You Have, If You Are In Christ

You Have, If You Are In Christ 

by David Brenneman

"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

"From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:28-29.

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;" Hebrews 3:1.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:4-7.

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3.

In Ephesians Paul writes "worthy of the calling with which you have been called".  

We who have come to Christ for salvation are the called. We heard His voice and came to Him to be saved, and saved us He most certainly did. Satan's first thing to do to them who have heard and did come is to convince you that it never happened, that you and I weren't worthy, that on some level we just didn't cut it.  

Once saved always saved is what the Bible does tell us concerning those who are indeed saved in Christ. The seal of the Spirit of God in Christ is upon all who are saved. Our salvation is not dependent upon our worthiness but on His grace and mercy because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So, as Paul also said, since we have so great a salvation, walk according to our calling in Christ Jesus. Walking with Jesus in everything. The Disciples certainly walked with Jesus in everything.  

The thing is there's absolutely no Scriptural basis to show that salvation is a ticket to Heaven only. It it the beginning of our transformation, Romans 12, towards becoming like Christ, since we are His workmanship, Ephesians 2, created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

Our lives are then in Christ.  

Our lives are then to glorify Jesus Christ the One who gave His life in our place, taking on what we deserved that was the wrath of God towards all who remain in their own sin. 

We come to Christ for salvation, we also get the things that come with it. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. We're going to have troubles in this world. 

As ironically put as the movies are, the Matrix actually does a fairly decent job at showing what goes on, although in NO way is this an actual Christian comparison to truly walking in Christ. I absolutely am NOT drawing parallels between Christianity and the prospect presented in the movies. It's to only show what goes on between the Spiritual world and the physical. Satan's schemes include deceptions of every single kind both imagined and as yet unimagined. As happened in the movies, such happens in this real world we live in. The enemies of God want to silence those who are in Christ Jesus.

Satan's out to cause destruction and at minimum divisions in families, in the Church. To get Believers to believe even the most subtle of lies in order to prevent the Word of God from being effective in their lives and to help others in Christ with their own persecutions that they face. 

All those who have been saved have a calling in Christ Jesus. All will be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. All will have something to be doing in the body of Christ. All who are saved are the branches as He is the Vine.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5.

By ourselves we are going to be guessing at our calling. We need the rest of the body of Christ to help us understand what our part is.

Rest assured, in Christ, you my Dear Reader, if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, have a calling in Christ to fulfill. 

At our minimum we are called to be doers of the word and not just hearers only who delude themselves. 

We are going to have a Godly evaluation by Jesus for the things we did in our physical body for Christ some day. There IS that day of accountability coming to all who believed.   

With such things before us, is doing our own thing really going to go well for us in that day?

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

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

The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps. 

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

Love your neighbor as yourself. 

Pray for those who persecute you. 

If indeed you are saved and you haven't been living a life out of respect for all He did for you to save you...you have some time to get that rectified. To make that right.  

There will evidently be many who will enter into Heaven by the literal skin of their teeth. Nothing to show in appreciation for all that Jesus did for them to save them. The Bible speaks of that fact.  

It's another reason to not forsake the assembly of the Church of Jesus Christ. We need others who are more mature in Christ to help us understand our calling in Christ. 

Don't go by your known talents and abilities. Steven Curtis Chapman sang a song called "Whatever". You should look it up on YouTube.  

For all that Jesus did and went through to save you, whatever He calls you to do for Him is for you to be doing. In Colossians we read "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.

Every single person has a physical body that, when healthy, has every single body part doing what God designed for it to be doing. Your eyes do their part. Legs, hands, arms, stomach, liver, their own parts. 

In the same way in the body of Christ each part is to be doing their part as the Spirit directs, as He sees fit.   

In this world we have hospitals and extended care facilities to show what happens when a physical body isn't working as God designed it. 

Be sure of your salvation then be sure of your calling in Christ Jesus. We are here still rather than immediately going to be with Jesus because our first calling is to be a witness to the power of God in Christ Jesus unto salvation. So that others might be saved. That they see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. While here we are called to grow in Christ. To become more like Christ. We are called to be alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We are called to put on the whole armor of God. 

There's plenty to know about in our calling in Christ Jesus after receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  

Ask, Seek, Knock.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Come Quickly Lord Jesus

Come Quickly Lord Jesus
by David Brenneman

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

"so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray
Come, Jesus, come
Let today be the day
Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break
But I'm holding on
To a hope that won't fade
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
There'll be no war
And there'll be no chains
When Jesus comes
Let today be the day
He'll come for the weak
And the strong just the same
And all will believe in the power of His name
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
One day He'll come
And we'll stand face to face
Come and lay it all down
'Cause it might be today
The time is right now
There's no need to wait
Your past will be washed by rivers of grace
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
-(c)2024 Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come".

“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.

Is there a love in your heart for the return of Jesus Christ?  A longing that causes you to want to cry out "please come quickly Lord Jesus!"?
A longing that you can't quite find the words to say to explain it?

Shouldn't there be? 

In any journey away from home there comes a time when you long for it again.  But how do we long for a place, for THE person, when we have yet to see both?  The Promise of His coming. 

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.  But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:35-38.

"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 3:9.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.

"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 3:12.

Do you not pray for His return?  I know that I do.  The opening lines of "Come Jesus Come" reach deep into my heart...touching a part of me that longs so much to be with Jesus.

Do you have yourself so wrapped up in whatever is going on in your life that you've neglected to long for, to pray for, the return of Jesus Christ? 

Are you going to be counted among those who will indeed love His appearing? 

My Dear Reader please consider it well that this particular promise is just as valuable and valid as all His other promises. 

For me His return is something of a reunion and a relief.  A reunion because I know when I was a baby getting surgery done on my eyes, He was with me, comforting me.  I can tell you that photo in the back of the book "Heaven is for Real" of Jesus?  That face is pretty much what I can remember it being like. 
The relief will be because the battles of my life internally and externally will be over.  My sin nature will trouble me no more.

But to be held by my Savior! 
I don't have to imagine what it will be like for me.  I already know that I will be crying.  I will be one of those whom He will be wiping the tears from my eyes.

We would really do well to not just be reading THROUGH our Bible but to dig deeper into it.  The love of God in Christ Jesus is evident throughout it if we would but slow down going through it.

Jesus keeps His promises.  He said "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." John 14:2-3.

Do you not long to go home to forever be with Jesus?  Paul wrote that he certainly did.  He was torn between his calling in Christ Jesus and his desire to be with Jesus.

Come Jesus Come...let today be the day.

"I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.

Is your hope alive?  Are you listening for that shout to take us out of this world to forever be with Jesus? 

There's a crown for those who are longing for His appearing. 

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

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

What is Shown...Your Decision

What is Shown...Your Decision
by David Brenneman

"saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”  Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” Acts 28:26-28.

"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." Galatians 5:22-25.

It's interesting that a textual slip of the tongue often has people saying it's fruits of the Spirit when it's a singular fruit with one set of descriptions concerning that fruit.

It's really been interesting studying through the Bible getting 4 different views of the New Testament from 4 different men of God. 

Paul really is an interesting study by himself as well.  His personality really was transformed throughout the letters you read that encompass most of the New Testament.  You can see in the finer points, if you look for them, exactly what he described about the various Spiritual gifts that would be going away...as they were...over the years...leaving him as well.

The foundation being Christ, the Apostles on top of that...then throughout the years of the early Church we see vibrant fruit of the Spirit in people.  The building up of the Church of God that still stands today.

It's interesting to note that the things he spoke about concerning false prophets, false teachers, false preachers, is very much infecting the Church today.  People whom Paul would have called out publicly to their own shame and disgrace.

It should not surprise you, my Dear Reader, that Satan's schemes involve mimicking the fruit of the Spirit.  We read this in other parables, just written differently, by Jesus.  The wheat and the tares.  Tares being false or fake wheat.  I. it's first breaking through the soil they look the same.  Yet when they both start growing the evidences prove out who is or isn't a child of God in Christ Jesus. 

In the final Judgment of God, which literally is an unknown short number of years from now plus 1,007 years, those false prophets, preachers, teachers will be trying to defend themselves as to why they should be able to enter into Heaven. 

The Apostle Paul wrote about making sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus.  To find out after the Rapture of the Church that you weren't saved is absolutely not the right time to know.

You indeed may be showing similar fruit of the Spirit but if you aren't sealed by the Spirit of God after coming to Christ for salvation, it absolutely does not matter. 

Read what it says in the Bible, don't take my word for it.  Jesus Himself will separate the truly saved from those who are not...Biblically speaking...without a word.

He will not conduct interviews.
He will not use a scale of 1 to 10.
He will not grade the deeds of people on a curve.

He will look for the seal of the Spirit of God.

When someone comes to Christ for salvation they become His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  A transformation begins to take place.  Romans 12.

The purpose of the fruit of the Spirit is God the Father’s glory.  That people would see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

The really sad part is that opening passage wasn't just referring to those Jews who were too hard hearted to understand.  It's for all who have come up with excuses to reject the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

To die without salvation in Christ Jesus is to immediately enter into Hell.  To die with Christ is to immediately enter into Heaven. 

I am a proponent of the view of the age of accountability with regards to understanding salvation.  Children for sure who do not know right from wrong are certainly that. Those who's mental facilities have never progressed beyond a child's are certainly that. 

Sin has a price.  A death penalty.  Payable upon physical death.  Everyone who has lived pays up or is acquitted in Christ at their time of death. 

My Dear Reader with watching the headlines of the last decade going into even the coming few years, I absolutely would not be surprised that we are on the cusp of the return of Jesus Christ as He promised to keep.

Are you sure of your salvation in Christ?  Have you been lead astray by false teachers and false preachers? 

Once the Rapture of the Church happens the 7 year Great Tribulation begins.  The wrath of God comes upon the Earth.  Billions of people will be dying.  Read it in the book of Revelation. 

You can't save yourself.  The only way to salvation is through the cross of Jesus 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.

Satan's wanting as many as possible to be deceived into thinking they are saved so that they won't go when he KNOWS that the Rapture of the Church WILL take place.  Sadly he believes more of the Bible than most professing Christians.

The Bible says that our goodness is as filthy rags compared to what is evidenced by the goodness of the fruit of the Spirit.

There is no one good no not one we read in the Scriptures.

We need the righteousness of God in Christ imputed to us by coming to Christ for salvation in order to be seen by God the Father as good by His definition of good.

Be sure of your salvation. 
Your eternity depends on your decision.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Our Light, His Light, Our World

Drawing Near

by David Brenneman 

The times are indeed drawing near for Jesus to come back.  The events of this world are coming together in preparation for the Day of the Lord.  This passage is as relevant today as it was when it was written:

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,  as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:3-18.

There are subtle things happening in our world that are not what the mainstream media says they are.  There's certainly things happening that are not what the governments of the world say is happening.  They merely are able to say what they are because of the control they exercise. This is no conspiracy to those who are in Christ Jesus.  As my Spiritual Dad often refers to some, we are students of the Bible prophecy.  We look into the Scriptures to see if these things are so.  We stand on the Word of God as the defining truth. 

There's great significance in how, almost daily, world events are being shaped both nationally and meteorologically.  The world itself is being prepared for the return of Jesus.  It's not global warming or climate change its Bible prophecy coming alive before our very eyes. 

Long ago the Lord Jesus wrote throughout the Old Testament many many points that were all directed towards His first coming and every single one came true.

In fact after His resurrection He opened the minds of a few of His Disciples to see from Moses onward everything that mentions His coming, His sufferings and His dying on the cross.  

We stand on the Word of God concerning the rich salvation we have in Christ Jesus.  Should we not stand on all His promises including that of His return to fulfill His words to bring us home to forever be with Him?

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

"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. 

What a rich revealing of what is to come!  What joy should be had in the heart and mind and soul of Believers to know this promise is for all who believe!  

We are far far closer to the return of Jesus Christ than ever before in the last 2,000 plus years.  Literally there's nothing left to have to happen Biblically than has already been done.  What's occurring in our day is the finalizing of the details.  The refining of the national setting. 

A very significant aspect that may very well occur in the near future could be a world where the United States isn't a defining power as its been for many decades.  Biblically speaking either the United States withdraws from the world picture or God removes it by way of either war or natural destruction.  

Jesus is certainly coming again.  We are considered blessed if we are indeed looking for His appearing.

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

Do you get excited at the prospect of Jesus returning in your day?  I certainly hope so.  

We're to live each day as if today were that day.  Jesus said that. 

We know not the day nor the hour so live in anticipation.  

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

Are you ready?  

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Drawing Near

Drawing Near
by David Brenneman

The times are indeed drawing near for Jesus to come back.  The events of this world are coming together in preparation for the Day of the Lord.  This passage is as relevant today as it was when it was written:

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,  as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:3-18.

There are subtle things happening in our world that are not what the mainstream media says they are.  There's certainly things happening that are not what the governments of the world say is happening.  They merely are able to say what they are because of the control they exercise. This is no conspiracy to those who are in Christ Jesus.  As my Spiritual Dad often refers to some, we are students of the Bible prophecy.  We look into the Scriptures to see if these things are so.  We stand on the Word of God as the defining truth.

There's great significance in how, almost daily, world events are being shaped both nationally and meteorologically.  The world itself is being prepared for the return of Jesus.  It's not global warming or climate change its Bible prophecy coming alive before our very eyes.

Long ago the Lord Jesus wrote throughout the Old Testament many many points that were all directed towards His first coming and every single one came true.

In fact after His resurrection He opened the minds of a few of His Disciples to see from Moses onward everything that mentions His coming, His sufferings and His dying on the cross. 

We stand on the Word of God concerning the rich salvation we have in Christ Jesus.  Should we not stand on all His promises including that of His return to fulfill His words to bring us home to forever be with Him?

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

"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.

What a rich revealing of what is to come!  What joy should be had in the heart and mind and soul of Believers to know this promise is for all who believe! 

We are far far closer to the return of Jesus Christ than ever before in the last 2,000 plus years.  Literally there's nothing left to have to happen Biblically than has already been done.  What's occurring in our day is the finalizing of the details.  The refining of the national setting.

A very significant aspect that may very well occur in the near future could be a world where the United States isn't a defining power as its been for many decades.  Biblically speaking either the United States withdraws from the world picture or God removes it by way of either war or natural destruction. 

Jesus is certainly coming again.  We are considered blessed if we are indeed looking for His appearing.

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

Do you get excited at the prospect of Jesus returning in your day?  I certainly hope so. 

We're to live each day as if today were that day.  Jesus said that.

We know not the day nor the hour so live in anticipation. 

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

Are you ready? 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Early One Morning

Early One Morning 

by David Brenneman 

To wake up this morning and have the chorus of this song playing through my mind...

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

-"Holy Forever" (c)2022 Chris Tomlin 

When you awake each day does talking to God cross your mind? 

When you start your day are you asking Jesus what He's got for you to be doing today?

Regardless of what circumstances you find yourself, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus, talking to your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ ought to become like breathing. 

Prayer is nothing less than a heart to heart conversation that the enemy of God cannot hear or know anything about. 

Praying isn't difficult if we watch little children do it with ease.

Adults overthink prayer and praying. 

We often think it's an optional thing to do among other's that are on our calendar or list of things to do. 

So let's start there. You wake up for the day, providing the Lord didn't call you home that is, what things that you do that are non-negotiable? Many, if not everyone, trudge into the bathroom as their first step of the day. Some wash their face and do other rituals.  

Getting dressed is probably next. In all this...there's time to pray.

We head for the kitchen in most cases next. Still time to pray. In some households others are up, conversations happen. A prayer is a conversation with God so you already know how to have one. 

If you're wanting God to do things in your life, prayer is where it begins. But realize as well, there's much more that He has in store for you than your prayers encompass. 

Make praying in the morning a non-negotiable thing. Jesus, your Savior and Lord, went through the most horrific of things on His way to save you by dying on the cross and rising from the dead 3 days later, wants to hear from you. 

Add reading a chapter in your Bible to your prayer time. Your Bible is absolutely not only for church time. You aren't going to grow in Christ very well if you have no idea what your Bible says. Devotionals can be good to assist your Bible study but should never replace your Bible study. 

People often complain about not having the time to read their Bible. Try listening to it. The Bible app allows listening to the Word of God on both Android and Apple devices. Many of these same-said people are also devout followers of various sports or other forms of entertainment. Ask yourself this: Will I be examined by Jesus for my knowledge of those things after we leave this world or will it be on my understanding of His Word and that which I have done in my life for Him?

Paul wrote the Church in Ephesus to not give the devil an opportunity...yet we get easily convinced to take down the door meant to keep him out and some remove a few walls to make it easier for him to come in!

We don't utilize that profoundly powerful opportunity to get to know our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ better! Instead we cater to the various desires of our hearts which quite often is not what Jesus wants of us. We treat the Christian life as something of privilege in that we should only seek the blessings of God to create a peaceful wonderland we call our home away from home.  

Jesus said plainly that those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus are going to suffer. It's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. We are far from perfect and the Spirit's job aside from protecting the Word of God is our sanctification. That process by which we become more like Christ Jesus. 

Some can view a life thrown in disarray as falling apart when it's the life of a Believer...in God’s plan and purpose that life is coming together. 

When you start your day your mind is susceptible to the influence of your enemy, the enemy of God. 

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 "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." 

Colossians 3:2 "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Further we read:

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 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 8:5-18.

I will leave you with this...

I got up early one morning

and rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish

that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me,

and heavier came each task.

“Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered.

He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;

I wondered why God didn’t show me.

He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

“My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning,

and paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish

that I had to take time to pray.

- Anonymous 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Godly Perspective

Godly Perspective
by David Brenneman

"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.

"He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,  Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:29-31.

"Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you." Proverbs 20:22.

"Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24.

"For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4.

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.

When we wait on God …

We discover His will.
God does not allow delay in giving us the desire of our hearts to lead us along. Rather, even as we wait, He reveals His will to us and works all things together for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

We receive supernatural energy and strength.
As God deepens our relationship with Him through times of waiting, He also increases our energy, faith, endurance, and strength (Isa. 40: 29-31).

We’re victorious in battle.
When we do things our way in our time, we end up defeated. But when we wait on God and obey His commands, He ensures our victory (Prov. 20:22).

We see the fulfillment of our faith.
Though others may encourage us to forge ahead instead of waiting on the Lord, we must remember He’s the only One who can truly help us and who will never let us down (Is. 49:23).

We witness Him working on our behalf.
While we actively wait, God actively works (Is. 64:4). Every single day, we have the greatest Mediator working on our behalf. And even when things seem to go wrong, He’s making sure that everything works according to His purpose. What a wonderful promise!

Although waiting can be one of the more difficult things in the Christian life, it’s not wasted time. God gives us instructions through periods of actively waiting, keeps us in step with His will, prepares us for His answers, and uses the time to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait on Him, God will use the long pauses in our lives for our blessing—both large and unexpected—if we let Him. - Dr. Charles Stanley Life Principles Devotional.

Waiting.  I myself as well as most people I have ever met or known do not like the idea of waiting.

For several generations now there are billions of people who detest waiting.  These generations are often referred to as the microwave generations.  Even with the speed of life they’re impatient about how long things take to get done.  2 minutes in a microwave to many is an eternity.

We often go to appointments, from Doctor's offices to tire or brake shops and we check-in and are instructed to wait. 

We get unexpected news and the unfortunate next steps are waiting.

We get to building something new and learn that part of the process the video we followed said is that to get the right results you do these things then wait.

Yet we read in the Bible that we're to wait upon the Lord.  We are to exercise patience.  We are not to make hasty or rash choices or decisions.  Me? Guilty as charged.

In this season of my life waiting has been appointed by God for me.

Ever really consider it that way?

You are driving to an appointment and there's delays and many times frustration sets in.  Then after some time you're moving again with no explanation.  My Dear Reader, that too was of God if you're willing to accept it.

You are having a great day and then all the sudden the unexpected call comes from a friend in need.  This too was from God if you'll accept it.

The things in our lives from the small to the great all come through the hands of Jesus Christ before they get to each and every single Believer in the world.

I am unemployed at this time because of nothing I did wrong.  It has been because My Savior says this is for me right now.  I will indeed be employed again as He sees fit in His timing.  It's on me to keep busy with whatever He puts before me to be doing.  Colossians 3:23-24 tells us that whatever you do, do as unto the Lord because it's Him who we serve.

God always answers prayers with only a certain set of ways.

Yes, No, not right now and wait, I have something better in mind.

Throughout the Scriptures this had always been the way things are. 

Our impatience never speeds up what God had ordained on our behalf.  We can choose to patiently wait upon the Lord or we can literally push Jesus out of the driver's seat and resolve things ourselves.

What a visual huh?

Our impatience is quite literally our pushing Jesus from the driver's seat.

Scripture says that those who wait upon the Lord will be saved. 

Before you take further steps in deciding this or that today, stop and ask Jesus about your next steps.  If He’s not involved you're on shakey ground.  

We are to be followers of Jesus Christ not leaders of Jesus Christ.  He leads, we follow.  Regardless of whether or not it makes sense to us at all.  Job's whole ordeal made no sense.  Daniel spending the night with a bunch of lions made no sense.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a firey furnace made no sense.  Yet they all kept Lord Jesus as the one leading and all saw the victory.

Perspective is everything.  Praying for and keeping a Godly perspective means everything.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Never Forgotten

Never Forgotten
by David Brenneman

"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  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.  For each one will bear his own load. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.  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.  So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Galatians 6:2-10.

How far do we as individuals let alone the Church go in bearing one another's burdens? 

Scripturally it's connected to the standard that we reap what we sow more than we sow and much later than we sow.

In Christ, we certainly need each other for uplifting and encouragement, to bestow wisdom and help in times of difficulty. 

Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principle #6 is entirely about the concept of reaping what you sow, more than you sow and much later than you sow.

In our lives we go through things that make absolutely no sense whatsoever.  We are going along in life and all the sudden out of nowhere we're derailed.  The train and cars have left the track.

Was God taken by surprise?  Hardly.
Was God off somewhere else and not doing His job of keeping His promises to us?  Not at all.

The body, as well as the individual cells that make up the body, require situations that make them work together.  In the human body when what is designed by God to do something isn't, muscular atrophy sets in.

We go through times in our lives both for our own growth in Christ as well as others who are in Christ to grow as well.  We can see changes in the here and now and will see things in the future and in retrospect.

It's rather an interesting and yet oftentimes painful prospect and process.  I don't know how my situation in my life right now is going to get set back on the tracks of life.  It is on me to fulfill my obligations to search for a job that my Savior has in mind for me and whatever else needs to be done in our world.  Reaching out to the body of Christ for support and encouragement is necessary when trials come, when adversity happens.  No one in Christ is to go it alone. 

I will admit this has had an impact on my prayer life.  I do find myself pouring out my heart more in my prayers. 

I have partly cloudy days in my clarity of thought in walking in each day.  I know not what each day holds, I only know who holds my days in the palm of His hand.

When we keep pressing on as the Bible says that we are to do, God can and does work with that.  When we collapse in despair rather that seek first His kingdom and His righteousness we lose sight of the Savior.

I would be lying if I said that this wasn't painful.  A dozen or more relationships have been severed all at once in my life.  I have a great difficulty dealing with broken relationships let alone severed relationships of which I have no control over.  Yet in this my Savior has been with me.  I still meet here in the morning to read and write.  I still meet with Him in the evenings to read my Bible studies.  I still pray throughout the day.  Whether or not people call or text, my Savior is but a cry away from my heart.

There's several who have been keeping tabs on me.  Offering what they can in advice and other things. 

My heart will eventually heal and things will eventually change for the better.  Jesus is, after all, the promise keeper.  Always has been always will be.

What Satan's meant for evil God will turn for my good.  My Jesus has never failed and never will. 

Standing on the Promises of God.

In Christ we still have work to do.
We are to be active workers in His fields. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.

At some point in eternity I will understand why all this happened but for the moment I don't and it's ok.

My Dear Reader...it's ok.
It's ok if you don't understand either.
It's ok if you are just making it through today.  Jesus gets it.
It's ok.  Keeping our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of our faith is what we are to be doing.
Jesus has never stopped loving us even for a moment. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

All or a Pittance?

All or a Pittance?
by David Brenneman

Life Principle 4: The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.

If you're a Christian, Jesus Christ is the supervisor at your place of work—and He not only watches you from afar, He’s right there with you. You and I need to give a full day’s labor, regardless of whether we think management is fair. Jesus is ultimately the One we serve, and He’s always on site. You and I should do our very best because the Holy Spirit is present, equipping, and energizing us.

We make a terrible mistake by segmenting life. We may think that Monday through Friday we go to work, Saturday we play, and Sunday we worship. God has not designed life that way. If Jesus Christ is our Savior, we can’t exclude Him from any part of life. It isn’t right to teach a Sunday school class with everything we have, then meander into work the rest of the week—we must honor and glorify Him in everything we do. It eliminates the temptation of doing our work merely to be seen by men when we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Jesus (Matt. 6:24).

Do I mean that your mundane job is also the Lord’s work? Yes! Ministry is not just what you do at church. You worship God every day of the week—on Sunday, you do so in church; on Monday through Friday, you show your devotion to Him by doing a good job at work. Your exalted status as a child of God dignifies your labor, and your office or place of employment should be better off because you are there.

You serve the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 3:24). Do you have a good testimony in the marketplace for Him? Are you one of your company’s most faithful employees because you serve God? Does your attitude reflect the joy you have in considering Him the real CEO? If so, then you are truly getting the most out of your work.
- Life Principles Devotional, Dr. Charles Stanley.

It's been something that I had struggled with earlier on in my life.  Where did the Christians that I knew and grew up with get the idea that they were only to do what we'll call Christ-like things on a Sunday or a Wednesday evening?

To find this from Dr. Stanley is something that should really be addressed more often in Church. 

We have within all of us the heavy propensity to do what is right in our own eyes.  It's been a historical problem since Adam and Eve. 

I have seen other Christians, sometimes even in myself, do the my way or the highway at living life.

We don't fully apply the standards taught by the Spirit to all areas of our lives.  We want to keep things in our lives that Scripturally we know that the Word of God says is a snare, a trap.

We know that deep down these things we have been enjoying aren't glorifying God.

We have indeed been doing as the rest of the world in doing whatever is right in our own eyes.

We never read of the double lives of any of Christ’s Disciples.  We read nothing of them being taught that it's ok not to give their all to Jesus.

We have hymns that say "all to Jesus I surrender all to Him I freely give." The question is do Christians really believe that or do they put on a show for themselves as well as others including Jesus?

The days are drawing to a close before Jesus returns.  Every day the world finds a today is one day closer to that day set by the Father’s own authority...that day in which we give an account of our lives before Jesus.  All that had nothing to do with the work we were supposed to accomplish in Christ Jesus will be burned up. 

Sundays are a special time and place for corporate worship.  Perhaps even for specific special ministry, however our ministry is 24/7 365.  All of our lives belong to Christ Jesus for all He did to save us. 

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;  yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,  so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.  Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.  For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me." Philippians 1:21-30.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

"I Surrender All"
Author: Judson W. Van DeVenter (1896)

Do you live life as though Jesus were watching over you AND that what matters to Him matters to you? 

Are you living a dual life?  One lived for you and another when it suits you to live for Jesus?

There is no separation between living for Jesus and not.  The Scriptures teach us to honor God in everything we do, say or think.  

We are visiting this world after coming to Christ for salvation. 

We aren't permanent residents anymore. 

We represent Christ to this fallen world. 

What will you say to all that was your life being turned to ashes before Jesus? 

Really consider your days ahead and how you're living life and this folly of only giving Jesus a tiny portion of your days. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Come Jesus Come

Come Jesus Come
by David Brenneman

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." Revelation 22:12.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13.

"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.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.  Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;  and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;  and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;  and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter;  and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men  (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),  then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,  whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord.  But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;  forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.  These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.  For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.  For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:1-22.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.

What are we to be doing in life after coming to Christ?  There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for sure, but what comes next?  The living for Jesus.  The becoming a disciple of Christ Jesus.  To live life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  The letting go of the walking down the selfish road of our lives in favor of the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.

We are being trained in righteousness.  We are in the school of the Spirit of God.  We are never on a summer vacation from this.  We are not on a break from living life in Christ in any way other than to glorify Jesus.

So then...with all this in mind do you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?

Do you dedicate time in the Word of God daily?  If you were in school in this world there would be homework.  Why wouldn't there be in the Spiritual work of God in our spiritual lives?

Do you consider today as being the possible day that Jesus returns?

Jesus said it can be at any moment.  It will happen so fast that it will be in the twinkling of an eye. 

You believed Him in coming to Christ for salvation didn't you?  You believed the Word of God with regards to your need to be saved did you not?  Did you believe the rest of the Scriptures?

We believe that He was born of a virgin.  We believe He lived a sinless life.  We believe that He performed many convincing proofs that He indeed was the Son of God.  We believe that He took our punishment upon Himself and was cruelly crucified on the cross.  We believe that He arose from the dead 3 days later.  We believe that He appeared to the Disciples and over 500 people.  We believe that He ascended to the right hand of God the Father. 

So why aren't more people eagerly waiting for His promised return?  Why aren't there more who are driven to be more obedient in Christ?  More that will indeed love His appearing? 

Someone pointed out that indeed Christians are spiritual campers.  We aren't here to make a mansion on a hill for ourselves.  We are to more or less be minimalists and be about the Father’s business as Jesus passed that down for us to be doing after He ascended. 

Many people aren't receiving blessings from God because those who have it within their lives to be that blessing have kept it for themselves.  They spent it on their own selves.

How will that look when Jesus returns and sees that? 

It truly appears that there's many who claim the Name of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior who are not living as though today could be the day they face Jesus.

The same Jesus who blessed such people can remove such a blessing as well. 

We are not here for our own sake.  We are to grow in Christ.  We are in training as we read yesterday.  Learning the discipline of the Lord.  Learning what the Word of God says with respect to our lives.  We are to shine in this world with the light of Jesus Christ.  Not going out of our way to hide it.  Not trying do the bare minimum in obedience to God's Word.

We were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ...living life in full appreciation to Him for that life debt is what we're to be doing.

Do you groan within your heart for Jesus to return as if the separation is painful to you?  Or do you treat it as though He were some acquaintance you haven't seen in a while that perhaps you might run into?

In my heart of hearts my soul anxiously awaits my Savior's return.  For me His face will be the first I get to see with two perfect eyes.  I long for that embrace that tells me that I am loved by my Savior.  That the journey is over that indeed I've come home at last.  I long for that day when the surprise attacks of my sin nature are no more.  I long for to hear my Savior say that I am home.

"Come Jesus Come" is a song you can look up on YouTube.  Cece Winans sings it and you should listen to it often. 

Are you really ready to see Jesus today?  Are you really living with open hearts and open hands to those whom Jesus has put in your life or are you hoarding the blessings bestowed upon you?

If Jesus blessed you once don't you believe He can do it again?

Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 

Oh come Jesus come...

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

We're in Training

We're in Training 

by David Brenneman 

Life Principle 29: We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.

Adversity, anguish, trials, tribulations, and heartaches operate as lessons in the school of experience. They bring us to a place of new insight and understanding. They can alter our perceptions of the world, our views of God, and lead us to change our behaviors. The Lord, of course, is the ultimate Teacher. He’s the One to whom we must look for the meaning of any lesson related to adversity.

God allows adversity for at least three reasons:

1. To Get Our Attention

The Lord uses a wide variety of methods to gain our attention when necessary—and adversity is one of them. Don’t delay in responding to the Lord when He moves to get your attention. Respond quickly and humbly. Hear what He has to say to you.

2. For Examination

At times, God allows adversity to motivate us to self-examination. The winds of adversity blow away the surface issues and force us to cope with things on a deeper level. Nothing has the ability to drive us closer to God than tribulation. It removes the cloak of denial and reveals who we really are, as well as what we believe about God, His deity, and faithfulness.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians, “A man must examine himself” (1 Cor. 11:28). In other words, “Take a straight forward look inside and discover what’s driving, motivating, and enticing you.” If it’s anything but God, then it’s not right. He needs to be your motivating factor at every turn in life.

3. To Change Behavior

It isn’t enough that God desires to get our attention or encourage us to take a truthful look at our lives. We must also allow His Spirit to have free access to every area. Unless we change our response and behavior, we’ll never benefit from adversity or grow as a result of it. God provides a challenge, and we have an opportunity to obey or disobey Him. The choice is ours, and the consequences that come belong to us as well.

If you’re willing to allow God to surface the inner rubbish of your life—and if you’re willing to change what needs to be changed—you’ll emerge from adversity closer to Christ, more mature as His child, and with far greater potential to reflect the love of God to the world around you.

- Life Principle Devotional Dr. Charles Stanley 

If looked at from a different perspective we see that much of the Bible is written from the valley's of life of most writing them. A great deal of the book of Psalms is of what was going on in David's heart and life while under various trials and difficulties. 

Last night it wasn't too bad outside and I had completed my studies for the evening so I went outside for a short walk around our property. I was reminded of that day several years ago when our realtor and I had finished seeing this place. I remember the prayer that I prayed in the same spot I was standing last night. That if He wanted us living here, He would have to make it all happen. The next words that came out of my mouth at that time was that we would take it. 

Never could I have thought the days in which I find myself right now would be happening. I read something last night in a short video that said that there are those that God removes from your life for a reason. It wasn't you being removed from theirs. That was very painful but true. There's people there whom I really liked working with but for His reasons they were removed from my day-to-day life. 

Looking ahead there's something more for me to be doing somewhere else that them being in my life would cause me to miss. 

God's perspective isn't our perspective. We look at the cross for hope in salvation through Jesus Christ. When approaching the cross Jesus prayed that if it be possible that the Father would take that suffering away, but not His will but the Father’s be done. 

We see taking up our own cross as a singular burden. Jesus sees it as freedom for us.  

We see the Spirit having free reign of our lives as something to be nervous about. We get anxious about what He might ask us to do. 

The Spirit sees the workmanship of Christ Jesus in us and works in us to bring about more growth in Christ. 

Many people won't come to Christ for salvation because of the fears of the unknown concerning that one aspect of salvation...the unknown of what God might call them to do.  

I am not the same person I was even several months ago let alone years ago. The truth is neither are you. Jesus is never going to leave us as He found us. We are very much those who live in denial for most of our lives concerning how life really is to be lived. It can't possibly be what the Spirit is directing us towards because we can't see how it could possibly work. Then, the Spirit does what only God can do, and we find ourselves on the other side of what happened and maybe a little wiser for the situation.  

What God does allows, and take that completely to heart, ALLOWS to happen in our lives is always going to be for our good and His glory.  

Our understanding of the why's behind these things is inconsequential. It's unnecessary. Not required for our obedience. 

As Peter was told after Jesus reinstated him, you follow Me!

We also read that what Jesus wants is obedience not sacrifice. 

We can wallow in despair or we can keep moving. I for one know that I must keep moving. Proverbs 16:9 says that that the mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps. He can't direct feet that aren't moving. 

I can be intentional in my relationship with Jesus and He will keep His promise to take care of my life. So can you.  

You need to drop your excuses for not living a fully devoted life in Christ. I preached a sermon once asking the question are you a quitter? Have you quit trying to live your life your way?

Adversity is a part of proper discipline to change a behavior or activity. Without the types of things involved there would be no adversities in a training obstacle course.  

You were never meant to come to Christ and be a stick in the mud until you die. You were to grow up in all aspects of Jesus Christ. To be firmly rooted in Christ. To be a worker in His fields. It takes training in righteousness to accomplish His purpose in you and I. 

As a song says...it's time to lay our all on the altar of Jesus Christ. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Our Justice isn't God's

Our Justice isn't God's
by David Brenneman

"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:16-21.

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,  and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:26-27.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:38-42.

People today believe that justice is owed, that it should be in such a way that there's a sense of overwhelming satisfaction to the person or people demanding it.  Oftentimes at such a cost to whomever the offendee is that the repercussions go on for months, days or even years.

The problem with knee-jerk reactions is the consequences that have never entered the minds of those attempting to exact their form of justice.

The Bible, as we read in part going into this post, teaches quite a different way.

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." Matthew 5:22.

Our reactions in life as Believers shouldn't follow the world but rather as Christ-followers we are to mirror Christ.

There's evidence a plenty on various perceived outcomes when mercy is presented rather than retribution.  Some see hearts that implode and finally come to Christ for salvation, others don't see any changes at all.  Maybe not in that moment or ever.  However the Bible teaches that the Word of God never returns void.  That person upon whom mercy was bestowed might not be whom needed to see what mercy was but someone else nearby.  Ours isn't to doubt results when we don't know how far reaching the obedience we have in Christ is going to go.

We are never to determine who is or isn't worthy of forgiveness or who is or isn't worthy of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Those are the aspects of not judging that are not to be found in the hearts and minds of Believers.

Jesus also spoke to how many times we should forgive someone.  7 times? No, 70 times 7.  As many times as a person comes to us asking for forgiveness. 

How many times in our own lives have we repeatedly gone to Jesus asking for mercy and forgiveness for the same thing we keep doing over and over?  What if indeed Jesus didn't say that about forgiveness?  Perhaps most all of mankind would have been dead and gone by now as a result.

The best way to not let the sun go down on your anger is to take the situation to Jesus to deal with.  Get it out of your mind out of your hands. 

We all cannot ever consider every ramification of our thoughts on justice.  We have no capacity to understand every single outcome of our notions on what is the right thing to do in the heat of the moment when our anger burns brightest.

Jesus sees all, knows all, and always does what is right in the sight of His Father’s will.  Jesus will work out everything in accordance with His plans for both the individual and the plans of God for mankind.

In Proverbs 11:14 we read: "Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.".

Seek other Believers who are solid in the faith.  Pray for those who persecute you as the Bible says that you are to do.

You cannot pray with hope and maintain an angry disposition for very long.

I am not angry at those who have done to me what they did.  They foolishly believe they did what they did for their reasons.  I know what the Bible says.  God sets up rulers and He removes them.  My days are all in His hands.  My heart and theirs is laid bare before Him with whom we have to do.  He searches the hearts.  Jesus says to back off and do nothing then that's what I do.  In other sort of recent events Jesus said to not speak to those raging against us because He will deal with them.  So we remained silent and indeed Jesus is dealing with them.

We do not need instant justice.
We do not need to have our rights to anything ahead of a lost soul coming to Christ for salvation.

Jesus died for all people past, present and future.  Regardless of how evil they are, were or will be.  Even the Stalin's, Hitler's, Judas's and every generational Antichrist who has lived.  Including all those who are against each and every single Believer.

Pray for those who persecute you.

You may be the person who's prayers are what turns the tide in their lives and they find themselves giving in to their need to be saved.

You may be a seed planter.
You may be a person weeding the ground.
You may be a person watering a seed that's been there a while.

The Spirit causes the growth.

Remember that. 

Remember that we are not here for health, wealth and prosperity.  We are here, growing in Christ with respect to our salvation.  We are here as workers in His fields.  We aren't going to always have it all joy all the time.  Someone said Christians are only here camping and their real home is elsewhere in Heaven.

In His time, not ours, God always deals with those who come after His children.  In His way not ours, to His glory not ours.  He STILL isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved.   That is why you are to pray without ceasing for those who persecute you as well as everything else that comes to mind.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Praying for...Walking in

Praying for...Walking in.

by David Brenneman 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48.

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27-36.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Romans 12:14.

"He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out." Proverbs 10:9.

"As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever." Psalms 41:12.

"and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong." 1 Peter 3:16-17.

In our world in which we live, move, and have our being, we are those who want instant justice, instant gratification, instant peace, instant joy, instant well-being. 

The reality is much different from the truth that oh so many people deceive themselves into believing. 

It's not a well accepted thing these that we just read from the Bible. 

Many grow up with the concept of an eye-for-an-eye. To crave, to demand, justice and make an offending party pay for their crimes. 

People get stunned when forgiveness is mentioned rather than harsh judgment.  

Forgiveness doesn't sell in the headlines. Raging people sell in the headlines. People protesting vigorously make the headlines. 

People seeking stories of people who dole out vigilante justice and its received as heroism. 

But to forgive. To walk in integrity regardless of the opinions of others. To pray for those who have or are persecuting you. 

That's what we're told, what we are commanded, to do.  

It's rather hard to do if we're being honest yet the more it's done the easier it does get.

The real deal is getting out of God's way in dealing with those who persecute us. Regardless of any reason...Jesus died for everyone. He died and arose again in order to save people. All people. Including those who have done oh so much wrong in this world. 

And forgiveness does bring freedom. It really does. 

Where many still mess up is in forgetting. We are commanded to forgive no matter how many times a person asks us to. Part of our problem is we get to a point where it's too tempting to dish out some kind of judgment when it's not for us to do. 

We can forget in the sense that the pains associated with remembering are placed at the foot of the cross.

We often cross the line, however, and permanently attach forgiveness and forgetting. Whereas the person who should forgive no longer is.

We're to grow in Christ. Grow up in all aspects of Jesus Christ. To forgive as He did. To forget as He did. We so easily forget ourselves that when we came to Christ for salvation that He cast our sins as far as the east is from the west, doing what??? Remembering them no more. 

While we can be those seeking personal gratification at justice being served...we really should not.  

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out." Proverbs 24:17-20.

Pray for those who persecute you. 

Pray for those who mistreat you. 

It's where I certainly find myself these days. If I were to give in to self-righteousness in thought or deed things wouldn't go well. Bitterness would spring up and be most difficult to be rid of. 

By the Spirit I know of what to pray concerning those who did me wrong. That is what I shall do.

"As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And You set me in Your presence forever." Psalms 41:12.

This is entirely what Jesus meant by stating that we shouldn't judge. I do not have the right to condemn someone to Hell because of something they did to me. I should not pray for their destruction. As King David said of King Saul, far be it from him that he would stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed. Regardless of the opportunity or the intent there's always someone who would know...King David. 

My prayers have to be for salvation for those who did me wrong. Nothing less than what Jesus wants for them. My desires for these people must be what Jesus desires for these people if I am to exhibit the character of Christ in me. 

We are to live out life in the character of Christ. That's what we see in the Disciples turned Apostles. They were taught the character of Christ and walked in the character of Christ after the resurrection. 

Pray for those in your life who aren't treating you like you ought to be treated. The Scriptures warn of letting any root of bitterness taking hold in our lives. 

Want for people what Jesus wants for people. He's not willing that any should perish but that all might be saved. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org