the solutions to our situations. 

There's a hymn that says where He leads me I will follow all the way. 

Prayer is to be a heart to heart conversation. Not our giving Jesus our order for a meal or what we wants to happen. 

We're to obey Jesus and leave the consequences to Him.  

We may get to understand the why's, we may not. We aren't to go it alone either. Keeping pace with Jesus is always best.

Pray on, pray over, pray through 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 

A Rough But Necessary Road

A Rough But Necessary Road 

by David Brenneman 

“If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:15-20.

Father give me strength, to do what I must do.

Father give me courage, to say what I must say.

Let that spirit move me.

I'm nothing on my own.

Father stand by me, I can not stand alone, in Jesus name I pray.

Father open up my eyes to your wonders all around.

Father let me see the good and beauty of this day.

Fill my heart with love, for my fellow man.

And if I'm tempted Father.

Father take my hand, in Jesus name I pray.

Father help me through the troubled days that lie ahead.

Let your life stand before me, that I may find a way.

So let me stumble Father, or fall beneath my load.

Father guide my footsteps.

Hold me to the road, in Jesus name I pray.

Let not hunger be my guide, nor fear be my master.

Father let not envy, be a part of me in any way.

Father search my soul, take away my fear and doubt.

Any moment that you find this, Father cast it out, in Jesus name I pray.

Ah ah ah Amen.

- "In Jesus Name I Pray" Charlie Pride (c) 1976

It's never an easy road where confrontation resides. We probably would admit that confrontation is the least favorite thought to cross our minds to do with someone else. 

Emotions come to the forefront and a danger can exist that the rightful truth won't be the only thing revealed but other things that have no real bearing on the matter at hand. 

But it's not to be avoided when what's really at stake is the integrity and the reputation of Jesus Christ in the lives of those its about. 

Prayer must proceed what we read of in Matthew 18. There must be no compromise in that first step. Next comes what Jesus said must be done. Not in the court of popular opinion but His direct, straightforward, commanded, instructions. He commanded that this is what must be done. 

In the Old Testament we read of people whom were called out due to keeping things under a ban from the spoils of war. The matter was confirmed by no less than 2 witnesses. Judgment was swift and it was severe.  

A consistent theme between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the command to deal with the things that only produce stumbling blocks to both the Believer and the unbelieving. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer then proceed as the Spirit directs. 

Prayer is a must because our feelings get in the way of God's will being done. We are fearful of outcomes that are atypically unpredictable. 

Obstinate, unrepentant, people must be rooted out. They cause dissensions and division. They cause the Word of God to be maligned. The Name of Jesus Christ to be trampled on.  

Paul instructed the churches to deal with such people or when he was visiting again he would deal with them.  

Seeking the Lord in prayer helps keep our solutions out of the mix as well. Even in this, especially in this, it's still to be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Period. 

When the Lord has decided then obedience must follow. There's stories too in the Old Testament where the command from the Lord was given and obedience didn't follow and there were serious repercussions from it. Still others commended for stepping up to fulfill the command of the Lord. 

It hurts or at least it should because relationships have been broken and the fallout is usually severe.  

Those in a leadership position who are the ones under scrutiny are under double the condemnation for as they are worthy of double honor for the good they do in their lofty position so is the responsibility and accountability of that position. 

We're told to pray for those who are leaders and those in authority over us. They need our prayers. Jealousy, strife, envy, deceit, malice, bitterness, can take root in anyone but those in authority, they are targeted for those things. 

We're to pray for those who persecute us.  

Our prayers for people take those people before Jesus for Him to address. When we do...we should get out of His way for what He deems is necessary to be done. Our part doesn't change. We are to bring our requests to God in prayer and abide by His choices and decisions regarding them. It's not up for debate or questioning. We may not like the fact that we may have to remove such a person from under the protection of God because of their choices and decisions but its a Biblical necessity as part of what is commanded.  

As a saying once said long ago goes: Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it.

The point of going through such confrontations concerning sin is to bring such people back into a right relationship with Jesus.  

That's what Jesus wants so it should be what we want, no matter what steps need to be taken or how long it takes. 

Go all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Don't you think it greatly pained Jesus to have to kill His creation to provide clothes for Adam and Eve? What pains we consider with regards to what we are commanded to do to obey Jesus certainly must pale in comparison. 

Prayer leads those who are to confront such people. Prayer must be had for those in this situation. Prayer must be said to bring about the righteous life that God desires. As it also says that without faith it is impossible to please God. We must believe that His interests are to restore errant people.  

"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10.

Looking the other way and not dealing with what God's Word says must be dealt with is never a good thing. 

Keep those in authority over us in Christ in prayer at all times.

Rough times do surround such rough things but when repentance comes so does rejoicing. 

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 

Getting Ahead of Jesus

Getting Ahead of Jesus 

by David Brenneman 

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalms 27:13-14. 

Getting ahead of Jesus is never a good thing...never a good idea. 

We often don't consider the consequences of running ahead of our parents as a child. Unseen dangers lurk that time and experience have shown our parents what to be wary of.  

Getting ahead of Jesus is the same. Pressuring Jesus to answer a prayer in our way isn't a good thing either. It's not our will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  

Within the limits of our understanding we don't get the whole picture of what Jesus is doing. I can remember back in my youth where more often than not if we were out some place that my Dad had me put my finger in one of his belt loops. This was to keep me in pace with him.  

In Biblical times disciples were to so closely follow their Master that the blessing was said "may you be covered in the dust of your Master".

I do get various kinds of advice concerning looking for a job. What has been a learning experience for me is how drastically the employment landscape has changed in even the last 10 years. What used to be normal for applying or even with resumes doesn't work today. Add in the hidden ways people are vetted by artificial intelligence these days. And how indeed age is discriminated against simply by a non-response. Prayers indeed go up concerning wisdom in navigating this new employment process. Gone are the days of blanket applications. You can’t just stop by and have a conversation with most places. They have everything go through a human resource process that might not even be in the same building. 

Waiting on the Lord. This passage is the verse of the day today.  

This passage has been what the last several months have been about for me. Praying and pursuing while waiting on the Lord.  

Many decades ago I got ahead of Jesus. That is something that I highly recommend you do not do. The life that came to be for me was incredibly difficult and the depths of the loneliness were extremely difficult to bear. So to my many sources of advice I hope you understand that I have gone through that excruciating process once to get back around to where Jesus wanted me...I won't do that again. 

Don't get ahead of Jesus. Keep pace with Jesus. What He says is what you do. If He says to lie down by still waters, stay there until He says it's time to get back up. If He says it's time to get back up, then do so.  

"and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God." Colossians 2:19.  

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6.

God causes the growth in the lives of Believers. He plans my ways and directs my steps. Proverbs 16:9.

In your life too this is to be the case my Dear Reader. We do what we are called to do as unto the Lord. With all our heart. But don't assume or presume to go down roads He hasn't approved for us to go down. Saul did this and lost the Kingdom. Many kings of the Old Testament did this and decades later the nation was still reaping the consequences of it.  

Run, walk, stand with Jesus. What He says that's what we do.  

Presumption with regards to the will of God for us will get us into a world of trouble. Every pile of manure ends the same when stepped in. Jesus knows the ways around all of them. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. 

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 

Not Our Will, Only His be Done

Not Our Will, Only His be Done

by David Brenneman 

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 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 16:13-27.

"If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:15-20.

Part of the general plot line of a popular movie had to do with the mess the main character made by interfering with a supposed spell another main character was making in order to satisfy the request of the main character. The chaos that ensued was essentially the whole movie.  

In our lives we oftentimes miss the point of praying and prayer. We can lean on our own understanding even just a little bit and thereby mess up what should have been left in God's hands all along. We pray for people or ourselves and then comes the conditions we truthfully want God to abide by. We can blind ourselves to the reality of a given situation. We can be brought to a season of painful moments because the situation breaks the hearts of some it involves and this too colors our judgment in how prayers are offered. 

The Apostle Paul cut to the heart of the matter with many, both written about in the Epistles we know of in New Testament referred to as Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Things are also hinted at in letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon. 

Paul looked to the hearts of people. He anguished over many disobedient people claiming to be Christians.  

He wanted those who sinned to repent and return to a right relationship with Jesus. Jesus wrote of this as the model we read of in Matthew 18. 

Our desires are essentially to soften the blows that need to come from Jesus, through His Spirit, to whomever is the offending party. Our desires ought to only be your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Nothing more, nothing less. 

In our best intentions we will still interfere and still not see the fruits of repentance in someone's life. 

In our limited understanding we will not see truth as God sees truth. Our understanding is tarnished by our sin nature.  

Life, no matter what the reasons we have to the contrary, ought to always be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Life should always be in restoration of Believers to a right relationship with Jesus regardless of what steps the Spirit says must take place to bring about that desired result. 

Someone who refuses to acknowledge the truth of God in their broken relationship will need to be removed from God's protection for a time until they realize He is God and they are not.  

A restored relationship is what salvation is about between God and man. After coming to Christ we are, much as we read happening to Peter, susceptible to demonic influences if great care isn't taken.

Believers can't be possessed by demons but any unbeliever can.

The fruits of the Spirit are only truly found in the Believers of this world. The fruits of darkness are abounding among the unbelieving.  

We do reap what we sew more than we sew for much longer than we sew. Jealousy, strife, bitterness, none of these or their many other fruits of darkness have any place in the lives of Believers. 

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. Take up your own cross and follow Jesus.  

Don't get in the way of whatever is right and necessary to restore errant people back to a right relationship with Jesus. Recognize what is really happening in the lives of people through spiritual discernment. Pray for discernment. Pray for the knowledge to know what's going on before you step into something that might be a pile of manure. Have the fortitude to even pray for God's protection to be lifted from such a disobedient child in order to bring restoration of that person to Jesus. 

It's hard. It's heartbreaking. Now you know what a separation from a right relationship with Jesus looks like.  

Our Savior is willing to do whatever must happen in the lives of those chosen, called by God, to be sons and daughters of God to be in a right relationship with Himself. Whatever bonds must be broken will be broken. Jesus knows all about every situation that we only think we do. 

The whole of the story of the Prodigal Son is of a restoration of a right relationship with Jesus. Many have gone through this low valley of darkness and been brought back to a right relationship with Jesus. I have been through it myself. 

Our humanness would say that we wouldn't wish this upon anyone. Our Savior's desire is for us to be in a vibrant right relationship with Himself.  

It has to be His will be done if this end result of His is to come about...no matter what the cost.

What happens in the restoration process, as the Bible says, must be done out of love. 

It may take hours, days, months or even years but a restored life in Christ is a priceless work.  

A hard truth as well is just acknowledging what needs to be prayed for as well as whether or not we are to be part of the process of restoration personally or from a distance in prayer only. Peter meant well but didn't realize he overstepped.  

Paul was willing to even turn people over to Satan in order to bring about a Godly result. Paul also wasn't afraid to confront people face-to-face. Sometimes that's necessary. Discerning whether or not the person you are talking about is saved or not matters in every way. A prayer leading to salvation or a prayer leading to a restored relationship with Jesus hangs in the balance. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10.

Pray for discernment before jumping into the foray. Pray for discernment before claiming a full understanding. Pray for your spiritual eyes to see the truth and not what the world will say is a psychological mumbo-jumbo problem.  

Jesus is in the business of growing people in Christ through His Spirit. 

Our sin nature as well as all the forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and all over the world are against this by whatever means they're permitted to do so. 

Intense fervent prayer sometimes is the only way as Jesus told His disciples when they couldn't cast out a certain type of demon.  

Intense fervent prayer changes the one praying as well as the recipient of the prayer.  

His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

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 

Noah's Days are Here

Noah's Days are Here

by David Brenneman 

"The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:1-4.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:36-51.

Indeed in the world in which you and I live...there are those marrying and being given in marriage. There are those who give no consideration to their day, only that it is today and they have things to do. 

What of you? Are you of a mind to consider it from a spiritual perspective? To realize with the Apostle Paul that today might even be that day that the Lord Jesus Christ would come to receive to Himself all that loved His appearing?

Are you excited for the prospect of Jesus coming back for you if indeed you are saved? I certainly am.  

Are you so wound up in your schedule that stopping to spend time with Jesus is an afterthought?

Are you more concerned with people's perceptions of you than you are in how well you are obeying God?  

Are you more or less dictating in your prayers how you want God to handle your requests or are you of a mind that it's His Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven?

Are your prayers a mere repetition of words? Saying the same thing each time you're praying. 

Where's the heart of your prayers?

What goes on in your day? Have you a meeting time established with your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?

Are you seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness?

Are your thoughts on yourself? 

Questions a plenty and for sure there could be more.  

If indeed you came to Christ for salvation there was your belief that He indeed would save you. Isn't there as well the belief in the rest of His solemn Word to consider as well?  

Jesus spoke against the useless repetition of the so-called prayers of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  

Jesus said to be on the alert.

Jesus wants a heart to heart relationship with you...does He have that?

Are you conditionally praying? Laying down what you want people to pray for concerned those who've crossed your path and your mind? Are you more fearful of blowback from those whom are going through difficulties than you are in your consideration that it's to be His will being done? Are you maintaining an ignorance of the truth that we "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 these days of Noah where we find ourselves...there's no room anything but obedience to God's Word.  

I've pondered this many times but how is it 2,025 years ago people had no trouble recognizing demons in people. Yet today people are wholly ignorant of recognizing them. They are fearful of misdiagnosis. Fearful of all sorts of fallout. Demons used to be cast out, today they roam freely. The whole armor of God is not to be taken off for a reason. Standing firm in the Lord isn't an on again off again scenario. Being ready because our adversary the devil roams around seeking someone to devour. He disguises himself as an angel of light. Blinding people to the truth.  

For sure the days of Noah Jesus spoke of are here. The return of Jesus Christ could literally be at any time. He mentioned in the Gospels that we ought to be able to recognizing the signs of the times. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus. I for one am so convinced that the day's drawing near that while I do the day-to-day things that He gives me to be doing...I keep an ear out for a shout from on high to come home. 

How's your walk with Jesus? Is it a walk of you listening and obeying or of you walking and are dictating your wants and desires?  

Pray without ceasing. Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  

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

Rituals and Legalism Ensnare They Don't Save

Rituals and Legalism Ensnare They Don't Save

by David Brenneman 

"After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 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 15:10-20.

Probably everywhere Jesus went and there were Pharisees and Sadducees He ran into the trappings of their legalistic society. 

In our world today it's not difficult to run into legalistic groups. Groups that tell their members how to dress, what Bible to read, and other such nonsense.  

Yes it's nonsense. It does nothing to point people to Jesus for salvation so therefore its fluff, it's window dressing, it's of no use whatsoever.  

We can easily go along with such things because they give the appearance of piety. They give the appearance of some degree of holiness. They can instill warm feelings of doing "the right thing" all the while they do...nothing appreciable towards finding salvation in Christ Jesus alone. 

The thoughts that mankind comes up with in regards to what they think needs to be done to attract people to Jesus can easily go beyond the ridiculous.  

Jesus never dressed up to go meet people. Jesus showed a pattern for what was important in the content of prayer to His Father. He showed us a much better way to live life and what priorities ought to be regardless of what life throws at us.  

No where in the Bible does it state that we need dress clothes to attend church. 

No where in the Bible does it point to a specific translation. It DOES make mention to be sure that the Word of God hasn't been tampered with, that nothing pertinent has been removed or things added.

Reading in Acts, in the Epistles that came afterwards, many Jews tried to influence the Church to observe portions of the Law that had no place anymore in the light of the resurrection of Jesus. Those parts had no place in the New Covenant that was in the blood of Jesus Christ. 

We can easily try things to appease the conscience. To get us to not feel as bad about the true state of our lives before Jesus. We do enough to remove or mitigate the guilt. We do things that make our ideas of righteousness be the standard. We have introduced idolatry and get away with it by justification.  

Our lives are not our own. We were bought with a price, the blood of Jesus Christ. 

We will give an account of our lives before Jesus.  

How often have you thought of praying that the Spirit would open your eyes to the truth about you before Jesus?  

My Dear Reader...our sin nature is still with us until either the Rapture of the Church or if He calls us home. We cannot truly trust our own perceptions of what is right and good. Our thoughts will always slant us towards the idea that our choices are good. That consequences do not apply due to our goodness.  

There's many so-called churches in our world that have encouraged such thinking. They, in truth, do not preach the whole counsel of God. They have watered down the Gospel both with their idea to attract people and to not offend those they did attract.  

The Word of God is what?

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

We need a Church that preaches the whole counsel of God. All that Jesus commanded. 

Are you among those who desire water-down Scriptures or are you wanting to know the truth about your life and what Jesus really wants to accomplish through you?

There's unfortunately going to be vast amounts of filled 'churches' after the Rapture occurs. Millions of people only then learning that they really didn't have a right, real, relationship with Jesus Christ.  

That day is now one day closer. 

As much as the promises of God in the Old Testament concerning Jesus's first coming proved unalterable, so are the promises of His second coming. We don't know the day nor the hour. But we know it's a Biblical certainty. We know that even in his time of writing what he was even Paul lived in anticipation. 

We too should live in anticipation of Jesus Christ returning. We should be a part of His plan and purpose not man-made plans of which He isn't a part of.  

We should be living life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We should be doing our purpose in Christ with the Spiritual Gifts we WERE given. If you are saved you have one or more Spiritual Gifts to be used to the glory of God. No exceptions for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

There's no man-made ideas or ideologies that make us better Christians. We were cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ not our own piety or goodness. 

We will give an account of our lives before Jesus...what we did or we didn't do. What choices we made.  

We aren't going to get brownie points for useless deeds done to make ourselves look better. The point of our lives in Christ is to point people to Jesus not ourselves. 

Rituals, what we wear, what we eat, how we wash our hands, what we wear or don't wear, what we don't eat, don't drink...these things all can be abused and twisted in all directions in order to keep people from the righteous life that God desires for us.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...look to Jesus for the answers as to how to live your life in Christ. If what you are being told is right or wrong in living life doesn't line up with the Word of God. Leave it.  

My prayer doesn't change for all who find these posts...I pray for those in Christ who have wandered away to come back to Jesus and I pray for those who haven't yet come to Christ that they would have their eyes opened to the love of Christ waiting for them in Christ. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org