What to Do What to Do

What to Do What to Do
by David Brenneman

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

There's been, unfortunately, no end in sight of those who both believe and have been taught that a person must try on their own to earn the right to enter into Heaven.   That it's possible to be good enough to go in. 

The Bible says otherwise.

"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.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:20-21.

Jesus says of Himself that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The ONLY way.   The ONLY truth and the ONLY life. 

We today will have no more success than anyone else in human history at entering Heaven on our own merits.

Hell is full of those who thought their good works, their grandiose contributions to humanity, their Nobel prizes even, should be the just and noble cause to let them in without Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. 

Simply put that's one of the big fat whopper of a lie that comes only from Satan himself.

Whole religions speak of works salvation.  Many, both in Catholicism and outside of it believe that Pope's automatically go to Heaven based on their high exalted position in the Catholic church.  That's not at all what the Bible says. 

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,  for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13.  Apostles ended with the 12.  Prophets were seen within the Early Church and have existed throughout the last 2,000 plus years as well as Pastors and Teachers. 

With regards to exalting one above the others with regards to these, our same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ also taught His Disciples all about servant leadership.

"And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:24-28.

Works that anyone thinks that they can do to even set a toe into Heaven will never be enough.  It would not matter if that from birth they did everything right in life.  Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins there's no seal of the Holy Spirit upon such a person, who only receives it through coming to Christ to be saved, that allows them into Heaven. 

Good works alone sets a person's eternal destination as Hell.

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.

Some point to this passage in error.  "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." James 2:26.  The works of God referred to are those He prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.  Having faith unto salvation and doing nothing for Jesus is what James was warning people about.

Jesus plainly said in our opening passage what we must do.  From the perceived lowest of human beings to whomever the world exalts the most...all must come to Christ for salvation, all must look to Jesus as the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives, or its assured that Hell is where they go next one second after they die.

"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.”  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”  However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:8-18.

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

My Dear Reader, only believing that Jesus is real isn't the same as being saved.  Believing that a chair is real isn't the same as putting yourself on it and putting your life in its hands.  The same is with salvation.  Believing in the need for it isn't the same as asking Jesus to save you.  Believing that you'll get around to it is like wading in waste high rising flood waters and being offered a life jacket and refusing because you don't think it's necessary yet.

My Dear Reader you know not the day nor the hour of your departure from this world.

You know not the day nor the hour of the return of Jesus Christ for His Church and all those who have died in Christ and await that glorious day.

Whatever your reasons for thinking that you have to do something more than believe...let go of them.

He did all the work on the cross.  He said plainly "It is FINISHED!".  What His Father sent Him to Earth to do to completely make the only way to Heaven was fully completed in Him alone through faith in Him.

You may or may not realize or rationalize it yet...but salvation in Christ Jesus is free.  No strings attached.  No other conditions other than to turn and repent.  Asking Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.

If you are reading this and do want to know more about Jesus and how you can be assured of salvation through Jesus Christ alone, call or text "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459. 

A new life in Christ awaits all who do.  A life that you cannot fully comprehend until you do.

Jesus is waiting at the door of each man’s heart knocking, asking, to come in.  He won't force His way in.

You must choose.

All New American Standard Bible Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. A corporation not for profit.

Faith Comes By Hearing

Faith Comes By Hearing
by David Brenneman

"Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

"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

"However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:16-18.

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17.

So many many people throughout the centuries have defiantly stood upon the mountains, hills and plains of this world questioning the existence of God and many such more the truth of the Scriptures concerning Jesus Christ.

Yet in all this defiance towards their Creator, when these people die, of which it is now too late, only then do they come face-to-face with the error of their ways.  Many are still raging against God in all their painful torment in Hell.  They will probably do so for all eternity.  Still many others down there weep uncontrollably because they missed it completely and all the evidence was right there before them.  These are those whom Jesus said are weeping and gnashing their teeth.

It is so incredulous to me that in a world of so many countless convincing evidences concerning Jesus Christ, the Bible and the vast sum of knowledge at the fingertips of people...that people still are obstinate and stubborn against the Almighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ.

Some are convinced that they must do something to be saved.  Jesus spelled it out...the only work for any is to believe in God the Father and Jesus Christ whom the Father had sent to save them.

Some are so deep in self-righteousness that they cannot look beyond their views to who and what Jesus really is and could be to them.

Some are so full of pride that there's no room for any other perspective on life concerning anyone or anything.

All these are blinded by the god of this world.  Those who refuse to see the light of Jesus Christ are indeed willfully self-blinded as well.

The truths of God's word have never been shown to be in error.  The words Jesus spoke of Himself have all been 100% proven to be accurate and true.  Everything written of Jesus from the Old Testament has been proven to be true. 

After His crucifixion and resurrection hundreds saw Him alive and knew without any doubting that it was in fact Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

Cultures outside of Israel at the time of His resurrection were likely visited by Jesus before He ascended back to His Heaven.  Many reports exist of this.

Yet the world decries the same as those whom were just fed by Jesus...show US a sign.  They were attempting to manipulate the Son of God to their own gain.

The harshest reality known to an unsaved mankind is one second after they die.

All pride, and self-righteousness, all falsehoods are stripped away.  Satan's schemes are ended with them.  There's nothing more that he has any need of doing to them concerning God, concerning salvation, concerning life.  They've entered eternity and he could care less.  He's moved on to other's among the living to try to keep them from the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

That, my Dear Reader, is what's trying to influence your reality.

A war that Satan's lost at the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead still wages on.  Still is a losing game for him.  And he's still a sore loser.

He tries from the get-go to lie about, cheat and steal the word of God from people.  He tries to make convincing proofs to those who are saved to not try so hard to obey Jesus's commands.  He is exactly what Jesus said about him.  He's a liar and the father of lies. 

Satan's schemes include redefining whatever God has said of Himself or of how to live life.

Satan's schemes include doubting God in even the smallest of ways.

Satan's schemes include inducing compromises on any level in anything he possibly can in the lives of Christians.  Getting them to justify these things as well.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.

Every evidence that anyone should need is available to them.  Everyone will be without excuse before Jesus.  Every single person in Hell now and between now and the Final Judgment of Jesus Christ has no valid excuse for rejecting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.  The Devil made me do it isn't a defense before Jesus Christ whom everyone has to stand.

The Scriptures say that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Willingly and unwillingly every single person who has ever lived will do this.

Oh the horrors that people in Hell are living with because they chose to reject their Savior Jesus Christ!

There is salvation in no one else!

We can't fathom eternity.  We have lived through periods of pain and suffering at times but nothing that's remotely close to never-ending.  No sleep no no respite from it.  Souls don't sleep. 

Everyone has before them a choice to make.  Acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and rejecting the same.  The cross of Jesus Christ brought that choice to all. 

You who have claimed the Name of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior...live it.  Whatever you do be sure you live it out. 

You who have not chosen the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ...why are you so hesitant?  Don't think that you're so far gone that there's no hope.  Jesus died once for all.  All included you right where you are.

Jesus kept His promise to come and die for the sins of mankind to make the way where there was no way to save mankind. 

Jesus is going to keep His promise to return to claim all who have believed in His Name for salvation.

Before you are eternal death and eternity life.  Those in Hell haven't even seen their worst punishment yet.  They will receive a glorified body and will then be cast into the lake of fire at the Final Judgment.

Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross will receive a glorified body to spend eternity with Jesus.

You must choose and I must say that time is running out.  Whether or not you follow Bible prophecy...there's nothing left that is written in the Bible that has to happen before Jesus comes back.

Let today be the day that Jesus becomes the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  Step out of death into life.  Go back to the Scriptures that began this post to Romans 10 and take it to heart.

If you need help understanding salvation in Jesus, call or text "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459.  There's people there to help you understand how to be saved and to know for sure that Heaven and not Hell will be your new home.

God's Word says that everyone has been given a measure of faith...you have enough to take the next step...my prayer is that you do.

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. 

Your Great Appointment

Your Great Appointment 

 by David Brenneman 

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.  This I command you, that you love one another." John 15:16-17.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.  Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.  This I command you, that you love one another.  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  He who hates Me hates My Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.  But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’   “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." John 15:1-27.

"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29.

"Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches." 1 Corinthians 7:17.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism," Ephesians 4:4-5.

In our world ignorance is growing at an exponential rate both concerning the things of God as well as things in living a daily life.  

Many so-called churches gather people and get them to feel better but aren't equipping them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. 

While the rest of the chapter is included for context, the opening passage says it all and well.

We have a divine appointment from Jesus to be doers of the Word of God, a particular job to be engaged in for the Kingdom of God until either the Rapture of the Church happens or God calls us home. 

"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Need anything more be said?

What all do you engage in to grow in Christ?  Are you only eating Spiritual nourishment only on Sunday?  Are you only talking to Jesus when others are praying and say nothing from your own heart?  

Are you doing anything with regards to living out your salvation in Christ?  

Most have jobs to do to provide for themselves and their families.  After this is the time we have until its time to sleep and rest.  What are you doing with this gift from God?  Yes, it's a gift.  You very well could be caught up in any number of things and probably are not.  Do you use any of it to stop and read your Bible?  Do you use any of it to talk to Jesus about whatever is on your heart and mind?  

When was the last time you had a truly meaningful conversation with Jesus?  

He says He has appointed you to go and bear much fruit.  Have you?  Not all fruit will be seen in this life.  We may only know of some of it or none of it while we yet live. 

We often pray the Lord's prayer but for those who do, have you thought about it?  Give is this day our daily bread.  Jesus spoke to His disciples after the found Him speaking to the Samaritan woman and said that He. had food to eat that they did not know of.  His food was to do the will of His Father. 

Do the will.

We know from the letter to the Thessalonians that the will of God for us is our sanctification.  To become more like Christ in our conduct and character.  

This means homework.  This isn't going to happen by way of time through chance.  This is going to come by way of our personal interactions with Jesus through His Spirit.  We aren't here, after getting saved, to go do our own thing.  

We aren't here to pursue, with God's blessing, a life of personal gain in all areas that the world calls signs of great success.  

We are to grow in respect to our salvation in Christ Jesus.  

We are to be lights in this world for Jesus.  

We are to be about the Father’s business as Jesus was about the Father’s business.  

We are to be workers in His fields as He was a worker in His fields.  

We are to have a life that cultivates a healthy relationship with Jesus.  

This world is fully opposed to that ever happening. 

This world is yet still under the thumb of Satan.  This world wants you to love what it has to offer in such a way that you forget about your obligations to live out your life in Christ in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 

There's a really significant reason that there's a passage that reads: love not the world nor the things in the world. 

Traps are everywhere. 

These aren't evident to the point of being recognized as such. 

These are chains of the mind that are only broken by a true devotion to our relationship with Jesus. 

Satan's schemes are meant to disrupt your relationship with Jesus.  

We are to pray for discernment.  We are to pray for eyes that see.  We are to pray for His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  

Satan's schemes will burn up that time between the end of the physical work you do and the time you must go to bed if you let him.

You will be distracted by anything and everything. 

Anything and everything to try to keep you from your divine appointment. 

Identifying what amounts to wasted time isn't easy nor at first enjoyable.  Next comes acting on what you have identified. 

Jesus said that if anyone desires to follow Him they are to take up their own cross and follow Him. 

Are you doing this or have you allowed so much to occupy your hands and arms that there's no room for the cross you should be carrying?

Are you?

My Dear Reader you are going to stand by yourself before Jesus one day to give an account of your divine appointment that we read about first thing today.  What will yours show of how seriously you took your appointment?  

We will use excuses but will they fare any better than the man who buried the talents he was given and the excuses given were actually factual of his Master that testified against him?

Praying isn't for other people to do.

Prayer is for you to build your relationship with Jesus. 

Prayer is for you to know your appointment and to be empowered to fulfill it.

Reading your Bible is for you to be doing to grow in Christ.  

Too many people claiming to be Christians are in reality anorexic Christians because they aren't eating!

You are not going to be Spiritually strong enough for life if you aren't in the Word of God daily.  

You aren't going to be able to fulfill your calling in Christ if you aren't developing your relationship with Jesus. 

Take a hard look at what you say is important to you and weigh that against your relationship with Jesus.  Many many people need to clean house and get back to Jesus in a fresh new and right way...does this include you?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

Pew Potatoes

Pew Potatoes 

 by David Brenneman 

"Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:19-24.

"But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” John 5:17.

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

There's not much difference between a couch potato and a pew potato. Just sitting, listening, getting hyped up yet accomplishing nothing. 

It's certainly food for thought to consider whether or not you are either. Living a life of both won't fare well when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life. 

My Dear Reader that IS coming for everyone who claims to be saved in Christ Jesus! What more are you doing than those in this world who merely think they are good enough for Heaven and should be let in?

Are you only going to Church services and keep to yourself the rest of the week? Do you not interact with people? Do you not realize that is your mission field?

Jesus said to beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. His harvest is the Father’s harvest. Therefore we are to be workers in His fields. We do have a job to be doing.  

Granted some people, such as myself, get drained easily by too much interaction with people. There are other things that can be done in service to Jesus that don't necessarily mean heavy interactions with people.  

The Lord Jesus Christ is going to ask you some very important, direct, questions. It's as solid an event as His first coming, death, burial and resurrection.  

Those who aren't saved will be shown that apart from salvation in Christ Jesus their lives amounted to nothing. Their judgment on what is good enough for Heaven will be shown to be worthless. 

Fruits of righteousness should come from someone who is attached to Jesus Christ the vine. 

Something should be evident to others of our obedience to God's Word. 

So this day you really need to take stock in what your life is amounting to. Are you doing the Word of God or are you merely a hearer only who deludes yourself?

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? What will he give in exchange for his soul? - Jesus. 

Who cares if you stay caught up with the Jones next door. Who cares if you have that fancy house or car. If you aren't living a God honoring life in Christ Jesus it's worthless. 

If you aren't engaged in what you are here in this life to be doing as part of the body of Christ you are totally wasting your life. When that kind of life is tried by the fires of the truth of God in Christ, it all goes up in flames. It's said right there in the Bible that man's works will turn to ashes. 

Do YOU want to see all that you have done in your life turn to ashes in front of the One whom you came to for salvation thereby showing that it really didn't mean that much to you?

Get off the pew, off the couch and listen to what the Spirit says and go after it. Scripture says that the gifts and the calling of the Spirit of God are irrevocable. They are yours to be using...and they should be used!

"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.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The Essential Godly Perspective

The Essential Godly Perspective 

by David Brenneman 

"Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.  Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’  I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38.

There's more to your story, your life, than what you hear, see, and think about.  

A Godly perspective is something that you are to develop as a Christ-follower.  

There are no Christ-followers who sit on the sidelines.  Note carefully the rebuke of the one in the parable of the talents who did nothing with what he was entrusted. 

Look carefully at what's to be considered by us in going through this life.  We are to cognizant of the Spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We are to be cognizant of the fact that we battle not against flesh and blood.  We are to keep in mind that we should strive to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  

We need a Godly perspective on living life.  God wants to do good things through us that He prepared for us to be doing.  It's on us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Look at the Gospels and what all it really encompasses in learning all that Jesus commanded the Disciples of Jesus. 

Going through life with our eyes squeezed shut, hands over our ears and our mouth pressed shut isn't going to change what we know to be true about these truths. 

We become part of the body of Christ when we come to Christ for salvation.  That body's function is to bring glory to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God. 

If indeed you aren't pursuing a Godly course of action in your life then you'll find that you're fighting God's will for you.  1 Thessalonians 4:3a says that God's will is our sanctification.  

Sanctification is our becoming more like Christ. 

Not necessarily our being more successful.  

Not necessarily our being rich.  

Not necessarily our being well thought of.  

So what's your perspective? Are you  at all seeking things that are above rather than things that are of this world?

Are you more worried about everyday things, jobs, etc. than you should be?  As one put it, worry is you essentially praying to yourself.  I view it as a prayer with no direction.  The things of this life can get us as distracted as Martha, Mary's sister.  Mary chose to stay at the feet of Jesus.  Jesus said she chose the better thing and it would not be taken from her. 

Taking the things of God that you've been given when you came to Christ for salvation and not using them is akin to what Jesus said about those who take a lamp light it then put it under a basket.  It's useless. 

Those who do this will probably not fare well when they stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives.  They shouldn't expect to hear a "well done". 

Take stock of your thoughts and intentions before you act on them.  

Look well at your why's in your actions.  

Ask Jesus to give you His perspective on the gift of life in Christ that you have in Him. 

Things aren't going to really work out for you until you do.  Oh you may see success, power, fame etc. but the cost will be when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life and there's nothing to show. 

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

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.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

The Intentional Life

The Intentional Life 

by David Brenneman 

"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:11-19.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. " Colossians 3:2-3.

Was considering the notes of the various study Bibles last night concerning John 12 talking about Mary (Martha's sister).  

How often do we shut out the world and sit at the feet of Jesus? 

What are we being intentional about to further the Gospel in our hearts and minds?

How important is it to each of us that we finish well the life in Christ that we've been given to live for Jesus?

Are we taking the time to listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Because He very much is speaking to each and every single Believer. The onus is on all to pay attention in class. 

Right now is a generation of the most intellectually laziest high school and college students ever. Both seeking ways to use AI, artificial intelligence, to get out of the most mentally beneficial aspects of learning. There's a lucrative business in providing cheats that disguise the use of AI.

People who will someday really need to have that information they didn't make an effort to learn. 

Now apply that to your Spiritual life. What are you being lazy about? What aren't you doing that you know you should be doing?

Indeed we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them...but...we must be intentional on walking in them. 

Our world, as Satan's schemes have proven, is all about getting people to stop any form of critical thinking. Go with the flow. Do what feels good. Don't think, just do. Make your own way that gets you all that you want without regard to the consequences. 

Setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world isn't a suggestion. It's a survival trait.

You can't begin to understand the things of God unless you are intentionally in the Word of God. You can't truly get beyond providing a grocery list to God in prayer unless you start making it personal. Personal to you and to your desire to be like Jesus. 

Cheaters never win and winners never cheat. 

We rob ourselves when cheating becomes a viable choice. We rob ourselves when we don't embrace our relationship with Jesus in the way He desires to have with each of us. 

What are you doing that you really know you shouldn't be doing? What thoughts do you entertain that you aren't even attempting to stop having? These are negatively impacting your relationship with Jesus. This should bother you!

What of this world are you elevating above your relationship with Jesus? These things in this world are going to fade away. You're going to either watch them fade away or you'll suddenly find yourself facing eternity and everything and everyone will be behind you. Only Jesus will be before you. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. This too wasn't a suggestion. This is very much a part of what the Disciples were to teach all new Disciples. This was part of "everything that I commanded you".

You're never going to realize the rewards of being intentional in your walk with Jesus until you just do it. 

You're not going to realize how much you've been trapped inside worldly thinking and desires until you intentionally set things aside in favor of enriching your life in Christ. 

You will never know the benefits of being intentional until you do it. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.  

The Accounting to Come

The Accounting to Come

by David Brenneman 

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.

What do you think of concerning your choices and decisions in your life? Are you aware of what we just read that is going to come upon everyone?

A Christian can only build upon the foundation of those firm standing Believer's who came before them. We have that as our starting point and it's our obedience to God's Word that increases to our account. 

The Gospels contain various parables of the talents. The King entrusting talents to various people and on the day of his return exacts an accounting of what they did with what they were given.  

This passage here works with those parables. 

We can choose the selfish road or the selfless road. We can choose to rightly pursue a life in Christ or we can pursue our own goals.  

While it says plainly that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them, it's our obedience to God's Word that brings these things to light. 

Our world inundates humanity with thoughts of how to live for self. It's everywhere. How you neeeed this or need that if you are going to be the best you that you can be. 

This world also teaches that there's more than one way to Heaven. That it's ok if you're good enough by your own standards, by your own estimation.  

The world teaches that sin is too harsh of a word, that its best to just call those things mistakes.  

These types of things are all a part of Satan's schemes.  

Realize that this world is at odds with the Creator of all things. Satan's against God in everything and uses his influence wherever he can to keep people from following Jesus Christ. If he loses that battle and those people do find salvation in Christ Jesus, he then switches tactics to get them to not take it seriously.  

A quote that I saw again the other day says "Everyone thinks that I am crazy. That I take this Jesus thing too seriously. I don't know, but I do know He took me pretty seriously when He died on the cross.".

Seriously. That's the idea. That's what those in Christ Jesus should be taking life. We should be recognizable as followers of Jesus Christ. We shouldn't be blended in so well with the world that we have no distinction as being a Christian. 

We should take time to be in the Word of God daily. We shouldn't solely take someone else's word as to what it says and should be investigating it ourselves. We should be working on our relationship with Jesus, on how we interact with Him. Our prayer life shouldn't be stunted. When we pray it shouldn't be as if we're simply contacting Customer Service. It shouldn't be that we treat talking to Jesus as if He were our butler either nor some genie to do our bidding. 

The seriousness of the Apostle Paul is everywhere in the books he wrote about living out the Christian life in such a way that honors God in Christ Jesus.  

Will the content of your life go up in flames or will something come of it that can be given back to Jesus for all He's done for you?

Paul describes it as running the race with the thought in mind to win the race. Running with endurance. Running with persistence. With intentionality. For the right reasons. 

We are all given the same amount of seconds per day. The same amount of minutes. What are you going to be doing with your allotment? 

What will you do for Jesus today that you didn't yesterday?  

The choice is yours and the consequences are real. If we aren't being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus we face a world that's more than eager to conform it to their way of living. 

When your life's reviewed before Jesus what will it show? Commitment or compliance?

That's for you to decide. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

What We Don't Want, He Sees

What We Don't Want, He Sees

by David Brenneman 

"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths." Proverbs 5:21.

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

John 3:16-21.

We really do appreciate it when life certainly looks like God is watching over us and if we're being honest, we really don't like some of those times. 

We sin, and in spite of our best efforts to call it something else, it's still sin and inevitably gnaws at us.  

The reality of life is that there are indeed those around us every day who love the darkness rather than the Light of Jesus Christ. There's even Believers who love aspects of the darkness rather than the Light. Scripture say that it's a daily battle to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. When Believers don't see the fight for what it is then they're willing participants of these things. They might even do as the world does and begin to redefine words in order to feel better about the sins that so easily entangle them. 

Satan's schemes include redefining whatever he can of any and every single thing possible to weaken those in the faith as well as keep the rest from finding salvation in Christ Jesus. 

We either are fighting the good fight as Paul wrote of or we aren't. In all cases, The Lord Jesus Christ sees it all, knows it all, and nothing escapes His notice. 

He knows when we choose to do something else rather than spending time with Him. 

He knows why we chose to do something else rather than spend time with Him. 

Nothing escapes His notice.  

We read the other day of a chief reason why the world hates Jesus is that He testifies that their deeds are evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

My Dear Reader you always have it before you to do right by God's word or to go your own way. Scripture says of itself that the Word of God is able to know your reasoning. 

"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.

Before you rush out and jump into whatever is crossing your mind...stop.  

We shouldn't just rush into thoughts and intentions without considering the consequences. There's a whole world out there that isn't and refuses to believe it's necessary.  

To take every thought captive requires intentionality on our part.

Praying for help in this before we step out of bed, let alone before we get dressed, for the day. Until we get to Heavens gates, we shouldn't trust ourselves because we are at war with our inner man(or woman). As one put it, war is Hell. In physical war you cannot afford to let your guard down.  

When we aren't focusing on our Great Shepherd's voice then we aren't listening for His instruction. 

What are you avoiding by choosing your ways first? Might you be avoiding the truth that you're holding onto sins that the Spirit is really trying to get you to acknowledge and repent of?  

Might you actually be taking what passions you have that belong to your relationship with Jesus and are in fact giving them to other people or things?

Are you wasting your money, time and energy on what is useless instead of investing in your new life in Christ?

The choices we make in this here this now, we will give an account of some day before Jesus and there will be no hiding from the truths of our intentions. He was with you throughout all your life and will already know why you did your own thing rather than what you could have done with Him. He will know why you did, at times, truly follow Him. 

Look at the Gospels. Look at what the Disciples submitted to in following Jesus. 

Jesus, at the Great Commission, told them to go, make more disciples, teaching them all that He commanded them. Teach them to be and to live as He taught them to be and had lived with Him. 

In doing this they would indeed be lights in this world. They would indeed expose them.

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. " Ephesians 5:6-17.

We should really be considering that we do not walk this world alone. Those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ always have Him with them. We shouldn't remain in the sins we have been forgiven of. We should seek out what the will of God is for us, which we read the other day as being our sanctification.  

Ask Jesus what you need to change in your life. Ask Him where you're not truly living life in a God honoring way. Ask Him for help in becoming the Disciple of Christ that you're supposed to be. Give yourself less of a reason to be embarrassed, mortified, before Jesus on that day you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

He Knows All About You

He Knows All About You 

by David Brenneman 

"and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." John 2:25.

"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10-11.

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27.

"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!" Psalms 139:1-17.

So many people have chosen to believe that "if God only knew about my past, He wouldn't want anything to do with me!".

Did you not read everything through a moment ago? My Dear Reader there's nothing in your life that Jesus hasn't been intimately aware of. Every thought, every single individual intention. He knows and yet...and yet...in spite of everything...He still wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He still wants to save you. 

Jesus wants to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. It doesn't matter what your eyes see or your heart and mind feel. Salvation is in Christ Jesus alone. He did everything necessary to make a way where there was no way in order to save the likes of everyone. 

There's no door of anyone's heart ever created that Jesus won't come knocking at, asking to be let in.

It's Jesus's job to clean up people. It's what He does after we say yes to His free gift of salvation. It's not based on whatever works we do or try to do. When Jesus said "It is FINISHED!" on the cross He meant it. Everything required by God to save you was accomplished and completely acceptable to God. Done and Done.   

Quite often Jesus does find us at our worst. He does not care about that. It doesn't matter to Him. It's saving us that matters to Him. 

The whole reason that He hasn't returned yet is because there are yet still people whom haven't said yes to His free gift of salvation.

Jesus doesn't look at all you see. Jesus looks at what's possible inside of you.  

"The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jeremiah 31:3.

And as if that weren't enough...just so you know...even after people come to Christ for salvation...they still don't get it right all the time. 

People still sin after coming to Christ. Yet we aren't defined by our sin anymore. We are those saved in Christ Jesus who have forgiveness of our sins possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. We can be forgiven, washed clean again, just by asking for Him to forgive. It's then on us to live better, turning away from those things that brought about that sin.

Jesus could be waiting for you before coming back to gather up every Believer among the dead and the living.   

Jesus isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved through Him. But, my Dear Reader, He isn't going to force you...you have free choice. The alternative isn't what the world would have you believe. Eternal separation from God is the result of rejecting God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Coming to Christ, He takes all the punishment of your sins upon Himself. That's what happened back over 2,000 years ago on the cross. We put our faith and trust in His finished work on the cross. Any who say no to this will spend eternity paying the price for all of their own sins in extremely painful torment and misery in a place that originally was for Satan and his demons. 

While anyone yet breathes, there's hope unto salvation in Jesus Christ.   

You may not escape the consequences of your choices in your physical life after coming to Christ for salvation, or He may rescue you from some or all of that. We who come to Christ for salvation are a new creation, old things have passed away and new things have come. That's a promise from God the Father in Christ Jesus through His Spirit to everyone who Believes.

There's coming a time when Jesus is coming back. He kept His promise to come the first time and He will keep His promise to come again. 

Please stop and think about this. Your eternity is your choice to make. Nobody escapes that decision. When a person dies the choice is sealed in blood. Either their own blood or the blood of Jesus Christ. The unbelieving die with sin tainted blood. The believing die with the holy blood of Jesus Christ that is free of all sin.

The Bible says that blessed is he whom the Lord takes away their sins and remembers them no more.

(Paraphrased).

More specifically...

"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!" Psalms 32:1-2.

The Angels in Heaven are always rejoicing with great joy when someone down here says yes to His free gift of salvation.  

Think about it. Jesus is waiting for you to ask Him to come into your life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  

There's a line from a song that's very appropriate. "While He was on the cross, I was on His mind.".

Truer words probably were never spoken. 

What do you do?  

"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.

It really is that simple.  

It really is that easy. 

Really.

Everyone will stand before Jesus one day.  

They either stand before Jesus as someone who put their faith and trust in His finished work on the cross, pure and holy, sin free or they stand before Jesus condemned for their own sins. 

He knew you before you were born and knows everything about your entire life...and still wants to save you. When He was on the cross He looked into the future to your life and mine. All your sins were yet future to the cross. You were on His mind. 

There's room at the cross for you. 

If you want to know more...text the word JESUS to (330) 264-9459. That's the number of the Church we go to. There will be someone to respond to you and show you how you too can be saved. 

The offer is free. Salvation is free to all who would receive it. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

A Day in the Lord

A Day in the Lord 

by David Brenneman 

"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: Let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; Teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:1-5.

Many years ago we were taught a song based on Psalm 25. The version I used today is the King James version due to the wording used in the chorus. 

Unto thee oh Lord, do I lift up my voice. 

Unto thee oh Lord, do I lift up my voice. 

Oh my God, I trust in thee

Oh my God, I trust in thee

Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.

We would repeat that another time through. What was interesting to me years later was my problems with memorizing the Scriptures didn't crossover to music versions of Scriptures. It was because of songs such as this that I sought out other Scriptures set to music. There's several praise and worship CD's available that the whole album was Scriptures set to music.  

Suffice to say God made a way where I needed a way. Not that I can arrive at where a passage is but once I hear parts I have at least a general idea of where to look.

Then there's Google. I often look up phrases there whereas I use the search function of my Bible app for specifics. 

God does make a way when we rely on Him. 

Our lives need a daily intake of the Word of God. We need to trust in Jesus. Have I enemies? Oh more than likely. Have I had ones in my past? Most assuredly. What became of them? Oh my Dear Reader God took care of these in ways that I could never imagine. 

It's on us to trust and obey its on Jesus to keep His promises when we do. 

What is your day like? How much of it do you include Jesus in?  

My morning's begin with coffee, catching up on a few things then time in a Bible plan on my phone in my Bible app. For me, I give up some sleep to be here with Jesus to write what you read. This is when and where He wants to meet me. Daily at around 5 to 10 til 5 AM the writing stops. Then I post, and finish getting ready for work. On my ride to work I talk with Jesus all the way there. We go into work together. Sometimes during the day I send up Nehemiah prayers. Short and to the point. After work on the way home I thank Him for the day. After dinner I am now up to just over an hour of Bible study. I challenged myself to two Study Bibles and all the commentaries on both each evening and the Spirit challenged me to double that. So I did. Plus I read 2 short devotionals.

Truth be known I don't miss television or movies. I, like an old gospel song, would rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

A few Disciples, after the resurrection, were taught by Jesus of every place in the Old Testament that mentioned Him. So I look for these when I read.  

Since the beginning of the year I have read from Daniel to now the book of John. Daniel and the book that followed I read only 2 study Bibles worth, but after that it's been all 4. Two of the NASB, one of the Christian Standard, one of the New King James. All by Godly men of my lifetime.  

You can't afford to spend no time in the Lord. Your days will not be fulfilling. Your mind will be pushed towards conformity to the world. Your mind and heart will not experience the transforming power of the Word of God. You will cave to temptations. You will inevitably have a life of practiced sin that we are warned about in the book of Romans. You will be quite deceived by your own sin nature as well as the world. You will redefine words to appease your conscience. You will see nothing wrong with the things that the Word of God says are in fact sin. When you hear God's truth you won't recognize it as that so you will dismiss it. Then the inevitable will fall upon you as is promised to everyone. You will stand before Jesus one day to give an account of your life. What will you say? You were too busy? You think that's going to hold up in the Courts of God Almighty?

My encouragement today is to get down and dirty with some serious Spring cleaning of your soul.  

If your days aren't spent honoring the One who saved you then you aren't honoring the One who saved you. Nothing in this world in which you live is more important than the life you could be living with a right relationship with Jesus. 

What you read of my routine...I had been praying about learning how to study. I am not saying that I am a genius or anything, depending on the testing my IQ is around 140. School work most of the time wasn't challenging. One of my hobbies are instructional videos. Sometimes physical books. I love troubleshooting problems. God's given me that ability. I like figuring things out. I am looking to the Scriptures to figure out some things in there as well. My list of questions to ask Jesus when I get to His Heaven grows. 

If you are honest with yourself do you think that Jesus would be happy with the amount of time you spend with Him daily?   

We just went through a celebration of the last week He had on Earth. The brutal beatings, scourging, being nailed to the cross to save us. 

Doesn't that warrant more than "God is great, God is good, thank you for this food. Amen."?  

Doesn't that warrant doubling down on getting to know the One who took your place on calvary?

What will you change today to honor His sacrifice to save you?

KJV is public domain. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The True Reality

The True Reality 

by David Brenneman 

"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil." John 7:7.

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

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

If the deeds of the world are evil...why are we trying so hard to fit into it?

Why should those who follow Jesus look like everyone else in the world in our thoughts and actions?  

The reality is that we are to be lights in this world. The light in any physical place illuminates everything it touches, whether good or bad. 

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:6-17.

We will never show ourselves different to the world if we continue to try to fit into a way of life we were to depart from. How will people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven if we don't stand out in a way that we look differently in our words and deeds?

We can make good spiritual use of the things that this world has. We must still take great care that these things we do grab ahold of aren't hurting our witness to the world. 

A sober question is: Should Christ-followers ever mention that they love this or that that the world provides? Isn't that how the world describes such things?  

If the Scriptures say that the man of God should be free of the love of money, shouldn't that go beyond that as well to other things that the world battles and wars to own?  

Satan's schemes are sculpted to each person in order to trap them. 

To keep them from achieving their potential in Christ. 

You, my Dear Reader, are in the midst of a world that absolutely does not have its best in mind for you. This world wants you to leave any and all parts of your walk with Jesus behind. Even if it's in some small thing. 

Jesus testifies that the deeds of this world are evil. If indeed we are followers of Jesus Christ then the world is going to hate us just as it hated Him. Jesus follows up this by encouraging us that we should be of good courage that He has overcome the world. 

When the world doesn't get us not participating and ridicules us we are to be of good courage. 

When the world points a finger at us because we don't compromise and wants to punish us we are to be of good courage. 

When the world refuses anything to do with Jesus and their need for Him as their personal Lord and Savior we are to be of good courage. 

Our lives...are not ours...

"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:17-20.

It's not about us getting what we want or think we deserve. It's us being a disciple of Christ and showing a lost and dying world that there's room at the cross for them. 

It's living a life so different from the world that people want to know the reason for the hope we have. 

This is a transformed life not a conformed life.  

A conformed life is absolutely no different than a person who never came to Christ in the first place. 

The world will be relentless in trying to get a Believer to conform. To water-down what love's meaning is. Love not the world nor the things of the world.  

They are at odds in our lives until the day we die.  

Love this, love that. Love this team love that food. Love this car, love that place. Take the meaning of love and make it mean something else and be accepting of it.

That's a scheme of Satan. 

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

Love your neighbor as yourself. 

“You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you," Leviticus 22:32.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; " 1 Thessalonians 4:3a.

Sanctification: the action of making or declaring something holy.

To be holy is to be set apart.  

Take a look at all the compromises you have allowed in your life. 

Take a look at what you do, say or think that isn't holy. 

Take a look and my Dear Reader...turn away from such things. 

We should be living examples of Christ to a lost world. The world may hate you for it. You may take a financial hit for stopping something you've paid into. You may lose some relationships born of these compromises. You may lose your status among people.  

Jesus did too.

Be holy as He is holy. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

Walking Worthy

Walking Worthy 

by David Brenneman 

"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans 8:28-31.

What we do...matters. 

What we think...matters. 

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.

What we do...matters. 

What we think...matters. 

So many, oh so many, people don't think there is or should be consequences to their actions. These days you do not have to look far to know that that is true. 

As Christ-followers we should be recognizable as such. We should be different from the world. We read of all that the Disciples did and should see and understand that their lives were not their own. Jesus lead, commanded, they did.  

Chosen of God the Father they followed Jesus while He taught them.

They indeed gave up everything to follow Jesus. Which included what they did and what they thought. 

What degree of seriousness do you have concerning your walk with Jesus?   

You should be taking time to be with Jesus every day. Not just a couple minutes but serious time. 

How else do you plan on living a life approved by God? How else will you show Jesus appreciation for all that He did for you to save you?

The day after His crucifixion, several thousand years ago, Jesus was down in the heart of the Earth with all the saints who had died. He finally arrived, their joy and jubilation was off the charts. King David, Moses, Adam, Daniel, all who had gone on before. Their salvation had arrived.

I believe that there was also those who'd recently died who saw Jesus and lamented their rejection of Jesus. The other thief was one such person. 

Those saints we read of in Hebrews 11 all gathered around Jesus. By faith they lived lives worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus. 

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:1-7.

Are your thoughts worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are your interests worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are your deeds worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are you living an approved life worthy of your calling in Christ?

If you indeed are saved in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins, you my Dear Reader, have a divine calling in Christ Jesus. 

You are to live your life in Christ in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 

If your life mirrors the world what could the world possibly see in you that's different?

Do you really want to scrape by in entering into Heaven? Having done only the minimum for He who died the death you deserved for your sins?

We can do more and should be doing more to show our appreciation for all that Jesus did for us.  

We should be walking worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. 

We should be different from the world and should be a light not hidden under a basket.  

"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.

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

Matthew 22:37.

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

Being different in the Lord is what we are to be. We have been saved in Christ. We are approved for entry into His Heaven based on the finished work of God in Christ. We have work to be done for the Kingdom of God while we are yet still here breathing the air of this world.

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."

1 Corinthians 10:31-33.

Do you live a life that really shows Jesus that He means everything to you?  

Are you going to be one of those who's works are burned up?

"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. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:10-18.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

You, in how you live your life, show Jesus just how important what He did to save you, really means to you. 

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

There's probably not a worldly sales person out there who wants to hear people getting told to turn away from those things that grab the eye or tug at the heart, that pull people away from a life approved in Christ.

Satan's schemes are formulated for you. He doesn't sleep. His minions are as aware of everything about you as your Guardian Angel is.  

His schemes are designed to do anything he is approved of to disrupt your walk with Jesus. To ruin your calling in Christ. To get you to get you out of the game.

If all of your posts are about things then that's all people will see is important to you. 

If all you talk about is anything but what God's doing in your life then that's all you are showing anyone that is truly important to you. 

If what you do, say or think gets more of your passion and love than Jesus does then you are showing yourself and others just who is more important in your life. 

Walk worthy of your calling isn't just words on a page. 

The Words of God jump off the page to turn lives around and beyond. 

When was the last time you really had a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus since coming to Christ for salvation?

Are you walking worthy of your calling in Christ or are you walking in an unworthy manner?  

The calling of God is revealed in your obedience. The gifts and calling of God in Christ Jesus is irrevocable. You ARE imbued with gifts from on high in Christ and you WILL give an account some day as to what you did with them.  

Walk worthy of your calling in Christ. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation. 

Do You?

Do You?

by David Brenneman 

A sermon by S. M. Lockridge on describing Jesus: 

"“He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest idea in philosophy. He’s the fundamental truth in theology. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleans the lepers. He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent, He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?

Well, my king is the king of knowledge, He’s the well-spring of wisdom, He’s the doorway of deliverance, He’s the pathway of peace, He’s the roadway of righteousness, He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory, He’s the master of the mighty, He’s the captain of the conquerors, He’s the head of the heroes, He’s the leader of the legislators, He’s the overseer of the overcomers, He’s the governor of governors, He’s the prince of princes, He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you. But He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, He’s irresistible. I’m trying to tell you, the Heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my king!

He always has been, and He always will be. I’m talking about He [who] had no predecessor and He [who] has no successor. There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. We try to get prestige and honor and glory to ourselves, but the glory is all His. Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and when you get through with all of the forevers, then ‘Amen’.”

“Oh I wish I could describe him to you.”

This Good Friday, stop and think about what happened several thousand years ago just for you and I and all mankind, whether accepted or not, the Truth, did what He came to do. 

Jesus indeed came and lived a sinless life. He healed the sick. 

Cast out many demons. Loved those who thought they were long forgotten and rejected by friends and family. Showed the world that the Creator of all things wasn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved if they would just believe in the one and only Son of God. 

Jesus willingly bore our stripes in being beaten on this day so long ago. By His stripes we are healed. Herod thought by doing this it would appease the Jews but no they were stirred up to be out for blood, Jesus's blood. Darkness was reigning at an all time high. 

Jesus was lead away to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene forced to help get His cross to Golgotha.  

But no this wasn't the end. Lifted high as the serpent was in Moses's day, so the Son of Man was lifted up. 

Darkness formed over the Earth covering the bright of day. The Savior of all mankind would cry out "It is FINISHED!". The Earth would quake, the voice of God's only Son echoing across the land. In the Temple, the veil would rip from top to bottom. Pulled open wide for all to see that the way to God through the Lord’s Christ had been accomplished. 

Satan was now a defeated foe.

Jesus took back the title deed of the Earth. Jesus defeated sin, death and the grave.  

That's my Jesus. I wonder, do you know Him?  

Today you should take time to seriously consider the path Jesus took to provide salvation to you and I. This isn't some holiday as all the the others in this world. While equalled only with Christmas, this one is the beginning of the end of Satan's dominion.  

Soon and very soon we are going to be with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ the triumphant. Take it to heart...Jesus DID do everything He came to do 2,000 plus years ago...He will return to finish it out. Consider it well that all that remains of human history is that distance between now and His return and 1,007 years. That's it. 

Living for Jesus a life that is true. Striving to please Him in all that I do. That hymn never grows old.  

What are you doing to intentionally get to know this Savior and Lord of yours? What are you doing to learn to be like Jesus? What are you avoiding doing?  

Are you living out your faith in Jesus or are you hiding it?  

Are you not saved yet at all? 

It takes but a decision, a choice, to choose the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Asking Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life takes but a moment. The rewards are eternal.  

"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.

Do you know Him?  

How you answer that question will determine your eternal destination. 

To many Jesus will say to come into His Heaven because He had a real relationship with them.

To countless billions He will say to "depart from Me for I never knew you!".

Which will it be for you? Eternal pain and suffering paying for your sins or eternal life in Christ in His Heaven with Him?

Jesus Christ is my God, my Lord and Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That's my King. 

I wonder...do you know Him?

"In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:20-21.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.