A Life Pleasing to God

A Life Pleasing to God

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:1-17.

"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." Galatians 5:22-24.

It dawned on me this morning after reading in Ephesians the connection to what Paul wrote in Galatians. "Fruit of the Light" and "Fruit of the Spirit" being that connection.

As said in prior posts...the aim of this blog is to both point people to Jesus or to get people to return to Jesus.  

The focus is on Jesus in any case.

What we choose to include in our lives as part of our lives has everything to do with what people see of Jesus IN our lives.

If all we ever talk about is our hobby then they aren't hearing or seeing anything to do with Jesus when we do not reference Jesus at all. If all we talk about are statistics and facts about sports and neglect to speak about what we know about our Savior then we aren't showing Jesus to anyone. If all we do is work and talk about work and not about how God used us that day then people still don't see Jesus.

While we're given a great many things that CAN occupy our time and CAN consume what resources we have we must choose the greater thing as Mary was told when Martha complained to Jesus.

Many of my prior likes of certain things in my life I got rid of out of my life because I knew (and sadly still do) know more about such things than I do or did know about my Savior who saved me. As the quote the other day said there is no Christ AND anything. We cannot be fully devoted to Jesus AND to a hobby or anything else. If a man is married to his Wife, then she comes first after Jesus. Then comes the children. Then comes the rest of the family and friends and the rest of the world. 

Jesus should take first place in our lives over everything and everyone else. Those who wanted to follow Jesus as His Disciples had to make that choice when He walked this earth. They gave up everything to follow Jesus. Just look at the comments of Peter on that subject.

How much of your life have you inadvertantly given over to the world that doesn't belong there but does belong to Jesus?

The fruit of the Spirit, fruit of the Light is supposed to be present in the lives of all who are Believers.  

This comes from a right relationship with Jesus. There's those who live in this world and have lived in this world who will lay claim to having done so much for Jesus, mimicing the fruit of the Spirit, who will get told to depart from Him for He never knew them.

So where's your relationship with Jesus? Where has it been, where is it heading? Where is it right now? What are you doing about making that relationship stronger? What have you put in place of Jesus as first in your life? Can you truly say that you seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness?  

The good news is you have been granted the grace and mercy to make the changes that you can make in order to get into a right relationship with Jesus right here right now.  

The question is: Will you pray that prayer? Will you start acknowledging whatever the Spirit is showing you isn't helping your relationship with Jesus?  

Being busy is no excuse. Being restless is no excuse. Being anything is no excuse for not cultivating your relationship with the One who gave His life for you.

Think about it. Have you really honored Jesus in your life by living for the One who saved 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 

Who's Life is It Anyway?

Who's Life is It Anyway?

By David Brenneman 

"So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Ephesians 4:17-24.

"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:22-27.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17.

My Dear Reader...while we yet live in this world, yet further still in this sin cursed body, live it to the full in Christ rather than to yourselves. 

That's what we read in these passages. That's what we are to be in Christ. Examples unto the world of a life surrendered to Jesus and showing that we are not our own but were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

Yet the lines are so so blurred between many of those claiming to be Christian's and those who are not. Where's the distinction between the two that the Light of Jesus Christ is supposed to produce? Why do so many professing Christians push the envelope of sin rather that abhor sin as much as our Father in Heaven does?

Rhetorical questions these are. For seeking your response in writing I am not. You need to determine who is really going to take first place in your heart and mind. You WILL give an account of your life before Jesus with whom everyone has to do. Your choices to put anything before your full devotion to your walk with Jesus will be clearly seen in that day. 

Dr. Charles Stanley's Trusting God with Today was pointing out that these useless things we latch onto will not help us at all in that day before Jesus.

We cannot serve God AND anyone or anything. There is no Jesus AND anything that's going to benefit anyone in human history.  

Take time to sit and look at where your time goes in a day, a week even. Where does your enjoyment of life come from? Is it found in your everything or everyone else but when you're with Jesus? Do you intentionally meet with Jesus on purpose to share your heart and life? Is what's important to Jesus important to you? A disciple of Christ follows what their Master, Christ, is doing. A few people are written in the Gospels of wanting to do other things, before they follow Christ. Look at what Jesus told them.  

What you pour the most of you into is what's getting your heart. Can be anything and everything from family to sports to hobbies. How often are you personally meeting with Jesus Christ your Savior? Not a drive-by meeting. A real time spent with Him. A true follow through with your commitment to follow Jesus after you gave your life to Him.  

Who's really calling the shots in your life? Do you ever look forward to your time alone with Jesus? More than you do with ________?

What you reveal will tell you where your heart really is. You will see your own proof as to where you stand in growing in Christ. My Dear Reader do something about it now while you still have that opportunity!

Cultivate your time wisely. 

Let go of useless arguments and passions about things of this world that are doing nothing to cultivate a Christ-like heart in your life. 

Who's life is it anyway? If you truly are a Christ-follower then it should reflect that without question in 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

Walk Like It's Worthy

Walk Like It's Worthy 

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Ephesians 4:1-24.

This morning's reading might be long, but remember, when those in Ephesus received it, they listened to the whole letter, probably all in one afternoon or evening.  

We don't know, and perhaps there's not many left in this world, who truly knows what it means to "expect" a handwritten letter from someone as your only form of communication. These people in this Church, eagerly gathered to hear from their beloved Apostle Paul. They would hang on every word spoken aloud. We, on the other hand, skim through the letter only stopping here and there for what seems to 'speak' to us.

My Dear Reader absorb what you read in your Bible. No you may not remember everything or anything you just read but that's ok. Take it in. It is no failure to be persistent in reading your Bible in the face of such an obstacle. The promise of God in this is that His Word never returns void. It always accomplishes what it was sent to do. 

We often don't take really good care in watching what we have allowed into our hearts and minds. We perceive no dangers and thus never ask the Spirit if there are any dangers. We consider ourselves able to discern some things on our own and thereby trip into thinks best left alone. 

Paul wrote of guarding our hearts. The breastplate of righteousness covers that whole area below the neck to the groin and from arm to arm. It's noteworthy that any attack of the enemy of God will try in any way to be an interference to you receiving information from God on His Will for you for JUST TODAY.  

Today. Jesus said with regards to asking, seeking and knocking to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. So focus on today in your walk with Jesus.  

Protect yourself is perhaps a better description than guard your hearts. You can't go to a gun fight with a knife as I think the quote from a movie is talking about.  

We show up to a Spiritual battle with sticks when the enemy is ready to hit us with whatever he has been permitted to use. Let that sink in. 

Let it sink in really really well.

Satan's in Heaven right this very moment seeking permission to go after the likes of you and I. He is also accusing us of the things we did yesterday.  

I saw a movie clip this morning of a law professor speaking to students. They were ill prepared to act like responsible, respected, lawyers. Whining about how his teaching methods weren't how they learn and not how to teach them. A real lawyer was sitting in on the class and ripped those students for not taking their profession seriously. 

We need to take our responsibility and Ambassadorship seriously in Christ Jesus.  

We need to do more to remove things that we know aren't God honoring from our lives and replace them with time alone with Jesus. 

Do we even know what it's like to go to our room and pray in secrecy to our Father in Heaven?

Do we even know what it means to block out the world and actually put forth the effort and energy to study God's Word?

Do we even know how to pray a prayer that isn't mindless repetition? A prayer from the heart to His heart?

Do we even know what it means to be still before Jesus, sitting at His feet to learn from Him?

These are the things that matter in walking in a manner worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus. 

How often do we only go for whatever feels good rather than what's going to challenge us because we really needed that challenge to grow in Christ?

Fair weather living ill prepares us for the storms of life that Satan's schemes are designed to throw at us.  

He comes prepared to do everything and anything he's been permitted by God to do to any Believer. Read Job.  

Are you now reconsidering your life's choices? Good. Are you taking stock in what's in your life that probably shouldn't be there? Good. Is your mind now considering new ways to walk worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus? Fantastic. This is what it means to be doers of the word and not just hearers only. This is where you develop your RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. Where you get to know Him and He gets to know you. Where you begin to grow in Christ's character. 

My Dear Reader I am speaking as much to myself as I am to all of you. We live in a culture of things. Accumulated things that are a waste of time, energy and effort in our attempts at growing in Christ. We sabotage our own walk. We lie to ourselves as to what an idol is and whether or not they're in our lives. We lie to ourselves as to not having sufficient time to spend with Jesus. Jesus said to take up our own cross and follow Him. Drop what you're considering more important than what's important to Jesus. 

Start walking in a manner worthy of your calling. 

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 

Aim Higher!

Aim Higher
by David Brenneman

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21.

The distractions of the world are there because of many things but the biggest is that of keeping the eyes of the children of God off their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

These things that we've included into our lives and the things that are knocking at the door of our hearts to be included might not be the best things to have been allowed into our hearts and minds.

We are peer pressured at a young age to include things, to add things, that those in our world say are trustworthy.  Not realizing that they will be just as much of a trap to us as it was to those who suggested them.

Traps are everywhere.  They invade our minds through ever increasingly intense methods.  We get enticed over and over again with the enemies hope that sooner or later we cave in. 

Aim higher in your desires.  Aim for what the Spirit of God aims to produce in your heart and mind.  Stand guard over your heart.  Really look at what is being protected in Ephesians 6. It's not our physical condition.  It's entirely the spiritual.

If indeed we believe all the Scriptures that teach us the great things about our Lord Jesus Christ then we ought to take seriously everything that the Spirit teaches us about the dangers toils and snares.

Take the Bible seriously about who and what you face in life or you're going to have great troubles and be standing there dumbfounded as to what's going on.

Aim higher.

Paul exhorted the churches to do this.  To look beyond what their eyes could see to that which is unseen.  When the light of Jesus Christ illuminates it exposes everything thought to have been hidden. 

"For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:20-21.

We also settle for less when the riches of Christ Jesus are far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think are there before us.

How often do you think outside of your life?  How often do you think of things that are above?  How often are you striving with sin rather than just accepting it as a part of your life?

Aim higher than you have before.  Ask, seek, knock.  Pray on, pray over, pray through.  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Ask that your eyes be opened to what Jesus is doing in your life rather than be ignorant of it.

Get dressed properly in the Lord.
Get an attitude of thanksgiving and ask Him to teach you more of what it means to be in Christ.

Aim Higher!

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

Guard Your Hearts in This War

Guard Your Hearts in This War

by David Brenneman 

"And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:17-29.

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." Psalms 46:1.

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalms 51:10-12.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," Ephesians 6:13-18.

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5-6.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:8-10.

Guard your hearts my Dear Reader. There indeed was much to preface today's post but then again I only included what I am told to. There's certainly more that applies to guarding the heart. 

We make the gravest of mistakes in not starting early enough in life at guarding our hearts. 

We are indeed influenced by those involved in our upbringing. We are influenced by the peer pressures of others as we are developing in our school years. We are influenced by technology, television, music, entertainment, sports, the internet, political parties, supposed influncers, and even AI - artificial intelligence. 

We are bombarded by small doses of these influences and some make it through. We can easily make the mistake of believing we can take it, we can handle it, we're smart enough and strong enough to persevere. Never seeing that trap we're about to spring.

We live in this rapid-fire world that has no patience to wait for a proper answer. So what is perceived as good is ran with. 

We all do this. Regardless of what psychology says or purported experts say...what the Bible reveals is what is truth. The facts as revealed in Jesus's day are the same as what's in our world today. 

We are in the same spiritual war as Daniel as Jesus as Paul, Peter, James and Timothy. Satan's schemes are well known but all too often disregarded. Called anything but what they really are. Demon possessed people exist in our world today. Cast out demons move on to someone new who's not saved. Demons cannot inhabit the life of a Believer. They can seek to disrupt the lives of Believers. Satan's schemes are his attempts at lobbying for permission for those things.  

We really don't do enough to guard our hearts. The evidence is in the facts of how few Christians are daily in their Bible. It's not that they don't have the time, their choices made that take up their time are what's at fault. Want to really scare yourself about your phone/internet usage? Look at your combined history on your browser. Add in your television and or other social media usage. There's a scary picture. 

We need to guard our hearts. We need the honest report from God that if there be any wicked way in me to cleanse me of it. We need to cultivate our relationship with Jesus more than those things we have made important in our lives. We need to maybe sacrifice some sleep to maintain our time commitment to be reading our Bible or to be in prayer. We maybe need to shut off a few things or drop a few things that have honestly been consuming our hearts.  

We aren't still here after coming to Christ for our own self gratification or self anything. We are here as workers in His fields. We are here to learn to grow in Christ. We are here to be lights in this present darkness. We aren't here to be experts in useless things.  

We aren't here to be consumed by so much stuff that we have no prayer life. That we have no communion time with Jesus.

Our belief needs help. Our prayers ought to include asking for help with our own unbelief. Our prayers ought to be more about what Jesus wants of us than they are about us.

The last 10 months have been an eye opener of learning for me in the dedicated study time that took the place of some other things in my life. 

We can't know or understand how far removed from what God wants of us unless we pray with earnest to need more of Jesus in us than us in us. 

This battlefield of the mind is real. 

This war over the souls of mankind is real.  

This needing to ask for God's help in getting our hearts protected is essential. 

Lord help my unbelief! Lord grow me in you! Lord create in me a clean heart!

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

Push

Push
by David Brenneman

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. COLOSSIANS 4:2

What does it mean to devote yourself to prayer? The Greek wording indicates that we are to persevere, stay at it, and refuse to give up. In other words, we should not stop too soon, but keep on interceding.

Of course, this is difficult because most of us are quite impatient with God. We make a request and expect an instant reply from Him. If we don't get it, we quit, thinking, 'The Lord must be angry with me or I guess it's just not His will'. However, Jesus teaches we "ought to pray and not to lose heart" (Luke 18:1). This is because we engage in a spiritual battle as we do business with God. We join the Lord in His war with the forces of darkness. So
we can expect to be harassed because the Enemy wants to keep us off our knees.

But I believe many of us would see the Lord do a great deal more in our lives if we would just persevere in prayer. It's not just some words we send up and expect an instant message in return. It's a battle we engage in the heavenly places, where we're able to see the kingdom of God always prevails.

Jesus, thank You for the gift of prayer. Please help me to continue interceding until You provide the victory. Amen.
- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

It's probably the most destructive thing towards the life of a Believer is the disruption of praying. 

We either overextend ourselves, over commit, neglect to plan for, or as Dr. Stanley pointed out, we expect something quickly and when we don't see it, we quit.

Many try using prayer for a way to seek a sign from God for the wrong reasons. 

I know the battles that I face with consistent prayer are constant and varied. 

I have a prayer list.  Pretty well organized too.  I even can carry it with me. Then the various things in my life push to overcrowd that time.

If you've read this blog for any length of time you've probably run across a post or two on the battlefield of the mind. 

Paul eludes to the vastness of this in 2 Corinthians 7:5 "For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts on the outside, fears within.".

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

In Galatians 5:16 we read "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want."

Galatians 5:19 gives a list of things that are the deeds of the flesh.  Those things get in our way of a Spirit filled life.  They are what we wage war against. 

I know I cannot battle against them on my own.  Nobody can without Jesus and His Spirit to do the fighting for us.  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:41 "Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."  Note that this isn't the Spirit of God mentioned here but OUR spirit.

We ourselves are not strong enough nor able enough to go toe to toe with sin.  If we were we wouldn't need Jesus to save us from it.

Perservering in prayer is irrevocably linked to standing firm.  Daniel is the eternal epitome of one who did both.  Even in the face of a twisted edict that the King was tricked into signing into law.   Even the King feared for Daniel's life.  Those who did this heinous thing didn't realized they sealed their own fate as well as their families for when the Lord shut the lion's mouths and saved Daniel, they paid the price.  Them, their wifes, and children.

Daniel also sheds light on delays in answered prayer.  My Dear Reader, NOTHING has changed since the time of Daniel with regards to the battles to prevent prayers from being answered.  Satan has to show up in Heaven every single day.  When there, he's both the accuser of the Brethren, meaning all who are saved in Christ, as well as he's there seeking permission to do things to Christians.  Until the Rapture of the Church this is the way of life.  When Jesus returns to bring His Bride, the Church, home...that's when Satan's shut out of Heaven.  The door to Heaven is closed to the demonic world and all the forces of darkness.

If you haven't yet...watch the movie Overcomer but not for what you think.  Watch it at least once but after that, go to only the section of the big race.  When Hannah's father is coaching her through the race.  His advice in this race can apply to our day-to-day lives.  Fighting and striving to get through when painful, hurtful, annoying, times come to us.

Job faced more unknowns about what was going on in his life than any many who ever lived.  He probably only found out after Jesus decended into Paradise as to why he went through those things in his life that we read about.  When we don't know why we're going through things...just don't consider letting go of Jesus.  Rather know that He's got a hold of us.

Perservere in prayer.
Persist in prayer.

Self-examination sometimes is helpful but praying for our eyes to be opened as to what's maybe in our lives hindering us from a right prayer life requires praying that specific prayer. 

We are easily deceived people. All humanity is.  Born in the weakness of sin, we have to learn what standing is, let alone standing firm.

Sin is going to deceive us into believing what we add to our lives is going to be ok, that there's nothing wrong with this or that.  Yet those things will often trip us up.  Cause us to be on a slipperly slope we never saw coming.

Pray for open eyes and for Jesus to lead rather than us. 

Pray on Pray over Pray through.
Go back and read the book of Daniel...looking at his character.

Many wonder why the Church isn't being very effective...it's because of this very subject.

Push: Pray Until Something Happens

Pray until you're certain Jesus is either saying yes, no, not right now or wait, I have something better in 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

This is War, Not a Pajama Party

This is War, Not a Pajama Party 

by David Brenneman 

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:11-20.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.

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

"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved." Philippians 4:1.

When we came to Christ for salvation it wasn't in anything less than the highlight of a hard fought battle over an eternal soul. There was not accidental epiphany or the stars aligned that ever brought anyone to the point of salvation through Jesus Christ. It was through truth about sin, death and the cross. It required and still requires people committed to prayer over the lost of the world. 

There's no getting up on any day of the week without putting on the whole armor of God. There's no going anywhere in your house let alone outside, across the street or anywhere around the world without suiting up. There's no room to let your guard down when it comes to having an enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  

Yet we do it.

Yet we get lax in our thoughts. 

We don't look for discernment in many situations where we should because the battle isn't taking a break or a holiday just because it's nice out or we think our schedule has an empty slot. 

We don't really look at the four Gospels at the life of Christ our Savior who showed us a pattern for dealing with life. Life is life regardless of the century. Technology comes and goes. People are the constant. Satan's attempts to improvise are a constant. His daily asking permission to go after various Christians is a constant. His accusing Believers before the Father is a constant. So why would we think that we can relax and take it easy? Simple. Because that's one of Satan's schemes. Know your enemy. 

What are you doing as you begin your day? You get up, maybe to an alarm. You physically get ready in cleanliness then get dressed. Then you check to be sure you didn't miss anything then maybe grab a coffee, something to eat then go about your day. At no point would you honestly consider just getting out of bed and grabbing the keys and pay no thought to going to work that way. You wouldn't just go to even Church that way.  

Yet we don't start a day in prayer, as Jesus did. We don't seek out what God has for us to be doing as Jesus did. We don't look for where the Father is working as Jesus did. We don't consider the ramifications of our choices in the here and now as well as the near future as Jesus did. We don't take up our own cross and follow Jesus as Jesus said to do.  

We think that our perception of safe living is our gift from God so we don't seek Him any further than that. 

We even might pursue possibly Godly things in this world but had we asked God if it was for us to be doing? We don't create the plan of God for us in this life. We follow His plan for us in this life. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We are not our own workmanship.

So my Dear Reader are you a bit more aware about the real world you really do live in?

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9.

We have a life to live in Christ that is absolutely supposed to come before our personal satisfaction or desires of this world. We DO still live in this present darkness that's going to be this way until the Rapture of the Church and the judgments of God take place thereafter. We have dangers around every corner. We have temptations galore to satiate any desires of the flesh. We are the most easiest to be tempted because we can think we can take it, we can handle it, we don't need to fear. 

We are to flee from sexual immorality. Flee from the love of money. Resist the devil and he will flee. We are to not practice sins by just saying that's just who I am. We aren't to embrace any sins of any kind. In fact we are to test everything to see if it at all will cause us ill in our walk with Jesus. 

We deserve nothing of what's available in this world that might be good or seem great. We justify what's in our lives and more often than not we get defensive about things in our lives that do nothing to grow us in Christ.  

Examine yourself...then my Dear Reader don't trust yourself. Ask as David did for the Lord to see of there be any wicked or hurtful way in me. Lead me in the way everlasting.  

Keep that armor on from sun up to sundown. Keep mindful of your thoughts. Listen for the Spirit's leading. Listen to what He brings to mind. He put you in the body of Christ Jesus as He saw fit...are you living in obedience to that or not?

It is a trustworthy saying that our enemy is all over us as he has been permitted by Christ to do so. Nobody is exempt. 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

Right Before Your Eyes

Right Before Your Eyes 

by David Brenneman

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:16-26.

Something came to me yesterday afteroon that I find ties in with this passage from Galatians that was part of my morning reading plan.  

Quite often there's those who are seekers of the fruits of the Spirit yet miss the fruits of the sinful body that's listed here too.  We seek the will of God for us in Christ Jesus...which is our sanctification according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3a.  While doing so...we can know if we're being tempted down a slippery slope by the things listed here that are deeds of the flesh.  

Yesterday during this time of understanding...it came to me that there's been times when I have these battles of thought...finding myself mad about things my mind is going through that have no basis in fact.  Situations that have never taken place and I now sit and wonder at the revelation that a question got asked in my mind of "Why are you getting upset and are wanting to do something about something that never happened in the first place?".

We can do that.  We can have whole conversations in our minds about people that have never existed in the flow of time.   We can be so involved in these sudo-conversations that we can become embittered.  Angry. Vengeful.   Sometimes in our dreams these things happen and sometimes during our day when our mind wanders we find ourselves seeing things in our minds that aren't real.  So enveloped in the moment we don't realize we're on the cusp of being deceived into sinful thoughts and maybe actions.

These fruits of the sin nature are just as real as those fruits of the Spirit when they come forth in our lives.  I'm not sure who's quote it was but there's one I read recently is that we are fruit bearer's not fruit creators.   We will bear fruit, either good or bad.  We either bear fruit that is that of righteousness or we bear fruit that is not. It completely depends on where our heart is.

I remember a story about a man who's disposition that he had was always cheerful even in the face of enraged people.  When asked he simply said something to the effect of garbage in garbage out.  What you take in is what comes out.  You take in all kinds of vile things that's what will inevitably come out of you.  

WE choose what comes into our lives more so than we think we do.  Was reading in a devotional last night about something along those lines.  Our choices we make to engage in what the Spirit is wanting us to or not engaging in it will be a huge part of our lives being tried by the fire of truth before Jesus one day.  The opportunities missed because we were too busy, too this or too that.  The times when we had a chance to even have a small part in pointing someone to Jesus that we avoided because of whatever excuse we'll have at the time. 

We can take this list as shown in Galatians and use it as a warning list.  We begin to see these things and we will know that which Paul talks about is about to happen. 

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 

Work is important but what is even more important is that our character reflect Christ while at work.

Family life is important but what is even more important is that our character reflect Christ while with our family.

Jesus sacrified sleep to commune with His Father in the early mornings. 

Jesus often got away from everyone to go talk with His Father.

These, we read, were non-optional for Jesus and if we're taking up our own cross to follow Jesus they ought to be non-optional for us as well.  Even if it means missing a television show, something streaming, or even a football game, baseball game, basketball game or any other hobby we might have.  

While such extras in life might be enjoyable to us they should never take the place of our training in righteousness that we are to be pursuing in Christ.  

Personally I thought it entirely shameful to myself that I knew more, and still often know more, about things of utter uselessness in this world than I did and do about the Bible.  I knew more about fictional characters in books and movies than I did those written about in the Scriptures.  I could quote those things but couldn't really quote a dozen Bible verses.  I could set aside time for those things but wasn't setting aside quality personal time with Jesus or the Spirit in the Word of God.

I was ignorant of these things of the flesh and how they are in opposition to the things of the Spirit.

Are you in that same boat?  Are you excusing your sinfulness in order to not deal with it?

Are you intentional about your time to yourself but not your time with Jesus?

Are you even aware of how much time you spend seeking first your own kingdom here on Earth?

As I've also read recently...tall strong trees do not grow well when there's no challenges in life to cause them to grow that way.  Their roots never have reason to go deep.  Their branches stay content to just be short and look nice as something small.  Big trees have seen the storms, have seen those things and bounce back because they were trained by those battles to dig deep. 

How aware are you of just how much of your life has been you reacting to things in your life that are those things that you should be giving to Jesus to deal with?  

Pray this:  "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalms 51:10.

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.  Then I will teach transgresssors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to you." Psalms 51:12-13.

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 

On the Sidelines or in the Fields?

On the Sidelines or in the Fields?

by David Brenneman 

"Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”" Matthew 9:36-38

"And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Luke 10:2.

What are you doing as a Christ-follower? Are you warming the bench or in the game? Are you out in the harvest as the Lord directs or are you watching others while you do your own thing?

The things of the life of a Believer that will count in that day in which we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him are those things we were called to do and actually did in the fields that Jesus speaks about.

Excuses will be on our lips but the thing is we will be standing before He who is also known as "the Truth".

We either are in the fields as He said to be or we are watching and or ignoring those who are in the fields.  

One of Dr. Charles Stanley's sayings "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him" is actually a repeated theme throughout the Bible.  

We choose to either obey or we choose some other way.   

We choose.  

Something to take to heart is this: even indecision is a decision. Failure to decide is still a choice.

"It's too much for me!" My Dear Reader, of course it is! It's not on what we do in and of ourselves that counts or matters. It's what we are directed to do that we trust God in that we engage in that gives HIM the honor and the glory that points people to HIM and not ourselves.

A thing to remember as well is that there's absolutely nowhere in the Bible where the concept of retirement exists. Yes in the Old Testament we read of when those serving as priests had reached a certain age and they wouldn't serve in that capacity anymore but it did not say they stopped serving. We are 'on the job' 24/7 365 as those called by God through Christ to do whatever He puts before us to be doing.  

A friend often quotes someone else when he says "It's not about me and it's not about now". Our lives in Christ are NOT about us personally. The Spirit's job is to bring about the character of Christ in us so that people see and want what we have.

We are incapable of living a true Christian life without relying on the Spirit of God to do so.  

260 days seems to be a very long time until it's done with. Yet, you can read a chapter a day of the New Testament and read all of it in 260 days. Have you even read that much of your Bible? If you have not...how will you explain not doing so to the One you trusted to save you? "I was busy" will to be a good excuse. "My kids needed me" will not be a good excuse. How will your kids know that your life in Christ is THAT important if they don't see the evidence in your life?

It's a non-optional part of the life of a Believer. Get up early if you have to in order to at least read a chapter a day. Get up a little earlier to at least start your day in real prayer with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don't keep repeating the same montra day after day. MEAN what you are praying.  

Get out off the side of the road and get into the fields as you are directed by the Spirit of God. It doesn't matter how much experience you have in doing it just get to doing it. I have had dozens of experiences with the Spirit kicking me in the behind to get into a conversation that I had no idea how it was going to go...and true to His Word...He gave me the words to say. A person isn't a worker until they step up to the plate and say "Here I am".

There's a good story about a man who didn't look like much who always walked to a little church every day and prayed a heartfelt prayer. One day the Pastor saw him coming in and had serious second thoughts about him by his looks. After the man explained that he walked there every day on his lunch break to meet with Jesus to talk...and after he had heard what that man had said. It broke the Pastor's heart in a way it needed to be broken. Several months went by and there was always that man coming at his lunch time. Then there was a week when he didn't. The Pastor grew concerned and asked around. Found out he was in the hospital. Gets there an the workers are dumfounded. This man was always happy although no one came to visit him. No cards no flowers. Yet he was always trying to cheer them up. When it was just him and the Pastor he explained that they had it all wrong. He had a visitor every day. Jesus came to hold his hand and to stop by to check in on him. 

That man was still a worker in the harvest with just being himself where he was. Being true to who he was in Christ.  

How about you? Drop any excuses that you have. Let go of any fears you hold to as to your 'why's' of not doing more. We are Ambassador's for Christ while we yet breathe. Which means we DO have a job to do in properly representing Jesus to the world.  

It will be us with the broken heart when we stand before Jesus if we really hadn't done what we were called to do while we yet lived.

It really isn't about us and it's not about now. It's about Jesus and about what He's called us to be doing.  

We either obey and do or disobey and don't. Which would you rather be known for when you meet Him face-to-face?

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 

Who Are You?

Who Are You?
by David Brenneman

A few days after watching the movie "Overcomer" and I still dwell on these things that were either spoken of in the movie or were part of lyrics to the songs used.  I think both of these songs were used in it, if not, they both certainly apply to the theme of the movie.

I am created by God.
He designed me. So I'm not a mistake.
His Son died for me, just so I could be forgiven.
He picked me to be His own, so I'm chosen.
He redeemed me, so I am wanted.
He showed me Grace, just so I could be saved.
He has a future for me, because He loves me!
So I don't wonder anymore, Coach Harrison.
I AM a child of God!
I just wanted you to know.
- Hannah Scott

Thomas Hill: John, if I asked you who you are, what's the first thing that comes to mind?
John Harrison: I'm a basketball coach.
Thomas Hill: And if that's stripped away?
John Harrison: Well, I'm also a history teacher.
Thomas Hill: Okay. We take that away. Who are you?
John Harrison: Well, I'm a husband. I'm a father.
Thomas Hill: And God forbid that should ever change. But if it does, who are you?
John Harrison: I don't understand this game.
Thomas Hill: It's not a game, man. Who are you?
John Harrison: Um, I'm a white, American male.
Thomas Hill: [laughs] Yeah, that's for sure.
[laughs again]
Thomas Hill: Is there anything else?
John Harrison: Well, I'm a Christian.
Thomas Hill: And what does that mean?
John Harrison: It means follower of Christ.
Thomas Hill: And how important is that?
John Harrison: It's very important.
Thomas Hill: Interesting how it's so far down your list.
John Harrison: Wait a minute, I could easily have said Christian first.
Thomas Hill: Yeah, but you didn't. Look, John, your identity will be tied to whatever you give your heart to. It doesn't sound like the Lord has first place.
John Harrison: You're calling me a bad Christian?
Thomas Hill: Let me be a little direct: last time you were here, you said you'd pray for me. Did you?
John Harrison: [Looks down, grimaces] No.
Thomas Hill: No. For someone who knows the Lord, you're acting like somebody who doesn't. Which makes me wonder: what have you allowed to define you? When you lost your team, it didn't just disappoint you, it devastated you. Something, or someone, will have first place in your heart. But when you find your identity in the One Who created you, it'll change your whole perspective.
- interaction in the hospital between Coach Harrison and Thomas Hill

Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?
I was lost, but He brought me in
Oh, His love for me
Oh, His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God, yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me
Yes, He died for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God, yes I am
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God, yes I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
Oh, I am who You say I am
Yes, I am who You say I am
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God, yes I am
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God, yes I am
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God, yes I am
-Hillsong Worship – 2019 “Who You Say I am”

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You, I find my worth, in You, I find my identity
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
When I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
Oh, I believe
Taking all I have, and now I'm laying it at Your feet
You have every failure, God, You have every victory
Ooh-oh
You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
Oh, I believe (I)
Yes, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
Lauren Daigle – 2018 “You Say”

At a point in the movie the Coach asks Hannah who she is.  She didn't really know the answer to that one.  The soon to be revealed thought dead Dad who wasn't had a very powerful question and answer time with the Coach.  The Principle of the school sits down with Hannah and shows her how to be saved.  Challenges her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians and to write down all that it says she is. 

In this life the enemy of God, his minions and even our own sin nature are going to try in every way both subtle and overt to get us to doubt, to think less of, or to marginalize who we are in Christ.

That's an absolute given.

I know that 4 months ago the enemy tried to get me to be devastated by the sudden loss of my job...the utter loss of my supposed 'identity'. 

My identity isn't in what I do for a living.  My successes or failures are not what are true about me. 

I am who my Savior says that I am.

Contrary to worldly opinion...in Heaven there are no such distinctions.   We are told, in detail, who inherits the Kingdom of God.  Who is permitted into His Heaven. 

Only Christ-followers.  Those with whom He has a relationship with. 

The truth of life is this:  'good' people don't always go to Heaven.

There's countless billions of people in Hell who were considered 'good' people by those of the world in which they lived.  Being a good Prodestant, a good Catholic, a good  Baptist, a good this or a good that is not the criteria for entry into Christ's Heaven.  Again, there's countless billions of those types of people in Hell because that's what they relied on in their life.  Their own standard of good.

We can easily be those who marginalize our life in Christ.  Float as it were between being dedicated and those who are not. 

The question for all of you my Dear Readers, is this:  How serious is your relationship with Jesus?

Let go of these worldly definitions of who you are.  We're upon that time of year in the United States for voting.   I am not defined by a political position.  There's those who are adamant about who they are as defined by a sports team.  I am not.  There's those who are self identifying as this or that.  Stay away from those ideologies. 

Who we are in Christ is a new creation, the old is passed away the new has come.

We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  We will be defined by what we do in obedience to the will of God for us that shows the world that we are a follower of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ IS our much needed Savior and Lord that we had been in such need of.

Funny thing is, as said earlier, no such distinctions in Heaven.  Yet down here on Earth, so many professing Christians cause such descentions here on Earth and are actually driving people who are not yet saved AWAY from the Throne of Grace. 

As was the case in the part you read earlier of the interactions between the Coach and Thomas Hill...Thomas Hill is blind.  Yet he could see what the seeing Coach was blind to. 

We, unfortunately, because of both peer pressure or sometimes upbringing or even just the heavy circumstances of life, can give way to unhealthy things in our lives that are not showing our love for our Savior but the love of things of this world.  Probably a partial reason behind the passage that says to love not the world nor the things of the world. 

Being from Ohio, and seeing it for most of my 58 years on this planet, there's quite the following for Ohio State.  Yet so many millions of people both from Ohio and outside of it would be as devistated as the Coach was to lose his team if it were to go away.  People would be lost.  People would not know how to define themselves anymore.  They've unfortunately wrapped up either their whole or partial identity in being an OSU fan.  I know of many Christians whom at first glance you wouldn't know they were in fact Christian's but you certainly would know they were an OSU fan.  Both by how they spoke and what they were wearing. 

So how about you, my Dear Reader, who are you?  What have you allowed to define you? 

While I have lost a job 4 months ago I didn't lose my identity in Christ.  The Enemy of God and his minions lost on that count concerning me.  Those things we read in what Hannah said and the lyrics of those two songs?  Those are what define me. 

I am chosen, not foraken.
I am a child of God.
I am redeemed.
I am not a mistake, I was created by my God to be who I am in Christ.
I am loved.
I am not alone no matter what people tell me that I would be if I don't choose the path they say is right.
I am a co-heir with Christ.
I am forgiven.

I am saved by my Savior's work on the cross. 

After these things and more...
I am a husband to my Wife.
I am a provider for her and our 6 cats.
I am a writer.

I am not, however, defined by my employment status nor by my employment type or company.

Who 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

What Life Do You Live?

What Life Do You Live?

by David Brenneman 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age," Titus 2:11-12.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

"I am created by God. He designed me. So I'm not a mistake. His Son died for me, just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be His own, so I'm chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me Grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me, because He loves me!" - Overcomer the movie.

When you objectively look at your life, your every part, do you see yourself as a true follower of Christ or a part-time Believer? A part-time Christian? Are you devoted to your life in Christ or are your devotions split with other people or things of this world?  

We are to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. Jesus, as He said to Peter, so He says to us...as for you, you follow Me!

Would people in your life know with absolute certainty that you are a Christian, a child of God? Would that be something that truly defines you to others? Or have you hidden it well enough so as to not be recognized?

Do you devote your time to other things, sports, hobbies, etc. but have neglected to devote time to your growing in Christ? All such things are exactly what Jesus says will turn to ashes when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives, every thought, spoken word, unspoken of the same. All actions taken or refused to be taken. All will be tried by the fire of the absolute truth of God in Christ Jesus. Our time on this Earth is finite. We, daily, are having our very thoughts and intentions sifted by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  

What manner of man or woman ought we to be? 

Rather than persisting in our walk with Jesus we settle for the minimum. Rather than turning away from idols, we find a place for them in our God given homes. Rather than living in the present, we spend oh so much time, energy and effort to rebuild the past or relive the past. We become scrooges when it comes to money to give back to Jesus yet lavish it on ourselves, friends and family. 

These are the things that ought to grieve us about us. We are all susceptible to these temptations. 

Did we have to have that particular thing or could we have been content with something less and given the rest back to Jesus?  

Did we really display such desires for some thing, or person rather than to give such to our Savior who did take our place on the cross?

Complacency and idolatry were warned about in the letters to the churches.  

Jesus tells a church in Revelation that they have forgotten their first love.  

When you came to Christ your heart was at that time wholly His...is it still there or has that waned?

It hurts at times to stand firm in the Lord. It hurts at times to turn away from the desires of this world. It hurts at times to say no to things that appear so good.

Our growing in Christ is paramount to our Lord Jesus Christ, not creature comforts. Our sanctification is what is His workmanship that He's creating in us. It isn't anything that the world is going to understand. The natural man does not accept the things of God because they are spiritually appraised or discerned. 

My Dear Reader...stop where you are. Look at what's in your life. Where your thoughts go. What your intentions are. Who is getting your time, energy and efforts. Are those bringing glory to God or to you?

Who's life are you really living, is it one that seeks to glorify your Savior or 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 do You Believe?

What do You Believe?

by David Brenneman 

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough

Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up

Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?

Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know

Ooh-oh

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me

In You, I find my worth, in You, I find my identity

Ooh-oh

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

When I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

Oh, I believe

Taking all I have, and now I'm laying it at Your feet

You have every failure, God, You have every victory

Ooh-oh

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

You say I am held when I am falling short

When I don't belong, oh, You say I am Yours

And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

Oh, I believe (I)

Yes, I believe (I)

What You say of me (I)

I believe

- Lauren Daigle "You Say" 2018.

One of the truths about the battles we face every day is that particular question of what do we believe. Satan's main objective is to convince us of something to believe that's different enough from what the Bible says that God says that we are in Christ for those who have indeed placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Different enough that we feel self satisfied and enough that we don't seek out the Savior in our days that we live. Different enough, just enough, to actually deprive us of the power of God in living life and to not consider it at all that we drifted away from growing in Christ. 

Satan's never going to give you some overt message saying "Here I am! Here to deceive you!".

His minions don't sleep. They study you, looking for any weakness to take advantage of for their 'kingdom'.

What you believe determines who's kingdom you are supporting. 

We quite often, and more often than not, don't see where we've compromised and given ground to the enemy of God. We just don't see how it would be possible.  

Read Ephesians 6 and the whole armor of God. This isn't armor just for Pastors or those in authority in the Church. This armor is for every single Believer. Just as the new robes of white we receive in Heaven after the Rapture of the Church are for everyone who is saved in Christ Jesus. The battlefield of the mind is requiring us to stay suited up for battle in the Lord. 

We need to be reminded of who we are in Christ Jesus daily. The more we reinforce those truths the more clearly we can see the deceptions we have unwittingly allowed into our thinking.

We have them and denial of them is the first deception. Nobody alive is exempt from being deceived in some way.  

We are enticed by the bling of the world that's there to divert our attention from any aspect of growing in Christ that our minds will accept. Then a little more is added to that. Then a little more. Then we are sucked into believing that this is just who we are. 

We take what belongs to Jesus and give it to idols. Yes Christians do this. We call these things many things, anything but what the truth of God's word says that it really is. 

We do this as Christians just as the Israelites did as the children of Israel did. It's there in black and white, clear as crystal, in the Old Testament. It's why we need the Old Testament to point out our need to keep the whole armor of God on and to be practicing how to use it effectively in these daily activities we engage in.

So what do you believe? Do you 'love' something else more than you'll admit you love more than what the Bible says you should love the Lord your God?  

From the movie "Overcomer" Hannah Scott was prompted to read Ephesians 1 and 2 by the school principal to see who she noe was in Christ. 

"I am created by God. He designed me. So I'm not a mistake. His Son died for me, just so I could be forgiven. He picked me to be His own, so I'm chosen. He redeemed me, so I am wanted. He showed me Grace, just so I could be saved. He has a future for me, because He loves me!" Hannah Scott - Overcomer (2019).

What have you allowed yourself to believe that isn't wrought in God's Word about you?  

What have you embraced as part of you that isn't true about you in Christ Jesus?

What is getting your time and attention that should be going to your walk with Jesus?

What has happened to your beliefs that you held at first when you first came to Christ and began walking with Jesus?  

Be bold and clear and ask the Spirit to open your eyes to what's true about you and be truthful with you. 

Whatever He shows you about you that needs to go, ask His help to get rid of it. We have no clue how much of the weight we carry in life is self-inflicted. Weight that the enemy of God convinced us is us and is a part of us.

Pray for your eyes to be open to the truth of God about you that is seen from His perspective because as the Scriptures teach us it is He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of man is. 

What do You Believe? You pray these things...you'll be discovering what it is that you really do believe. 

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 

Living According to Your Calling

Living According to Your Calling 

by David Brenneman 

"But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood," Galatians 1:15-16.

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:29-30.

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

My Dear Reader...if indeed you claim the precious Name of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior...you have been set apart for God for His purposes in the time in which you are living.  

We not only are a new creation in Christ, we are His continued workmanship in Christ.  

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

If we keep this in mind then we ought to be walking in a manner that glorifies God. As His sheep hear His voice, we are to obey His word and complete our calling in Christ before anything else. 

Love God with our everything and love others as ourselves. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

So why, my Dear Reader, are so many of us, I include myself, so often swayed to live lives tainted by willful sins? Why do we lay ahold not of the things of God but things that are of this world instead? Why do we partake of idolatry and in order to appease our conscience we simply refer to it as being fans of those things, those desires? Why do we partake of adulterous thoughts and feelings and again dismiss the guilt of it as just human nature rather than calling it what God does...sin. We are deceived by not only Satan's minions but our own sin nature.  

We need to do more to stand firm in the Lord. We need to recognize the importance of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. We are in desperate need of recognition that we are in a spiritual war and that there are no conscientious objectors in this war. We are either living as unto the Lord or we aren't. We are either seeking His will for our lives or we seek our own. As Christ-followers the battle in our minds is only of who is leading, the Spirit or us. 

Who's in the driver's seat in your life? Are you so convinced of the things in your life that you're up to the challenge to ask God that particular question?  

What question?

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

That question. 

What if we would pray that Psalm in faith and what if we wouldn't dismiss or disagree with what the Spirit says is a problem in our lives that needs to go?

The war is getting more and more in our face as to who's in control of it...it being our lives.  

Every careless word we speak or think will be revealed. Every action we took or thought to take will be revealed. Every...single...one. 

On average most who are fans of movies, television, streaming videos, spend a ton of time and money who are claiming to be Christian's who either give God nothing or next to nothing in tithing. They will refuse to give up these things that aren't just movies, television, streaming videos, but sports and games as well but will also be known for spending little to no time with Jesus.

Would you be one of these? Does your apparel show others that your life is in Christ or that of someone or something of this world? How about that merch you buy?

Does your life show your calling in Christ Jesus or does it show you hiding it.  

"And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 4:21-23.

You who are saved have a calling in Christ Jesus to be fulfilled by no one else but you. Are you giving Christ Jesus your all? Are you taking up your own cross and are you really following Jesus?

Take time to evaluate your life. 

Ask Jesus that question from earlier.  

We need to run the race, finish the course. Give of our best unto our Lord and Savior 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 

Is He Really??

Is He Really?

by David Brenneman 

"Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;" Isaiah 46:10.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13.

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

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2.

More about Jesus would I know,

more of His grace to others show;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

2 More about Jesus let me learn,

more of His holy will discern.

Spirit of God, my Teacher be,

showing the things of Christ to me.

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

3 More about Jesus in His Word,

holding communion with my Lord,

hearing His voice in ev'ry line,

making each faithful saying mine.

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

4 More about Jesus on His throne,

riches in glory all His own;

more of His kingdom's sure increase;

more of His coming, Prince of Peace. 

Refrain:

More, more about Jesus;

more, more about Jesus;

more of His saving fullness see,

more of His love who died for me.

"More About Jesus" E. E. Hewitt (1887)

When you share your passion and energy with the world, does it show your heart is with Jesus? Would people know by what comes out of your mouth what's truly in your heart is Jesus?

"For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." Luke 6:43-45.

What's coming from your heart?

I have done it, you've done it. Speaking careless words about others. Some, in fits of anger, others in disdain, looking down on others. Some, thinking it's not anything serious that they're just passionate about whatever it is that caused such an outburst.

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37.

In Jesus's eyes there's no distinction or difference. 

What comes from our hearts goes out to ourselves and those in our world. 

Yes, it absolutely includes what we take photos of and distribute through the internet and various services. Yes, it includes Facebook, Instagram, X, and everything else. Words we type are often woefully worse than what we speak because in the online world it's instantly duplicated millions of times to the observing world. 

What are you doing, what am I doing, to guard our hearts? What are we doing to present Jesus to those in our world? What are we doing that's ruining our reputation before men and women because of our utter lack of restraint with our avenues of expression?

We are commanded to stand firm in the Lord. Well are we if we aren't removing things from our lives that are causing such things to be allowed to reach our fingertips or our lips?  

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." James 3:8-13. 

We really show who's in control of our lives by what comes from our mouth, from what we express at our fingertips. We read from Jesus Himself that we are GOING to give an account of our lives before Him. Not if He chooses to do that with us, but rather that it's a certainty. 

We won't have a defense attorney to explain our words and actions in legalistic terms. 

Just us before the God of Truth.

Pray for yourself and me as well that we do more to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That we truly consider what we're expressing, however it comes to the world, before we release it.

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 

God’s Will

God’s Will 

by David Brenneman 

As we continue in our quest to understand and pursue God’s ultimate will for our lives, to follow are eight ways the Father helps us discover His will and the plans He has for us. 

Communion With God Through Scripture — Through His Word, God teaches us what the Christian life should look like, what no longer fits us as His children, and how to avoid the pitfalls of life (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In other words, the Bible teaches us what the Father desires for us to do and helps us to accomplish it. It’s His instruction book for living. And He’ll never lead us to or tell us anything that contradicts what He’s written in His Word.

Circumstances of Life — God speaks to us through the circumstances of our lives—where He puts us, the situations we find ourselves in, and the people He places around us. He’s continually working in our lives on a moment-by-moment basis to direct us in His will and accomplish it through us (Rom. 8:28).

Counsel — God speaks to us through the godly counsel of other believers. Sometimes we need the help of other Christians to know what to do in areas we’re unaccustomed with. This is why Scripture admonishes us to teach one another with love, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5). 

Conscience — Another factor in discerning God’s will is through our conscience, which is the inner voice that acts as a moral filter. It’s the alarm that goes off within us when we’re tempted to do something that isn’t right or when we head in the wrong direction (Rom. 2:14-15).

Common Sense — The Spirit-controlled believer is to use his or her mind and common sense when discerning the will of God (Titus 2:11–12)

Compulsion — The Lord gives you the strong desire or the impulse to do His will according to the promptings of His Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:13). 

Contentment — We discern God’s will through the contentment or tranquility we feel when proceeding on a course of action. When you’re working against the Lord, you’ll feel spiritual friction that makes you uncomfortable; when you’re in the center of God’s will, you’ll feel peace with Him (Phil. 4:7). 

Communication With God Through Prayer — As we bring our questions and concerns to God in prayer, He promises to make sense of what we’re experiencing and will help us understand how He desires for us to proceed (Ps. 119:105).

Today, we’ll consider several factors that can block our ability to hear God. If not dealt with promptly, each can become noise in our lives that stops us from discerning what the Lord is saying to us. 

Self Will — The most common and destructive of these factors is our own self-will. We’re so focused on our own needs and desires that we can’t hear what the Lord is telling us. 

The Influence of Others — People have influence in our lives, and they’ll always have an opinion when we have a decision to make. But they aren’t you and will never know better than you what God’s will is for your life. 

Ignorance of God’s Character and Principles — Another reason we may be hindered in hearing the Lord is that we don’t really know God and His ways.

Unbelief — Another factor which can hinder you from hearing God’s will is unbelief—a combination of fear in your heart about your situation and doubt concerning the Lord’s promises or character.

Feelings of Unworthiness or Guilt — How you feel about yourself can hinder you from hearing God, especially if you see yourself as unworthy of His love and concern.

Busyness — We all make choices about what we should do with our time—and often we may show that the Lord is our last priority by the small amount of time we spend with Him.

God-Directed Anger — The reason you either consciously or unintentionally avoid knowing God’s will is because of unhealed anger and resentment you have toward Him. 

Willfully-Harbored Sin — Harboring sin can hinder you from hearing God’s will for your life. When we pass from committing a sin to harboring it (embracing and shielding it as part of who we are and what we’re entitled to), we put up a block between us and the Lord.

As you journey forward, seeking assurance of His will for you, ask yourself the following questions carefully and prayerfully:

Is it consistent with the Word of God? 

Is this a wise decision? 

Can I honestly ask God to enable me to achieve this goal? 

Do I have genuine peace about this path? 

Is this decision appropriate for who I am as a follower of Christ? 

Does this fit God’s overall plan for my life? 

Will this decision honor God?

The preceding are quotes from Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional on the will of God.

Therefore, commit to doing God’s will—not only in the present decisions before you, but for your entire life. Refer often to the ways of discovering His will (Day 5) and make each of these a daily part of your life. Periodically, examine whether there are any hindrances thwarting your relationship with Him (Day 6). Review the seven questions for confirming His will as often as needed (Day 7), realizing that you have almighty God on your side to show you exactly what He wants you to do. 

And finally, always be willing to do whatever your heavenly Father says—no matter how big or small, practical or unreasonable, easy or difficult, popular or unpopular, rewarding or costly. 

Always say yes to Him. 

Even when you don’t want to, are afraid, don’t understand His direction, or when it’s painful—remember that Jesus is the One who saves you, forgives your sins, sanctifies you, provides for you, protects you, gives you a home in heaven with Him, and loves you unconditionally and eternally. 

Allow your Savior to give you the abundant blessings and the fullness of joy He’s planned for you. Say yes to His will … because when you do, you’ll experience life at its very best and rewards in eternity beyond measure. - Last portion of day 7 of the same devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley.  

The 3 days he mentioned are the first section that you read.  

Four years ago my Wife and I were at a crossroads as to knowing whether or not we ought to take a leap of faith and move to where we are today. 

I was referred to 1 Thessalonians 4:3a "This is the will of God, your sanctification;". Would we be able to pursue that where we were? No. Hadn't really in 20 years of seeking for it. Would it happen where we desire to go? Yes. We took the leap of faith and though the storms got intense at times we landed in a new home 3 days before Christmas and I had already been in a new job a bit over a week of making that choice. 

Our sanctification is the highest priority of God's will for us. Situations that arise are going to be frequent and sometimes unpleasant. But they are necessary to achieve God's will for each of us.  

We may not understand everything but we need to trust Him who does. 

Our personal satisfaction isn't always going to coincide with God’s will for us. Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

We are to be on guard for the schemes of the devil. Make no mistake, you are neck deep in those schemes. You have been and will be while you live and breathe. 

How you respond to them is extremely important. How you view them is equally important. How you recognize your steps as being with Jesus or being on your own is important. Using your spiritual eyes vs using your physical eyes are important. 

We are all subject to change. But we have to choose that which is in accordance with the will of God.  

Recognizing when you are being spoken to is important. We will be spoken to by God. We also need to practice active listening for His voice. We live in a cacophony of noise in every form imaginable and in ways yet unimagined. We get talked into or talk ourselves into things because we're not differentiating the voice of our sin nature from the voice of God. We unknowingly compromise without much of a fight because we aren't checking before leaping.  

Our lives can take various turns for no other reason than for God's will for us to grow us in Christ and to be the light of Jesus Christ in our lives. 

The Apostles faced many challenges in life that made no sense at all from a human perspective. Yet they did it anyway. 

The prophets of old, the same. 

Our personal relationship is going to require personal changes and only through a right relationship with Jesus will we make right choices. 

You can't know what Godly discernment is without being in God's Word. 

You can't say you're obeying God if you don't spend enough time around Him to be used to His voice and how He’s doing things. 

You must realize that a right relationship with Jesus is rooted in obedience to God's will for each of us.

Doing things for God without consulting Him is paramount to a life that doesn't truly honor God. 

Be sure that you are saved. Without that there is no doing of things for Christ Jesus that are in the will of God. Jesus will separate those who are His from those who are not based on the foundational relationship with Him. Many will claim to do many things in His Name that give every appearance of being wrought in God but are not...these will be cast into Hell, for He never had a relationship with them.

Do something different today and listen for a bit for God’s voice. Trusting God with your today. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

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