Why are You Surprised or Confused?

Why are You Surprised or Confused?
by David Brenneman

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 4:7-19.

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

Why are these things happening?
What in the world is going on?
That person must be sick.
They're pure evil!
What possessed them to do such a thing!

Truthfully the man or woman of God, saved by Jesus Christ, sealed in the Spirit of God, shouldn't need to ask these types of questions.  With equal truth...they ought to be able to explain to those yet in the world what it really does mean.

Christian's who've never had the realities of a physical personal attack will struggle with it should it happen to them. 

The reality is what God says it is about this world.  Adam and Eve sinned, and sin is passed on to every single human being, and Satan's been doing whatever he can and has been permitted to do with regards to mankind. 

Demonic activities are going to be on the rise the closer we get to the Rapture of the Church.  The student of the Scriptures ought to be well versed in this.  We should not be surprised when attacks happen on US soil.  On the contrary we should be about the Father’s business and be ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

We as Christians should never be the ones to ask in any heartfelt disbelief as to why such evil deeds are occurring.  We should be like Nehemiah instructed the workers...one hand on a sword the other used to work with.

We are going to face persecutions. 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:18-21.

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

Need Jesus say more about it?

To take up our own cross and follow Him...look at what lead to Jesus's cross that He carried! 

As the Spirit allows things to happen in your world and mine...we need to do as the Scriptures teach.

Stand firm.  Put on and keep on the whole armor of God.  Rejoice when we're under attack by the Devil.  Resist him in the Lord and he will flee. Take up your own cross and follow Him. Let go of the things of this world that are holding you back in growing in Christ. Expect the ordeals you have been given to go through.  Stand on the promises of God.  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.

See this world through the eyes of the Spirit of God. 

Jesus is coming soon to fulfill His promise to bring us all who are saved to Himself. 

Be sure of your salvation in Christ and live each day as if today were the day you might meet Him face-to-face.  Strengthen one another in Christ. 

Don't let bitterness, wrath or anger get a foothold in your life.

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

Pray for those who persecute you.

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

Pray not just for those who persecute you but for those who persecute those of the household of God. 

My Dear Reader...we really really should be more aware of the schemes of the devil and the promises of God to combat such things. 

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 Will Your Life Say?

What Will Your Life Say?
by David Brenneman

A Living Sacrifice
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual service of worship" Romans 12:1.

    God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. In the Old Testament God gave detailed instructions for how His people were to give their offerings. He declared that these brought a "pleasing aroma" to Him (Leviticus 1:13, 17). When the Israelites gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own; it belonged entirely to God. God would accept only the best that people could give. It was an affront to Almighty God to offer Him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself met the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotIess Lamb. Only the death of His perfect Son worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind.
    Now, God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. Just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice once offered, cannot be reclaimed. We belong entirely to Him. We cannot make a partial sacrifice of our lives; our offering must be wholehearted.
    Therefore if you are a Christian, your life is not your own. Rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice.  Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service.  You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.  The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him.  Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Experiencing God Day-by-Day

How much of your life have you really put on the altar for God?
How much of your life does Jesus really have?
How much of your own cross are you really carrying?
How much compromise have you really allowed into your life to make your view of life easier and more enjoyable?
How many idols would Jesus point out to you that are in fact in your life?

Lots of questions but all of them can probably be reduced to yes or no answers or to a number.

We indeed can do what we read in Malachi about being people who've spent their income on themselves rather than allowing the blessings of God to flow through us to others.

We indeed can be greedy by redefining what greed is as the world has done.  Because we know their definition of it is much easier on the conscience than our own.

We indeed can misplace our love for Jesus and place it on things or other people or on groups of people and deny that it's the same thing.

Satan's schemes are laced and loaded to the hilt in deceptions that we fall for from the earliest of ages.

We are the same kinds of people that Jesus walked among over 2,000 years ago.

We are really no different other than  in our day and age people aren't wise enough or aren't willing to acknowledge the work of demons in our society.  Here we are 2025 and demons are everywhere doing evil on levels that stagger the imagination and nobody wants to acknowledge that's what is going on.   The spiritual war is still on-going.  Satan lost at the cross of calvary but he's not given up trying to keep people out of Heaven.

His best deceptions are just to keep Christian's from living out what Jesus said...and make them look forward to it.   He easily made Adam and Eve look forward to the 'fruits' of eating of the tree of knowledge.  

Our world has been in a global war since Adam and Eve.  It took the perfect sacrifice of God's own Son on the cross to satisfy the sacrifice needed to save people through the forgiveness of sins based on faith in Christ alone.

The Bema seat of Christ.

That which all Believer's will face after the Rapture of the Church.

Our lives in their entirety will be tested as by fire of truth.  Our thoughts, our intentions, our actions all gone through from the day we were accountable until either the day of death or of leaving the Earth at the Rapture.

Do you really really consider what that really means?

We have the choice in the here and now to live a life approved by God in Christ Jesus.  We have the choice in the here and now to effect changes to show to whom we belong.  We have the choice in this here this now to live as lights in this world. 

We also have the choice to hide that light to which we were entrusted to let the world see.

You see, my Dear Reader, when we hide that light out of fear of others or fear of what God might have us do we let fear win and it's not just us that suffers loss but so does the world.  Our light was meant to shine before men so that people might see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

We read from Jesus too that we were entrusted with gifts from the Spirit of God to be used in service to God.  Have you thought about yours?  Have you been figuring out what they are?  Have you been faithful to use what you were given?

Jesus is coming soon.  Soon what was our life in this world will be literally set in stone.  Unchangeable.

Jesus wants to tell each and every Believer "well done!" but will He concerning you?  We read that many will watch the sum of their lives go up in smoke and the only thing will be that while yes they were saved they had NOTHING to give back to Jesus in appreciation for all He did on the cross to save them.  NOTHING.

Good works are not enough.

Both the Believer's and the unknown to themselves unbelieving will all have done good works.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  THAT is the game-changer.

That is what makes one a sheep in the folds of the Great Shepherd.

Going about your day or days without any conversations with Jesus should scare the life out of you. 

Going about your day or days without any thought that you might have missed reading your Bible ought to disturb you to no end.

Going about your day or days with no compassion towards others and whether or not they are heading for Heaven or Hell ought to both your heart as it bother's the heart of God.

Wake up.  Jesus is at the door of Heaven.  All it will take is Him taking 1 step out to call His Bride the Church to come and that's it for all Believer's lives, the good, the bad and the ugly of them all.   That's it for all who were on the fence about coming to Christ.  The next 7 years of literally Hell on earth are what's next.  Grand deceptions by a world leader, all the judgements of God poured out on the Earth. 

Jesus is coming...what will your life say of how you lived for Him?

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

My Father's World...and Will be Again

My Father's World...and Will be Again

by David Brenneman 

1 This is my Father's world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas--

His hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father's world:

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father's world:

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let earth be glad!

- "This is My Father's World" - Maltbie D. Babcock 1901

Woke up to this playing in my mind and after reading my Bible this morning and the selections of the plan that I'm using...it's appropriate.

To many in this world, especially if you actually believe what you see on the news outlets...this world is going to hell in a handbasket. Yet wait...there's more.  

This world has yet to see the kind of hell in a handbasket that's coming.  

Our world in which we live was designed and created by God and was originally intent to be humanity's abode while they lived in harmony with their creator.  

Satan introduced sin and that handbasket has gotten bigger each day, week, month, year, decade, century.  

But there is good news! Jesus is indeed coming back to deal with sin's issues. Bible prophecy is replete with telling us that it will be so. While the attacks on Christianity are on the rise, this too has been expected. The world governments are all about "peace and safety!" while all the while they are behind the wars and rumors of wars that the Bible also said we'd know about.  

Jesus is coming soon and will be taking His Bride, the Church from this world and then those who are left are going to know what devistation is all about on a global scale. Combined, WWI and WWII and every war since will look like it was a playground brawl.

The warnings are all there for all to see. Jesus said that when you see these things coming, get ready.   

Well...we see them coming...they are here. 7 years of tribulation have been determined by the Scriptures. A time of such troubles upon the world that had it not been shortened nobody would survive it. Think long and hard about that outcome. Currently there's more than 8 billion people on this planet. Had God not been merciful with that tribulation time none of the 8 plus billion people would survive it. Minus the population that are His Church that is. The Church of God will not be here during that time period.  

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or is He no more than the 'man upstairs' to you? Are you in a relationship with Him? That's the differentiator to all between those who are saved and those who are not really and only thought so. You can't come to Christ and then not become involved with a Bible preaching, Bible believing Church. You need to be fed spiritually. Coming to Christ is but the beginning. A relationship with Him must follow. Growing in Christ is a necessity.  

Remember what the Scriptures said...Jesus Himself said after He separates His sheep from those who are not...both actually claimed belief. Only His sheep had a relationship with Him.

This is my Father's world...my Father who's in Heaven. When He says so, Jesus will step out of Heaven once more to reclaim His Church. That sets everything in motion that will not be stopped until 7 yeare are done, and all judgements for that time are completed. Then Jesus Himself will rule and reign in Jerusalem across the whole world. For a thousand years it will be that way. No wars. No diseases. Yet...even in the perfectness of His rule...in that thousand years mankind will fester a resentment that, once he's released, Satan will take advantage of and try to go to war against the Lord Most High and Jesus won't lift a finger. He will speak a word and the battle will be over.

That's what's coming...to my Father's world. He said it in the Scriptures and it will come to pass.

Knowing that you are truly saved is crucial to your eternity and where it will be spent.

If you are indeed saved...does the world even know you are?

If you are not saved...what's been keeping you? Fears of what might become of you? What's to fear? Jesus has your best life planned for you and not one of fear. But you have to invite Him in to be the forgiver of your sins and to be the Leader of your life.

Who can be saved? Everyone who breathes the breath of life. Matters not what corner of the globe you are at Jesus will come to you and be your Savior and Lord. He will begin a relationship with you. It does not matter if you are in prison or on death row. Does not matter if you're in kindergarten through high school, college or in any profession. Jesus will meet you where you are.

What does it take?

"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.

That's all it takes. Salvation is simple enough for a child to understand it.  

As another great hymn says "trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus...but to trust and obey".

This is my Father's World and soon the unrightful ruler of it will be usurped. Jesus is coming back...people get ready. I'm ready for the shout that will take the Church of God out of this world...are 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 

How Full a Sacrifice is Your Life?

How Full a Sacrifice is Your Life?
by David Brenneman

A Living Sacrifice
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual service of worship" Romans 12:1.

    God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. In the Old Testament God gave detailed instructions for how His people were to give their offerings. He declared that these brought a "pleasing aroma" to Him (Leviticus 1:13, 17). When the Israelites gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own; it belonged entirely to God. God would accept only the best that people could give. It was an affront to Almighty God to offer Him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself met the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotIess Lamb. Only the death of His perfect Son worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind.
    Now, God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. Just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice once offered, cannot be reclaimed. We belong entirely to Him. We cannot make a partial sacrifice of our lives; our offering must be wholehearted.
    Therefore if you are a Christian, your life is not your own. Rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice.  Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service.  You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.  The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him.  Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Experiencing God Day-by-Day

The question should arise now in your life rather than 1 second after you die.   The question should arise now in your life rather than 1 second after the Rapture of the Church.

What is this question?

Was my all on the altar or was what I thought was there? 

We read in the end of 1st John Chapter 5 that John's warning was to the readers about idolatry. 

We live in a world that hides idolatry in plain sight.  Candy coated, fluff inspired, balloons attached, everything that might grab our attention and get us to call it anything but what it is.

We unknowningly give in because we don't stop to ask God if it is what it might be.   We unknowingly give in because we are taught ahead of time that it's nothing to worry about.  That's our sin nature and the sin nature of others.  "Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain!"...a popular quote from a very popular movie.

When our passion is re-directed we should be concerned.  When we let the worlds flow "I just love that..." and we go on and on about it...we should be wary.  

When our time is consumed with it and not in learning more about how to be effective stewards of what we were given in Christ at coming to Christ...we should be conerned to the point of putting the brakes on.

Is our all really on the altar? 
Are we really and truly taking up our own cross to follow Jesus?

Is our pride in the way?
Is our desires for things of this world in the way?
Is the approval of others more important than our once had desire to be found approved by God?

Do we relate to the Psalmist who wrote that they USED to lead people into the House of God?

Do you guard your heart and mind against false teaching?  Would you know if you were being mislead by false teachers?  Would you even recognize false teachers?  Do you even know what a false teacher IS?

The battlefield is our mind.  Satan cannot inhabit the lives of any who are sealed in Christ.  All Believers have a mark upon them from the Spirit upon coming to Christ.  ANY who are not in Christ, are not saved by the blood of Christ, can be inhabited by Satan if the Spirit isn't already at work there in a profound way.  No matter what Satan wants to do he HAS to obey the will of the Spirit of God in the affairs of mankind.

Are you taking this spiritual battle seriously?  Or are you just trying to get by, or are you trying to not think about it?  Are you just so distrubed by it that you don't want to consider it as being real?  That you'd rather talk about anything else but this battle? 

If you should be privey to the behind the scenes of a true battle in this world, frivalous conversations are prohibited.  Staying on task is the difference between life and death for possibly thousands.

Is your all on the altar?

Your life is to be a living sacrifice unto the Lord.  Is the whole thing on the altar or only what parts you feel comfortable with Him having?

In the Garden of Gethsemene Jesus prayed 3 times to the Father that if it be possible let that hour pass from Him.  The response was that it was His hour to go through.  It was time.  What if Jesus hadn't put His all on the altar?  What if He didn't follow His own teachings on taking up our own cross to follow Him? 

Yes it's going to mean letting go of things in our lives.  Yes it's going to mean not pursuing things we have been.  Yes it's going to mean a purge of things.  It's going to mean acknowledging what the Bible says is idolatry in all it's ugliness and giving our ALL.

We CANNOT love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, mind, soul and strength if we aren't giving our all.

We cannot if we are more excited about what this world is offering than what we have in Him. 

We fool ourselves if we say that we are involved in what we are in order to attract people for Jesus.   How does showing people that we are no different than them in our misplaced loyalty and devotion going to show them we're different?

The order of the Ten Commandmants is how we get the passage I just quoted. 

First is you shall have no other gods before me.  Satan loves to set up this world to introduce new 'gods' to entice Believers away from living the Godly life that He desires for us.
Second is make no graven images.  We make 'merch' and other things that we use to embrace idolatry all the time.

Those are just the first 2.  Think about your life and ask yourself...is Jesus getting ALL of you or only what you're willing to let Him have a few times a week?   What we do during the week is to be done as unto the Lord.  Colossians 3.  

How much of your life is on the altar?  Think about it hard...it's probably not near as much as you think is there.  The Spirit will keep trying to show you what needs to go but you have to be the one to put it out of your life.

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

Not This Way

Not This Way

by David Brenneman 

"and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;" Acts 16:7.

    What a strange thing for the Lord to prohibit, for they were going into Bithynia to do Christ's work! And the door was shut before them by Christ's own Spirit.

    There have been times when I have experienced the same thing.

Sometimes I have been interrupted in what seemed to be quite productive work. And at times, opposition came and forced me to go back, or sickness came and forced me to rest in some isolated place.

    During such times, it was difficult for me to leave my work unfinished when I believed it was service done in the power of His Spirit. But I finally remembered that the Spirit requires not only a service of work but also a service of waiting. I came to see that in the kingdom of Christ, there are not only times for action but times to refrain from action. And I also came to learn that a place of isolation is often the most useful place of all in this diverse world. Its harvest is more rich than the seasons when the corn and wine were the most abundant. So I have learned to thank the blessed Holy Spirit that many a beautiful Bithynia had to be left without

a visit from me.

    Dear Holy Spirit, my desire is still to be led by You. Nevertheless, my

opportunities for usefulness seem to be disappointed, for today the door appears open into a life of service for You but tomorrow it closes before me just as I am about to enter. 'Teach me to see another door even in the midst of the inaction of this time. Help me to find, even in the area of service

where You have closed a door, a new entrance into Your service. Inspire me with the knowledge that a person may sometimes be called to serve by doing nothing, by staying still, or by waiting. And when I remember the

power of Your "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12), I will not complain that sometimes the Spirit allows me not to go. George Matheson 

When I cannot understand my Father's leading,

And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,

Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading, 

God is working, God is faithful, only wait.  

Streams in the Desert 

Perhaps you too have experienced this. I know that I have. I had thought things were going a certain way, all seemed good, then all the sudden God changed the direction of life. The life I was living I had thought was going to go on for many years more but alas it wasn't to be.  

In the midst of my waiting on the Lord other things came to be that likely wouldn't have been done the same as with my being in the right place and right time to do them for others.

In the midst of my waiting on the Lord physically things came up that would have been more than a bit stressful had i been also working full time at the time.  

in the midst of waiting on the Lord we aren't to just stand idle, there is always something for us to be doing in order to not become lazy.

There is a time to rest and a time to work. Rest time is often what most look forward to over the work time.

Some take to daydreaming while working of what they might do or wish to do when not working.  

Focus on the task at hand is the most prudent advice. In Colossians 3 we are told to do whatever we do as unto the Lord for it is the Lord whom we serve.  

Generations now have been spending countless billions of dollars on selfish desires that honestly ended up in a landfill somewhere. All the while the needy of this world continue to be in need.

Excitement for all the wrong things is taught at an early age and we wonder why the grown up life is never fulfilling.

We take our eyes off the Lord when waiting and then wrong decisions are made.

Look to see if these changes in plans are for our benefit or the benefit of others because we don't know the whole picture. We don't know what the Lord knows of a need that we are the adequate one to help fulfill. When we acknowledge that our life is not ours that we were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ, it should change our perspectives on living life.

The Spirit changes the directions of lives in order to fulfill the plan and purpose of God in the lives of people. First and foremost of that is the desire than nobody perish but that all come to the knowledge of salvation in Jesus Christ alone.  

While our plans might not be what we desire them to be...the point of our lives ought to yet still be "Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven" and or "Not my will but yours be done".

We may not like nor understand but we must trust the one whom we entrusted our very soul to for salvation.

Are you in 'limbo'? Don't look for earthly things to fill that limbo. Seek the Lord in prayer. Find out through your much needed heart-to-heart conversations with Him what might be understood by you.  

We who are in Christ are only here still for two purposes. To grow in Christ, to be a light to those who aren't in Christ yet that they too might find what we have. Everything that the world says is important has nothing to do with that. The purpose of how the world does things is to keep Believers from fulfilling their calling in Christ. It's how Satan's crafted this world.  

Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Life might not make sense because of what God had allowed but that should only make us trust Him more.  

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Be On The Alert, You Ready?

Be On The Alert, You Ready?

by David Brenneman 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13.

Date setting by many has been a scheme of the devil for centuries.  

Matters are made worse by the prolific influx of AI generated miss-information and so-called preachers and influencers trying to make a mockary of the Word of God. They do this in order to dissuade people from coming to Christ or also to just get people to weaken their position on the things of God. Making things 'not that important' to daily life.

Another such way is to get whole generations to re-define what's an idol and what isn't. This isn't a new topic to anyone who's read these posts. It's serious business with God. To think otherwise is to invite ruin to your life.

The Apostles, when writing the New Testament were obeying the words of Jesus we read this morning. They were teaching their churches and congregations to be ready. Life life in such a way that people know that you are eager and waiting to see your Lord and Savior. Many professing Christians in today's world don't live out their faith. They don't want to lose the 'friends' they have or don't want to appear that they don't 'belong'. They are more afraid of offending people than they are of offending the God whom they claim to serve and belong to.

What of you? Which of these subjects to the King are you?

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

We're going to be either one of the one's who did something with what we were given by the Spirit or we are going to be one of those who didn't. I don't think in the context of this passage it's referring to the resulting spiritual gifts but it's referring to salvation. A new life was coming that was unexpected when they obeyed their king. All was lost for the 1 who didn't do anything with what he had been entrusted.

We're all given a measure of faith that's more than adequate to come to Christ for salvation. Yet another reason why everyone will be without excuse. Everyone will answer as to why they didn't take this free gift from God for them that was born of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

For those of us who are Christians.

When you look at your wardrobe or around your home or at your possessions at large...is God glorified by what you have accumulated? Have you indeed taken what belongs to God and given it to the dogs as it's written in Matthew 7:6? Have you joined in with the world aka Satan's world and taken your passion for the things of God and given it to hobbies, people, sports, etc?

It's a real danger in a world of plenty. To give what joy, happiness, etc. that ought to be given to Jesus in thankfulness and give it to things etc.

The world has redefined what worship is but God's Word tells us it's what's owed only to one...Jesus Christ. People worship their children by always only catering to them and neglecting their walk with God. People worship their sports and know more about them, are more passionate about them, are more offended by 'their' team than they are of those who offend our Holy God.  

By far this isn't a singular slam on sports or hobbies or family. There's a place for those things in the lives of Believers but in all things Jesus should be first place. There should be no mistaking who has first place in your life. If people see you all dressed up do they know you are a child of God? When they hear you speak do they know you are a child of God?  

Are you ready, really ready, as Jesus commanded you to be?

Are you withholding blessing others for various unselfish reasons that you deny exist? Have YOU decided that someone you know in need isn't worthy of any further help because you have already helped them before? Isn't that you sitting in judgement against such people?

God's blessings are to flow through us, they shouldn't stop with us just because we feel more safe and secure in the having of them.

I've known churches that will only help an individual or family one time every so many years. This isn't Biblicaly correct to do.

The Bible says that he who knows the right thing to do and does not do it...sins.

If we see a brother in need...we are to help them.

These kinds of things re-shape our attitude about being ready for Jesus.  

We ARE going to give an account of our lives before Jesus...all the useless things we filled our lives with that have nothing at all to do with growing in Christ or of furthering His kingdom...will be burned up. All our time spent wasted is burned up.  

Take stock of your life today.  

Take a good look at who's really getting the worship in your life.  

Romans 12:1 says "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual service of worship."

"But what do I do with all the things that I have that did take my eyes off Jesus?"  

Easy. My personal route is to toss them in the trash. I don't want them to become a snare for someone else. I don't care how much it cost me. We shouldn't hand our stumbling stones to someone else to stumble over.

Would Jesus say that you were taking up your own cross to follow Him? I ask this of myself as well.

Forget setting a date and run from those who do. However, follow the orders of the King of Kings AND BE 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

A Whole Life

A Whole Life

by David Brenneman 

A Living Sacrifice

"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual service of worship" Romans 12:1.

    God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. In the Old Testament God gave detailed instructions for how His people were to give their offerings. He declared that these brought a "pleasing aroma" to Him (Leviticus 1:13, 17). When the Israelites gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own; it belonged entirely to God. God would accept only the best that people could give. It was an affront to Almighty God to offer Him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself met the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotIess Lamb. Only the death of His perfect Son worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind.

    Now, God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. Just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice once offered, cannot be reclaimed. We belong entirely to Him. We cannot make a partial sacrifice of our lives; our offering must be wholehearted.

    Therefore if you are a Christian, your life is not your own. Rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice. Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service. You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources. The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him. Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Experiencing God Day-by-Day 

How much of your life is really a sacrifice unto God? Have You ever thought about that?

How much of it HAVE you offered each day to God? Is it your ALL that's on the altar?  

Before you jump to answer with a 'yes' to that...think about it. How often are your thoughts on things they shouldn't be? How often are your actions not what they ought to be? How often have you had it within your means to help another Believer and withheld your hand instead? How often have you taken time for things of this world that do absolutely nothing for your growing in Christ and put that ahead of time you could have spent with Jesus? How's that prayer life going? How's that time in your Bible going?

It's not as wholely on the altar as you first thought is it? Hey I'm looking in the mirror as well on this one. Is Jesus getting our everything or just what's convenient at the time? Are we loving others as He loves us? Are we intentional about our lives in service to the One who gave everything for us?

A time to reflect right now probably would be a good thing. 

A time to think about how you've let so much of the world into your life and never gave it a second thought. Probably, much as I can say something similar, that those who came before me said, taught, or implied that those things are ok. That God will 'understand'.  

Jesus said if we are to follow Him we are to take up our own cross and follow Him.

It doesn't take much to look at pictures of the types of crosses that Jesus is talking about.  

I know I cannot carry anything else if THAT is what I'm to be carrying.  

My Dear Reader...the Spirit is to teach us all things in how to live for Jesus. It's on us to soak that up, take it all in, and live it out. What are you doing to be intentional about loving others? What has taken up your time that ought to be given to Jesus for your study of His ways and to live as He wants of you?

It may mean giving up your hobbies. Giving up your recreational whatever. For some it may mean giving up streaming/gaming/television/sports or a host of things. In all reality is ANYTHING we have made a part of our lives...really as valuable as Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for our sins?

It's not to say we cannot enjoy aspects of this world. We just should never ever put them ahead of our life in Christ. They shouldn't be described as things we 'love'. "Love not the world nor the things of the world" is what the Scriptures say. The things we hold so dear to are destined to be given over to moth and rust and will be destroyed.   

Take time to take stock of what's in your hands. Is it your cross or a bunch of other things?

Our lives are to be lived as a sacrifice...so is Jesus getting a whole sacrifice from us or not?

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

Oh Come Quickly Lord Jesus

Oh Come Quickly Lord Jesus 

by David Brenneman 

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, oh-ooh

(And all will believe)

And all will believe in the power of His name

Come, Jesus, come (come, Jesus, come)

We've been waiting so long (yes, we have)

For the day You return (waiting on Your return)

To heal every hurt and right every wrong (oh, we're waiting on You, stop, achive it)

(Hallelu-) we need You right now (for we need You right now)

Come and turn this around (somebody need You, please come)

Deep down I know this world isn't home (I know Lord, You can do it, so we give it to You)

Come, Jesus, come (we've been waiting for long time, Jesus)

Come, Jesus, come (come on, Jesus, hallelu-)

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

Oh, there's no need to wait

(Your past will be washed) ay, yeah-yeah

It will be washed by rivers of grace

Come, Jesus, come (come, Jesus, come)

Come on, Jesus (we've been waiting so long)

We've been waiting so long

For the day You return (You return)

To heal every hurt and right every wrong (somebody pick up, stay long)

(If you don't stay long)

We need You right now (we need You, yes, we need You)

Come and turn this around (Lord, we're asking, we're asking, in the name of Jesus)

Deep down I know this world isn't home (do it, do it, God, do it, do it, Lord)

(Do it, God, Lord Jesus) come, Jesus, come (do it, God, Lord Jesus, right now)

Come, Jesus, come (it already done), yeah (can you believe God?)

Come, Jesus, come (and it's that God, Jesus), Jesus

(Jesus, Jesus) yeah, yeah-yeah

Come, Jesus, come

It already done (yes, it is, yes, it is, yes, it is) (glory be to God)

Glory, glory, glory

Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come" 2024.

This song says oh so much that for the longest time my heart couldn't put into words. 

We are indeed to pray for the hastening of the Lord Jesus Christ to come.  

We read of the warnings of how people will be...and so they are today. 

We read of what's coming out of the United Nations meetings this week. That which is also spoken of in the Scriptures. 

"Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Jesus said to be on the alert. Are you? Are you paying attention to the events happening in today's world? Or are you trying to keep your head in the sand?

What is coming has been preordained since before the world was. Jesus said it would be coming and I believe it's closer than ever.  

No this isn't date setting. This is the facts of the return of Jesus Christ. He made mention of what things would be like. Have you been looking for them? They HAVE been happening.  

How's your prayer life? How's your relationship with Jesus Christ going?  

How's your spiritual eyesight?

Will He find you waiting for Him or will He find you surprised to see Him?

Will you be leaving with Jesus or will you be left behind? I encourage you to look at both of the last two posts that precede this one.  

Whether or not you see what's happening in our world it's happening. This world is ripe for the Tribulation to happen.

It's ripe for Jesus to call and receive His own to Himself. Oh what a glorious day that will be!

We still have work to be done until then. As Nehemiah ordered the people so should we be. One hand working the other holding their weapon. We who are in Christ will face persecutions. Perhaps you have seen more than a few yourself or if you look beyond the mainstream media you'll see it happening across the world. 

Jesus is coming soon we'll be going home...People get ready, Jesus is coming, coming to take us home...

Oh I am so ready for that shout that will take us out!

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

Better Be Ready

Better Be Ready 

by David Brenneman 

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 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." Matthew 24:32-51.

"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." Straight from Jesus and as Mike Wingfield has said in an earlier newsletter...I too believe that Jesus is standing at the door of Heaven. 

The nations saying and doing what they are going to be doing towards Israel and forced 2 state option to create a Palestine...oh how I am waiting for the shout that calls us out!

We aren't to be sitting here waiting for Him just as the Scriptures we just read also say. We are to be busy about the Father’s business. Telling others about Jesus. Living lives in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

That's what Believers ought to be doing. Face-to-face is what we are on the verge of being with Jesus. Face-to-face, up close and personal. Are you ready for that day? Are you living out your life as one who's growing in Christ?

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face- what will it be

When with rapture I behold him,

Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face I shall behold him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by.

2 Only faintly now I see him

With the darkened veil between,

But a blessed day is coming

When his glory shall be seen.

Face to face I shall behold him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by.

3 What rejoicing in his presence,

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face I shall behold him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by.

4 Face to face- oh, blissful moment!

Face to face- to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so. 

Face to face I shall behold him,

Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all his glory,

I shall see him by and by.

Face to Face - 1898 Carrie Ellis Breck.

My mind is always more often than not in more than one place at a time. Realizing the writing on the wall that's getting bolder with each step we take towards it...that it proclaims that Jesus, my Jesus, hopefully your Jesus is coming soon!  

Be in His Word. Be in prayer. Be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you. Don't fret about what you will say for the Spirit will help you. 

Oh Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

The Writing is for All that is On the Wall

The Writing is for All that is On the Wall
by David Brenneman

My Dear Reader...this is but isn't a continuation of yesterday's post.  The events in the Middle East are getting clearer and clearer.  As more of the world falls prey to what's being pushed, we are sliding into the pre-Tribulation events that occur before Jesus comes to take His Church, past and present, from this world.  It's a certified, God-given, guarantee that Jesus is GOING to be coming back.  The Great Tribulation we read so much about in the book of Revelation is GOING to happen.  More parts are found in Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel and other places. But the fact of the matter is:  Jesus IS going to keep His promise and will be returning.  For those who are Believers...if you count on His blessings day by day.  If you count on Jesus keeping His promises to you day by day...then you SHOULD be living like today could be THAT day He returns.

"The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’  And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?  An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away." Matthew 16:1-4.

Are you at all aware of the signs of the times?  Jesus's rebuke was clear to the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The evil that's rising in this world right now isn't by coincidence.  Assassinations happen and we have people celebrating rather than reflecting.  We have those who tell truth getting 'cancelled'.  Made to feel inferior.  We have wholesale celebrations on death and watch a world curse those who want to preserve life.  We are certainly seeing evil such as was found in the days of Noah.

I had highly suspected that the disintigration of Hollywood would be a precurser to the Great Tribulation too and in all reality we're not that far from that happening. 

Even permiating the so-called Church are ideals that are not found in the Scriptures other than the Scripture's statements that these are signs of false teachings in the Church to be wary of.

I am almost completely through reading through the New Testament in a way I'd never envisioned doing.  I am reading 4 study Bibles by men I respect and or admire.  John MacArther, David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley and Alistair Begg.  This particular time through the New Testament I have only now caught sight of how often and how imperitive it was to live as though THAT day of Jesus returning were going to happen on any given day...even back then.

DO you know for sure you are saved?  Right NOW is the only time that it can be remedied.  After Jesus comes the world is going to sink into a form of evil that for certain hasn't been seen since before the Genesis Flood.  Add to this the judgements of God will be falling upon the Earth.

Jesus is coming...and my heart races at the thought.  My fond desire to finally see for the first time with two good eyes...and what I will behold first is the face of my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Tonight I started into 1st John.  Chapter 1 only.  In it is only 10 verses but oh what those verses say.

ARE there fruits showing in your life of a life found in Christ?  The Scriptures say that He is the vine we are the branches.  If we are in Christ we will bear much fruit.   If we're more worried about what others say and think than we we are of offending God...we have a significant problem.  

Jesus separates those who are His sheep from those who are not.  As mentioned in another post...both parties lay claim to having done much in Jesus's Name.  Only the sheep had a relationship with Jesus and the others did not. 

DO you have a real right relationship with Jesus?  Would He call you friend?  Would He tell you to depart for He never knew you?  That's the reality of the judgements to come. 

A Believer has their name written down in the Lamb's book of Life.  Only those who's names are written there are going to spend eternity with Jesus.  EVERYONE who's name is NOT found there...will spend it in the Lake of Fire for all eternity.  That's how important it is to know for sure that you have a true right relationship with Jesus and that He's more than just 'your buddy' or 'the big guy upstairs'.

I've had some really dark dark times in my life where I did dispair of life itself.  I had a gun in my lap and was ready to end it all.  I know what a depression that deep is like.  I know what that degree of hoplessness looks like.  Yet in that moment...my Savior reached down and pulled me out of it.  I had 3 choices...go on living in that dark despair...give up and take my life...or...finally and fully surrender to whatever Jesus would do or could do with whatever was left of my life.  Door #3 was the absolute best choice ever.  I had come to Christ way back earlier in life but hadn't been living it.  I grew up in the church. Family helped build it.  Came to Christ there...but there was no real follow up by anyone to make sure I was growing in Christ like I ought to have been.  At a point I thought things were finally looking up...the vision that later I understood was this blog was shown to me.  I ran ahead of God, and didn't realize I had left Jesus behind rather than waiting on Him to teach me and lead me to the point I was ready for it.  I also knew way back when that my generation would see the return of Jesus Christ.

It doesn't matter if you grew up in the church.  That can't and won't save you.  It means nothing.
It doesn't matter who you knew in church.  That can't and won't save you.  It means nothing.
It doesn't matter how good being in church feels to you.  That can't and won't save you.  It means nothing.

You have to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation...in what He did on a cross almost 2,000 years ago to save you. His sinless life, His death, His burial, and His resurrection.  Nothing else cuts it.

"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.

Open your eyes to what's going on in your life.  Get serious about yourself and where YOU are going to spend eternity.

If you ARE saved...are you living it out or are you hiding it?

Time is oh so short.

While there is still time, do not delay.

Realize that which the Scriptures say:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23.

"For God demonstrates His own love for towards us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" Romans 5:8.

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" Romans 10:9-10.

"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" Romans 10:13.

Oh Jesus come quickly.  Is that the cry of your heart?  It sure is of mine.

The writing is on the wall...time is running out.

I eagerly await the shout that will take us out!

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

The Writing is on the Wall

The Writing is on the Wall 

by David Brenneman 

"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. 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 3:1-18.

“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." Matthew 24:36-51.

"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.

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

Add: Matthew 8, 13, 22 and 24, Mark 9, and Luke 13 to your reading. 

There's much going on in the world these days. Sides are being taken in the affairs of the Middle East. An attempt is on the agenda to force a two state solution to what is going on there.  

As many of you know Jesus is going to come back when people least expect Him to come.

My opinion is that indeed His return is coming sooner than later. Will ot be in the next days, weeks or few months? Only Jesus and the Father knows as well as the Spirit of God. 

Are we living lives ready to step into eternity? Are we living a life approved by God? My own life has had its pitfalls and times where I know Jesus pulled me out of the darkest of pits all because I am a child of God. My sin nature tries to introduce worry and doubts but the Spirit says that I belong to Christ.

Are you among those who aren't mocking yet you aren't believing it can be any day now?

Are you not looking at the signs of the times? Jesus brought that up. He rebuked them because they knew more about the weather than the signs from God that were all around them.

The writing is on the wall...the signs of the times point to Jesus coming back soon. Oh my Dear Reader please be ready for that glorious day!

Our Savior is coming soon. What a wondrous thought. 

In a moment in the twinkling of an eye...we will be forever with Jesus!

In the 260 chapters of the New Testament...over 300 references exist pointing to the return of Jesus. 

We read in the letters to Timothy of how people were going to be when Jesus returns. We have those kinds of people here now beyond measure.  

The writing is on the wall.  

Are you ready? Before we blink we will be with Jesus forever if indeed our salvation is in Him alone. 

"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.

Personal goodness, good deeds beyond measure are rubbish without salvation in Christ Jesus alone. 

I say Amen to Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come". We've been waiting so long.

We are to live approved lives in Christ. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

He left to prepare a place for us and if He left it certainly means He will return to receive us to Himself. 

Come Jesus Come...we await the shout that will take us out!

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 

Exposed Then and Now, Get Ready

Exposed Then and Now, Get Ready

by David Brenneman 

"Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’ You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” Matthew 23:1-39.

Paul, Peter, the unknown writer of Hebrews...the message is clearly there on top of what Jesus Himself said here. Beware of all false prophets and false teachers. In our day it's more appropriate to word this as false Pastors and false Teachers. There are a great many all over the world. Teaching things in classrooms and from the pulpit that ought not be taught to anyone. Literally they preach and teach the doctrines of demons that again the Scriptures warn us about. 

It's perforated our society from the greatest to the least of people. 

Liberalism has a great deal to do with this infection of the Church. Appeasing people rather than teaching the obedience of our Creator and Lord Jesus Christ.  

I have this saying on a shirt. 

I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God.  

Most in this world are not going to Heaven out of their rejection of salvation alone through grace alone in Jesus Christ alone.

This isn't speculation or conjecture. The Rapture of the Church could happen at any moment, at any time. My thoughts on that are irrelevant since that's what the Bible teaches. We are to be ready for it to happen. The writers of the New Testament were ready for it 2,000 years ago and taught future generations to expect the same. To be ready. 

To stand firm in the Lord. Stand firm in His truth no matter what the world thinks about it. 

Our world teaches a false hope in mankind's ability to save mankind.  

Our world teaches that there's many ways to a better existence after we die, beit Heaven or Paradise or whatever their favorite thought about it is.

Jesus says that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.  

Jesus is the only way, not one of many ways. 

The Word of God isn't to be edited and twisted to appease the conscience of sinful people. There's an explicit list of those who are NOT going to see Heaven. It's non-negotiable. Preaching otherwise proves that the preacher is a false preacher. Not sent by the Spirit of God to lead and teach. 

Jesus Christ said that not one part of the Bible will pass away but all will be accomplished. The good intentions and warm feelings being taught will get nobody into Heaven. 

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21.

"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." Ephesians 5:5.

How relevant is this? Read on...

This is very much today's world and it keeps getting worse from this: 

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

Any so-called Church that doesn't preach the truth of God over public opinion you should run from.  

Nobody's good life is enough to get into Heaven. 

Nobody's last act of heroism having lived a life of rejection of Jesus Christ for salvation is going to get them into Heaven. 

Nobody's selfless life lived without salvation in Christ Jesus will get into Heaven. 

Doing great deeds for the Church without salvation in Christ Jesus will not get anyone into Heaven. 

Salvation in Christ Jesus must include a right relationship with Jesus. A personal relationship with Jesus. He must be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  

We can't know what truth is until we come to Truth found only in Christ. 

Early it was mentioned about most in today's world will not see Heaven. Should the Rapture of the Church take place soon...soon afterwards billions, not millions, of people are going to die through the judgments of God upon this Earth. Those who die in this manner will not be going to Heaven but rather to Hell. Current population guesses put the 1/3rd death rate mentioned in Revelation to about 3-4 billion people at that particular judgment. 

The thing is my Dear Reader...know the truth by coming to the Truth. Grow in Christ. Grow with fellow Believers in Christ who have a man of God who is firmly rooted in God's Word teaching you. This world is not going to get better. It's not going to improve. The Lord Jesus is coming soon. Nothing is going to change any of that. Jesus said that those who live Godly in Christ Jesus are going to be persecuted. It's coming. In big ways and small ways persecutions come.  

Be about the Father’s business...be a light in this world. It's no wonder that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. We read that he blinds the minds of the unbelieving. They are people who were taken in by false light.  

Salvation in Christ isn't a giving up of 'life' its finding the abundant life that we were promised. But unless you're in a right relationship with Jesus you're not going to find it. Unless you are being taught the whole counsel of God by men of God you're not going to find it. Unless obedience is following true understanding of God's word...you aren't going to find it.

A friend pointed out yesterday something about the parable about the sheep and the goats that Jesus Himself will separate. Both thought for sure they were saved. Both did what they thought were good deeds. Only the sheep had a right relationship with Jesus while the goats had none. I learned earlier this week that while very young sheep and goats look the same. Jesus knows who is who. 

Be in the Word of God. Have a right relationship with Jesus. Identify false teachers and get away from them. Learn from Godly men. This isn't my opinion. There are no women preachers let alone homosexual preachers in the Bible. Study it yourself. Homosexuals will never inherit the kingdom of God. Pastor, Elder, Teacher in the original language of the Bible is a male.  

Pray to know God's will for you, which according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3, is your sanctification. Learn from Godly men. 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. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Pray for His return to be soon. There's yet to pieces of His Church yet to be added to complete His Church. Those people who haven't been saved yet who are going to be saved are those pieces. 

This is a long post but it's what's been pressed upon me this morning. People get ready Jesus is coming soon. Be found by Him as doers of the word and not just hearers only who are deluding themselves. Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Opened Eyes, Rest Assured

Opened Eyes, Rest Assured 

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. JOHN 1:5

    The idea that God sees the intimate details of your life in their entirety and shines a light on the dark parts may be disconcerting to you. The Lord has an unobstructed view of your sins, ugly thoughts, and wounds. That thought can be embarrassing and scary.

    But remember, you've been thoroughly and eternally forgiven through Christ's sacrificial death. His soul-penetrating gaze is not to condemn or shame you; instead, it is to identify what continues to injure you, how you defeat yourself, and the ways you remain in bondage.

    If you've ever wondered, What's wrong with me? or Why does this keep happening -What am I doing wrong? the Lord knows and wants to help you. Others may reject you, but He will will never abandon you. You are not alone in this world. God sees you, and He cares for you profoundly. He watches over every intimate detail of your existence, so He can minister to your most pressing needs and deepest hurts. So 

allow Him to shine a light on the things you'd prefer be left in the dark. He will speak to your spirit, fears, calm your fears, bring understanding to areas of confusion, and set you free from all that holds you back.

Jesus, thank You that the light You shed on my life sets me free. Amen

- Dr. Charles Stanley Trusting God with Today. 

Dr. Stanley hit the nail right on the head in his opening sentence. It's very disconcerting. 

Yet the deeper truth is found nearer the end of that devotional.  

"His soul-penetrating gaze is not

to condemn or shame you; instead, it is to identify what continues to injure you, how you defeat yourself, and the ways you remain in bondage." 

To have new alive eyes that see brings to mind a common saying. "I can't unsee that!". Some, I would dare say even myself at times, try our best to shut them again and try to forget what we have seen. Another common saying goes well with it: the truth hurts. 

When we are given a new beginning, a new body in Christ, we need a new owners manual. While it's the same one that lead us to Christ in the first place, it's now taking on the true flavor of the original Author.  

We would follow Adam and Eve in our first reaction to the knowledge we now possess...attempt to unsee the truth but also realize quickly that's not going to happen. 

It's hard facing something that God says that He needs to change in us. Again I am reminded of various episodes of M*A*S*H where the storyline was far from jovial. Seriousness often came into the show after Potter and B.J. came.  

A gradual understanding began to be introduced to the real effects of war and the psychological ramifications of it...soldiers who couldn't come to grips with the things they were commanded to do. I know of one such episode, a soldier was broken not because of a battlefield engagement but rather he killed a man over a pair of boots. He couldn't unsee the series of events nor could Colonel Potter find the words to console him. 

We are in a spiritual war. We can't unsee the effects of the sin nature we carry until our dying day or the day the Lord returns. We can live in denial. We can pursue pleasures of this world to try to drown out the effects. We can order our lives in such a way that things that disturb us about sin are more than an arms distance away. We can do all that and still have to remember the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places that are relentless. We can do all that and still have to remember that we will have to give an account of our lives before Jesus.  

Acknowledging what Jesus sheds light on in our lives and turning them over to Him for their destruction is always the best thing to do. Taking up our own cross and following Jesus means we can't possibly carry anything else. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart And not leaning on your own understanding really becomes a very real thing.  

Our own understanding is so inadequate to the task of transforming us into the character of Christ. 

Our own understanding isn't able to follow Jesus with what He reveals that He says needs to change or go away. 

We need a local Church that preaches the whole counsel of God to be a part of and we need to trust and obey. We need to realize that in every step of the way Jesus stays with us as the Good Shepherd that He is. People may tell us that we will be alone but in Christ that's an impossible thing. 

The revelations of my inner man have scared the mess out of me but Jesus, taking me by the hand, is taking me through it all with a promise of a much greater life on the other side.  

The same is true for you if you just let Jesus lead, don't be afraid of the things you see because He is with you. 

Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. 

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