In the Thick of It

In the Thick of It

by David Brenneman 

The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow

discouraged. At those times, you need to peer into the empty

tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb? - Experiencing God Day-by-Day for August 15th. Blackaby. 

"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Each day we live we are to: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

We are not given a suggestion concerning the truth about life but a command. 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20.

Remembering that: "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.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

My Dear Reader we're in the thick of it, the battle of the ages, the battlefield being our minds. 

There is no point in time where our guard can be let down. When we awake we should be ready for what's to come.  

Our enemy takes no vacation days. 

Our enemy is constantly obsessed with observing us.

Our enemy does not want anyone who has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation to succeed in one iota of progress in growing in Christ. 

Our enemy is restless.

In reading through the New Testament much slower this year its made it more easy to see the constant, daily, aggressive, difficult, challenging, battles that Paul faced. Yet we read earlier of him telling Timothy to fight.  

These words are for us as well. 

Taking thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. 

We must be on our guard at all times. Our enemy is always looking for an opportunity. 

Even in our thoughts of "doing the right thing" might not be what God wants to have happen. The Bible says: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.

To also "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 eludes to not trusting yourself. 

All who are breathing are at war. The unbelieving just haven't had the light of Jesus Christ to see the true state of their lives. 

While Satan was defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ, he still is deluded enough to believe he can still get his victory against Almighty God. 

Fight back against the excuses for not being alone with God in prayer. 

Fight back against the excuses for not being daily in the Word of God. 

Fight back against the excuses for not living in obedience to God's Word. 

Fight back. 

Every single reason we can give for not obeying God is an excuse. 

What will you say, what will you feel, on that day you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him? Everyone in Christ has been given ample opportunity to make full use of the Spiritual Gifts bestowed upon them as their part of the body of Christ.  

There are no conscientious objectors in this Spiritual War. 

There are none who have no fight to fight.  

Satan's against all who claim that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior. 

Fight the good fight, finish the race. Paul's admonition to Timothy is ours.  

So what that you'll miss a television show, a movie, a game, a this or that in your life. You're in training in righteousness by the Spirit of God. Get off the bench and fully realize you are in the game.  

Satan's schemes include feelings of utter satisfaction in life coupled with no cares in the world. Because such people aren't digging into the Word of God. They see no reason to rely on God in Christ Jesus for anything. They have it covered in their own strength and their own mind. 

Satan's a liar and the father of lies. 

Satan's the great deceiver. 

Satan's minions do not rest.

Get back into the whole armor of God. You're in the thick of it whether you want to be or not or think you aren't but really are. 

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 Harvest is Almost Complete

The Harvest is Almost Complete 

by David Brenneman 

"While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples. And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well. When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. This news spread throughout all that land. As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus *said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They *said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this!” But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all that land. As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him. After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:18-38.

Throughout this passage there's a whole lot of seeing going on by Jesus. What is meant by the title of this post today? The time of His return draws near...

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:3-10.

There IS an appointed time for Jesus to come back. Jesus Himself said so that it was set by the Father’s own authority. Obviously this wasn't revealed to Jesus at that point because of the probability it was conditional on His obedience to the cross.  

But rest assured there is such a day coming and my Dear Reader...there's no preparation anyone can do for it other than to come to Christ now while He may be found.  

How long shall people be put up with by Jesus? How long will they be allowed to vacillate between two opinions? If He is indeed God, Christ and Savior...then run to Him to be saved! There will be no moment to know, to digest, to contemplate, that the return of Jesus is happening. It will simply happen and be over without any public fanfare. No announcements no instructions nor any such thing. 

Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd. He saw this world as we can see it today. In need of more workers in His fields. To that end those who are saved ought to be fulfilling their ministry in Christ. There are no true Believers who do not have a Spiritual gift that shouldn't be used to God's glory. We all will be asked to give an account of what we did with what we were given. 

This world separates people based, ironically, upon their definitions of protected classes of people...and leaves out the real distinction. Those who are saved in Christ Jesus and those who are not. 

“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and *settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 25:14-30.

As Jesus said so it shall be. 

A time of His return was expected even as Paul, Peter and others wrote the New Testament. We have seen extraordinary things happening in Israel in these recent years. There's nothing left, prophetically, for Jesus to come back other than 1 single thing.  

That last person who is to be saved to complete the Church of Jesus Christ.  

We await that but the truth is those who are saved should be shining their light in such a way that people see their good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. They are still to be workers in His fields until that day He calls out for all to come home that are saved in Christ. There should be no bench warmers, couch potatoes, those on the sidelines in the work of the Lord. 

I do indeed agree with Mike Wingfield of www.ptnews.org that Jesus is standing at the door of Heaven getting ready to call for an end of the workday of the centuries. Calling in all who are and have been in the fields. It's almost time to go home and enter into His rest.

My Dear Reader...be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins. There is no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus must be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. Otherwise you will be left behind when the call comes from on high. You will be immersed in horrors this world has never known. 

"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.

The harvest is before the eyes of the Believer's of this world just as it was 2,000 plus years ago. 

The harvest is about done. The Church is about complete. Are you the missing one?

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 

He is ahead of You, With You

He is ahead of You, With You 

by David Brenneman 

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

It's always been the easiest of things for Satan's minions to say to any Believer...and especially to the unbelieving. "Did God really say...".

We mustn't forget the promises of God in Christ Jesus. We are to rely on them in spite of what our feelings say or what our eyes see or ears hear.

Right now in my life the day to day is certainly in the forefront of my mind that my every breath is in His hands. Breathing itself is sometimes a difficult thing depending on how I am sitting. 

Jesus, as I remind Him in my prayers, is my Physician. I am unemployed so very much so He needs to be.  

Being IN the Word of God dispels the tricks of the devil. Being IN the Word reveals how much apostasy has been taking over in many so-called churches. Being IN the Word reveals where and when legalism has reared its ugly head in some of the local churches we find. 

Being IN the Word opens our hearts and minds to the Will of God for us in Christ Jesus. It destroys speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.  

"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.

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

The Word of God. Without it we also won't know what the Spiritual gifts we have been given really are. Nor how to use them properly for the Father’s business here on Earth. Churches themselves should indeed be ran in an orderly fashion but they are not businesses. As the early Church proved out there's no limits on how many times the saints were to be helped. In today's so-called churches administrators determine set limits as if it's in their purview to speak for God in this. If it's true in the life of a Believer to give unconditionally as Christ did...then so should the Church.  

In all that's being said this day...take a step back and look at it all. Jesus is ahead of us in every single way. 

He is already in our today before we are there. He's already in our tomorrow. He's not caught unawares of the plights in which we find ourselves.  

The professing Church is supposed to reflect the character of Christ Jesus. Not the ideals of a business culture. Our day to day should reflect a life in Christ. It's our light that's supposed to shine in such a way before men and women that they see what we are doing in Christ that causes them to glorify our Father in Heaven. Not the merch we market to sell in a lobby. Not by anything other than being in the character of Christ Jesus. Things like this are food for thought. Do you see Jesus in such things? 

Are you fighting the good fight? 

You who are in Christ are in a fight. 

We are being transformed and trained by the Spirit of God for the purpose for which we are here. We have our personal growth in Christ as His plan for us in Christ Jesus. We have our part in His global plans for humanity until His return to take us home to His Heaven. 

Jesus is there with you at all times. Are you trying to understand what it is He has for you to be doing for Him? Are you keeping as your primary focus keeping pace with Him? Are you keeping in His Word in order to know what there is to know about your relationship with Him?

In the last days much of the professing Church will look more like the world than what it is supposed to be. We will only know by being in the Word of God and in prayer. We're going to be tempted to lean on our own understanding. We are going to be tempted to give in to what sounds good without investigating.  

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.

Nobody learns in the physical world by osmosis. Nobody who's claimed the name of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior will ever learn by osmosis either.  

Pray. Read. Listen. Repeat.

Our obligation is to obey Jesus...not the people in our lives when it comes to spiritual affairs. Are you limiting God by your limited obedience? Think about it...do you set aside time dedicated to watching TV, listening to podcasts, streaming, reading books, but do not set aside dedicated time to be with Jesus?  

Jesus sets aside every moment of every day to be with you.  

Turn your eyes upon Jesus...look full in His wonderful face...and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

In It With Us, Our Savior Is

In It With Us, Our Savior Is
by David Brenneman

"When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.  And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”  He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.  The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”  When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. And they cried out, saying, “What business do we have with each other, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”  Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them.  The demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”  And He said to them, “Go!” And they came out and went into the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the waters.  The herdsmen ran away, and went to the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.  And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region." Matthew 8:23-34.

Was reading last night in my studies about the anxieties and adversities we can and will face in this life.

It was an interesting read this morning to see that playing out in the passages that my daily morning Bible reading was taking me. 

My current situation honestly had me crying out to Jesus yesterday.  Almost a week ago I did something to the ribs on my left side and while not necessarily painful, it's annoyance level makes it extremely difficult to sleep let alone get around.  Not to be outdone my left knee is acting up.  In all this it amazes me that God so orchestrated my devotional readings that much of them applied to my life's struggles right now.

Jesus is right here in the boat with me.  He's in your boat as well. 

I have been made to lay down in green pastures.  You might be too.

From as little as a few months or years old we struggle with being made to rest.  To lie down as it were.

I was in 1 Kings 19-20 this morning too.  Even Elijah missed what was obvious as well as to the things that the Lord was doing.   The Disciples had Jesus right there with them and missed it.  The people who had learned how to put up or even accept two demon possessed men missed it. 

Don't miss the truth that Jesus's promise to never leave us or forsake us still holds true today.  In my situation and yours.  That's the truth that God's enemy wants people to forget. 

Jesus Christ is always there with us.  In our good times and our not so good times.

I know that my tears were not missed nor have they been forgotten by my Savior.  Healing will come in due time.  My new job will come in due time.  Nor the most important thing...He will come in due time.

He wants people who are doers of the word and not just hearers only who delude themselves.

It's easy to walk with Jesus when everything is going well.  When there's nothing to complain about or Heaven forbid that we have nothing to talk to Jesus about.

That too is a crafty tactic of the great deceiver.   Leaving Christian's alone to their own devices to cause them to not seek the Lord. 

To forget that He is always there, always near. 

It also dawned on me the two times that the Apostle Paul spoke about fighting the good fight.  To Timothy at the onset of 1st Timothy telling him to do just that and then at the end of 2nd Timothy.  When he tells his son in the faith that he's fought the good fight. 

We have to learn how to fight by our adversities.  A tree doesn't grow big and strong by having only sunny and calm days.  Days of light rain.  A tree grows big and strong by the severe storms of life.

We grow in the same way.

Jesus is in it with us.  Embrace that.  Hold onto that.  Never let go of that.

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

Speechless in the Dungeon

Speechless in the Dungeon 

by David Brenneman 

"From time, we all feel as if we are in the dungeon - a new low in our lives - and confined by chilling isolation. Maybe that's you today. Maybe you, like Joseph, have been the victim of false accusations or are counting the cost of your determination to obey your Lord, or maybe something entirely different is weighing down your weary soul. No matter what, the Lord knows. He has never been taken by surprise, and He loves you with an everlasting love. His love is steadfast and is not changed by circumstances. He loves you

enough to have walked through the dungeon of death and the terror of hell in order that you need never do so. Take comfort in knowing that, as the prophet Zechariah declared,

"he who touches you touches the apple of [God's] eye" (Zechariah 2:8). Alistair Begg devotional Truth for Life.

In part, right now, physically, I do feel as though this is what a dungeon might be like. Being in between jobs and no health insurance to use, my Physician is the Lord and I await His healing in His due time. Makes for an interesting time. 

Outside this physical existence that's troubling me is my exceedingly strong desire to hear Jesus call all of us who are saved in Christ Jesus to come home to forever be with Him. My heart prays both for those in the faith with needs and for the salvation of those whom the Spirit isn't taking from my mind to pray for.  

The isolation I have related to from time to time as well. It's not all too often that I find those of kindred spirit to talk about things that weigh on my mind. But God does provide them at the right moments. 

Jesus's promise of never leaving us or forsaking us holds a deeper meaning when it's just us and Himself. Jesus reaches out His hands towards those who haven't yet decided to believe Him with just the same fervor.  

Within me are battles that the world does, yet does not, know. Within the mind and heart are the locations and places of the battles we fight and or face. As written in an earlier post I have began praying especially for Jesus to knock down the walls and kick in the doors of anyplace in my heart that my sinfulness has kept Him out of.  

My Dear Reader...great is His faithfulness. While the poem Footprints is just that a poem...oh can a child of God look at their life and see the fingerprints of God instead.  

Joseph's life was that of a normal teenager who was of course a shepherd. He had these dreams that vexed his family. The only reference we have to the second dream that Israel believed these were from God was that it says he pondered them in his heart. He essentially went from bondage to bondage in ever increasing levels. Yet it says clearly that the Lord was with him. He even tells his brothers that while they meant it for evil God meant it for their good.  

We are often in mental and possibly physical situations where we feel more than a bit trapped. We can't go back, we really don't want what the present encompasses and we can't picture a future that we've not been permitted to see yet.

My Savior and Lord Jesus Christ has my situation well in hand even though I can't understand it. In this present time many people throughout this world are in the same situation. God is still faithful. 

The Scriptures say that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Joseph's life decidedly shows that. 

Israel's life decidedly shows that. 

Daniel's life decidedly shows that.

David's life decidedly shows that. 

I know not when my physical healing will come, but it will.

I know not when my new job will come or what it will be, but Jesus does. 

As I have written in my Facebook group "Men of God sharing a Foxhole" there's just times where we need to share what's going on with each other in Christ because we need to know how better to pray for one another.  

Nothing about the life of a Believer surprises Jesus. He's fulfilling His word in transforming the lives of those who have placed their faith and trust in Him for salvation. His Spirit is sanctifying people.  

He is the Potter we are the clay. 

I can see tears filling your eyes

And I know where they're coming from

They're coming from a heart that's broken in two

By what you don't see

The person in the mirror

Doesn't look like the magazine

Oh, but when I look at you it's clear to me that...

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Never has there been and never again

Will there be another you

Fashioned by God's hand

And perfectly planned

To be just who you are

And what He's been creating

Since the first beat of your heart

Is a living breathing priceless work of art...

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Just look at you

You're a wonder in the making

Oh, and God's not through, no

In fact, He's just getting started...

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

- Fingerprints of God 

Steven Curtis Chapman 

Album: Speechless 

(c) 1999

What to do when you don't know what to do? Across all the study Bibles that I read it's plain...keep trusting in God our Savior the one who will never fail. Satan's schemes of deception and lies are going to try their hardest to get our eyes off Jesus. To get us to try to do life on our own and not wait for Jesus. Paul exhorted us to stand firm in the Lord. Don't get ahead of Jesus.  

Charley Pride sang a song "Jesus is Your Savior Child" a part of that says: 

And she said: "Jesus is your Savior, child, don't ever let Him go

Put your life in His direction, you will reap just what you sow

Praise His name and praise His glory, it was for us that He died

He will lead us into heaven, if we walk by His side."

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 

These Are The Last Days

These Are The Last Days 

by David Brenneman 

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” Matthew 7:15-27.

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

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:9-12.

Oh the days in which we live. 

I do believe that Jesus is one step away from going through Heaven's door to give that call to all who belong to Him, the dead first, then the living. 

Beware of those who are in churches that are subtly leading people astray. Paul said that in these times such people would be there and would try.

Be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Once Jesus crosses the threshold and speaks...that's it until 7 years of judgments from God upon this world takes place.  

Our world is not getting better through AI or through controlling the climate or economic reform.  

Even the AI that I experiment with agrees as to where much of this is headed for the human race. Though not in regards to spiritual matters but the path humanity is taking it agrees is going to be troublesome. 

What do you do each day to be sure that you are living the Christian life the way the Spirit is trying to teach you to live?

What are you intentionally setting aside in favor of having a special time alone with Jesus?  

Likewise, what are you not letting go of that you enjoy so much that you're unable or unwilling to sacrifice for time with Jesus?

What music do you pump into your heart and mind that isn't edifying, glorifying, uplifting the name of Jesus? What movies do you pursue that aren't helping you to achieve what God wants to see in your life? I saw a report yesterday on the millions of dollars wasted every year on streaming music and videos. Our society is scrambling to feed their minds and their hearts but not at all with the things of God or of learning how to fulfill the purpose of God for them.  

It's very likely that it will indeed escape their notice that Jesus returns other than the global disasters that will be everywhere.  

Those who are saved will be indeed seeing their Savior Jesus Christ face-to-face. They will indeed be seeing family and friends who were saved as well. They'll learn who they thought were saved but weren't. They will then give an account of their lives before Jesus. What they did in their lives in accordance with what their purpose was while living for Jesus. 

What will your life show? My life is a hodgepodge of obedience and disobedience. So shall yours be.

There's many people who have believed they did all kinds of works in Jesus's name that aren't saved.

Be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus.  

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

Pride has no place in the affairs of Christians.  

The world indeed is ripe for Jesus to come back. I pray for His return which I also pray for the people whom I know aren't saved. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. That's the course of our lives as well in Christ Jesus. To point people to Jesus. We don't save people, Jesus saves. 

Look closely at what you're doing in your life. What you prioritize above the righteous life that God desires for you. Ask yourself that question. What is truth about me? Are there things or anyone whom is more important to me than my relationship with Jesus? Trust me, for myself and everyone, all those things will be revealed when we face Jesus.  

Oh come quickly Lord Jesus...

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 

He's Knocking...Bid Him Enter...Time is Drawing Nigh

He's Knocking...Bid Him Enter...Time is Drawing Nigh

by David Brenneman 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20.

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

"When God arose to judgment, To save all the humble of the earth. Selah." Psalms 76:9

Oh what days in which we live and have arrived at in human history. 

We, quite literally, could be standing on the precipice of honestly the most sought after day in all of Christianity. The return of our blessed forever Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  

To all who haven't yet decided whether or not Jesus loves them...I assure you that He does! He wants the absolute best for all and it's only found in a right real relationship with Jesus Christ. 

For those oh so focused on the things of this life, this world, lift your head. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. Ask Him in to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. The offer of the last few thousand years is drawing to a close before He does return. It will be a different type of offer after He does. People will be saved during the Great Tribulation to come but it will be during the greatest distress towards Believers in history. Most will be martyrs. 

Worrying about today is never good for the Believer. We know whom has saved us and He indeed is able to keep us until our time to leave this world or His return. 

We who are in Christ ought always be ready to step into eternity to forever be with Jesus. I do believe as my Spiritual Dad Mike Wingfield says in his September Newsletter that Jesus is at the door of Heaven. See www.ptnews.org. 

We who are saved are to live each day with the expectation of today being THAT day. Jesus said that we know not when our Master will return so Be on the alert!

We still have what time we do have and until that day, we are indeed to live lives in Christ Jesus in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We are to be different, not some amalgamation of the world and the Church. The Churches we go to ought to be preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God. Not warm fuzzy sermons and entertaining people with no mention of their need for salvation through Jesus Christ alone. For it is by grace we are saved through faith in the Son of God who died once for all that we have any hope of the resurrection!

There will be no warning of when Jesus steps through that door of His Heaven to call on all who have believed to come home!

Nobody is going to have even a second to have a second chance.

The Scriptures say that at the time appointed by the Father, Jesus will give the shout to come! The dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are alive and remain will join Him in the air.  

I have believed from long ago and a few other Godly men have affirmed my belief that Jesus would indeed return in my lifetime. Oh how the world has changed in just the last 50 years! The world's attention is just about laser focused on the Middle East. The events of these last days are supposed to be entirely about Daniel's 70th week that we read about in the Scriptures.  

As Cece Winans has been singing and I stand with her in this "Come Jesus Come! We have waited so long!".

I have no idea how long we have left. My heart both cries out to be with Jesus and I am as Paul in that I am more than obligated to keep writing each morning. This is what I was called to be doing.  

Are you doing what Jesus called you to be doing if indeed you are among the saved in Christ?

Will He find you about the Father’s business or sitting on the couch?

This message today is for the saved and the as yet unbelieving.

Jesus is coming. Are you ready?

Everyone will face Jesus. Either as Lord and Savior or as Judge. For those truly saved, it will never be as Judge because the Bible says that there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  

Remember these words of Jesus:

“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.

Come Jesus Come...today might be the day...

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Be Better

Better than That 

by David Brenneman 

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48.

When you open your eyes to greet the new day, do you at all wonder how you can do better by yourself? As in how will be a better you today than you were yesterday?

We can be the most brutal...to ourselves. We can be the most ruthless...towards ourselves. We can belittle, berate, harsh, unforgiving, towards our own person.

Yes, even Christians can be that way towards themselves.

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

Do you see it? There is message for all of us within that passage on top of the obvious things that are there.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:14.

Put on Christ is to not put even our minds in a place where we aren't seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.  

Satan's schemes include messing with your head in order to infect your heart, mind and soul. No demon can possess those who have Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior but he and they can seek permission to attack in these subtle ways. A person saved has the full indwelling of the Spirit of God. There's no place for a demon to be in there. But the choices we make can and will show who we are listening to. 

Jesus said "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. 

Your good works should not be showcasing you but Jesus in you. 

Your good works should be showcasing what Jesus is doing in your life with respect to the free gift of salvation that you have been given. 

You are, just as the Apostle wrote, on display for all the world to see.

Strive to be a better you today than you were yesterday. Yes, yesterday you might have neglected to read your Bible. Do not do that today and there will be one more step towards improvement. Yes, yesterday you might have neglected to have meaningful prayer with Jesus. Get that fixed in your today and you will be all the better for it.

You have the opportunity to be a better you for Jesus today because you are still breathing. As the saying goes, the past is passed. The future is unknown. Today is a gift which is why it is the present. 

Jesus absolutely does not want your prayers if your heart really isn't in it. By this I mean you aren't at all thinking about what you are saying to Him. You're just saying words that just repeat what you've said before and deep down you don't even mean them. You said them only because you felt obligated. 

You and I always ought to have the deepest respect for any time we step into Heaven's throne room in prayer. We enter into the very presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

We're to seek to be who God wants of us in Christ Jesus. Not selectively but always. We gave up our rights when we came to Christ. What Jesus wants of us and for us is supposed to be our new priority. 

Yes this means there will be people who disrespect us. People who are evil in our world. People who will be cruel etc. We are still to exemplify Christ in us.  

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 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 6:1-8.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:38-48.

My Dear Reader...strive just a little bit more today to be better than you were yesterday...not just in the eyes of men but in the eyes of your Lord and Savior Jesus 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 

Out of Darkness

Out of Darkness 

by David Brenneman 

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13.

There will be times when we stumble in our faith because of the great trials we face. In these times, we must not allow guilt to consume

us. We must not fall into the enemy's trap by believing that we have lost our salvation or that God

does not care for us. It is essential to remember that from the moment we believe in Jesus, His Spirit indwells us. We belong to Him and are sealed in Him for eternity. Therefore, instead of fretting, we must immediately seek His forgiveness and commit ourselves to obeying Him anew. - Dr. Charles Stanley, Life Principle Bible notes on 2 Timothy 2:13.  

I have lost track of how many thousands of times attacks have come upon me with regards to attempts at getting me to believe that Jesus gave up on me. The dreaded decades of my life where I was sinking deeper into a place I didn't want to be. Deep down there all I heard incessantly was how bad I screwed up and how abandoned by Jesus I was. In spring of 1999, it came to a pinnacle. In a day where I thought I was at my end of living because of the deepness of my despair, Jesus reached down into all of it and pulled me out.  

I eventually wrote a sermon about that time and had preached it from the very pulpit where years earlier I had heard a sermon where I heard Jesus calling me to Himself.  

Jesus set me back on my feet and began dispelling the darkness that had so surrounded me.  

This was long before I learned the value of a Believers faith history.  

Your faith history isn't just words on a page. It isn't just typed words on paper. It isn't just data entered into a digital journal. It's that which is the most important information about your time here on Earth. Your path markers of knowing exactly where and when you and Jesus had a moment together. 

Satan's schemes are meant by him to get you to neglect or negate your walk with Jesus. He wants to incite disbelief in the hearts of people. To get those who have come to faith in Christ Jesus for salvation to doubt the promises of God.  

What lead up to my very very dark years was my own pride. Getting ahead of Jesus. Literally running ahead of Him. Reckless in my pursuit of how and what He was showing me what was in my future. Satan's minions must have saw it too n were crafting their attacks around it. 

As it's been a lesson taught repeatedly to me, so I pass on to you, my Dear Reader...do not get ahead of God. 

As my friend has taught at our Men's Group...so I say again to you. Keep pace with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...do not get ahead of Him or yourself.  

My friend also points out...in a race between you and Jesus, who will win? Jesus every time. He knows the route, knows the hills, the valley's. Every potential peril there is. He knows where the finish line is. We are indeed in a race, as Paul taught, and we are to race with every intention of winning...but don't get ahead of Jesus. 

Dark years is actually a pretty light description of those days in my life.   

Details aren't important and they won't be conveyed. Suffice to say that I tried to fulfill my own ideas as to my destiny in Christ and I wasn't even close. I was in a radical snowball of damage control that wasn't working. The more I tried to fix things the worse things got. I was even lying to myself about how bad things were.  

After that moment in the Spring of 1999, Jesus put me back on track where He wanted me to be...but only after I fully surrendered to whatever He wanted of me for my life. To give up trying my way and to fully give in to His way.

Satan's schemes are exceedingly devious. He is still unrelenting to this day, but the faith history that Jesus has been building is revealing truth for me to speak to myself about the true love of God for me in Christ Jesus.  

Satan's schemes with me personally have been to yet still convince me that my past is so heinous in God's eyes that my salvation isn't secure. The truth of God's word is that the salvation that I have was never a work that I did. Jesus saved me. The Spirit sealed me in Christ. I can't undo what Jesus did. Salvation isn't based on works. Good works or bad deeds. It's based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary. A person truly comes to Christ for salvation...the adoption papers are written in the blood of Jesus Christ. Attested to by the Spirit and confirmed by the Father. 

It's an unbreakable covenant between Jesus and the Believer. 

My Dear Reader...keep track of your faith history. Be encouraged by everything be it appearing to be good or bad. Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us. He said He would lead us through the valley of the shadow of death...we wouldn't take up residence there. He would make us lay down in green pastures. He would restore our souls. All because He cares for you and I. 

Keep pace with your Savior Jesus Christ and don't 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 

Opened Eyes Clearer Understanding

Opened Eyes Clearer Understanding 

by David Brenneman 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:14-20.

"Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You

I want to see You

To see You high and lifted up

Shinin' in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy" - From Open the Eyes of My Heart by Michael W. Smith. (c) 2001.

There's much more than meets the eye for those who are truly saved in Christ Jesus. There's that seeing of things as they really are and not as the world has described them to be with their closed eyes to all that's spiritual. The Bible tells us that those who are not saved cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.  

Essentially put, unless a person is saved they're never going to know what being saved is about.

It's interesting that in our world we are replete with video's and testimonies of what blind people see and their perception of reality. 

It's also been the butt of many jokes.  

We who are saved begin the process of growing in Christ by way of the intentional teaching and lessons brought forth from the Spirit of God. This is a non-optional occurrence. This isn't different for anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.  

What differs from person to person is the methods used and what our particular spiritual gifts that we were given are meant to be used for in growing up in Christ as well as ministering to other Believers and to convey the same message of the Gospel to the as yet unbelieving. 

Many people disqualify themselves based on what they think they see as potential in their lives for serving God. They have a list longer than what Moses had for reasons why they will fail at the ministry that the Spirit wants to do through them.

The best thing you can do in every situation is to quit evaluating your potential in Christ and trust the NEW work being done in your life in Christ. It's new, of course you're not going to fully get it! Nobody entering basic training knows exactly what the drill instructor's wishes and desires are for them. There's a significant learning curve. 

We read of David’s reasons for not using King Saul's armor. Yet in a similar fashion people take off the whole armor of God because of how it's making them feel. Do yourself a favor. Get used to that armor because the life you will save will be more than your own.  

We only get used to new clothing by wearing them n breaking them in. I can remember as a kid some new clothes chafing me.

We need to see things through God's perspective. We can't trust ours because our finite understanding isn't up to the task. Some of the greatest geniuses this world has ever known are in Hell all because intelligence as great as theirs was proving the Word of God true...the unsaved mind cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually appraised, discerned, figured out. 

For those in Christ...we learn how we learn as we go in this life with the Spirit of God. We will never all be Billy Graham's, Charles Stanley's, John MacArthur's. Read what Paul says on the physiology of the body of Christ. The Spirit sets each one in the body of Christ Jesus as He sees fit. He is the one who assigns feet, fingers, arms, legs, and every other part...except the head. The head is Christ. 

Don't start out by looking at your talents and seeing from that what you can do for Jesus. Your spiritual gift isn't in your talents. If my talents were up to the task I would have been a world class published author. My ability to write and write well in these posts is only because the Spirit makes things work here that aren't working outside of this forum. I have probably 30 to 40 books started that I struggle to finish. If I looked at my ability to be published as a measuring point, I would have to conclude that I have failed at writing. Yet this blog, as written with the Spirit's direction, has been in over 127 countries and been seen over 1.4 million times online. That's an achievement that can only be attributed to the work of God in me. My only contribution is a business card that points people to the website and word of mouth. God points people to the blog. 

You, my Dear Reader, have great potential in your walk with Jesus to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than you on your own are capable of.  

It begins with throwing aside the excuses and declaring to Jesus "here am I, send me!" even without knowing what that looks like. The Spirit will then train you in your gift in order that the Lord Jesus Christ will be magnified. That's what we are here for. To share the gospel news, be who we are meant to be in Christ Jesus. Let our works so be seen by mankind that they glorify our Father in Heaven.  

So what you can't memorize Scripture. God can still use you. 11 guys stayed in the boat. 1 got out. God still had a plan and purpose for the other's. They weren't failures because they didn't step out too.

You are to do your best as unto the Lord. If things are hindering you, pray as I have been lately. Pray that Jesus busts down the walls and kicks in the doors of any area of my heart that He's not got full control of. Be assured that keeping those places in your heart from Him won't help. He already knows what's behind each door.

Pray for your heart to align with what Jesus has in mind for you to be doing. Then stop fighting the changes that will come. In Christ you were given a gift, maybe more, from the Spirit of God. One day you will stand before Jesus to give an account of your use of it, them.  

Will you stand there in shame because you went and buried it until He came to ask you about it, or will you show Him what happened when you used what you were given?

Open your spiritual eyes, learn how to use them from the Spirit. Be all who Jesus wants you to be for 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 

We Have an Adversary

We Have an Adversary
by David Brenneman

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:6-10.

There are none in this world who are not influenced by the enemy of God, Satan.  We read here that in coming to Christ for salvation, he becomes our adversary as well.

Regardless of your personal preferences or feelings on the subject, you have to know that in your training in righteousness that the Spirit is going to be teaching you, you're going to have to suit up in the whole armor of God for a fight.

You are in the thick of the battle because the battlefield is within you.  Satan's minions try every subtle method they're permitted in order to change the course of your thinking on life. 

As someone in history once said...know your enemy. 

Know this, my Dear Reader, you may sleep at night, your enemy does not.  Your physical body requires sleep, food, water.  Those in the spiritual realm do not.

You are an object of study to those in the spiritual world.  Both as witness to those angels of God and to the fallen angels who became demons.  Those demonic forces that the Scriptures speak about are against anyone or anything to do with the will of God. 

They study everything about all Believers.  Discovering things about us that they hope to use against us should they be permitted to do so.

Yes, permission must be sought because Jesus said that we are held in His hands.  'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30.

We read in the opening chapters of the book of Job concerning this sought after permission.

And make no mistake, they will try to thwart whatever purpose under Heaven that Jesus has in mind for you. 

The part that ought to make you really consider things differently is that many many professing Christians unknowingly are aiding and abetting the enemy of God. 

They do so sometimes out of ignorance of the schemes of the devil.  They attribute the work of these demons to anything but them.  They dismiss their actions as physical or psychological.  They call them mistakes.  They call them nothing more than bad choices or judgments. 

We...are...at...war.  The whole of humanity is at war.  Only those saved in Christ Jesus alone are those with the light of Jesus Christ to see, know, and understand what's truly going on. 

Or did you think Paul, through the Spirit, wasn't speaking to all generations when he said "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6?

Prayer is what Jesus went to before the day began for Him.  Paul constantly was referring to prayer.

Your prayers, while living in obedience to God's Word and will for you, are absolutely unhindered communication between you and Jesus Christ your Savior. 

One of Satan's best tactics, is to get people to think they don't NEED to pray.  That our situation isn't going to be important enough to pray about it. 

Not long after entering the Promised Land, Joshua at first talked to the Lord before doing anything.  He didn't think to ask about a group of people and to this day they're a problem to the children of Israel. 

Nothing we bring to Jesus in prayer is to big or too small.  Nehemiah shot very short prayers to the Lord.  We read many of the prayers of King David in the Scriptures. 

Knowing that you are not stepping into your day alone, pray before anything you plan to be doing.  Assume nothing. 

Your enemy will also entice you in whatever ways possible to stay out of your Bible.  Causing you to replace the importance of being in God's Word with anything or anyone else instead. 

Then there's all the excuses. 

I can't memorize the Bible.
I can't read for long periods of time.
I can't find enough time.
I can't...(fill in the excuses).

Many many true Christians self-sabotage their walk with Jesus.  Many true Christians have physical or maybe mental challenges that don't allow the mainstay methods of learning from the Spirit of God to work.  I know my own limitations and regardless of my inability to to many things that I know others in the faith can do...as Paul said...I press on towards the upward call of God for me in Christ Jesus. 

We can do whatever we can to the best of our ability.  Colossians 3:23-24.  Whatever you do...do as unto the Lord for it is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 

Find your own path towards learning more about Jesus and His will for you.  Ask Him for help.  As Him to do something with what you've hidden in your heart from the Scriptures.  We read that David said: your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Get it into you however you can.  The Spirit WILL do something with it and you with it once it's there.

Moses tried many excuses with the Lord.  None were effective or enough to deter the Lord’s plan for him.

Your enemy wants you to believe that you're of no consequence, you aren't important enough with Jesus so you don't have to be ready for any fights in the spiritual realm.  He laughingly also wants Believers to think that he doesn't consider them important enough to fight against them.  That he will leave them alone. 

Lies and deception...all at the heart of Satan and his minions. 

He is prowling around seeking someone to devour.  All his minions are.  Get the whole armor of God on and keep it on.  Pray for yourself, pray for those in authority over you. Pray for those whom God has caused to cross paths with you. Either in thought or in person.  There's no coincidences with Spirit matters.  The Spirit brings both the Word of God to mind as well as the names of those needing prayer.

Paul told Timothy to fight the good fight.  The same goes for you and I.

The battle is real. 
The enemy of God is for real.
The battle belongs to the Lord.

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

For Sure

For Sure 

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:6-10.

The Bible is a riveting book of realism. It never denies or ignores our troubles; it simply reminds us of the transcendent truth of God's presence and power during our frequent bouts with difficulty. We may have many dangerous roads to traverse and obstacles to overcome, but with the Savior's enabling, we can endure. He keeps us strong when we are weak, gives us His peace when we're troubled, and directs us when the path ahead grows dim. And whatever our current lot, we can be sure that the suffering we now bear is not forever and that the Lord will ultimately

lead us to a magnificent victory. His plan is so exceedingly good that words can't justly describe it.

So today, be confident that God will come to your aid. He will sustain you when you're at your breaking point. He will revive you when your body and spirit are exhausted and spent. And He will give you wisdom when you don't know what to do, and hope when all seems lost. So put your faith in the Lord and accept His help because He will see you through these difficult days perfectly.

Jesus, thank You for being in this with me, I need You, my

Savior. Amen.

------ Mainly taken from Trusting God with Today by Dr. Charles Stanley. 

I went back a few verses to include more at the beginning of this particular devotional. 

Realize, my Dear Reader, regardless of any particular situation in which you find yourself, Jesus is there with you in it.  

There's an element of truth in that now famous poem "Footprints". The harder part for us at times is our forgetting that Jesus permitted the course change in our lives and He will see it through. Whatever Satan means for our detriment, God will turn for our good. 

Nothing can get to us that hasn't been vetted by Jesus Christ our personal Lord and Savior.  

My season in life isn't unique. Millions of people in the United States alone are looking for employment. God will place me in a new job when that job is ready for me. It's on me, during this time, to keep at whatever He's put before me to be doing. I more than fulfill my obligations to keep searching through opportunities. I also have been given short-term things to be doing that help others by Jesus. It's the Spirit of God who places each one of us in the body as He sees fit.

My prayer is the same as what Dr. Stanley wrote at the end of that devotional.  

The Spirit points me to the Word of God. God is the God of the impossible. Abraham was sent from his family to be the father of many nations and he wasn't even a father of a single child. Abraham was waiting over a year for the promise of God for a first child to be fulfilled in an extremely old age. 

Daniel was cast into a den with some seriously hungry lions who were turned into docile big cats until the time when the Lord drew him out. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego all were cast into a severely lit up furnace and walked around in it with Jesus as if nothing was amiss, not even the smell of being burned was upon them. King Nebuchadnezzar...once the most evil of people ever to breathe, a man worse than any other in human history, was turned to become a child of God.  

Oh my God knows how to deal with the impossible. A storm brews while Jesus is in the boat...and He opts to take a nap. The storm wasn't going to dictate His well-being.  

We find ourselves in storms because that's how roots get deeper. Trees with shallow roots never can withstand the true storms of life.  

I pray daily and do indeed pour out my heart to my Savior and my God.  

He has His plan and purpose for me. It may not look like what I am wanting it to be but He does have it worked out. What all He's done in my life won't be wasted. He's been training me my whole life for His purposes.  

Keeping pace with the Spirit is where it's important. As my friend has said on many occasions in any race, the Spirit will always win. We have a race to run and it should be us keeping pace with the Spirit. Learning whatever He sees we need to learn. Anyone who's seen the movie The Karate Kid knows of the scene where Daniel needs it explained to him just what the exercises were for that he was doing.  

We may not always get to know the why's behind what we are learning but we are to obey the Lord in everything.  

Jesus takes the billions of chess pieces called people in this world and moves them all according to His purpose and plan for each one as well as the future of mankind. Add to all if this...He knows each piece personally.  

Trusting and obeying is on each who claim that Jesus is their personal Lord and Savior. We may not know this side of Heaven why we went down many roads we have but we are to trust the One who leads because He loves us.

Keep that prayer we read earlier in mind. Keep your walk with Jesus personal. He surely takes it personal with 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 

Focus, Must Keep Focus

Focus, Must Keep Focus 

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons," 1 Timothy 4:1

"fall away from the faith." Those who fall prey to the false teachers will abandon the Christian faith. The Greek word for "fall away' is the source of the English word "apostatize," and refers to someone moving away from an original position. These are professing or

nominal Christians who associate with those who truly believe the gospel, but defect after believing lies and deception, thus revealing

their true nature as unconverted." study notes from Pastor John MacArthur on 1 Timothy 4:1, NASB.

We live in a world where seeking personal perfection is being taught from the youngest of ages. Seek your truth, seek your definition of your life. Seek whatever makes you happy. Seek what you want, leaving yourself open to continuous improvement. Get more, want more, check your status, repeat. 

All the while the focus of such people is never on God, never on a right relationship with Jesus Christ.  

As the runner in what Paul wrote about, that individual releases from his or her person anything that's going to slow them down. Be it baggage, be it stray thoughts, be it anything that takes their eyes, their mind off winning the prize. 

We can allow things to creep in unnoticed into our lives that build up into these things that will slow us down. 

Our world here in at least the United States, there's the ever present push towards success at all costs. Have to have daycare while we push careers rather than stay at home and raise children themselves. The whole concept of keeping up with the Jones's. Seeing neighbors make choices that look better and a race begins to keep a little ahead of these people. Bit by bit our days are shortened to leave less and less time to spend with Jesus. 

There's a cartoon that I saw yet again this morning that is supposed to be Jesus talking to someone about the review of their lives. The first frame shows the person smiling when Jesus says that those were the times when He carried them. The second frame the person wasn't smiling because Jesus said that those times where they see long lines in the sand were when He had to drag them a bit.

The apostasy that Paul talks about coming is here. This falling away from true faith. It's roots are in the details of everyday life where focus on a right relationship with Jesus falls to the wayside. Bit by bit focus gets blurry. 

It's on us to set the pace of the race in which we ARE running in Christ. 

Be sure you understand that regardless of where you think you are or what you think you are doing you are in this race that Paul speaks about. So what are you going to do in order to race to win?

Compromise is inevitable when we begin to lose focus on keeping our pace, in our lane, running as we are. A little here, a little there, next thing we know we are weary from the extra baggage we are carrying and have a much harder time trying to keep moving.  

Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world is crucial, critical even. The crown of righteousness we're to receive is based on what we did in the body our person for Jesus in this race in which we are running right now. Not on what successes we achieved in this life for anyone from family to the company we work for.  

All who are saved in Christ Jesus have been given several things that when nurtured will enable a successful race to win this prize. We are freed from sin that entangles us. We can ask for forgiveness of sins. We are given spiritual gifts to fulfill our mission in this life for Christ. We are given the greatest coach of all time, the Holy Spirit of God. We are given every opportunity to grow in Christ to that end that the character of Christ shows through us to the world. We are to loom forward to the return of Jesus Christ and to pray for it to come.

Focusing on these things helps us to know what to let go of and what to keep firm hold of.  

Many fall away from the faith because of all these varied schemes of the devil as well. Stealing our time, bit by bit. Entrapment in sins that he convinces us we can't get out of. 

Pushing worldly opinion above the Word of God. 

Cast off whatever is entangling you. Yes it's going to mean not pursuing some things in life. The key is to determine what is really your priority. Is it to receive a well done from your personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ or to receive the accolades and acceptance by those in your life? Whatever we pursue that isn't in God's plan and purpose that He has for us is GOING to be burned up into nothingness when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him.  

All of it. 

Keep your focus on running the race set before you. As Daryl Waltrip said a few decades ago as an announcer for NASCAR, a driver slipped up n lost almost a whole lap. He saw what the driver was beginning to do to get caught up. He told all listening that he, the driver, was running his own line. Not paying particular attention to the others on the track. Finding his own groove. Inevitably he did get back on the lead lap and did work his way back up to a top ten finish. 

You, my Dear Reader, are in this race that Paul speaks of. What are you doing to run your race well in Christ? Are you so busy that you have little to no time to pray? To read your Bible? To meet up with others in Christ to both encourage them and to be encouraged by them? Is work or family activities so consuming your time that Jesus is an afterthought? You squeeze in a rushed, mindless, repeated prayer that you truthfully didn't mean?

Run with your focus on that prize. That crown of righteousness will only contain what you did in this life through obedience to God's Word and His will for you. Will there be anything?  

So what that you can't menorize like others. So what if your short term memory isn't all that good. Press on and read anyway. The Psalmist said that your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. I lack these abilities myself. I can also successfully say that I really have no idea how many times I've read through my Bible. Yet while I can't ruminate on it like many other Believers, it's in there, in my heart because the Spirit brings it out in my conversations with others. This is part of how my race is being ran. I set aside whatever time is necessary each evening to read through almost a half dozen devotionals and four study Bibles with all the notes. It was a challenge at the start but now I can't see myself not doing it.  

You must make your race that you are running in Christ yours to win. Seeking that prize to the best of your ability. Keeping your focus on what the Spirit says is right, pure and true. So what that you will miss out on something in this world. Is anyone or anything more important to you than being who Christ Jesus means for you to achieve and be in Him?  

Focus, focus, focus. 

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

Busting Down the Walls, Kicking in the Doors

Busting Down the Walls, Kicking in the Doors 

by David Brenneman 

"He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart." 2 Chronicles 25:2.

"Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly." 1 Chronicles 29:9.

"I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart." Jeremiah 24:7.

“Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly." 2 Kings 20:3.

"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart." Psalms 119:2.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7.

"O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds." Psalms 7:9.

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You." Psalms 139:1-18.

Oh to count the verses that speak of the heart. The truth of the story of the Bible as a whole is the love story between our God and humanity.  

It begins and ends with the heart.  

“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.

"After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:14-23.

But what of that title that you began this post with? Where does that come from?

My Dear Reader...Jesus wants your whole heart. Not the goody two shoes version that we display for others let alone what we think we are giving to Jesus to use as He sees fit. All of it. Every secret room, every hidden box, every...single...part.  

To get that in the hearts of men and women requires our everything every single day. It involves retrospective looking. That is, looking back on or dealing with past events or situations. We can deceive ourselves into thinking Jesus has our all. We can look at the battles we face that we don't seem to gain any victory in. We can look at the relationships that are still a puzzle to us. We can look at what the real underlying truth is about us as to why we aren't growing in Christ as we should have been by now. 

It calls for us to pray that Jesus does whatever He deems necessary to know Him more. This means praying for that which Jesus wants. All of our hearts. Not the spit n polished parts that we offer but all those places where sin still is doing a number on us.  

Pray for Jesus to bust down the walls and kick in the doors of those places in our hearts to destroy that which still has a hold on us. 

Scripture says that our lives are not our own, that we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. If we say we belong to Christ then He should get all of us.

This prayer for this busting down walls and kicking in the doors way of saying it came to me a few days ago in dealing with some things that have confounded me and frustrated me my whole Christian life. It was personal when Jesus went to the cross to die for us, to go through all of that, to rise from the dead conquering all sin. He set the standard of obedience.  

Simply put...we all have pride issues in thinking that there's some things in our spiritual battles that we're going to handle. So these places in our hearts become snares. Traps. 

Jesus should have all of your heart. King David was known as a man after God's own heart. Much of what we read in the book of Psalms is the struggles, the battles, of David's surrender of his heart. 

In the Old Testament we read stories of people who figured out how to give themselves prestige by securing a place in what once was a storeroom in the house of the Lord. The prophet came back and found such happening and threw all their stuff out. The whole Temple belongs to God. We are to be the temple of God in Christ Jesus. The Spirit of God resides in each and every single Believer. But...it is still upon us to surrender all.  

There's a great hymn by that name. I Surrender All. As someone once said all means all and that's all that all means.   

My Dear Reader be truthful with yourself. To be honest, until that way of saying it, that is in the title of this post, I had places in me that I had stubbornly kept trying to figure out how to fight on my own and time after time kept losing. Sometimes in ever increasingly worse ways.  

Pray that Jesus has your whole heart. Even if you think you have given Him all of it, pray for that anyway. Pray for Him to destroy any part of your heart that you might have deceived yourself into thinking that He didn't need to deal with. Pray that you surrender all to Jesus.  

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;

Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me. 

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I Surrender, 1896. Judson W. Van DeVenter.

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