Being Aware, Not Being Consumed By

Being Aware, Not Being Consumed By 

by David Brenneman 

"So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8.

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3.

"Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." Revelation 1:7.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

Throughout the Christian world there's every facet of thought concerning the reality of the return of Jesus.  

While we are to look forward to His coming, that can be at any moment, we aren't to be consumed with preparation for it above all else. 

When we know someone special is going to arrive we do indeed make preparations. However there's a point where we arrive at knowing that enough has been done and some parts of our normal life must be resumed until they get here.

Indeed Jesus is going to come, just as the Bible says that it shall be like. The greater question is this: do you long for His return or does it really bring anxiety or remorse? Are you knowingly living a life that doesn't meet the approval of God? Why stay living that way rather than turning in faith to what life you were called to be living in? 

We do indeed have a life to be lived to the full in Christ. A life that for each of us means a paring away of things that are hindering our growth in Christ. Yet at the same time we should be looking forward to His return for us just as we look forward to His fulfilling all the other promises that He's made. 

The key, I believe, to His return, is the completion of the work for the workers in His fields. There is that parable to read of the workers agreeing to work for a denarius. There is that point where the work is completed and he pays those workers.  

The Lord Himself said to pray for the needed workers in His harvest. 

We come to Christ, we are sealed in the Spirit, we begin learning how to walk with Jesus. We learn how to let go and let God. We learn how to become disciples of Jesus Christ. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We point people to Jesus for salvation. We learn to live life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. These traits and attributes are what's needed and necessary to be workers in His fields.  

There in lay the reason why I firmly believe that His return is tied to that last person who has been designated by the Father to be saved before the Great Tribulation can begin. That person is the last in the fields of God that are to be saved before a different group of workers can take over during the Great Tribulation.  

While indeed we are to look forward to His appearing, we do indeed need to make every effort to be obedient to the work He has for us to be doing in Christ Jesus. 

Remove whatever is hindering your life in Christ. The Disciples removed everything from the physical to the mental that wasn't helping them in being a disciple of Christ Jesus. 

There's a great many things that I desire but if they're not in accordance with the will of God for me in Christ then they are to be cast aside. Just as the Disciples learned to do. 

When God in Christ Jesus gives us something to be doing then we're to give it our all in doing it.  

When the Spirit points to things that are not helpful in growing in Christ then we're to pay attention and do something about it. 

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.

My mind wants to take me places that aren't good, right or healthy in Christ. My sin nature wants to assert itself in any way it can. To lull my heart into a false sense of security. 

Your sin nature as well as mine want nothing to do with growing in Christ. Your sin nature as well as mine don't want to think about the return of Jesus. Your sin nature as well as mine wants to live for self, in the moment.  

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. We have a class to attend daily in learning how to grow in Christ. We have work to be done in Christ that is to be done as unto the Lord. We are to walk as children of Light and not as those in the darkness of the world. 

Being aware but not consumed by this world. 

I am really aware of the evils of this world. Not all, thank you Jesus, but am aware of a lot. It's a daily battle to keep my mind off those ideas and temptations and to stay focused on my Savior. Once they're let in they're difficult to get rid of. 

Pray for your heart to be in tune with the heart of Christ. 

Pray for you to make wise decisions in His fields. You may be the person who leads that last person designated by the Father to receive the free gift of salvation before Jesus returns. We don't win souls to Christ, the Spirit does that. We are the workers in His fields.

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.

Walking Worthy

Walking Worthy 

by David Brenneman 

A thousand generations falling down in worship

To sing the song of ages to the Lamb

And all who've gone before us and all who will believe

Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever

If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name

Sing the song forever to the Lamb

We'll sing the song forever and amen

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever

Hear Your people sing holy

To the King of kings, holy

You will always be holy

Holy forever

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

Jesus

Your name is the highest

Your name is the greatest

Your name stands above them all (oh, stands above)

All thrones and dominions

All powers and positions

Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry holy

All creation cries holy

You are lifted high, holy

Holy forever (we cry holy, holy, holy)

Hear Your people sing (we will sing) holy

To the King of kings (holy), holy (holy is the Lord)

You will always be holy

Holy forever

You will always be holy

Holy forever

Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever 2022

Woke up to the chorus of this playing in my mind. What a way to start my day. It also made me think of another song called the Revelation Song by Passion. 

Jesus is coming again, just as He promised.  

There's those who chime in with those who asked centuries ago about where is He and this promise of His coming? The reason then is the reason now. He's not willing that any should perish but that all might be saved. 

But make no mistake. There IS a last person who will be saved before Jesus comes. There will be those saved during the 7 year Great Tribulation but before that there's a definite cut off time.  

The Apostles taught us in the Bible to be sure of our salvation in Christ. Be found by Him to be walking in the truth of God in Christ Jesus. 

So in light of these thoughts...are you?

Would you be commended for your walk in Christ by Jesus or would you suddenly find yourself royally embarrassed?  

Are you so caught up in what you want and when you want it that you're not considering the walk in Christ that you're supposed to be having with Him?

Yes we need to make a living. 

Yes we have obligations to job and family. 

However Jesus said that we're to take up our own cross and follow Him. Our relationship with Jesus must come first. Our lives aren't our own...they're not about us.  

Should Jesus open the doors to Heaven today and shout to all who are His sheep to come, would you be going? Faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation is the only way to leave this world for His Heaven. Being a good and decent person absolutely won't cut it. There's millions of good Baptists, good Catholics, good Pharisees good Elders, good Deacons, good Grace Brethren, good teachers of the Law, good mothers, good fathers, good children, good Popes, good Cardinals, good people....in Hell. Only the saved in Christ Jesus are in Heaven. There is no other way and by no other name under Heaven by which we must be saved. 

Good isn't good enough. Without salvation in Christ there's no seal of the Holy Spirit upon a person that says they belong to Christ.  

Without that testimony of the Spirit of God there's nothing written in the Lamb's book of Life that says that they're His. 

Jesus is indeed Holy forever. 

Jesus hears from the Angels in Heaven, those who've gone on before who are saved cry out Holy! 

Be sure of your salvation in Christ. 

"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.

Once you are saved...LIVE IT!

Either shame or joy will grip people who are saved when they leave this world. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Are you walking in them or walking as you please?

We're to live life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. Do you? Are your posts on social media a reflection of a life in Christ?

Walk worthy of your calling in Christ.  

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.

Walk in This Way

Walk in This Way 

by David Brenneman 

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

"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,"  Ephesians 6:18.

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,  and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11.

We all walk a path whose end is eternity.  We all eventually take a step whereby we step out of this physical world and into our eternal destination, beit Heaven or Hell.  The choice we make concerning salvation in Christ Jesus alone determines where that eternity is to be spent. 

It's more than just saying a prayer.

It's more than just a feeling coming over you.

It's a life dedicated to following Jesus after such a confession is made and a heart is turned from darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ. 

It's been almost 5 full months of evening studying for me.  I am at last learning what that means.  There's the devotionals and the study Bibles.  There's a lot of notes to read.  I find it more satisfying than the useless hours spent watching television or other such nonsense. 

We who are in Christ have heeded the call to come and follow Him.  To become a disciple of Christ.  We know what that looks like by reading our 4 Gospel accounts in the Bible.  We further learn from the rest of the New Testament.  But you have to be IN the Word daily to learn what living life really means. 

What do you make more important than your time with Jesus?  

We all can come up with excuses for not spending time with Jesus. 

The world is replete with every single form of temptation to draw people away from truly walking with Jesus through their lives. 

There's just something more to be had if we but seek the Lord with all our hearts. 

My Dear Reader...if you have claimed the Name of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord...only what you do in life for Him and through Him is what's going to matter when you stand before Him.  The rest is going to be rubbish.  

Do you not want to hear "Well done!" from Jesus?

My hope is that my life does amount to something before Jesus. 

Does the true meaning of "I have decided to follow Jesus" resonate in your heart and mind?

There's going to be no explanations from you to be given on that day. 

He IS Truth.  He already knows your why's for everything that you did in your life.  He knows everything.  Every thought and intention of your heart.  Every careless word spoken. Every single life-giving word that you spoke to someone in need.  Every single time you chose to honor Christ when challenged to do the opposite.  Every single time you spent at His feet learning more about Jesus.  

Will your life show that you walked in His way and not your own?

Our lives aren't about making a slice of Heaven here on Earth.  Our lives aren't about making big memories while neglecting the Word of God.  When we indeed include Jesus in everything we will get those things. 

"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”  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.   Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.

We cannot fathom what good that the Lord has in mind for us unless we are intentionally walking with Jesus through our lives.  

Start your day with Jesus.

Stay with Jesus during your day. 

End your day with Jesus. 

Jesus said to take up our own cross and follow Him.  You can’t carry anything else when you do. 

One day it will be our turn to step into eternity.  

In that moment everything that was your priority in this physical world will no longer be important.  

I have decided to follow Jesus 

The world behind me the cross before me 

No turning back 

No turning back 

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.

Something More than You Think You Are

Something More than You Think You Are 

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." Romans 8:28-30.

"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.

We have an extremely limited level of understanding concerning our true self worth in our lives.  We don't fully understand our status and position in the Kingdom of God within continually being in the Word of God to gain that knowledge and understanding.  

We often define ourselves based on our successes and our failures.  We often, realistically, blame circumstances for the outcomes we experience.

Sin nature has a lot to do with our interpretation of life.  It's within all of us and does it's level best to thwart the work of God in Christ. 

We really can't trust our personal perceptions without first going to Jesus for clarification.  We are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to not lean on our own understanding.  In all our ways to acknowledge Him so that He would make our paths straight. 

The Apostles ripped a guy for trying incessantly to make crooked the straight way of the Lord.  

I may not understand what's going on but I must trust in God, His wisdom, timing and purpose for whatever I am going through.  

Adversity, as Dr. Charles Stanley puts it, is only going to last as long as it is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives. 

More often than not that purpose is to keep our eyes on Jesus.  To look to the Author and perfecter of our faith. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus isn't just a wonderful song it's a way of life. 

I tend to read all that I do each evening for over an hour, the study Bibles and devotionals.  I take it in not knowing what all God will do with it.  But if I don't consume it, then I will never know what it will eventually do in my life.  If I don't take in those readings then there's nothing for the Spirit of God to really work with. 

The point of eating physical food is nourishment for the needs of the physical body.  We don't understand fully how a hamburger and side dish translate to energy and all but we know that without eating we lose energy etc.

Our perception of us as spiritual beings has to be on our minds. 

We are who Jesus says we are since He will fully reveal that in the near future.  We are either saved or unsaved.  We are either the beloved of God or the accursed.  We are either growing in the character of Christ or we aren't.  We are either being a light shining in a dark place or we are the darkness.  We are either engaged in growing in Christ or we are skating by in only doing the bare minimum. 

We either take up our own cross daily and follow Him or we aren't. 

We either embrace the love of God in Christ Jesus for us or we choose not to.

These ways of thinking are important.  We need to understand that whatever we make a priority will make us grow closer to Jesus or keep us farther away.  When we choose things of this world over time spent with Jesus we certainly do not choose wisely.  

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11

Does this describe your priorities in life?  Do you choose to spend time with Jesus either in prayer or in the Word of God or both?  

You are meant to be more than what you think. 

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.

On the Cross, At the Cross

On the Cross At the Cross 

by David Brenneman 

JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS 

ישוע הנצרתי, מלך היהודים

Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum

ΙΗΣΟΥΣ Ο ΝΑΖΩΡΑΙΝΟΣ, Ο ΒΑΣΙΛΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΟΥΔΑΙΩΝ

David Brenneman, Sinner

"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.

The first 3 lines you probably have never seen in one place before, the fourth came to me yesterday when the passage from Galatians came to mind. 

You who are in Christ can put your own name there. As a song goes...when He was on the cross, I was on His mind. 

There's a television show from long ago where a thief was able to escape the police by jumping into paintings. As the episode was winding up he was yet again running from them in his latest and greatest crime. Running into the art gallery, without knowing that his planned escape painting was changed, jumped into the hastily uncovered portrait and he screamed. He found himself on the cross of Christ with no hope of leaving it.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ that is not the life for Believers in that particular way. We have indeed been crucified with Christ. We should be putting off the old self with its passions and desires. We should be putting on Christ every day because we died with Christ and are now hidden in the Lord.  

The life we now live in the flesh with live in faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 

Isn't that reason enough to strive to give our best to our Master, Lord, Savior, King, Teacher, every single day of our lives?  

This world is filled with no end of temptations. Yet all the more we need to choose what's going to occupy our hearts and minds. We must decide what is more important to dwell on. The useless thing this world offers to us to think about or being intentional on living for Jesus. 

Critical thinking is a dangerous thing to our world and it's increasingly difficult to find people so engaged. The last several generations of people are moving farther and farther away from doing such thinking. People are indoctrinated into politics from an extremely young age. People are being indoctrinated into believing things wholly contrary to the Word of God as early as preschool and kindergarten. In those same formative years they try to bolster the various groups that have turned against God’s establishment of a gender for them.  

This happens because people have chosen not to turn wholeheartedly to a life in Christ and teach their children to do the same. 

It happens when tiny compromises turn into big ones. Believing that it isn't so bad. It's ok. All the while these people aren't checking the Word of God to see if these things should be done or thought.  

We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. That's what my Bible says. We were saved with more than Heaven being our guaranteed destination as the whole purpose for it. We are to be subject to the teaching of the Spirit of God and to obey what we are taught. To remove from our lives anything or anyone that's contrary to sound teaching in Christ. As Paul also said this doesn't mean not associating with the world because we are to be lights in this world. It's meaning to not associate with so-called brothers and sisters in Christ who aren't walking according to the Scriptures. 

We were crucified with Christ. 

We die to our sin nature and live to Christ. 

We take up our own cross and follow Him. 

Look at your life. Look at what you have compromised in doing that in all honesty says that you haven't been dying to self. That you haven't been at the feet of Jesus to learn. 

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 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. 

Who's Light Yours or Jesus's?

Who's Light? Yours or Jesus's?

by David Brenneman 

"In other words, to live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live in and through you. That’s why Paul wrote, “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).  So how do you allow Jesus to live in and through you? You do so first by spending time in Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways." Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles #24 To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.

"But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it." Deuteronomy 30:14. 

It's not about you.  It's you living in obedience to God's Word, that the Light of Jesus Christ would shine in and through you.  

People refer to being seen as shining.   Celebrities when in public try to shine for their fans.  Fans, some of which, dissect every frame of a video looking for the perfection they have in their minds about these people. 

Some want fantasy football, fantasy movies, fantasy television shows, fantasy books, to live their lives through.  They want to borrow the shine of others in order to shine themselves. 

If we are truly living out the truth that we have been crucified with Christ then literally the person that is each of us is dead.  We arose to a new life in Christ walking a path that is to glorify Jesus.  The only person who's to be seen as shining in the public that we roam among is Jesus. 

We easily prove who is shining by others impressions of us.  To be truthful isn't even in our nature apart from Jesus Christ.  If indeed we're known for, or have a reputation for, living in Christ then indeed Christ is shining.  If we are looking first for the limelight then it's not Him. 

People sometimes mention something they got from this blog.  I point them to Jesus not me.  I am happy to be used by my Savior to point people to Jesus or maybe show them how to return to Him.  

I do probably spend more time than most in reading my Bibles and books that are devotionals.  But the thing is...until I did...it all seemed to be too much.  In a sense it was overwhelming to consider.  My mind wanted me to give up before I could get started.  I don't miss the wasted hours watching television or movies.  I don't miss the hours spent wasted on science fiction books.  These false ideas of restful peace are just that.  Lies we tell ourselves that will bring peace and contentment. 

We have a life to be lived in Christ that is meant exactly and only for us to live.

The life you live in the flesh for Jesus is unique to you to live in faith.  When all the trillions of people who have ever lived stand before Jesus one day.  All those who believed and all those who didn't all will have been a unique person created by God for good works that they might have walked in them to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus. 

Yet in today's world Dr. Charles Stanley is right.  So many professing Christians are honestly trying to skate by with the minimum in obedience.  Read their Bible once in a while to keep the dust off of it. Pray maybe over the food as long as it's not too embarrassing.  Toss a few bucks to a charity and call that their good deed for the day.  Settling for the mediocre or less than mediocre life in Christ.  Never ever having it cross their minds the absolute certainty and truth that they will be standing mere feet away from Jesus one day to give an account of their lives before Jesus.   He’s not going to be separated from them like a judge from a defendant in the courts we have today.  He will be standing right in front of you.  

His eyes will see right through you before a word falls from your mouth.  Think about that for a moment.  

I have a life to give an account for before Jesus.  So do you my Dear Reader.  So do you. 

Are you seeking the best life only known through an intimate intentionally lived life in Christ?

Are you trying to balance what you want out of your life with what you think might be acceptable to Jesus to keep Him off your back?

Are you, when an actual prayer comes to mind, praying only for yourself and your problems that you find yourself mixed up in?

Are you more concerned about how your image is seen by others in how you dress, how clean your house is, how your car looks or how you look in it than obeying God and remaining at the feet of Jesus to learn how to be more like Christ?

Everything we value in this world is going to be left in this world when we die.  Everything we value in Christ will be waiting for us in Heaven. 

At the top of His cross Pilate wrote in three languages Jesus, King of the Jews.  The Jews objected but he said that what he has written he has written.  It won't be changed. 

Would your name be below His on that sign?  

"I have been crucified with Christ".

Paul said to learn to live life with putting off the old self with its passions and desires and putting on Christ.  Are you?

Are you spending time, energy and money day after day only on you and improving others view of you?

Are you trying to shine or is Jesus Christ shining through you?

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.

The Plans of Man

The Plans of Man 

by David Brenneman 

"The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching.  Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret.  Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.”  When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?”  Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”  So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest." John 18:19-24

"Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.  Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”  They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.”  So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,”  to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.  Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”  Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?”  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”  Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”  Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.  But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?”  So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber." John 18:28-40.

"Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand." Proverbs 19:21.

"The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9.

Oh the folly of mankind!  The joke upon themselves from the days of old.  That they would believe that they're fully in control of their path in their lives.  

Prior to the Great Flood in Genesis, there was probably nearly as many people as there are today.  As all were doing whatever was right in their own eyes.  That's exactly what the Bible says concerning them.  For 100 years Noah built the Ark and preached to his world of the Judgment to come.  Even knowing that it would only be him, his Wife, his sons and their wives he preached.  

Jesus said that His second coming would be just like it was in the days of Noah.  People marrying and being given in marriage until they entered the Ark and the door was closed.  

In my life many many people have had plans concerning doing me or my family and friends some form of harm.  

Jesus, the True and Faithful One, said that all Christians are in His hands that no one can snatch us out of His hands. No one can get to us without His conditional approval.  Read the book of Job. 

Satan's schemes are relentless.  The Bible says he is the accuser of the Brethren.  Night and day he accuses Christians.  

There are those today in my life having plans in their hearts to deal us harm rather than good.  

They believe in their self-righteousness that they will mett out their forms of justice.  

Obviously they've never read about King Hezekiah and his troubles with Sennacharib King of Assyria.  How King Hezekiah prayed and the response from the Lord Jesus was resoundingly powerful.  He would put a hook in his nose and turn him around. 

"so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6.

This to say that God gave me a mind to prepare but discernment to know what to do.  Literally put the authorities have been notified.  Here we have been in prayer as well as others praying for us.  We know that God will defend us.  We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  King Hezekiah saw this in action centuries before it was written. 

I do not have to fight although thoroughly trained by my Dad to do so.  When last we were around some of the same people Jesus said to me to not be worried or concerned, the battle is His, He will take care of them.  Am reminded of other battles of Israel.  They were instructed to prepare as normal but they were not going to engage their enemy.  There were to witness their salvation from the Lord. 

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.  

My trust is in the Lord my Savior Jesus Christ.  

You, my Dear Reader, can have the same confidence and assurance.  You must, however, be living a life well pleasing to Jesus.  A life of obedience.  

Be in prayer. Be in the Word of God daily.  Be removing those things from your life and heart that are not honoring to God...and He will make your paths straight.  

Jesus?  The battle belongs to You...have at it.

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.

He, Not You Will Separate

He, not You Will Separate 

by David Brenneman 

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

There will be a great many people weeping profusely at the Great White Throne Judgment of Jesus Christ.  We read plainly that He will separate the Believer from those who never came to Christ for salvation, those who'd rejected Him. 

Up to this point it's all people gathered together.  All people of all human history in one place.  All awaiting what was coming next. 

The weeping will be from both sides of the isle.  Those who now know for sure whether or not loved ones were saved or not.  Those who knew they weren't from those whom they never knew were.

Jesus will, exactly as a Shepherd, separate one from the other.  There will be no discussion over His final decision in this.  He will easily know for the seal of the Spirit of God will be on all His sheep.  There will be no mistakes made in separating trillions of people.  This will be yet another case of people absolutely looking upon the One whom they had pierced. 

Have you come to Christ for salvation?  Is He the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?  

Now is your only opportunity to come to Christ and it not be too late.  Once the scene mentioned above is upon all mankind there's no second chances. 

But I can't just yet...

But I don't know...

But what about...

But...

But...

But...

For everyone this truth applies:

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;  nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;  for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’" Acts 17:24-28.

The decision is not fraught with danger.  The decision to come to Christ is what makes us right with God in Christ Jesus.  The decision cannot be made for us.  

My Dear Reader you are the most important creation of God.  He died a death unlike any other in human history to give you life if you accept it. 

The choice to come to Christ has to be made by you and you alone.  There is no baptism that means anything without first coming to Christ for salvation.  No sprinkling of so-called holy water that does anything.  It's your personal choice that you personally make to choose Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. 

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God as the Scriptures teach us. 

"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 disappointed will be all who aren't saved.  The disappointed have but one destination...the wrath of God will rest on them for eternity.  Eternal punishment in the lake of fire.  Eternal separation from God.  Eternal separation from everything. No peace no rest. Only anguish that never ends.  Only a perfect memory of their last moments before Jesus as He tells them to: "depart from Me for I never knew you".

The judgment to come for those who do not come to Christ for salvation is worse than the torment of Hell.  Hell will be cast into this lake of fire to be consumed by it. 

Those in Hell in this very moment already don't think it's can possibly be any worse than this.  Yet it will be. 

Jesus said: "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:23.

While all mankind, save 8 people, all did what was right in their own eyes and perished during that Great Flood in the book of Genesis trillions will be forever separated from the love of God in Christ because they did the same. 

Doing what was right in their own eyes rather than choosing what is right in the sight of God. 

My Dear Reader you, while you sit or stand there breathing, are being granted a second by second pardon by the Savior of the world.  Every breath is a gift from God to give you the opportunity to turn and come to Jesus and be saved.  

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Romans 8:1-2.

Once you come to Christ for salvation the guilty charge against you is wiped away.  

Unless you come to Christ for salvation, it remains on you. 

Every second of every single day you have before you life and death. 

All across this world there's millions of people who's lives ended between one breath and the next they thought was coming for them.  

They stepped into eternity and there's no going back.  Some to eternal life in Christ, joining Jesus in Heaven.  The rest joining those already in Hell.  

Nobody chooses their time and place of their death.  It's the choice of Jesus Christ as to when a person's life is over.  That moment will only be when either He knows that nothing will persuade them to receive the free gift of salvation for the unbelieving or their mission and ministry on Earth is complete for those who have believed.  

Every single heart of every single person is laid bare before Jesus in every single second of every single day.  He is Truth and He knows your heart.  He knows the truths you tell yourself as well as the lies people have told themselves. 

There's a day coming that finalizes everything the cross of Christ finished.  

Will you be among those whom stay with Jesus or among those who will be eternally separated from Him?

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.

Doesn't Make Sense? Not a Problem for You, Obey God

Doesn't Make Sense? Not a Problem for You, Obey God 

by David Brenneman 

Perhaps you’ve hesitated to obey God in your life because you fear the consequences of your decision. But the Lord commands you to fear Him above all else. The same sovereign, omnipotent God who keeps your heart beating and the planets orbiting is more than able to handle the results of your obedience. When you choose to obey Him, He will bless you. Obedience always leads to blessing. Therefore, make it your goal to obey the Lord and watch Him work in your life. - Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles #21 Obedience always brings blessings. 

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” Luke 5:4-5.

Not everything we do for the Lord is going to make sense.  We're just to do it and leave the consequences to Him.  Peter's very first lesson was in this. The Life Principle that I quoted from wasn't the one on obeying God and leaving the consequences to Him but it's related to this one.

The world would have people fear what God might want of them should they choose to fully follow Christ.  "If I do this, then He might..." starts the train of thought.  Some believe this and it stunts their spiritual growth and they wander about the pastures of life like lost sheep. 

Fearing mankind and what people might do above fearing God and what disobedience brings...why weigh that at all?  Obey God and leave whatever consequences to Him.  Look at the wandering people of Israel.  They actually had to be reminded to look back over those 40 years at the hidden blessings that were right in front of them.  The impossible small things of life that they didn't consider.  Sandles not wearing out.  The wear and fatigue missing from walking where they were lead.  

A life in Christ to the full isn't going to be known until you choose to live Christ to the full.  It's interesting that scene from an Indiana Jones movie the had to figure out what a step of faith was.  He scoups up dirt and tosses it to see that a bridge was right in front of him all along but he couldn't see it. 

Our steps of faith are much the same as that hidden bridge.  Until we move a foot in faith in the direction that the Spirit says to go we're not going to know the solid ground undereath our feet. 

Next comes the so-called threats of mankind upon us for obeying Christ vs Man.  No man holds anyone's life in their hands.  Especially those of the household of God.  Jesus said that all who are His are in His hands and no one is able to take them from there.  He is in the Father's hand and absolutely nobody is able to remove Him from there as well.

We may be called to defend ourselves.  So be it.  We may be called to stand by and watch.  Again so be it.  Whatever the will of God for us is in Christ Jesus in given situations...obey it.  You'll either watch the hand of God through you or the absense of your involvement.  In either case we're to watch for the hand of God.  

Satan's schemes involve the full blown manipulation of fear in the minds of mankind.  Fears of doing fears of not doing whatever he thinks he's able to do to someone or through someone.

Those who do evil only perceive that they are successful in what they say or do.  Proverbs says that there's a way that seems right to a man but it's path leads to death.  That's Proverbs 14 verse 12.

Satan's schemes involve rash thinking.  To not think about what God might be doing in a person's life. 

"The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps." Verse 15 of Proverbs 14.

"A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless." Verse 16.

"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.

There will be times when we're called to engage the enemy.  Times when we won't.  There's times when God will tell us to stand back and watch because our salvation is at hand.  There's times when we will be called to pick up something to defend.  We are not at all going to be unscathed by the battles we come up against in our lives. 

David was a skilled shepherd who could take on the lion and the bear and yet lovingly care for his sheep.

David weilded a weapon against Goliath.  He had plans on taking out Goliath's family of 4 brothers as well as him and he did just that.  All of Goliath's brothers fell at the feet of David and his mighty men.

Job learned of the realities of the universe from the Lord and he submitted to the authority of God.

Habakkuk was told things he couldn't believe even when he was told by the Lord Himself, but he submitted to those. 

Hezekiah saw what the people saw as a mighty army coming against them.  He turned to the Lord for deliverance.  The Lord turned the army around and not a foot was set inside of Jerusalem.

When Israel set foot, finally, into the Promised Land and they made sure to ask the Lord what to do with whomever they crossed paths with...they succeeded.  When they failed to do so these offending people became a thorn in their side.

Life's not going to make sense apart from listening and obeying what we're told to be doing in the Lord.

Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.".

People, just like the grass that withers, and the fading flower, will come and go but the word of the Lord stand forever.  Isaiah 40:8.

You are to obey God and leave the consequences to Him.  

Ask Him what you should do, which way to go.  He gave us all common sense yet in this He also will take us through things that make no sense at all.   We aren't saved just to get into Heaven.  We are saved AND we start a journey to become more like Christ.  

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.

It Happens

It Happens 

by David Brenneman 

The Lord has a unique plan for your life—one that does not change according to unexpected circumstances. When you confront a situation that does not line up with your understanding of how God wants your life to proceed, you must stop and look to Him for direction. Sometimes He allows disappointments to occur so you will learn to rely on Him more fully—to walk by faith and not by sight. But never forget this: While disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice. You should never allow the challenges that arise to steal your enthusiasm or confidence in Him. - From a Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley on Life Principle #20 "Disappointments are inevitable, but discouragement is a choice".

I have to admit this one is a struggle for me to understand. 

I have several books by Dr. Stanley on the Life Principles as a whole and am struggling to really make sense of it.  

My reasons for my struggles are probably tied to how easy it has been to go straight from disappointment to discouragement.    I don't even have a speed bump in-between at times.  

I overlay these thoughts and feelings with my reading the book "A Shepherd's Perspective on Psalm 23".  

Then, thankfully, yet still hear "I trust in God, my Savior The one who will never fail He will never fail He will never fail" in my mind these days as disappointments mount in heaps to try to navigate in my life. 

Why write all this out in this way?  It goes with the territory of being up this early and writing whatever He puts on my mind to write about.  

I get overwhelmed at work and catching a break, more often than not, doesn't happen.  I can get home from work and there's things broke needing attention.  There's drama that unfolded during the day that I wasn't a part of.  There's incidents.  Wondering when I will get to breathe easy again. 

Then there's days where none of those things happened.  Then it returns.  

Remembering Scripture hasn't been my strong suit.  It's never been my ability to see a situation and know a verse to go to for it.  I have never been able to see situations from the perspective of a writer in the Bible. 

But...no matter what...He is faithful. 

No matter what...He hasn't let go of me.

No matter what...I can choose to focus on that verse from that song as a lifeline.  A rope to safety. 

Then there's Romans 8:28 "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."

In my mind yesterday this was rewritten.  "I am your God and I will cause all things to work together for your good because you love Me and because you are called according to My purpose.”.

Regardless of the ups and downs of life, in Christ, I have a purpose because I am a child of God and He loves me and I love Him.  

It's sometimes a struggle to leave the house for work.  It just is.  I do pray daily concerning a job change.  Yet in these times nothing has come up for that change.  It's a disappointment that's not quite yet a discouragement.  It threatens to be but isn't there yet. 

It's a struggle dealing with my physical limitations.  These have a greater impact on my mind because no matter where I am there these situations and issues are.  I am awake, they're back.  

Yet my hope isn't in me.  If I truly accept that I am His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that I might walk in them...then it follows that changes must happen to accomplish those things in me.  Therein lies a little hope. 

If I cling to Romans 8:28, especially when I personalize it, then there's more hope. 

When I read about the deep prayer relationship between Jesus and the Father and how He wants that for us...that helps too.

When I read of the great care for us as His sheep that He expressed in Psalms 23...there's some more hope. 

In yet another Life Principle...God doesn't require us to understand God's Will but we are to obey it.

I don't get to choose everything that I am going through.  I do get to choose how I respond to it. 

It's not always easy to respond in the right way...but it's worth it. 

Not every choice of obedience to God's Will is going to be met with understanding by those around us. 

When we know that we know that we know what it is that God's wanting of us, and we obey in it, don't expect those around you to understand.  What you are doing with God isn't what they're doing with God.  You are in your relationship with Jesus, they are in their relationship with Jesus.  Peter, Paul, Mark, Silas, Timothy, James, Luke, all these people all had a rich life in Christ that was their own personal relationship with Jesus.  Similar but different.  The Spirit worked mightily in their lives but did different things to grow them in Christ.  What I need isn't what you need.  What you need isn't what I need. 

Life does happen and choosing to turn my eyes to be upon Jesus is going to always be the right thing to do.  Remembering that indeed He’s been the fourth man in the fire time after time.  I trust in God, my Savior, the One who will never fail.  Trust in the Lord with all my heart and do not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight.  

Pour out my heart to Him at all times.  Life's going to happen.  Whether it's full blown persecutions or mere disappointments life's going to hurt some.  Paul said "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18.

When a shepherd has to difficult things to the sheep for the sheep’s own good the sheep don't always understand why.  Most of the time they don't have any understanding of why.  They only know that they trust their Shepherd.  

Read it that way. 

Trust in your Great Shepherd 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. 

They've been days where I feel like I am trying to get out of a pit of gravel and every move upward is excruciating because I keep slipping and sliding.  But He leads me so I keep trying.  

Because I am loved by God and am called according to His purpose.  

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.

The Way...

The Way...

by David Brenneman 

"But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him." Psalms 37:39-40.

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." Psalms 37:23-24.

"Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing." Psalms 37:3-8.

"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.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" Isaiah 41:10.

"Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts." Proverbs 21:2.

Jesus said of Himself that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Him.  

Each of us it either tempted to make our own way or to strive for our own way to happen in our lives.   

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel." Proverbs 12:15.

We also live among oh so many people who don't believe nor do they consider that their way isn't the right way to live life. 

From both Believers and the unbelieving this occurs all over the world. We want a truth that makes sense to us that we can live with with the least amount of confusion with the maximum amount of confidence.  

The way we seek to go, especially if we are Believers, is to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. To seek is to either mentally or physically move forward. Going from a specific position either physically or mentally towards another position. It's an intentional act or achievement that we pursue. 

Going with the flow isn't for Believers. It doesn't take much to look at the world around us to see that approach doesn't work in the least. 

The ways of this world are fraught with problems and dangers. We can easily find out that the road we are on isn't going to benefit us in the ways we hoped. 

Yet further in this thread of thought is that many people will find that they wasted the life that they were given. The desires of their hearts weren't what would have honored Jesus for all He did for them. 

We aren't here to come to Christ for salvation then establish a little slice of Heaven here on Earth.  

We aren't going to come to Christ for salvation then all these things will be added unto us that we've ever wanted or dreamed about. 

We become part of the body of Christ with a Spiritual purpose. To follow Christ as His disciples and be a light in the world for people to see and find their way to Jesus for salvation themselves.  

Worldly desires and success is worthless if it means we aren't being who Christ, through the Spirit, was trying to make us to be. 

In no part of any of the Gospels nor in the writings of all the rest of the New Testament do we find anything that says to go do your own thing it will eventually be ok.  

Nowhere are we to only walk with Jesus when it's convenient or uncombersome or unburdensome.

It's going to be a different way of living because it's supposed to be a different way of life. 

If those not yet saved don't see something different enough to ask or consider salvation in Christ for themselves then the way we're on isn't the right way. 

We can have dreams of what we want in life but we're to take those to the Lord in prayer asking Him if those things are right for us to pursue. We are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. So what goals, ambitions, we have should be vetted through prayer to find out if they're right for us after all. 

God might just have something in mind that we've never considered nor has the thought thereof ever crossed our minds. 

To come to Christ for salvation isn't just to save us from the wrath to come but to also embark on the life of a disciple of Christ Jesus. 

We have countless opportunities before us but only a heart set on God's will for us will find that which is right for us. 

There's oh so many paths that my mind want to pursue in my life. Where I am I never thought or expected myself to be. Truth be known I never saw myself as still being in this world after an extremely low point in my life in May of 1999. My pursuit of things in this world that certainly wasn't God honoring wasn't getting me into anything but trouble. My desires weren't His desires for me. My wants weren't what He wanted them to be. Through His grace and mercy I am still here today.

We aren't truly going to be going the right way in life if we aren't seeking that which Jesus wants us to be seeking.  

Jesus always weighs your heart every moment of every day. He is intimately aware of all your thoughts and intentions. He knows everything behind everything that's crossed your mind and your heart. 

He knows. He's waiting for our unhindered submission to His ways and His purpose for our lives. The Disciples did this when He called them to be His Disciples. The Disciples, in the Great Commission, were told to go make more disciples. Teaching them all that He commanded them. 

My Dear Reader it's on you to hand over all of you to all of Him in order to find the way that is right for you in Christ. 

Yes it's going to mean you aren't in control nor are you in charge. We normally are afraid when we aren't calling the shots.  

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6.

"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." 1 Peter 5:6-8.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.

"Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25.

Ask Jesus in prayer what He wants for you and pursue it. Fear not what the future holds because you will then know your future is in His hands. 

"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." Colossians 3:23-24.

You will one day stand before Jesus to give an account of your life. Will it show a life that lived in submission to His will for you or will it show you in charge of it?

Will it show your way or you follow His Way?

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.

Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open 

by David Brenneman 

“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 15:18-27.

Life is not simple. We face many bumps and turns along the way. The race is real, the battle continuous, and the painful experiences may pierce our hearts. However, our circumstances should not define who we are or how we react. Rather, as believers our behavior in every situation should honor the Lord Jesus, and our identity should always be based on the salvation He’s provided for us.

God knows the Christian life isn’t easy. When you received the Lord Jesus as your Savior, He set you on your course. As your sovereign Lord, He mapped out all the bumps, turns, detours, hills, and valleys. He knew all the difficulties you’d face. He understood that you would continually clash with the world, the flesh, and the devil until you were home with Him. Yet He didn’t merely set you on the path, hoping you would find your way. He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell you, guide you, and encourage you. Endurance requires something that doesn’t come easily—trust in your unseen, sovereign God. However, with the Holy Spirit to remind you of His faithfulness and power (John 14:26), you can remain committed to Him.

When the going gets rough—and it will—you can’t run away. You can’t quit. The longer you faithfully obey the Lord, regardless of the circumstances, the stronger your faith becomes. You’re prepared for greater service and expanded ministry. You become strong, stalwart, and steadfast.

The One who endured the cross lives in you, so you’re fully equipped for anything He calls you to do. Therefore, ask Him to infuse you with His power and wisdom, then obey anything He commands of you. Remember, you are never a victim of your circumstances, for your sovereign God can use everything that happens to you for your blessing and His glory. 

The above devotional is from Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles #18 As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.

We all know of people, and perhaps can include ourselves, in believing that we're dealing with or have had 'bad luck' or some other such nonsense. 

There's no such thing as bad luck or anything like that. There's a battle we are born into that grips us as early as it can. Sometimes well meaning or ignorant parents contribute to it being worse than it could or should have been in a child's early years but the reality is the same. We are sinful people born into a sin-cursed world all in need of a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

We can and often do sulk in our circumstances. We can and do wallow in misery rather than getting up once more and move on. 

We often choose to let our circumstances define who we think we are. It's been the story of human beings throughout history. Yet Jesus says it's not that way. 

We either listen and come to Christ for salvation or we ignore it, reject it, and suffer for it. Some, to be clear, don't look at all like their rejection of Jesus Christ as being suffering. Jesus still says such people are without excuse. He still causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. 

He has a purpose for you and a purpose for me. That purpose isn't to have you or I remain in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Psalms 23 makes mention of walking THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. Not taking up residence there. Not sinking to the ground and being in endless misery. 

There is a purpose for what we each go through. Our end from our beginning has always been known by our Father in Heaven.  

Our coming to Christ was but the first step. The steps that follow for all who have believed in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are solely for our growing in Christ. To become more like Christ. To glorify our Father in Heaven. To point people to Jesus. Jesus saves, we do not. We aren't soul winners. We aren't the ones doing the saving of people. Jesus saves. We aren't formulating arguments to win people over, we are to speak what the Spirit has prepared for hearts of mankind to hear in order for them to accept the invitation.  

This produces conflicts with the god of this world. This produces conflicts with our sin nature. This is part of why we go through the things we do. The Spirit is also doing surgeries in our souls. Many times it's a painful process to have parts of what made us what we were when we came to Christ removed. Sometimes the Spirit has to work with us in stages because a single surgery wouldn't work well for us. Sometimes the painful times we find ourselves in are merely a time to recover. 

We're going to go through a lot but we're going to make it to Heavens gates. We won't be lost along the way. We won't ever be forgotten by Jesus or our Father in Heaven. His Spirit resides in all who believe and that can never be undone.  

The world isn't going to understand. They have always accused Christians of being closed minded. Of salvation through Jesus Christ alone as being exclusive. That there has to be some other way to Heaven. Read your Bible. Mankind has tried to get to Heaven by all other means and God in His righteousness has proven the only means, the only method, that would work would have to be Him coming down from Heaven Himself. We in Christ already, already know this. The world fights it in every single way in every single nation of the world. The generations that have passed have all lost that battle if the still rejected Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior before they died. 

We aren't defined by our circumstances either. If I fall on muddy ground it doesn't follow that I am now doomed to be a slob. If I break a bone it doesn't mean that I am ruined for life. 

We have the Holy Spirit with us if indeed we are followers of Jesus Christ. Satan's schemes include redefining whatever sins we have in our lives. They include injection of doubts into our thoughts. He can't possess a Believer but he can try to induce doubts to forestall any growth in Christ. He can get us to believe that the storms of our lives are permanent. He can get us to not try to keep our eyes on Jesus. 

We are in Christ's hands and He is in the Father’s hands. We will go through things in life that are permitted in order to grow us in Christ to become more like Christ. Some of the things we do are damaging that but we are not powerful enough to prevent the will of God for us.  

Rest during battles is a good thing but a residence in a battle is not. 

Keeping our eyes on the Author and perfecter of our faith is critical. Keeping our eyes on our Shepherd is essential. 

Remembering from where we have been to where we are because of Jesus sustains us in Christ. 

Life's going to hurt but it's not the end of the world. All of those who are saved in Christ Jesus are just visiting planet Earth. Jesus will always keep His promise to be with us always even to the end of the age. 

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.

Be Sober...Take the Life in Christ Seriously

Be Sober...Take the Life in Christ Seriously 

by David Brenneman 

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5.

"But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.

How seriously do you take living the Christian life? Anxiety a part of it that's unnecessary there? Are you at all listening to what the Bible says that your life in Christ is to be about? That you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you might walk in them?  

Go where He leads, stay where He says to stay. Learn what the Spirit says to be learning, removing from your heart and mind whatever He says must go. Leaning not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledging Him so that He would make your paths straight?

How seriously are you taking it that you who are claiming to be saved Christian people whom will stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him with whom we have to do?

We become part of the body of Christ we learn to behave as part of that body whose sole purpose is obedience to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God.

We have Paul's comparison to the physical body and what attributes pertain to that. We have those in various medical fields who can describe in extreme detail what rogue cells in a body do, which is cause abnormalities and death to the healthy parts.

Are you a healthy, connected, part of the body of Christ or are you honestly trying to get away with the minimum for your time on the Earth? Don't you realize you WILL give an account of your life before Jesus? You're GOING to explain to Him why you thought it better to not obey in your endeavors?

My Dear Reader there's much that occurred when you came to Christ in order to save you and to make you part of the body of Christ. If you truly meant that then living life with the purpose of pleasing the One who saved you should very much be your first priority. 

Much of our anxiety comes from taking out eyes off Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith. 

Peter only began to walk on water when his eyes were steadfast on Jesus. When he let the environment become more important he began to sink. Worry set in right there before Jesus. Worry that finally gave way to vocalized prayer.

We were given a mind with the expectation that we would use it properly in our lives for Jesus. Salvation is but the first correct step along that path. A newborns belief in whom is identified as their mother and father sets the stage in life for everything that follows.

We come to Christ as newborn babes who start off with milk and should be gradually moving up to solid foods. 

"Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." 1 Peter 2:1-3.

There is this too for those who've let too much of the world dictate their lives: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Hebrews 5:12.

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.

We are absolutely called to take our lives in Christ seriously. It's not for us to store up our treasures here on Earth where moth and rust destroy. We're not on vacation after coming to Christ for salvation. Not here to do our own thing until we die. We are guaranteed to have stresses and striving in life when we live life in Christ in such a way that He's not part of it.

We will never show ourselves as being part of the body of Christ where people are seeing our good works and glorifying our Father in Heaven if all we are doing is living for self.

Yesterday's sermon at our church was on anxiety, worrying, and a proper Biblical response to it. The story of Jehosophat in the Old Testament. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. 

We must not forget what's to become of Believers who are walking in Christ with a whole heart.  

Read this again: 

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.

Clear out the clutter from your heart and mind that are getting in the way of your wholehearted obedience to God! 

Take your life in Christ seriously and obey in what you are called to be doing. As a part of the body of Christ there are none who have nothing to do!  

Are you dedicating time in prayer for you and Jesus to be talking?

Are you dedicating time in the Word of God to be learning?

Are you dedicating time in your life to be actively engaged in the world with the full armor of God on?

It's ONLY these things that will mean something substantial when a life is revealed before Him with whom we have to do. Everything else will be burned up as meaningless.  

We used to sing a hymn with this line in it: 

Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor

Into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example,

Dauntless was He, young and brave;

Give Him your loyal devotion;

Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;

Give of the strength of your youth;

Clad in salvation’s full armor,

Join in the battle for truth.

Are you giving the best you can do for Jesus or only what might be called the barest of minimum?

It will indeed be revealed when you stand before Jesus. 

It's time to be about the Father’s business the same as Jesus was when He walked this Earth Himself. He let nothing stand in His way. 

Neither should we.

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.

Home Coming Soon

Home Coming Soon
by David Brenneman

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I am going.” John 14:1-4.

There's a day that we are to be excited about, to be ready for, to look forward to.

"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." 2 Peter 3:3-9.

There's many who do keep thinking that the return of Jesus Christ is a far off day.  We have no shortage of those who have tried and are trying to set a date.  Unbeknownst to these people is that they aren't being used by God to do this but rather are being used by Satan.

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

"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!" 2 Peter 3:11-12.

My Dear Reader let no one fool you into being lazy about living out your purpose in life in Christ.  That you're going to have time to get done what you might have been called to be doing.  That there's no hurry. 

We do not know the day nor the hour.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:36-39.

Really consider your ways the Bible says.  Consider your motivations for what you strive after in this life.

Do not forget the further words of Jesus.

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

Consider it well that not one of the promises that Jesus made has He ever failed to accomplish.  In many respects after enduring the cross every promise thereafter wasn't nearly as difficult for Him to fulfill.

Jesus IS coming back.  We are commanded to be looking and ready and praying for the hastening of it.

Are you?  Or are you so self-absorbed in life that you aren't leaving room for both growing in Christ or aren't seeking that day to arrive?

Satan's going to cause busyness to rob you of your eternal perspective.

Satan's going to try to inject slivers of doubt about the return of Jesus.

Satan's going to try anything he is permitted in the lives of Believers to get them to not take the absolute certainty of Jesus returning seriously.

I am about to start my 6th month of dedicating at least an hour an evening to Bible study and reading.  The more I read the more I know that we really don't have much time left until Jesus does return.  My Spiritual Dad, Mike Wingfield, at www.ptnews.org always says "Get ready for the shout that will take us out!". 

The Bible says that in every single generation since the ascension of Jesus Christ back to Heaven, Satan's always had a man ready to be the Antichrist.  We have one right now living somewhere in Europe. 

You see, Satan's schemes include smoke screens about the return of Jesus Christ because even he doesn't know when it will be.  So he's always having to prepare someone to step in at a moments notice.

The world at large is being conditioned to believe whatever he would say to them.  Computers, economics, and manufacturing are being adapted now to handle the loss of millions of people because of the Rapture of the Church.  People the world over are being propagandized to believe what they are told to believe...and it's working.

Do you really want to be ashamed at His coming or do you want instead to be found living in obedience to God's Word in Christ Jesus?

We don't know when, we do know He promised. 

We know that He gave us commands to follow and it's on us to follow them and follow through with them.

Jesus will open the Heavens and call His Church to come home.  First will be those who have died in Christ receiving their glorified bodies then those of us who are alive and remain will get theirs.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Get ready for the shout that will take us out!

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.