A Scribe on the Wall

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

Saturday, May 2, 2026

First Priority...then Life

by David Brenneman

Our first priority is to live in the character of Christ each day...and then to live as necessary for each day as the Spirit leads.

When Jesus taught on things such as the time they brought Him the question of paying taxes to Caesar or not. It began with the lesson then He directed the Disciples in what to do in the physical world.

In the workplace we arrive as Ambassadors for Christ before we arrive as workers in that workplace.

What we do with Spiritual matters is what will impact our physical life.

In 1st Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to teach faithful men in order to perpetuate sound teaching.

Sound spiritual teaching should begin and end our day.

When we stand before Jesus, we will give an account of our lives before Jesus for what we did in our bodies for Him. Whatever we do that wasn't will be burned up as useless.

When we are setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world we are then living with right priorities. When we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness we are then living with right priorities.

The orders that Moses was giving the children of Israel were of obedience to God's Word before they did anything else. To keep it, remember it, live it.

It's not enough and certainly isn't good enough, to just stop doing things in life that aren't God honoring. We must replace them with that which is God honoring or eventually we'll return to that which we were so entrapped.

Are you struggling with life? Is your walk with Jesus your first priority?

Are you driven by accomplishments or by obedience to God's plan for you?

Personally I really don't look for accolades anymore. The One whom my life is to show honor to is only to the One who bled and died for me on calvary. What's on me to do is to give of my best to my Savior and my Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 3:23-24. As He directs me, so must I do my best in it. Same goes for all Believers.

Today is one day closer to when the Rapture of the Church will take place. One day closer to standing before Jesus to give an account of our lives. One day closer.

Should He come today would you be caught not in the right frame of mind in living life or would you be found as a doer of His Word?

Would the review of your life net a quick bonfire of waste or would a robust crown of righteousness be the end product to give back to Jesus?

Our daily lives should always be showing Christ to the world in everything we think, everything we say, and everything we do. That is part and parcel with loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. With loving your neighbor as yourself.

Do you strive to please Him in all that you do? It requires earnestness. It requires standing firm. It requires taking whatever anyone tells you to think, say, or do and filter it through the Word of God and your relationship with Jesus.

Be sure to live in the character of Christ then to be about your own business. We are to be lights in this world reflecting the light of Jesus Christ to this dying world.

What did Jesus say?

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?

What is it ever going to gain anyone to not put their relationship with Jesus first?

Living for Jesus a life that is true.

Striving to please Him in all that I do. Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free, that is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior,

I give myself to Thee;

for Thou, in Thine attonement,

didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other master;

my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live,

O Christ, for Thee alone.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, May 1, 2026

Faithful Men of God, Faithful Women of God

by David Brenneman

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." 2 Timothy 2:1-7

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” 14-19

"Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:22-26.

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Whether you think that this is debating or not, seek the Lord in your questioning of it rather than pointing any angst at me. These instructions that were written to Timothy and in a sense to Titus were about how the Church was to be with regards to church leadership and those whom should be preaching and who should not be...and why. If there's any arguments let them be settled in this: this is the inspired Word of God. It matters not who does or doesn't agree with what's written because this has been the words of God under the protection of the Spirit of God for several thousand years.

There also is now this, that elder/pastor/teacher are the same word in the original language. They are also in the male only context. While there are Deacons and Deaconesses there are no female versions of Elders.

That being said, Paul, throughout his writings pointed churches and church leadership towards an orderly manner in the Lord.

Next is that this order and orderly manner is of God Himself in the person of the Spirit of God.

"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." 1 Corinthians 12:18.

The positions within the Church are and always will be by the direction of the Spirit of God until the Rapture of the Church.

As men of God, we're to be living in the character of Christ Jesus. We're to be among those who both learn and are able to teach. We're to be doing whatever part is ours in the Lord. Just as the Spirit saw fit for us to be doing.

Likewise there is a roll and sound Biblical reasoning for the roll of women in the Church. Women are permitted and encouraged to teach other women as well as children. This does not make them Pastors. This makes them teachers of women and teachers of children.

They are as subject to the Elders of the Church as are all men within the Church.

This orderly manner is from the Lord through His Spirit.

Why bring this up today? In his writing to the Thessalonians, Paul gave clear direction to them and us that there was to be a falling away of the Church from sound doctrine. A falling away from what the Spirit says that the Church of Jesus Christ was to be and be like. Part of that is playing out before our very eyes and is part of the evidences that we indeed are living in the last days. That we, way more than those original written these letters we read in our Bibles, should be daily looking and being ready for the return of Jesus.

There's many so-called churches in this world who've drifted away from sound doctrine. Teaching and actually advocating doctrines of demons. Among those doctrines of demons is that there can and should be women preachers. That there could and should be female elders. That a practiced life of homosexuality has a place in the church.

Scripture is clear that there's no heavenly future for those who practice-live daily-in sin, that is also referred to as lawlessness.

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

Again, as you read through this, and especially the Scriptures, you need to turn your attention to prayer and seeking the Lord for your answers.

We are supposed to be living lives in readiness for the return of Jesus Christ. Living life in accordance with the Word of God and not worldly opinion. Not opinion that makes us feel good or justifies our sins.

As someone once said "Sin is sin, no matter what anyone says about it. If God says it's sin then it's sin. End of discussion.".

The Spirit places you in the body of Christ as He sees fit. It's not for us to choose. If He's not called a man to be a Pastor then he shouldn't strive to be one...and so on.

We were given a specific, special, roll in the body of Christ and what we will be standing before Jesus giving an account of is how well we did what was ours to be doing in the Lord.

We absolutely do NOT want to be among those laying claim to having done this or that in His Name and then being told to depart for He never knew you.

We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. To love your neighbor as yourself. To grow in respect to your salvation in Christ Jesus.

We aren't here to seek or to create what sounds like Godly positions or responsibilities that are not ours to have. We are to be the best we can be in that which we've been called to be in Christ as the Spirit directs us to be. No more no less.

We're to be faithful in what is approved by God for which we've been called to be in Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Just as They, So can We be

by David Brenneman

In reading in Deuteronomy today and also in Proverbs 30...it really became clearer that even Christians can repeat the mistakes of the children of Israel.

We can indeed forget from where we came.

We can forget from what we've been delivered.

We can forget to keep ourselves holy, separated, from a life of sin.

We can forget the lessons taught to us by the Spirit of God.

We can neglect to read our Bible and not remember the promises of God.

We're not immune to falling short, falling down, falling away from what we're to be and were taught to be like.

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

We have, like they, a beyond fantastic opportunity to live the righteous life that God desires for us if only we as well would walk by faith and not by sight.

It's incredibly tempting after such a long period of unemployment to be careless. Yet the lessons learned are still with us. I am grateful and thankful for all that I get to do these days. The great people that are now in my work life. The Believers in my life all around. The family where the ties that bind have grown stronger.

Yet we read: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:12-17.

Temptations will come. Some decorated as nice shiny things other will be as a fishing lure that hides a hook inside.

The same as they were tempted so shall we be.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.

We have before us the opportunity to grow in Christ, to run the race set before us, to finish well.

So had they but each had turned aside to do whatever was right in their own eyes.

Pray for your walk with Jesus.

Pray for your spiritual eyes to be open.

Pray for your obedience in Christ to be complete.

Pray that whatever you are shown by the Spirit that needs to be changed that you would not shrink away but would change in accordance to the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Diligence and Standing Firm

by David Brenneman

"You should diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you." Deuteronomy 6:17.

“Then it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." Deuteronomy 6:10-12.

"for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 3:8.

"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.

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:11.

We, in the world today, actually have a whole lot in common with that passage in Deuteronomy 6:10-12. Most people don't consider that this is the way of most of the world. We aren't very prolific at building a house and developing the land for our use.

Most are buying or renting where others have already been. What we ought not to forget is the very same point as that passage and the other's you read this morning there.

The direct connection between diligence in the Lord and standing firm in the Lord.

It's incredibly important not to forget the tremendous blessings that the Lord Jesus has granted each of us and to not take them for granted or forget them altogether.

"The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it." Psalms 24:1.

We don't own anything. All things including ourselves belong to the Lord.

Being diligent and standing firm require us to remember to whom we belong. To whom we owe everything. Of how we shouldn't forget to bless as we have been blessed by Him. Of how we shouldn't forget to love as He first loved us.

In Deuteronomy where that passage comes from, Moses was taking time to remind the children of Israel before they went into the Promised Land of everything they were taught. That there would be consequences for turning away from the Lord's commands and blessings for remembering to adhere to them.

We, in our world of the Church age, likewise need to remember there's blessings and situations when we forget to stand firm in the Lord. When we allow self to creep into our thinking.

Our still being alive in this world is both for our sanctification, growing in Christ, as well as to serve as a light to the world-showing them the way to salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

It's not for our comfort, fortune, or possessions. It's not for success or worldly acclaim.

So before you think you know what your day is or is going to be about...pray and ask Jesus to show you what He wants of you today. This is the day that the Lord has made and all that it contains. We know not if this is the day of His return. We always ought to be diligent and standing firm in our walk with Jesus especially if we believe that to be true.

Pray for you to be doing what you were called to be doing in Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

The Definition of Us

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

There's been many times, and when it comes to songs, hymns and spiritual songs, I don't mind at all when they get 'stuck' in my head and this is the most recent one for me.

Keeping a proper perspective on your identity is the basis of a healthy mind and heart.

We who are among the saved in Christ Jesus are: Ambassadors for Christ, the cherished adopted children of God, friends of Jesus Christ, beloved of God our Father, those who are not forsaken, those who are forgiven, the elect who are sealed in the Spirit among other things in the Lord.

Our world in which we live is going to try to get us to redefine who we are, to get us to believe anything other than what God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ say we are.

What we do with our identity shapes our day. If we're believing the wrong things about ourselves we will cultivate that wrong belief. If we're standing firm in the Lord Jesus as the Scriptures say we ought to that too will be evident.

We cannot have ourselves identifying as Christians and yet living as those who have no hope. We cannot have ourselves identifying as Christians and yet living like we're unable to survive the fires of our lives.

We are able, in any moments notice, to enter the Throne of Grace. To pour out whatever is on our minds and to be able to find that peace that passes all understanding.

We are going to be challenged in what we believe about God, about our Lord Jesus Christ, about the Spirit of God.

We must remember to keep the whole armor of God on at all times.

Trusting in the Lord with all your heart, and not leaning on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledging Him and He will make your path straight.

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

Remembering that nothing on our hearts is trivial in the eyes of God when we come to Jesus in prayer.

In everything giving thanks.

Bring it all to the Lord in prayer.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King through eternal ages let His praises ring. Glory in the highest I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God.

This is who we are who we were originally made to be:.people who have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, April 27, 2026

I Just Don't Get It!

by David Brenneman

Life Principle #2, "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him." Dr. Charles Stanley

"so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come." Mark 13:33.

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

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11.

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

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10.

Our daily lives ought to reflect the walk we have with Jesus every single day. Our actions more than our words should shape our world into what it is that God's wanting rather than what we want.

Every day you're given something to do that has every potential to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus.

It's only through our obedience, whether we understand it or not, that God will be glorified.

Even if and especially if we don't understand what it could possibly benefit ourselves or others.

With very good reason we ought to strive to stand firm in our obedience because of what we read in those other selected passages. We don't know what day or hour that Jesus is going to come back.

We also shouldn't be anxious about obeying. If God's the one leading us to something then He's going to lead us through that something.

I can and will testify to many many days of the 10 months of being unemployed that my prayers turned towards: "Ok. What do you have for me to be doing today Lord?".

It was everything from household chores to helping people to fixing things here and elsewhere.

To me it was living out "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. It also was living out my life verses "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23-24.

Will Jesus find in you a willing man or willing woman to do His will in the life He gave you?

Will you be found as one who turned aside from obedience because of what your physical eyes saw or that you understood rather than what your spiritual eyes ought to have seen and your obedience should have completed?

Jesus is returning just as assuredly as His resurrection was true 2,000 plus years ago.

Paul encouraged all the churches to keep that in mind as they went through their lives.

What he wrote to the Thessalonians he said to read to all the churches.

Live your life as if today were that day. So what that there's apparently difficult things ahead of you. Jesus is already there. Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. Again I have 10 months of testimony on top of prior to that testimony on Jesus always being ahead of my situations...and He will be ahead of yours.

Be found by Jesus to be doers of the word of God. Be found by Jesus obeying in all that He commanded us. Even if what He's commanding isn't making any sense at all.

Many in the Bible didn't think that what they were told to do made sense but they obeyed anyway and God received the glory. That's where this life principle comes from.

I am now going down a new path for me employment-wise. I am being taught many new things. I pray ahead of time to have God's wisdom and understanding of what's being taught. Through Jesus I can learn these things. It's on me to obey even if I don't get it yet.

To God be the glory great things He has done.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, April 26, 2026

When My Way Groweth Drear

by David Brenneman

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You." Psalms 139:13-18.

When my way groweth drear

Precious Lord, linger near-ear

When my li-ight is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my ha-and lest I fa-all

Take my hand, precious Lor-ord

Lead me on

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me sta-and

I am tired, I'm weak, I am worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the li-ight

Take my ha-and, precious Lor-ord

Lead me home

When my work is all done

And my race here is are you-un

Let me see-ee by the light

Thou hast shown

That fair city so bright

Where the lantern is the li-ight

Take my ha-and, precious Lor-ord

Lead me on

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me sta-and

I am tired, I'm weak, I am worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the li-ight

Take my ha-and, precious Lor-ord

Lead me home

- Jim Reeves "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" by Thomas Dorsey 1932.

We aren't going to have all roses and balloon days of joy when we come to Christ and are saved by Him...but we can find joy in our life in Christ.

Our lives are both not our own, because we were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ and because of that are to live a life that honors that sacrifice.

In doing so life is going to have many ups and downs. We will have people whom we won't get along with as well finding jewels of people whom have made our lives a complete blessing in those relationships.

As Mark Lowry said in one of his videos that he made first you need to understand what life is. Life is a series of ups and downs, highs and lows, mountains and valley's. When you come to Christ for salvation He gives you life more abundant. Higher highs and lower lows than you thought possible.

When people aren't understanding me or whatever God's permitted to happen in my life, when I don't understand as well, I'm comforted by what the Bible says about me.

What people think about me, more so in recent years, means less and less to me. What Jesus says about me means more and more to me.

My body isn't perfect. My mind isn't perfect. My spirit, soul, isn't perfect yet. Yet there is indeed going to come a day when it will be. When all these matters of this physical world will mean nothing compared to the embrace I will receive from my Savior and my Lord Jesus Christ after I step into eternity with Him.

In any given week there's those who don't understand me or what makes me tick. There's those in recent years who still believe erroneous information about me and I've had to turn them over to God to deal with.

These things can wear on a soul.

Yet this is where some of the promises of God come into my life.

That passage about how I was made. Others on how Jesus has His eyes on all the Earth. Knows the hearts of all mankind in a moment. He knows my every thought from afar. He knows what my intentions are before I do.

He knows.

When my way groweth drear...He knows.

Jesus didn't leave me, or you if indeed you heeded His call to you and you are saved in Christ Jesus as well, alone. His Spirit is within everyone who's received His free gift of salvation. His promises aren't used up at any point in our lives. We can never annoy Jesus with constantly coming to the throne of grace. We may have difficulty in making relationships but ours with Him are rock solid.

My Dear Reader...if you're living in the grace and mercy of God through the finished work of God in Christ Jesus through Jesus Christ...keep going to that throne of grace. Keep returning to find the comfort you need. Even if the world seems to have all turned against you, Jesus never will.

We are promised by Jesus that in this world we will have tribulations. We will have problems, situations even, that seems insurmountable. Yet in Christ, nothing is.

There's nothing we will ever face that He isn't prepared for.

There's nothing we will ever face that comes as a surprise to Him.

There's no broken relationship that He isn't intimately aware of every iota of detail about.

There's nothing that He doesn't have an answer for.

We must come to Christ in faith to make our requests be made known to God and trust Him with the results. Even if those results, those consequences, make little sense at the time.

My way has been dreary at times in my life...many times more than I could bear, yet no matter what Jesus was indeed there in it with me. In my darkest years, where I thought I was absolutely rejected and forsaken, He reached into that abyss and pulled me out. He restored my life in Christ and has never stopped showing me His love for me...even when I couldn't love myself.

You too, if you're in Christ, if He is your Lord and Savior, wants you to rest in Christ rather than trying to live life of your own volition.

When you're tired, weary and worn.

When you're feeling alone or betrayed by people whom ought to know better.

When you don't know what to do.

Jesus is always there for you.

When my way groweth drear...I remember that my Savior says that I am His, I am blessed, I am loved by Him.

I am His.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Leave it!

by David Brenneman

Dr. Payson, while still a young man, once wrote an elderly mother who was extremely worried about and burdened over the condition of her son. He wrote:

"You are worrying too much about him. Once you have prayed for him, as you have done, and committed him to God, you should not continue to be anxious. God's command, "Do not be anxious abou anything" (Phil. 4:6), is unlimited, and so is the verse, "'Cast all your anxiety on him"

(1 Peter 5:7). If we truly have cast our burdens upon another, can they continue to pressure us? If we carry them with us from the throne of grace, it is obvious we have not left

them there. In my own life I test my prayers in this way: after commiting something to God, if I can come away, like Hannah did, with no more sadness, pain, or anxiety in my

heart, I see it as proof that I have prayed the prayer of faith. But if I pray and then still carry my burden, I conclude my faith was not exercised." - Streams in the Desert.

This was an interesting part of my reading last night.

If you walk away from praying with your burden still in your hands then it's obvious you didn't leave them there.

Praying isn't for Jesus's sake but ours. Praying is wrapped up in a few things: "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.

It's in rejoicing. It's knowing that the Lord is near. Making a heartfelt, earnest, humble request while being thankful. THEN the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We're not done yet...next whatever is right, whatever is of good repute, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

We cannot complain and commend at the same time. We cannot grumble to and praise God at the same time. We cannot worry and pray at the same time.

During my 10 months of being unemployed there were many days where temptation came knocking on the door to get me to worry. The utter silence from potential employers. The utter silence from people in our lives who knew of our situation. The day in day out constantly going through job listings. But my Savior stayed with us every single day. He never once missed a single day of providing food for our table or money for the mortgage and bills. Praying was and is a daily thing.

Prayer and praising go hand in hand.

Leave what you're praying about with Jesus and recount His promises in prayer and leave.

You should be reading in your Bible to learn what promises are yours to be claiming in Christ Jesus.

Likewise as well...you cannot rest in His promises and be anxious.

I indeed can't comprehend the peace we have had for months on end. I just know from where it comes.

My God brought people at the right time to assist in our lives. Many times exactly when something was required. He is never late, as someone once said He's always an on-time God.

Lastly...you NEED adversity in your life to grow in Christ. There's a very good showing of adversity in the book of Numbers about all the places that the Lord Jesus took the children of Israel before they entered the promised land. All their adversity had a purpose but few ever realized it. There's GOING to be valley's of the shadow of death. There's GOING to be mountain tops.

These are there so that you Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. That's it.

Let go and let God.

Setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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Friday, April 24, 2026

Opened Eyes, Open Hearts

by David Brenneman

"The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." Psalms 14:1-3.

"If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?" Proverbs 24:12.

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him." Proverbs 24:16-18.

"Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked; For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. My son, fear the Lord and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?" Proverbs 24:19-22.

Wisdom and instruction. These are found in the Word of God. Until we come to Christ...we'll not understand, fully, what is meant by what is read.

The harshest is that there's yet billions who say in their hearts "there is no God". In the midst of these billions are those who only lay claim to a superficial knowledge of God. They believe in God but really are not putting any faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins. They erroneously refer to Jesus as "the man upstairs". They lay claim to that but do not let Him rule in their hearts. Then they wonder why their lives are so difficult.

Believers need to live out their lives in Christ. To stop hiding it under a basket. Jesus's return should be our expectation daily.

There's none righteous no not one. That's what God's word says of all humanity. Only in salvation through Jesus Christ do we have a standing in the presence of Almighty God.

Trillions and trillions of people will be saying be as these "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice(live your daily lives in) lawlessness(sin).’" Matthew 7:21-23. *emphasis added by me.

The daily practice of most of this world is a life in sin. Each one doing whatever is right in their own eyes. Just as the Scriptures say.

An just as the Scriptures say...Jesus has put before everyone the choice of death and life. A life without Him as their Lord and Savior and a life with Him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus is calling to all to come to Him and the truth is as we began reading...there's nobody of their own looking for Him. Jesus calls and people respond. Jesus beckons and people either come to Christ for salvation or they reject Him.

Rejection in this here this now, prior to both physical death or the Rapture of the Church, is an eternally effected choice. What is decided in your life as you live and breathe impacts where you spend eternity. Either permanently separated from Jesus in excruciatingly painful torment in Hell, and after the Final judgment the Lake of Fire, or Heaven with Him forever.

Jesus said the road is narrow that leads to life and way is broad that leads to destruction. The narrow road is what leads to salvation in Christ Jesus. The way that is broad is that open maw that millions fall into every day that find themselves in Hell, not understanding until then that their rejection of Jesus sent them there.

A life in Christ must be more than believing that Jesus lived 2000 years ago. It must be more than just acknowledging that He's the Son of God.

Jesus must be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. You must ask Him to be that to you and for you.

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.

My Dear Reader you do not want to die in your own sins. No matter what this world throws at you, nothing is worse than that.

Jesus is calling to hearts all the day long. Is He calling to you? If you're not yet among those who have, yes He is.

All the thief on the cross did was to believe that Jesus was who He said He was and asked Him to remember him. To which Jesus told Him that He would be with Him forever.

Jesus is calling...are you listening?

Open your hearts and let Him in.

Realize that you're "good" in your life will never measure up to all that Jesus did to live a sinless life and to die on a cross in your place.

Jesus is calling...

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

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Thursday, April 23, 2026

How Will You Be Found?

by David Brenneman

How will you be found by Jesus when He returns?

In 1 Thessalonians, at the end of every chapter, Paul refers to the return of Jesus for His Church.

This was something taught to the Churches from the very beginning.

Are you just living life or are you living it expectedly?

We're to be expecting Jesus.

Are you at all considering that particular truthful statement?

You really should. We tend to remove more things that distract, things that all the sudden aren't as important, when we're expecting someone important to us or those who are in our lives deem important.

Would God be honored by what you're doing today, should He show up in your life today to take you home?

Would you be embarrassed to be found in the midst of something sinful?

We do not know the day or the hour but that's no excuse to not be ready at all.

Some teach that in case of emergency you should have a "go bag" ready. A duffel bag or backpack with essentials in it to tide you over in an emergency situation. Many many people in this world who are Christians have these but aren't really ready to stand before Jesus.

We have been given gifts from the Spirit of God when we came to Christ for salvation. We're to be seeking out what those are and to be like the wise stewards who invested them and not like those who buried them and wasted their opportunities.

Nobody who is truly saved has any excuse for not being about their portion of the Father’s business that the Spirit has for them to be doing.

Are you looking for self-satisfaction or are you looking to please Him in all that you do?

We have work to do in the Lord that's upon us to be doing. As truly devoted followers of Jesus Christ we ought to be making every effort to be about the work of God in Christ through us.

We should make the time to be in the Word of God daily. Should be making every effort to listen to the Spirit daily. Should be applying the same Word of God to our thoughts and actions...again daily.

In doing so we'll be found by Him doing what we're to be doing and won't be embarrassed by His return.

We'll be expectant rather than embarrassed.

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.

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come." Mark 13:33.

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.

"so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

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

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11.

“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:42-44.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

None Righteous, None Good Enough

by David Brenneman

"as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving, The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:13-23.

Re-read that last part about those who tell Jesus what they did in His name. The reality is that even those and those who weren't doing anything in Jesus's name will cry out, will shout, will raise a shaking fist at Jesus on that day they all stand before Jesus condemned in their sins. They will try to shout, yell, to stand defiant before Him. To explain why they think they were good enough.

These people are in this world right now. They will be in this world until that last moment of human history when Jesus calls everyone not in Heaven through His gift of salvation to their final judgment day.

There's none good no not one. There's nobody who's capable of the righteousness required that only Jesus fulfilled on a cross over 2,000 years ago.

Scripture says that if it were possible for mankind to bridge that gap to reach across to Heaven then Jesus died needlessly.

There's none righteous no not one.

My Dear Reader we who are in Christ are to shine in our part of the world with the righteousness of Christ in us. So that all may see Jesus and see their need for a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

The lives of Believers aren't about us getting everything we wanted in life just because we came to Christ. We came because He first came to us. He drew us to Himself. He saved us so that we could tell and show others that He loves them too and wants the same for them.

We live in a highly distracted world. Distractions are everywhere and are indeed persons, places and things.

Those who are saved are being fed distractions to keep us from living out the righteous life that God desires for us and those not yet saved are constantly being distracted from hearing and perceiving the truth of God in Christ Jesus.

There's none righteous no not one.

The only one who ever was and is, is Jesus Christ. Jesus said that it has to be through faith and trust in Him alone are we saved and pass from death to life.

Our definition of what is good or good enough isn't worth mentioning compared to where the Creator of the universe has set the bar.

Our thoughts aren't His. Our ideas on good aren't His. Our views on good and bad aren't of any value at all.

Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins there's no salvation at all.

Without Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives we aren't seen with the righteous.

My Dear Reader...be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. Be sure that you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Without it, you'll never see the face of Jesus with a favorable light.

For those reading this who are saved...live it. Live it like you mean it. Live like it's true in your life.

Only through salvation in Christ Jesus will His righteousness be seen in us. His, which is pure, holy and true.

Everyone must choose to receive or reject the free gift of salvation. The consequences in this physical world will determine where you will spend eternity after this world passes.

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

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

More than a Few Moments

by David Brenneman

Prayer is war. It takes the very best a person has to offer and asks him or her to fight with diligence. (Colossians4:2-4, Romans15:30) - Dr. David Jeremiah Colossians 2:1 notes.

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ." Colossians 2:1-5.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4.

"Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me," Romans 15:30.

Something that's been stirring in me is to indeed be more diligent in prayer. To not just repeat lists. To put more heart into what I is on my heart to pray about.

While there's a time and place for what Nehemiah did in his very quick very succinct...there ought to be a better balance that pours out our own heart. King David was known as a man after God's own heart.

Paul's showing us that there's work involved in praying that's going to take some time to accomplish.

Jesus, after their own failed attempt to cast out a particular type of demon, told them that THAT particular type comes out only through prayer and fasting.

All this being said...we're quick to get emotionally vested in what emotionally matters to us. We can pour out emotions like Niagara Falls at a sporting event yet aren't the same towards what matters to God. We can get all churned up from a movie yet aren't moved by what moves God. We can get stirred up and spend hours in intense matters of family and friends...and yet only give the One who went through everything on our behalf on the cross not much more than a minute or two.

And then we wonder why our lives aren't reflecting Jesus to those around us.

Are our hearts really in it for Jesus?

Are our hearts really looking to obey Him in all that we do?

Are we trying to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?

These are some of the things that I find myself wondering after looking in the mirror at me.

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

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

"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.

There it is...the diligence behind a prayerful heart. We have to decide who it is we're going to please in what we do, say and think.

We are going to have to choose who's heart is going to rule in our heart.

The schemes of the devil involve every single type and form of distraction both known and as yet unknown to mankind.

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

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality." Romans 12:9-13.

We, every minute of every day, are needing to be diligent to make what matters to God matter to each of us. It's going to be a battle, just as Dr. David Jeremiah said in his notes. It's war. In wars you don't have a whole lot of time for luxuries. Taking on prayer with the same fervency as Jesus did in going to the cross in all obedience to His Father in Heaven...yeah that's going to take some time to learn.

Take real time in I prayer today as if it really was and is that important to you. I say this as much to myself as to each of you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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www.lockman.org

Monday, April 20, 2026

That Which the Lord Requires

by David Brenneman

"I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18.

At times, the adversity you face will be so long-lasting, painful,

and profound that your response to any type of encouragement may be, "That's easy for you to say." How could anyone possibly know the depth of the despair you feel? Devotions, sermons, and books about trials tend to oversimplify when it comes to the subject of suffering, and I realize that what you face may be truly heart-wrenching. But that doesn't change the fact that God wants to work through the adversity to advance your spiritual growth.

We know the Lord could erase all difficulty from our lives with just a word-and someday He may do so for you. However, Scripture tells us that when He chooses not to it's because more important than than our ease, comfort, and pleasure is our transformation into Christ's likeness. The Lord is in the process of of teaching us about Himself: His faithfulness, goodness, compassion, and holiness. He is also breaking down all the places in us where we have erroneously set ourselves up as god instead of Him. It is painful. But the process is essential if we are to mature in the Lord and represent Him to others.

Jesus, I submit to You. Do as You see best in me. Amen.

- "Trusting God with Today " Dr. Charles Stanley.

"Stand firm and you will will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today." Exodus 14:13.

This verse contains God's command to me as a believer for those times when I am confronted with dire circumstances and extra-

ordinary difficulties. What am I to do when I cannot retreat or

go forward and my way is blocked to the right and to the left?

The Master's word to me is: "Stand firm." And the best thing

I can do at these times is to listen only to my Master's word, for others will come to me with their suggestions and evil advice. Despair will come, whispering, "Give up-lie down and die." But even in the worst of times, God would have me be cheerful and courageous, rejoicing in His love and faithfulness.

Cowardice will come and say, "You must retreat to the world's

ways of acting. It is too difficult for you to continue living the part of a Christian. Abandon your principles." Yet no matter how much Satan may pressure me to follow his course, I cannot, for I am a child of God. The Lord's divine decree has commanded me to go from "strength to strength" (Psalms 84:7). Therefore I will and neither death nor hell will turn me from from my course. And if for a season He calls me to "stand firm," I will acknowledge it as time to renew my strength for greater strides in the future.

Impatience will come, crying, "Get up and do something!" To

'stand firm' and wait is sheer idleness.' Why is it I think I must be doing something right now instead of looking to the Lord? He will not only do something--He will do everything.

Arrogance will come, boasting, "If the sea is blocking your way,

march right into it and expect a miracle." Yet true faith never

listens to arrogance, impatience, cowardice, or despair but only

hears God saying, "Stand firm." And then it stands as immovable as a rock.

"Stand firm." I must maintain the posture of one who stands.

ready for action, expecting further orders, and cheerfully and

patiently awaiting the Director's voice. It will not be long until

God will say to me, as distinctly as He told Moses to tell the children of Israel, "'Move on" (Exodus 14:15). Charles H. Spurgeon.

It was, from my perspective, a God thing when He aligns what others have written about to come together.

My Dear Reader, adversity is a required tool of the Lord for our sanctification.

Following the instructions of the Spirit of God is to be our ambition.

Whether to stay or to go, to speak or remain silent, to listen only or to give an opinion...do all to the obedience of Christ Jesus to the glory of God the Father.

Ours isn't necessarily to understand but it is ours to trust and obey.

Ours isn't to seek our comfort and joy but rather that which pleases our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If our way is blocked...then stand firm. If a direction is given...proceed with confidence in the Lord and not of ourselves.

Can you pray "Jesus, I submit to You. Do as You see best in me. Amen."?

The requirements of sanctification are written in adversities. Big or small, seen and unseen, adversity is there to purify, to sanctify, to make us to become more like Jesus Christ.

We're going to face challenges to this sanctification process. We're going to hear good advice and bad advice from even those in our lives who likewise claim to be Christians. What we're to do is take such words and possible actions to the Lord in prayer and await His response.

Satan's schemes involve us in big and small ways to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. To think, speak or to do life where we don't even have it within us to stop to consider if the path we are on has the blessing of God or not.

We can't trust and obey if we aren't at all considering that which is written in the Word of God. If we aren't concerned about what concerns the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was reading through my journal this morning before writing. It's sometimes laughable what I wrote over the years and sometimes sad that there were times I wasn't in tune with the Lord.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...not figure it out and if we can't then go ask.

Adversity is what we need in order to be sanctified. Realizing that the life we have in Christ is to be more real to us than our lives in this world is where our eyes begin to open.

Our life in Christ is to be more important to us than our wants, desires are to be.

We may not see what we want to see in our life. Remember what Jesus said. What does it profit a man to gain the world but forfeits his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Scripture says to give thanks for everything. This is to include whatever adversities that the Lord brings to your life.

As a child of God nothing can touch the life of a Christian without first being permitted by Jesus Christ.

Remember that.

Seek the Lord in this and all times of your life. Don't lean on your own understanding. Especially moreso when life appears to have no challenges or adversity. When we're enjoying life...stop to consider what God wants to say to you through even that time in your life.

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

We must have adversity to grow deeper roots in our faith. Shallow roots will never last through the storms of the spiritual life.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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Sunday, April 19, 2026

Disappointments and Discouragements

Disappointments and Discouragements.

by David Brenneman

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

We are going to face innumerable disappointments in life. What we do with them makes all the difference in the our world. Note that I didn't say "in the world" but rather "in our world".

We have a choice to either see the outcome of a disappointment as a sovereign choice by Jesus Christ or see it in its negative sense.

You just have to read through Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers to see how an obstinate people, being directed by the preincarnate Lord Jesus Christ, constantly chose discouragement rather than to trust in His Word about taking care of them.

We have a choice to face the disappointments as either a good thing or a bad thing.

To say the least, 10 months of being unemployed, sort of presented me with 10 months of disappointments that could have turned to discouragement in a moment.

I certainly was disappointed by many things related to being unemployed. I was disappointed that the truth if why I was let go wasn't being said. I was disappointed in the broken friendships that should have weathered this. I was disappointed in the silence from potential employers. I was disappointed at the daily spending of hours scouring websites for possible positions with nothing to show for it.

I had plenty of reasons to be disappointed...yet my choice was to trust in my Savior to provide for us during that time and to trust that there would indeed be a job that He says is suitable for me.

There were many people who were inclined to offer their opinions on what I should or shouldn't do. Many with good intentions but who weren't being helpful. As I told as many as world hear it: my Savior holds all the keys. Until He gave me keys to the door of opportunity that I was to go through...I wasn't going to be opening any doors.

Month upon month this went on, and indeed my God was faithful. We never went without. All the bills each month got paid. We had an ample supply of food from friends, family and food pantries.

The choice was ever present to give in to discouragement. I purposed to stand firm, as the Scriptures told me, in the promises of God in Christ Jesus to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. I further purposed to stay committed to being in the Word daily as I was formerly before being let go. Jesus promised to take care of our needs. Standing on that promise was next.

We can choose to go in circles in our own understanding or we can choose to do what we're given to be doing each day by the Spirit of God.

Indeed every single day without fail the Spirit had directed me to be doing something either at home or wherever He sent me.

I also refused to budge on my evening studies. Refused to not write whatever He wanted me to for this blog.

My hope is and will be in the promises of my Savior and my God.

While yes there's quite a few "I's" in the material you've read today, these are in the right context. They point people to the source of why discouragement didn't come.

Was reading through my journal to see that it seems that my various attempts at hiring in where I am blessed to be now were in the month of April over the years. Reading about what I wrote of those rejections.

You can either run to discouragement or run to Jesus.

You cannot do both.

I love the old hymn "Standing on the Promises".

"Standing on the promises of Christ, my King! Through eternal ages let His praises ring. "Glory in the highest!" I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God."

- Russell Kelso Carter 1886

While wallowing in despair is the quick and easy way...run to the Father instead. Fall into His grace and mercy instead.

I've carried a burden

For too long on my own

I wasn't created

To bear it alone

I hear Your invitation

To let it all go

Yeah, I see it now

I'm laying it down

And I know that I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

You saw my condition

Had a plan from the start

Your Son for redemption

The price for my heart

And I don't have a context

For that kind of love

I don't understand

I can't comprehend

All I know is I need You

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh (oh)

My heart has been in Your sights

Long before my first breath

Running into Your arms

Is running to life from death

And I feel this rush deep in my chest

Your mercy is calling out

Just as I am You pull me in

And I know I need You now

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

My heart needs a surgeon

My soul needs a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

I run to the Father

I fall into grace

I'm done with the hiding

No reason to wait

And my heart found a surgeon

My soul found a friend

So I'll run to the Father

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh

Again and again

And again and again

Oh, oh, oh

Again and again

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Our Best, Not Our Leftovers

by David Brenneman

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14.

Are you pressing on? Is there a mindset of determination to finish the race that IS set before you?

If indeed you are saved in Christ there's a segment of the race of life for you to run with endurance.

In a relay race many participants are aligned on the track to give their best performance towards winning the race. Each one individually giving their all for the race set before them.

We take up a baton in the faith when we came to Christ, and are to give of our lives the best as unto the Lord. Running the race set before us with determination and hope in Christ.

There's really no room to be lazy about it if we're looking ahead to when we WILL stand before Jesus.

Ours is but a small part, maybe, but in Christ all parts are meaningful.

All parts matter no matter what our perspective is concerning it.

Do we really give of our time to the Lord as we should?

Are we maintaining the right heart attitude? Do we really?

To look at the attitude that the Lord Jesus was trying to instill in the children of Israel it wasn't just doing a duty it was for them to live a life well pleasing to God...and in a way that they would have appreciated had they stayed committed to it.

Our lives can't be seen for what they will be or would be in Christ until obedience defines our walk with Jesus.

Ours is to run with endurance, perseverance, commitment, towards whatever is important in our lives that God says is important.

Dedicated time in God's Word.

Honest, from the heart, prayer.

Lifting up others in prayer.

Preferring one another above ourselves.

Listening to the Spirit and following His direction even if and even when the world doesn't understand it.

Run with Jesus, staying with Jesus.

You have a particular calling in Christ that's yours to pursue with your everything, not your leftover time, leftover money or leftover strength.

Give of your best to the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, April 17, 2026

Stand With God or Stand With the World

by David Brenneman

I keep as a reminder that saying "I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God".

When we look at various parables that Jesus said about the talents and others where He condemned those who didn't believe to that place where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth. That place has gone by various names in the world yet all in all its that place of the condemned called Hades or Hell.

What is falsely presumed is that Satan's ruling from there. Satan no more wants to be there than any of the countless trillions of people and certain demons who are there.

It IS a place of painful torment. We read for sure the words of Jesus when He spoke of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Jesus wasn't making it up He was speaking an absolute truth.

We were given the choice to receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior or we choose to reject Him as that. That's what was made possible when Jesus gave Himself on the cross for the sins of mankind.

This world in which we live, everyone who's lived has had to choose as well as all who live today and every day until Jesus returns, has an eternity decision to make.

To deny Jesus's offer of salvation through faith in what He did to save a person guarantees that decision means going straight to that place of torment.

There's that matter of Satan in this world. He prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. His minions follow in his footsteps. Trying to keep the minds of as many as they can from the truth of God's offer to save them through Jesus.

We have to choose because death comes upon everyone. The sooner we choose to live through the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ alone...the sooner we really do begin to live. When we choose not to, oh it may seem like it's all good, the truth is going to come upon all sooner or later.

We know not when our time is up.

We know not if we'll live a long life or in an instant be taken from this world. This world is full of obstinate people. Procrastinating people who think they would rather believe that they can be good enough without Jesus.

The Bible heartily disagrees. There are none who are good no not one. It says in Romans 3:10.

While also it says in Psalms 14 "the fool has said in his heart "there is no God".

My Dear Reader...we either are among the saved in Christ Jesus, standing with Jesus, or we are not and are standing with the world.

There are no other choices. There is no such thing as a conscientious objector in spiritual matters. There's none who will ever stand before Jesus and have any form of defense that will work as to why they refused His free gift of salvation that will grant them eternity in Heaven.

Lastly, that choice of receiving salvation through Jesus Christ alone or not is a limited time offer.

My Dear Reader you do not know if you're going to have another breath to breathe or if you'll even finish your cup of coffee or tea before your time on this Earth is over.

Jesus came and rescued me many decades ago and all I have known is a life with Jesus in it as my Lord and Savior. While I have had a very rocky life in my faithfulness to Him, He's never failed to be faithful to me. While I have had many occasions to be that returning Prodigal Son, He has always been watching the horizon for me to come back.

Jesus is watching the horizon for any who turn to Him for salvation. He will turn away nobody who comes to Him in faith to be their forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives.

As soon as the Church of Jesus Christ is complete, Jesus will return for His bride the Church. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the trumpet, all who are alive in Christ will leave this world. All who died in Christ will get their new bodies first then the rest of us will join them.

These are as certain a guarantee as the sun coming up and it setting each night.

If you're not sure...

If you're not sure, you can text the word "Jesus" to (330) 264-9459. Someone will get back with you on how to be sure that you're saved or to show you how you can be saved.

You're either standing with Jesus or you're standing with the world. There's no middle ground. Paul exhorted many churches to stand firm in the Lord. Give no ground.

My hope and prayer is that this blog helps people to either come to Christ for salvation or show them the way back to Him.

As for me...I am expectantly waiting for that shout that will call all those who are saved out of this world to forever be with Jesus.

Are you?

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, April 16, 2026

The Why Behind the Why

by David Brenneman

"I trust in Vour word" (Psalm 119:42)

The strength of our faith is in direct proportion to our level of belief that God will do exactly what He has promised. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, impressions, outward appearances, nor the probability or improbability of an event. If we try to couple these things with faith, we are no longer resting on the Word of God, because faith is not dependent on them. Faith rests on the pure Word of God alone. And when we take Him at His Word, our hearts are at peace.

God delights in causing us to exercise our faith. He does so to

bless us individually, to bless the church at large, and as a witness

to unbelievers. Yet we tend to retreat from the exercising of our

faith instead of welcoming it. When trials come, our response should be, "My heavenly Father has placed this cup of trials into my hands so I may later have something pleasant.".

-exerpt from Streams in the Desert, April 15th.

One sure highlight from the last 11 months has been looking for and actively seeing Jesus keeping His promises to always take care of us and to always be with us.

We had lessons to learn through the apparent to ourselves and all difficulties. Learning how we can do better at our finances. Learning where to find help with food. Learning to pray expectantly about our financial needs to pay the mortgage and bills. Never once were we behind in paying anything.

We learned to get done some things with what we had and to see Jesus provide free things to accomplish much.

I was able to help quite a few people with completing odd jobs for them. Was able to keep my commitments in my Bible reading and Bible studies. This was the more important part.

Looking in faith for what we prayed that God would do according to His Word was and is everything.

It caused us to be strengthened and stretched in our faith. It caused others the same as well. Have been told of from some of that very thing.

Many of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles, we saw happening in our lives. Life Principles that he came up with are straight from the Word of God.

We saw even more deeply the hands of God in our lives.

My Dear Reader, we aren't going to go through a bumpless life. We aren't going to have a life without trials and tribulations. Jesus said plainly that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

But yet still why? In the lives of my Wife and I, this here this now we have grown enough in Christ to be able to recognize and draw strength from the Lord Jesus. Had this happened years ago we likely wouldn't have come out of it the same.

There's a divine plan to our lives to grow and be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. That is the workmanship that Jesus is doing through the Spirit of God in each and every single Believer.

It isn't always going to be our understanding what we're going through. We read of one of Paul's shipwreck adventures. We read it but do we ever really know why the ship had to be destroyed or why they went through all of it? Some points yes but not all.

Our lives are going to be filled with various things to cause us to grow in Christ Jesus. If you're not going through various things you might want to have a serious conversation with Jesus about it.

We're to live our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. There ought to be something that they see.

It's ok to be concerned but take that to the Lord in prayer. We have this hope in all who believe that God is a promise keeper. We have the right to cry out to God for help. We who are saved are the adopted children of God with that right given to us by God.

We have this promise that when we seek the Lord He will be found by us. That when we pray in earnest He will hear our pleas.

There've been several people who thought that I was turning down jobs during those 10 months. Truth is I only turned down 1. The pay was below anything we could live on even temporarily. The rest of the time it was mostly crickets. Silence. As I told many...I can't go through a door of opportunity unless God gives me the key. When He says it's time He will give me that key. Which He did do.

We aren't really good at waiting. For several generations people have been trained to get n go. To rush through and don't stop to consider. To be honesty impatient about getting ahead.

Jesus taught His disciples the exact opposite. Take time to be alone with Jesus. Take time to be still before Jesus. Take time to see things from His perspective. To be who He is making you to be. To make use of the gifts given to us by His Spirit. To stand firm in the Lord. To run the race set before us with all diligence in the Lord.

To 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.

Breathe. Pray. Repeat.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.