A Scribe on the Wall

Several years ago now, I believe that God gave me a message, He would be telling me things and it was up to me to tell others. To me, it's much like the Watchman on the Wall as described in the Old Testament. The Watchman was told that it was on him to warn others about any approaching dangers. God's apparently gifted me with being able to type and write. So I put the old definition of a writer along with the concept of a watchman together. So what I hear I type and share with others.

Friday, June 13, 2025

Oh this Present Darkness

by David Brenneman

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14.

"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;" Romans 8:26.

Every anxious thought that steals my breath

It's a heavy weight upon my chest

As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold

Help me to remember that You're in control

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night

You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight

You are greater than the battle raging in my mind

I will trust You, Lord

I will fear no more

I will lift my eyes

I will lift my cares

Lay them in Your hands

I'll leave them there

When the wind and waves are coming

You shelter me

Even though I'm in the storm, the storm is not in me

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night

You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight

You are greater than the battle raging in my mind

I will trust You, Lord

I will fear no more

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh) I will fear no more

No power can come against me

'Cause You have overcome

No darkness can overwhelm me

'Cause You've already won

No power can come against me

'Cause You have overcome

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh)

No darkness can overwhelm me

'Cause You've already won

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh)

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night

You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight

You are greater than the battle raging in my mind

I will trust You, Lord (Trust You, Lord)

I will fear no more (Fear no more)

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh) I will fear no more

- The Afters "I Will Fear No More" 2018.

To say the least the last 24 hours has been some incredibly rough waters to travel.

There's a work related situation that has me staying at home for the time being.

This morning that chorus of that song was playing in my mind which I took as a message from My Savior.

This morning's devotional was about adversity lasting only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives.

The details aren't really important in this writing, but suffice to say, I and my Wife, do not think that I did anything wrong.

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son," Colossians 1:13.

While there might be accusations, I know that I did nothing wrong. The battle is the Lord’s to fight. Nothing reaches me that hasn't passed through the hands of my Savior to get to me.

I was amazed to see that my blood pressure didn't spike last night. I still had a very good time in my Bible study time last night. I had no troubles sleeping. I am safe in my Savior's arms.

We're studying Psalms 23 from a Shepherd's Perspective.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.

Whatever may befall me my Savior is with me. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He knows the truth about everything not just this situation.

What I do find troubling is that people ought to know me better and should trust my integrity if not trusting entirely in me.

Time will tell. Romans 8:28-30 says "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."

I wait upon the Lord. I am going to trust in the Lord with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge Him and He will make my paths straight.

You might be surrounded by darkness today as well. Those in Christ have the Light of Jesus Christ within them. We who are Believers have nothing to fear.

Daniel and his friends faced false accusers and Jesus Himself stood with them. My Savior, my Lord, my Great Shepherd, stands with me.

I will trust in God my Savior The one who will never fail.

Jesus lights the way.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

What is Yours to be Doing?

by David Brenneman

I don't want to run from the will of God.

I don't want to hide or hoard what He's giving me to do with what He's given me.

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

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.” Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” He said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men became extremely frightened and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” However, the men rowed desperately to return to land but they could not, for the sea was becoming even stormier against them. Then they called on the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O Lord, have done as You have pleased.” So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." Jonah 1:1-17.

"That can't be right!"

"There's no way!"

"I can't do that!"

"I'm not going to be going there!"

Reread that first chapter of the book of Jonah. Go read the book of Judges.

There is always something special for all who are truly saved in Christ Jesus to be doing that was appointed unto them the moment they were saved. There IS a calling in your life that is probably going to be bigger than you that's going to require your life in Christ to be on your A Game.

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

"Oh I have tried and I just couldn't do it!"

My Dear Reader it's through the Spirit that you do what is yours to be doing. You're not going to accomplish what's yours to be doing in your own understanding, your own standards, your own strength.

Look at when the people of Israel were originally told of entering the Promised Land. The Lord would go ahead of them and He would make a way where there was no way. Yet because of their disobedience the Lord told them no they were not crossing over. Their descendants would. Some, in the stubbornness of their hearts, ran headlong across to the Promised Land without the Lord and were routed. Turned back. Had they believed the report of Joshua and Caleb the Lord would have kept His promise to clear the way. Decades later the descendants of those rebellious people easily crossed over and watched as the hand of God gave them the land one city at a time.

There is indeed something for you to be doing that's not going to be something that you will be able to easily lay claim as having been done by your own strength and your own power. It's going to be empowered by the Spirit of God.

Yours could be anything thats unique to you or yours could be similar to some others in Christ. Yours could truly be to put you on the path to being the next Billy Graham. Yours could be to be a behind the scenes prayer warrior. The point being there are NO useless body parts in the body of Christ. A part of a body that mimics the body but does nothing for it is a cancer or virus. Which is why being sure of your salvation is vital.

Jesus Himself said that there will be many people who will be told to depart from Me for I never knew you. People who thought they were saved but were not, even doing the same type of work of God as true Believers. Know of several testimonials of people who actually were already Pastors who actually came to Christ after a Promise Keeper event.

I have often gone back and forth as to what my calling is about in Christ. Keep thinking there must be something more than what I am doing. Currently my ministry with this blog appears to be it. I get up earlier than most and read my Bible and a devotional. I set out to write about whatever God lays on my heart to write. I post it and go on with my day, doing whatever He puts in front of me to be doing. Me, on my part, try to follow Colossians 3:23-24. God, on His part, takes the blog all over the world. Going places and touching lives where I could never go. Whether there's something more for me to be doing, time will tell. I pray about it and await whatever the answer may be.

You, my Dear Reader, are not exempt from your calling in Christ.

You, my Dear Reader, have something to be doing in this world that's bigger than you in Christ.

Your gifts and calling from God is irrevocable. It's for you to be doing.

While there were 12 Disciples who became Apostles all had a different calling in Christ. A 13th, Paul, was an Apostle unto the world outside of Israel. Writing most of the New Testament.

Pray about whatever it is you are to be doing. Step out of the boat and onto the water when told to. Don't get ahead of the Spirit. I did and it took me decades to come back around. The scars are still fresh from my wayward days.

Don't compare what is for you to be doing in Christ with what He's given others to be doing.

The Scriptures say that each of us will give an account of our lives before Jesus. Each. Not as a group.

Do pray about it and then when you are sure, do with all your heart.

If God's behind your calling, you cannot fail at it. If He's not, then you'll not succeed or your success will not at all be what it would have been.

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Pray. Seek to know. Do. Repeat.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Open Your Eyes

by David Brenneman

"You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles." Romans 9:19-24.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:7-9.

"He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish." Proverbs 22:8.

It is interesting that when some people have less than desirable times fall upon them that it's always someone else's fault. Someone else has to be to blame.

Some go as far as to blame God for the calamities of their lives.

The thing is sin is real, the consequences of sin are real. What God has said concerning sin and the wages - what you get from embracing it - are real. In over 6,000 years, since He spoke the curse upon mankind to Adam and Eve, the curse of sin has never changed. If a person turns to Christ for salvation then indeed the curse is abolished. The Scriptures say "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.

This world isn't getting any better and no its got anything to do with climate change. It's the hearts of sinful people who are making it as it is. The hearts of most are evil continually, just as it was in the days of Noah. Just as Jesus said it would be like before He returns.

The blind continually go on leading the blind in this world. That's everyone who hasn't come to Christ for salvation. They're in the darkness of sin. Only those who have come to Christ for salvation are found to be in the light of Jesus Christ.

Add to this complex picture those who've been living on a tightrope between their sin nature and their new life in Christ. All the while wondering why things are happening to them that are unpleasant.

Jesus said in the book of Revelation that He absolutely does not like lukewarm people. If people are really honest with themselves they too would probably agree that lukewarm people aren't the best to be around.

In days gone by I have found myself accused of targeting people in this blog. Outside of some specific Godly people, I have never called out anyone about anything. I might have pointed to circumstances as examples but if anyone thinks that I have targeted them...go ask God about it. Plainly put many, after many a Sunday sermon, believed that the Pastor was talking right to them. That he singled them out.

If the pangs of guilt, the words used, strike a chord so be it. The very words of God throughout the Bible are supposed to change people. To bring them out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ.

I have nothing to feel guilty about in speaking whatever I am directed to say in a post. If a situation resembles your life...that's God trying to get your attention.

God will not be mocked. God will not be questioned as to why He did this or didn't do that. The whole of the human race are lumps of clay in the Master's hands.

People who incessantly reject Jesus's calling to them will reap the results of that.

There once was a farmer who was the only stand out in his family to not come to Christ for salvation during a revival. The Pastor and the Evangelist went to his farm to just talk to him. He was offended at their coming and told them that he wasn't ready to be saved and when he was good and ready he would, and that they shouldleave.

A few days later a call came to the Pastor that the farmer had passed. At the very spot he lashed out at those two men of God is where they found him. He had fallen to his death from the loft.

Sad to say many many people do the same thing every single day towards God. Some curse and swear at God with fists raised at Him in utter defiance. Only to wake up in Hell screaming in rage at God.

The return of Jesus Christ is as certain as the breath you just took.

As certain as anything you hold dear. As certain as the sun up in the sky.

What you do, asking to be saved or rejection of salvation, is entirely on you.

What these people are saying or doing, or those people are saying or doing, it's all on them. You must decide to come to Christ for salvation or you choose the wrath of God. Those are the only two choices. Denying He exists isn't going to help you at all. There are countless trillions of people who used to be atheists fully acknowledging that God is very real and the wages of their sins is very real...in Hell.

The choice before you is life and death. A life in Christ that will indeed bring you to Heaven to forever be with Jesus or bring you to endless painful torment in Hell until the Final Judgment day where all who rejected Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior get a glorified body only to be cast into the lake of fire forever separated from God.

There's consequences to sin. Calling it something else to appease your conscience isn't going to change the consequences before a Holy God.

Time is running out. There is coming a time of intense Judgment from God that will last 7 years. You can read about it mainly in the book of Revelation but other books in the Bible speak to it. The life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was absolutely real. His promise to return is also very real.

Open up your eyes to the truth. Don't listen to political figures or supposed teachers who tell you otherwise from the Word of God.

Sin is real.

Death is real.

Salvation in Jesus Christ alone is necessary to be right before the Holy God of the Universe.

Jesus said there is no one good in this world. Not a single person.

Jesus is coming...are you really ready to meet Him?

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

A Hope and a Future

by David Brenneman

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:1-8.

"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." Jeremiah 29:11.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13.

"Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

When we look at what's to come it's a different revelation that we understand on how we're going to get there. The passages that come after the first from the book of Revelation really compliment that one well. Think on the cross for a moment. Jesus said it was finished. Here He says that it is done.

There is a day coming soon when indeed my God will judge the living and the dead. Those not saved in Christ that is. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Trillions of people who considered themselves right, pure and true, all heading for the Lake of Fire having tried to enter into Heaven by their own merits.

It's a very sobering time of thought when one considers just how finite we really are and that if not for that finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross we would be joining all humanity in that judgment. Jesus isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved. But alas countless billions and billions of people are filling up Hell ever single moment. Hell, that place that originally was intended for Satan and his demons. Satan's not ruling from Hell. Satan wants nothing to do with that place. He's lost many demons to that place because of the judgment of God.

What all are you doing in your life to honor the work of God in Christ Jesus in you?

What all are you doing to grow in Christ and in His character?

What all of Jesus has the world seen in you?

All things will pass away behold new things have come. That's what's in store for those who Believe. We cannot grasp eternity. We have a monumental problem figuring out how to dedicate an hour a day to studying God's Word. An hour! We dump an hour or more on entertainment but struggle with all our being to give back an hour to Jesus. This same Jesus to whom we will give an account of our lives before.

The funny thing about removing the main television from our home is that we really don't miss it. While we do find ourselves watching video clips and instructionals we aren't immersed in hours of wasted time. My current path in life has me reading 5 devotionals and 4 study Bibles. By the time I read the 4th study Bible the passage is sinking deeper into me. The devotionals are just the fries that are going well with the main course.

Here in the morning, the early morning, is when I meet with Jesus to read and write. The example of Jesus Christ was to rise up early to meet with His Father.

What are the things that you are doing that aren't helping you with growing in Christ?

What is really taking your mind away from the future and the hope that Revelation is speaking to?

We justify our selfish side all too often. We say we deserve me time. We say we deserve to be at rest by our definition of it. We say we're doing the best that we can. We say that we're not as strong as so-and-so. We compare ourselves with others then more or less give up striving for growing in Christ.

Yes we do these things. Then we wonder why prayer isn't being answered. We wonder why it seems that God's so far away.

We wonder what happened to our future, our hope.

Jesus never moved away from us. He's still standing on that path of righteousness that He's been directing our hearts to waiting for us to return to Him with our whole heart.

He died for us, shall we not strive to live for Him with our everything?

Won't it go better for us to have much to show with regards to the deeds done in our bodies that was done with a whole heart towards God in Christ?

There's not much, if any, hope in our own way of thinking. If there's any it will not last. Only hoping in Christ and His path for us will satisfy.

Take time to evaluate where you're wasting your time, energy and efforts. Deal with your limitations now and remove whatever is holding you back from the full life in Christ.

Monday, June 9, 2025

Realized Truth

by David Brenneman

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" Romans 6:1-2.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:19-26.

Satan's deceptions began over 6,000 years ago and his attempts at deceiving people continue to this very moment.

Getting Believers to fail to consider the Word of God by way of their feelings. Getting Believers to give in to personal desires rather than the obedience that the Bible says they ought to walk in.

Then there's the open battlefield of the mind of man where the unbelieving are daily deceived in order to keep them in their present darkness.

Satan's loss at the cross but is both fulfilling his final portion of God’s plan for mankind as well as his own vain thinking that he can still figure out how to defeat God.

Mankind is what's most valuable to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as well as the Spirit of God.

You and I are what's most valuable to God. Not our possessions nor any other created thing.

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21.

In our day-to-day life we choose either to practice righteousness or to practice our sin nature. The choice is ours to make.

It's incredibly difficult to continue in sin while focusing on the righteous life that God desires for us. It's incredibly difficult to set our minds on the things that are above and on the things that are of this world at the same time.

I know this isn't a lot of profound thinking this morning but it's the basics of truth, God's truth, for us in Christ Jesus.

We choose to give into emotional responses or to reign them in. To blurt out something inappropriate or to measure our words before speaking or remaining silent.

We choose to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness or we choose to seek our kingdom and our views on what is righteousness.

We choose to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus or we don't.

We choose to take up our own cross and follow Him or we don't.

What we believe as truth has everything to do with our level of obedience.

All it takes is a pebble, placed just so, to change the course of a mighty river.

All mankind is on a path towards the Final Judgment seat of Christ Jesus. We aren't heading towards something renound or some renaissance awakening that causes Earth to experience some grand awakening of peace and prosperity because of the greatest minds of our time leading the world. We are on the path laid out by the Word of God. Satan's been trying throughout his whole existence to alter one jot or tittle of the word of God. The Word of God says that very near is the Rapture of the Church, the 7 year Great Tribulation, then the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on this Earth culminating with the Final Judgment of mankind after the so-called battle of Armageddon.

That's a very very distinct future that isn't going to be altered by anyone since it's written in the Word of God.

God's Word says as well that He's not being slow about His promise to come back. He's not willing that any should perish but that all might be saved.

Our walk with Jesus should be a very sober walk. Knowing that the truth of God isn't just what is going to happen globally but in us personally.

We choose to acknowledge His purpose in our lives or we dismiss it in favor of our own.

His purpose may look complicated or completely out of sorts. Ours may look a whole lot better to us. His way is still the right way.

We know not what all He is working together for good for us. Many times it's going to be through things we never thought possible.

We believed God in coming to Christ for salvation...we should believe Him in everything else we live by. Even if it doesn't make sense. It's His plans that are perfect.

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.

"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." Jeremiah 29:11.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

These are some of the truths of God in Christ Jesus. Read it for yourself to glean more.

We should be doing more to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We should be doing more to learn how to walk in the character of Christ.

So think about these things today before you get going into your routine. God's way or your way. His leads to the righteous life that God desires for you the other does not.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Praying for More

by David Brenneman

"And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." Acts 4:31.

Have you ever chosen to pray for more involvement with Jesus?

Have you sought out a greater time of learning from your Bible?

Or are you coasting along in your walk with Jesus?

We're still here because in this here this now we have a time in which to grow in Christ set before us as well as His plans to use us to reach others for Christ.

We're not here, after receiving the free gift of salvation, because we have arrived and merely await His return. We aren't here to be all we can be for ourselves.

We are in a battle. It's not against flesh and blood as the Scriptures teach us. We're fighting our own bodies as well as the notions of this world.

Praying for more wisdom as James said is a good thing. Jesus said to pray in accordance with the will of God for us. Which is our sanctification. Our becoming more like Christ.

We probably don't pray enough, if at all, concerning growing in Christ.

Our Spiritual health is something we all should be concerned about.

It may not even have the appearance of happiness but rather painful growth spurts. It may be out moment in life to have spiritual surgeries. Times when we are being made to lie down in those green pastures when we don't want to. Times when we need to keep moving when we really want to rest.

We are prone to giving up when God doesn't want us to give up. He wants us to pursue a life in godliness in Christ Jesus.

We need to choose which side we're going to be feeding. Our Spiritual or our selfish side.

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

"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.

Who's plans mean the most to you?

His or yours?

Who's driving the car, steering the ship, guiding the tour in your life?

Is what Jesus desires for you what you desire for you?

Are you really interested in what Jesus wants you to be interested in?

What you are doing in Christ will someday be given back to Jesus...are you preparing for this day?

A hymn written in 1887 by E.E. Hewitt called More About Jesus

'More about Jesus would I know,

more of His grace to others show;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,

more of His holy will discern.

Spirit of God, my Teacher be,

showing the things of Christ to me.

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus in His Word,

holding communion with my Lord,

hearing His voice in ev'ry line,

making each faithful saying mine.

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus on His throne,

riches in glory all His own;

more of His kingdom's sure increase;

more of His coming, Prince of Peace.

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me."

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12.

Are you giving into fear of what Jesus MIGHT want of you?

Why be afraid of what He might ask you to do? Didn't you trust Him to save you? Is He not the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?

My encouragement to you is to pray for more. Pray for more understanding, more boldness, more wisdom in Christ Jesus. Pray that what you are doing is going to be pleasing to Jesus even if it makes no sense to you.

Remove whatever is consuming your time and keeping you from the path of righteousness that the Spirit is trying to keep you on.

Dare to pray for more.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Not Just a Ticket

by David Brenneman

"He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:28-32.

"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.

Life Principle #25 God Blesses us so that we might bless others.

Many people seem to think the only reason for salvation is so that a person will go to heaven when he dies. Eternal life is part of God’s plan of forgiveness, but that’s not the sole reason for our salvation. God saved us so that we each might reflect His nature—that we might be His people on this earth, doing the kinds of works that Jesus Himself would do if He were walking in our shoes, through our world, during our lifetimes. He desires to manifest His character through our personalities and giftedness.

- Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles Devotional.

When someone comes to Christ priorities are supposed to begin to change, both for that individual as well as how they view those they encounter.

Just as in the switching of jobs, so it is in similar fashion with this. We no longer do what we once did. We also no longer do it for the one we did it for.

In Christ we are yes saved and marked as children of God, children of Light. We are sealed in the Spirit of God. We cannot be unsaved.

We also have training to complete.

We learn that this on-going training is intended to reflect this new life in Christ. We learn that Jesus has a plan and purpose for our lives going forward.

What many think at times is that they're just free to now go live however they desire to live.

When people come to Christ, there's a change of pilots to that plane of life. A change of driver's to that car. A change of Captain's to the ship or boat. The point being we aren't in charge anymore of what is to become of the rest of our lives.

Having been through a few companies who were bought out, in due time, changes have to happen. Personal are removed who are redundant, people are moved around. Policies change. The direction of the new company is changing.

We come to Christ not to be left alone to our own devices. To go continue doing our own thing.

We should want what God wants for us. We should be learning to desire what He desires. We should be letting go of what He says isn't good or necessary for us. We should be learning to hunger and thirst for righteousness. A life that isn't at all considering these things should really check to be sure they are saved. Jesus absolutely does not leave people in the state in which they are found.

Dare to ask Jesus to show you what needs to change in your life.

I struggled for the longest time in knowing what's next for me. I have been doing this blog and He’s blessed it with over 1.3 million views. Over 126 countries. But what I was desiring was what about my personal life. I truthfully never learned how to study and asking others for help on the subject didn't help me. Right before the beginning of 2025 I was shown what I was to do. What originated with a few devotionals and 2 Study Bibles expanded to 4 Study Bibles and 5 daily devotionals. I prayed to learn how to study so that's what my evening's look like now. By the time I get through most of the study Bibles the extraneous thoughts fade away.

Wanting what Jesus wants of us when we come to Christ for salvation is probably easier said than done in reality. When Jesus starts directing, through the Spirit, changes in our lives we begin to question ourselves and our path in life.

We aren't ours anymore, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We have a new Master to please, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We aren't here to please ourselves. That was our old way of life.

So getting saved was the beginning, all that comes afterwards is our becoming more like Christ and being His hands and feet in our corner of the world.

Take a good look at your life. Are you fighting what Jesus wants to do in and through you or are you indeed saying "your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven"?

Are you really investing in your walk with Jesus? Are you saying more than mere repetitive words in your prayers to Him? Are you intentionally spending time in God's Word? Are you showing evidence that Jesus is alive in your life?

Ask the question of Jesus: You have saved me. What's next for me?

Life in Christ isn't just a ticket to get into Heaven. There is no ticket to get into Heaven. There's those who are sealed in the Spirit of God who are granted entrance to Heaven. A ticket for entering someplace is something you carry on your person that is disposable later on afterwards. The mark of the Spirit of God is forever.

"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.

Friday, June 6, 2025

Fool Yourself or Speak Truth to You

by David Brenneman

"Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart." Psalms 44:21.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.

"Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart." Psalms 26:2.

"I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:10.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25.

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

"For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me." Psalms 51:3.

We easily can deceive ourselves. We usually do since we think to run with our gut or instinct rather than ask God first.

We read of the first thorns and thistles in Israel's taking of the Promised Land because they failed to seek first the Lord.

It doesn't end well, most of the time, when we too just go at it without seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Several men who attempted to give counsel to Job all got reprimanded and suffered consequences physically because they didn't ask God first before talking to Job.

We often think that we've given all areas of our hearts to God yet growing with respect to our salvation is a process of Jesus going into every single corner of every single room in our hearts.

We delude ourselves at times in thinking He doesn't know. It's easier on our conscience to believe we got away with something. King David did. He cheated, lied, murdered.

We all have secret sins that we are pretty sure nobody else knows.

As a quote from a movie goes...there's always someone who knows...you. In the case of each and every single Believer....God the Spirit is always fully aware.

Lastly...we deceive ourselves on this subject because when we came to Christ for salvation...The Spirit already went everywhere within our hearts. We go through things, grow in Christ, only to discover the Spirit was already in these newly exposed rooms of our hearts.

God the Son tells you...take a look around your heart. I'm already there. Everywhere I am always there before you.

We cause ourselves many a grief by trying to make ourselves feel better about the sins that so easily entangle us. Rather than give them up n leave them behind we get used to the things we are being told by God to leave behind.

Take a look at your heart. Look and ask that questions...ask the Lord to see if there be any wicked way in you and to lead you in the way everlasting.

Paul strongly taught on self-examination.

Take what you learn from the Spirit to heart and obey in whatever He tells you to do.

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.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Being Made to Rest

by David Brenneman

Life Principle 20: Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.

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. - Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles.

These kinds of weeks are rough when it keeps feeling like I am supposed to be doing something more than I am doing.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." Psalms 23:2-3.

Makes me lie down. How often did we not want to do this when we were children. Being told it's our bedtime and fighting for a few more moments to stay awake.

We then get taught the value of taking naps in Kindergarten and the cruelty of not being able to for decades afterwards.

While this forced absence from work goes on this week I haven't been unbusy. Helping my Wife with some aspects of the garden, mowing, sorting and organizing part of the garage. Putting up blinds, putting the top back on the gazebo. Creating a handrail off the deck. Making a better attachment to the shed to keep the doors closed on the old thing. Continuing to read my study Bibles and devotionals. Added Streams in the Desert and another by Dr. David Jeremiah. Praying to remember what I am reading and understanding what I am reading.

Yet in all this there's times when I want to scream. I wanted a vacation week and yes God provided one but the circumstances have been less than desirable. It's both a good thing and disappointing as to how it came about. I am caught between satisfied and frustrated. Disappointment.

It's a hard thing to not transition from disappointment to discouragement. I have been looking for more that Dr. Charles Stanley wrote on the subject.

Making the best of a disappointing experience is what I am striving for. God's taken care of what money was lost because of this situation. He has been keeping our costs down in doing things or obtaining things to do what's been needed and necessary.

There's something on the horizon that I just can't make out yet.

My additional prayer is to not be bitter about the decision my employer made. Many others there certainly are.

We choose to go down some roads without asking Jesus first. Bitterness is a road, however, that Jesus never traveled. We shouldn't either.

Being angry and not sinning is also an animal we really shouldn't wrestle with. We really don't have the fortitude to know how to think clearly while being angry. Inevitably choices get made in haste and the consequences can be disastrous.

We're instructed to not let the sun go down on our anger. Don't go to bed angry.

So while this page in my life isn't ideal to me it is part of God's plan for me. Will get stuff done that's overdue and maybe accomplish things that I had thought about.

Either way I choose to either take it as God's intending or choose to have the wrong thoughts about it.

One of the places that Dr. Stanley went to is Habakkuk. Habakkuk wrote of how utterly incredible what he was told was about to happen was going to happen. He really was beside himself. Yet he wasn't going to allow those circumstances change his view of God causing it to turn out for good for himself and Israel.

We choose to lie down or at times He makes us lie down. Stubborn as we are most of the time He makes us lie down.

We make kick and scream but inevitably we will lie down because He says it's what He knows we need.

So I breathe, take another breath, and set into the day ready to do whatever God puts before me to be doing.

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Waiting...Often Frustrating...But with God a Necessity

by David Brenneman

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

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

- from Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principles study.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

Nobody that I have ever met has ever told me once of loving their experience in a waiting room.

We, if we're honest, hate waiting. Look at just this generation of people. Rather than think for themselves they want a computer to figure things out for them. They would rather sacrifice their own critical thinking than work at learning. Across the world students get kicked out of classes for using AI to do their school work.

In the real world we get impatient waiting for 5 minutes for food from the microwave.

We are so obsessed with not putting down a phone for fear of being that person who missed out on something that the various government agencies dump millions of dollars into roundabouts in an attempt to thwart collisions at intersections.

We are several generations deep into impatient people.

Yet the Scriptures teach the opposite. Those that wait upon the Lord will see Him work in their lives. Martha was chastised for putting work above waiting at the feet of Jesus to learn from Him.

"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.

We first need to admit, confess, our impatient behavior. We are.

A quick change oil changing place irritating people because they expected faster service.

A pizza delivery person getting barked at for how long it took to get their food.

We are impatient and while it goes on we fight the small voice urging us to rest.

We do. Just admit it now and get over the denial.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

To be truthful this week off from work has been frustrating. It really feels like a forced effort to make me rest. While the worldview is this came because of my employer the reality is Jesus allowed it. Jesus.

There's going to be times when Jesus necessitates a break because we're more frazzled, more out of tune, than we really realize.

So while I wait He’s keeping me busy with other things. His reasons will be the right reasons no matter what my perceptions of them are.

As that shepherd pointed out in his book on Psalm 23, it's not at all easy to make sheep lie down. We are compared to sheep for a reason.

Breathe.

I often just both get told to do this as well as tell others to do the same. Breathe.

There's battles to come for sure but if I don't rest when He says to rest then I won't be ready for them.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

"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." 1 Peter 5:6-7.

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

"For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body." 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

The Apostles fought anxiety often. We will fight it as well. It's a part of life. We need the rest that God provides in order to grow in Christ as well as to prepare for the battles that He needs us for.

We certainly do not battle against flesh and blood. We are fighting in a battle in the spiritual realm. Jesus won the war at the cross but our enemy still is trying until all things are finished between now and the Final Judgment.

Rest in the Lord when He says it's time. You may need to scream first but rest in Him.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Changed

by David Brenneman

"So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;" Acts 2:41-44.

Are we hindering the work of the Spirit of God in our lives when we aren't following in these footsteps?

I have been to several churches where they were trying to have a revival event. Yet if they themselves weren't living the changed life would they ever see such a thing like that happen?

I remember hearing stories of some of the great evangelists of days gone by and what the result was of them essentially following in this path that we read about this morning. A great change happened by the work of the Spirit of God in their lives, their lives reflected that change and then they obediently lived out that change. They were blessed, God was glorified, and the fame and name of Jesus Christ was spread. Lives were changed.

We are never meant to stay where we were after coming to Christ for salvation. We were never meant to look for a place to set up shop or a place to stay until either the Rapture of the Church or we're called home.

We are to indeed dig into what it means to be a disciple of Christ Jesus ourselves and follow where He leads.

The result will speak for themselves. People will indeed see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

In Psalm 23 we read: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23:1-6.

He is what's used many times. He makes He leads He restores. You are with me You prepare You have anointed my head with oil.

We aren't to be lethargic Christians waiting to be served. Much of the He statements are to get our behavior as sheep to change. Once on that road of change the You statements come into play.

It's not enough to simply or merely be labeled as a Christ-follower. Many, Jesus says, many will lay claim to a life in Christ yet will be told to depart for He never knew them. The changes in their lives that they said were Christ-like changes weren't the changes that came from God through the Spirit. They were culturally safe, unoffensive changes. There was no evidence of true life change.

Are you in a true, real, relationship with Jesus? Was there a day that you can point to where you know you came to Christ for salvation? Or are you merely mimicking Christians around you with the hope that you'll blend in enough to get into Heaven?

Jesus Himself will separate His sheep from those who aren't. He is GOING to know who is faking being a real sheep from those who are not. ALL His sheep will have His mark upon them. You can't know what that mark is or looks like because, like all else, it is Spiritually discerned and even those who are saved cannot see it yet.

Many people will be crying out with horrific screams when Jesus does this separation of the world's people.

Quite probably there will be Believers crying because the truth of their friends and family will be revealed concerning salvation as well.

Trillions of 'good' people wake up in Hell because they never truly were saved in Christ Jesus.

Do you really show a life that was changed or do you keep holding onto excuses as to why you live your life the way you are? Is Jesus Christ the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life? It certainly should be seen by yourself and others. The teachings of God through Jesus should mean something to you. Your time in God's Word should be more than superficial. Your prayers shouldn't be useless repetition.

Change should be evident.

The short passage outlined at the beginning of this post really scratches the surface of life change. People's grip on material things was broken. Caring for others was paramount. Being daily in the Word of God was an excited expectation. People wiped out each other's debts so that all could give more freely to others.

The world's seeing your good works and glorifying your Father in Heaven will take on a deeper meaning. Thinking less of yourself and more of Jesus will be more important to you.

Change.

Monday, June 2, 2025

A Change of Plans A Change of Heart

by David Brenneman

"Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls." Acts 2:37-41.

"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.

Was reading earlier of just how prolific our propensity is to categorize our lives...in the spirit sense. We can make it a point to go to Church on a Sunday, but soon afterwards act like we weren't even there. We have our me time. We have our work time. We have this to do, that to do.

Then I was reading about the first group of converts in the book of Acts. These learned early on about a LIFE in Christ not an hour here and there.

The writer of that commentary on life segregation was pointing out that no matter where we go, where we are, Jesus is there. Our time of worship doesn't, or at least shouldn't, have a beginning and an end.

A life that really is a saved life should be more aware of the spiritual implications of their physical decisions than the world in which they live.

The Apostle Paul wrote of being sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. For some who may be reading this this is an eternity deciding moment for you.

Jesus made mention of how a person ought to come to Christ with childlike faith.

This commentary made mention of how our CEO is Christ, no matter what the job is. Be it at home or our physical place of employment.

He mentioned as well that worship is a never ending time as long as we are awake.

What about you? Are you sure of your salvation?

Are you one of those who puts Jesus in a time block and really don't want Him in other aspects of your life? Is He getting in the way of your 'fun'? Is He threatening to disrupt your plans for yourself?

Have you been treating Jesus as AAA, only calling on Him when your plans go awry? Has He really become your butler?

These people were cut to the heart by Peter’s words. Repentance was what came next. The Word of God got through to them. In reading the various introductions in my 4 Study Bibles last night on the book of Romans, I hadn't realized that this particular Church, a Gentile church, wasn't one of Paul's. It's highly likely that it began in Rome by people obedient to God's Word from this very encounter we read about.

We don't know the plans that God has prepared for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

We can't know until we really have Him as Lord over all of our lives.

We can't keep other things before Jesus.

Nothing, from house cleaning to the CEO of a company, is more important than a real right relationship with Jesus.

We come to Christ for salvation, we come to have our heart of stone replaced with a heart of flesh. We come to Christ to have Him have His way in our lives. Not for us to tell Him what we want Him to go do for us. While we are to pray without ceasing, those prayers should be in accordance with the will of God for us and those He brings to our lives.

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

The very definition of sanctified is to be set apart. To be sanctified in Christ is to be set apart for whatever Christ has in mind for you to be doing. Set apart for holiness in Christ Jesus. To be holy as He is holy.

When you really look objectively at your life right here right now...would Jesus approve of how much He is being allowed to be in yours?

Time to really check yourself in your relationship with Jesus to make sure you are in a relationship with Jesus.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Behind Your Scenes

by David Brenneman

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"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. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11.

"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.

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12.

What has mastery over you?

What has a foothold, a grip, a chain around your neck?

What have you been convinced of that you tell yourself isn't really that bad that in all truthfulness the Bible says isn't to be trifled with?

We all have something that from days gone by Satan's gotten into our hearts and minds that isn't spiritually healthy to be partakers thereof.

"But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup." 1 Corinthians 11:28.

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5.

"But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another." Galatians 6:4.

"For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:30-32.

Think about the things that you're allowing to run free through your heart and mind. Things that do nothing to sanctify the Lord in your heart. Things that if Jesus physically stopped by to visit that you, if you were honest, you would be fearful to bring up or participate in. I have them, you have them.

We have things that we are still reaping the sour fruits of that we experimented with early in our lives that we haven't found freedom from. We have things that rather than fight them that we just let these sins run their course.

We are to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. I likely don't try hard enough or I wouldn't be still dealing with such things.

Same goes for you my Dear Reader.

The behind the scenes of your life are the work of God through the Spirit of God to conform us to God the Son.

We can easily be swayed by the right description, right flavor, right memory. We see generations swayed toward accepting sinful practices as if there were nothing wrong with them then these same people wonder why they're not successful at life.

While we have access to the wonders of the so-called genius of mankind we shouldn't partake or participate in much of it if it certainly puts the work of God in Christ Jesus at risk in our lives.

It's no wonder that much of the world is taken in by AI. We have a generation or two that's being taught not to be critical thinkers. Satan's schemes include people not thinking for themselves. Getting them to surely be sheep lead to the slaughter. Happily running off a cliff.

Not just AI but in the news that we see and hear reported to us. Their agenda is to convince you to let them do all the hard thinking for you. Just accept what they tell you because they have your best interests in mind.

Political figures want you to blindly trust them and their efforts. Most don't care at all as long as you support them enough to get them a second term.

We are always looking for entertainment that takes us away from thinking about life and life's real choices and challenges.

We have been convinced that studying isn't for people who really want to get ahead.

Yet we're told quite the opposite in the Bible. To be in the Word daily. To be examining our lives to see if we have anything hindering our walk with Jesus. To pray without ceasing. Prayer being a weapon that Satan's got no defense against other than to twist our thoughts so that we try to pray for the wrong things.

Pride has everything to do with our life's choices. People convinced that their ways have nothing wrong with them. That it's the fault of the other person.

We can make anything more important than a healthy diet of the Word of God and prayer. We can make a television series a god in our lives. We can make podcasts a god in our lives. We can make work a god in our lives. W can make sports a god in our lives. We can even make family and friends gods in our lives.

Anything we are holding, other than our own cross, can be a god in our lives. I do this, you do this. We all do this.

In my younger years I used to forget to read my Bible and just dismiss it thinking I will just catch up tomorrow. Then tomorrow came and I forgot again. Then the day I was supposed to have my reading journal filled in was coming and I had to really stop and catch up.

Today I will sacrifice sleep to stay caught up. It's worth more to me than my sleep. Getting up earlier than most to be reading my Bible to write these posts is worth it. I get to see where God's taking it and after 6 years it's still going strong.

This isn't to say that I can't get sucked into thoughts about this or that. That my priorities aren't always right. I get forgetful easy enough. I am getting older after all.

My encouragement to you is to indeed examine yourselves to see where you can improve your relationship with Jesus. See where you are wasting the mere minutes per day that you have. See where you are falling short.

Pray for help in getting your life right before Him with whom we have to do.

Look behind the curtain of your life and see what needs to change and change it.

It's not just transformers that are more than meets the eye.