Wrecking the Car

Wrecking the Car

by David Brenneman 

Being distracted behind the wheel these days is oh so easy.  Our vehicles move at speeds that the human brain isn't really comprehending.  The weight of these vehicles isn't part of the equation for those who do choose to drive recklessly.   

Add to it the truth that our brains cannot deal with multiple split second decisions. A text that comes in beckons a response while the vehicle travels at 65 miles per hour.  Distances longer than a football field are covered in the seconds people take to respond and someone dies.  Never understanding what just happened. 

People blame other things but what the cause actually was.  Human beings causing problems for other human beings. 

We cannot drive distracted, what makes us think we can live distracted?

If we keep looking at the past, our life's rear view mirror, we will miss the importance of the present. We will be ill prepared for the immediate future or the distant future.  Everything from memories of others or other places other things can flood our minds.  Some spend inordinate amounts of time, energy and effort to recapture the past, only to miss out on the things of the here and now. 

A life in Christ is meant to be in the here and now with a view towards the future, the finish line that we're to be racing towards. We have been told in the Scriptures to run the race as to win the prize. 

Those in a race ARE running for the purpose to achieve the goal of that race, to cross the finish line well.  

Paul taught to lay aside every encumbrance. Everything that weighs us down.  Every thought that distracts.  

I have repeatedly seen a video of a phenomenal comeback of a runner in a competition.  Several laps in and a competitor caught just enough of her foot to cause her to trip and down she went.  Rather than giving up, she got up, and took off.  She could have lamented her situation.  Could have just walked off the track. Could have said things or done something towards the one who ruined her race.  But she didn't. She was focused on that prize, to finish well, no matter what.  So she took off.  Competitor after competitor, she began passing people.  Her time kept getting better.  She passed her teammate.  Then won the race at the last step.  Literally by an outstretched leg.

Focused running of a race in spite of that obstacle.  A lesson for us about running this race called life.

Paul taught us to be focused. To run with endurance the race set before us.  To focus on what matters concerning what's needed to win.  Satan's trying to get Believers and the unbelieving to keep trying to grab souvenirs to hang on our running outfit.  To get us to put on backpacks and load them up.  To grab luggage on wheels to put more into.  

He wants to slow us down, to distract everyone from realizing the importance of finishing well.  

What are you being distracted by?  Don't lie to yourself and say that you are not.  Nobody who's in this life gets out alive. 

Everyone is in the fight of their lives. 

Believers are at war with the forces of Satan whether they acknowledge it or not.

Unbelievers are being blinded by the god of this world to stay away from the truth that can save them in Christ Jesus.  

Our past is the easiest place for Satan's attacks.  He plays on our emotions to get us to stumble, but will we get back up and keep running?  He convinces us through our emotions to make choices to walk away from God's calling in our lives.  Some, even think that those choices are from God when they certainly are not because they are not representing God well in them.  

God's got a specific, special, plan for us in Christ Jesus to run this race called life and to finish it well.   It's going to take determination in word, in deeds, in thoughts, emotions, prayer, to run with purpose and endurance.  It's going to take running in the present moment with the right heart attitude.  With the right frame of mind.  As someone said the past is a reminder, not a prison sentence.  It isn't there to define our lives. 

Are you running this race called life with the purpose of winning?  Are you removing things from your life that aren't helping you run well?  

Satan's going to use every bit of knowledge about what we think we "love" in order to get us to willingly pick up something from this world that will inevitably slow us down.  And he will get us to convince ourselves that what we have embraced from this world isn't a bad thing!  

The whole armor of God in Ephesians 6 isn't meant to be casual wear.   Really think about that.  Really consider what Paul wrote about our battle not being against flesh and blood.  Temptation is at our doorstep no different than it was at Peter's.  Satan would love to sift every single Believer.  He know more about us than we do.  He knows what memories will harm us the most.  He knows how a little distraction goes a long way. 

He doesn't tire nor does he take breaks.  

What's this to say?  Be alert, be set on the race set before us.  Keep the distractions to a minimum.  Let go of things like the past.  Ask God to reveal His plan and purpose for your life.  You were born in this here this now for a specific reason in Christ Jesus.  His workmanship in you goes much easier when we want what Jesus wants for us, in us and through us.

The longer we focus on the rear view mirror the more we miss what's in front of us.  We miss recognizing the blessings of God. We miss the friendships He's brought. We miss the lives we are meant to impact.  The more baggage we carry from this world the less we can see, the lessening of our impact on others. 

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

Paul admonishes us to lay aside every single thing that can be an encumbrance. 

To put off the old self and its practices. 

To put on Christ. 

To run as to trying to win the prize.  To hear Jesus say "Well done!" as we cross the finish line. 

Going in the Right Direction

Going in the Right Direction 

by David Brenneman 

Many in my life go on and on about what they know.  I don't know if it's a sign of maturity or of wisdom, but the older that I get the more apt I am to state that there's much more that I don't know. 

Right now, and I am perfectly fine in confessing it, I am at a loss about the true direction of my life.  Seems as though God's decided to use my life's situations as a basis of things to write about. Again I am not going to complain. Paul often wrote of deep things concerning his own life.  

Much of my thoughts revolve around Proverbs 3:5-6 these days, especially when I am seeking to know God's plan for my life.  In all reality I just don't know where to go from here. Employment wise or personally.  I have no dreams or ambitions ahead of me in this present moment.  Desires? Have plenty of those but God's response to those has been for me not to pursue them because they do not fit into His plans for mankind.  Yes, those thoughts and ideas are that big.  

I always look forward to my time praying on my way to work.  Just Jesus and me and almost nobody on the road.  No problems with being open and honest, more often than not just pouring out my heart.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  Try praying this...honestly if you dare to know the truth.  

Many are too happy with the compromises they have achieved with their own walk with Jesus and the world to do so. 

Unbeknownst to them that's exactly what Satan wants of Christians.  To establish compromises.  To permit things that God has unequivocally stated are sins in their lives and or to dismiss saying something to others about their practiced sins.

Do you want what Jesus wants of you and for you?  That's where I am at these days.  Unless Jesus changes His mind about my desires those things will sit on the shelf.  My mind has been both blessed and cursed with being able to troubleshoot problems.  I have solutions to several world issues in regards to various things and when asked, God's confirmed or has told me of whether or not they would have worked.  But in this present time I am not to pursue them.  With that said...I have already achieved most everything that I dreamed of being able to do in life.  I have no ambitions to do anything else. No dreams to dreams of something to accomplish that matters in light of eternity.  Which brings us back to prayer and Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Paul wrote of my being Christ's workmanship.   That I am created in Christ Jesus for good works that I might walk in them.  This means when I understand and when I don't.  Currently, I frankly, don't. 

I have several favorites of the giants of the faith, Daniel is my first, Joseph is next.  Many times during my life I can feel the parallels to his.  The years of not knowing how the vision given to me aligns with how life is going.  You read in Genesis about Joseph you read that the Lord was with him.  He was with him because he was keeping his heart set on the Lord.  You read in 1st and 2nd Chronicles and 1st and 2nd Kings of all the various so-called Kings over Israel and Judah who's hearts were not fully devoted or were devoted to the Lord. The Lord was with Joseph because of his devotion to the Lord. Regardless of how agonizing his life was.

Regardless of how completely confusing his life was.

Wrongly treated by family and sold off, several wanting to kill him.

Wrongly accused and sent to prison. 

Wrongly kept in prison and forgotten, or so he thought...for years. Yes, years. 

In all his ways, because of where his heart was, the Lord prospered him. He trusted in the Lord with all his heart and in all his ways he acknowledged Him and regardless of what his eyes saw, the Lord made his paths straight. 

My life isn't what my eyes see. 

My life isn't what my ears hear.

My life isn't to be about how I feel as my top priority. 

I will surely mess up life by putting those things first.  

Psalm 23...we walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death.  We do not take up residence there.  We don't book a hotel stay. We don't wallow in the misery of that moment. We are to press on. 

"And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5 NASB 

"Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 NASB 

Sometimes we acknowledge the idea of fight or flight. Joseph, Daniel, this wasn't an option in order to bring about the results that the Lord Jesus had wanted.

I still pray about my future. Praying for to be doing what He wants of me.  To be able to provide for my family.  To be of service to God.  To be found by Him doing that which He has in mind for me.  

Are you doing that?  Is what God wants of you a priority to you?  Are you a person who's been compromising, trying to do what brings you the least amount of pain in living life as a child of God?  Joseph and Daniel refused to compromise and the Lord Jesus blessed them for it.  

While I wait on the Lord, I will continue to do whatever He puts before me to do. 

That's what Joseph did.  He did his best at whatever God put before him.  

Satan loves to add off ramps to the path that God's put before us between us and Heaven.  All kinds of exits.  Jesus said to be alert.  Are you? We are to test things to see if what we are told are true by God's word.  Do you? We are to pray without ceasing.  Jesus knew the will of His Father because of His constant time with the Father.  

Proverbs 3:5-6.

When You Don't Know

When You Don't Know 

by David Brenneman 

It's been a prayer for some time now for me to be praying for God to show me His plan for my life.   As odd as it may seem I have no aspirations, no dreams, of things to pursue in life.  What I do have that remains are things that are more fantasy than a possibility of happening.

Was texting a friend last night about this dilemma of mine.  I am in the midst of searching and praying.  I have done so many things, tried many things, that confusion has set in. 

Then this morning I was reminded by way of this passage that He does know and as my friend had said as well, things will be revealed.

My journey in searching, as it is, began several years ago.  This isn't something that began recently.  What dreams that I had left are financially out of the question. Inventions that I have no ability to afford the time, energy or money to bear out.  In some of those, whether others believe it or not, God's shown me in conversations that the ideas would have worked or that they wouldn't have.

Some people struggle way more than I do at understanding their present and their future.  Praying is what I do because there's only One who holds my life in His hands.  It's not a matter of Jesus denying my desires because of this or that.  The heavy realization is that whatever is permitted to be has to fall into the plan and purpose for humanity, not just individuals. 

Speaking entirely hypothetically, suppose I or someone had an invention to eliminate something that's a global problem.  If such a thing were to arbitrarily be allowed because there were no constraints concerning the Word of God, it would be a free-for-all.  The truth is bound into what Jesus said.  Not one part of the Word of God would pass away as unfulfilled.  It would follow the Father’s timetable. 

What's this got to do with those times when you don't know?  Consider it well that the Spirit of God is very much active and working in this world.  Nearly 8 billion people being directed by the Spirit of God whether they believe it or not, that's what is happening.  8 billion puzzle pieces being maneuvered to fulfill the Word of God. 

And God knows every single detail of your story and mine that is happening and needs to happen.  Praying for what the Scriptures say takes on a higher meaning. 

Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  His will means paying attention to what He is doing and joining Him in it. 

My desire is to be doing whatever He has in mind for me to be doing, both in the Spiritual sense and the physical sense of providing for my family.  My desire also points towards hearing "well done!" from Jesus.  Is that your priority?

Love not the world nor the things of this world isn't a suggestion.  Yet so many people waste so much of their limited time on this planet trying to figure out how to love God and love this world's ideology. 

You cannot desire what the world does and obey the Word of God.  I am very leery of the things this world promotes in order to find "happiness" as defined by them.  

Jesus often got away from the world to spend time with His Father to know what He was to be doing.  That should be our practice too.  I don't know so I go and pray.

Praying is our heart speaking to His heart. 

While much has been said of our impact on the world at large concerning what is or isn't allowed according to the will of God and the fulfillment of God's word...remember that in the lives of every single Believer the Spirit is accomplished the work of Jesus in us to make us more like Christ Jesus.  

When we run after what the world offers we aren't able to obey the Lord Jesus Christ at the same time. 

Paul said to run the race as one who wants to win the prize.  Would that describe your life in Christ? Are you setting aside your desires to be able to finish well?  I have but that one desire...to finish well.  Money, fame, the approval of men and women, possessions, mean extremely little to me. It's just sadly taken way too much of my life to get to that point.  

When I don't know what to do...I just follow some old advice given to me. Keep doing whatever it is God's put in front of me to be doing until He changes things for me.  Keep praying, keep seeking to know.  The Spirit cannot direct feet that aren't moving.  

"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 NASB95. 

Don't be afraid to pour out your heart to Jesus.  When He prayed to His Father, that's what Jesus did too.  

"This day is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24 NASB95. 

If I Go...

If I Go...

by David Brenneman 

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:1-6 NASB95. 

Somehow, when I read this, I get the impression that when Jesus DOES return that regardless of how impossible it may seem...that Jesus will embrace every single person who's been saved. Just as what has probably happened for every single person who's died in Christ Jesus over the last several thousand years.  

When I read "I will receive you to Myself"...This image of Jesus embracing comes to mind. 

Another is this: 

Oh how I do long for that day.  Jim Reeves had a song out "This World is Not My Home"...and oh how true it is. 

Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for not just me, but all who are saved in Him. 

My first use of two good eyes will be when Jesus gives me a glorified body.  A body free of the trappings of this mortal flesh and blood.  No more of anything that's plagued me all my life.  Much much more than this is that the mental restrictions will be gone.  Understanding on a level that I have never experienced will happen to me.  Truth will be in my heart, soul and spirit in ways never known before. 

Thinking on that day I find this world paltry in comparison. 

The world gets excited for this breakthrough or that achievement. 

This world gets excited over what they claim science or medicine has discovered.  Those things aren't even peanuts in comparison to knowing Jesus like we will when we do meet Him face-to-face. 

We indeed are going to struggle in this world and in our lives.  We are promised that that is going to happen. We've been encouraged by Jesus to persevere. To press on as Paul also said to do. 

It's been incredible to me in recent weeks to really consider Proverbs 3:5-6. Likewise Ephesians 6.  

So many people struggle with life because they ARE trying to push their own understanding on Jesus who interestingly enough already understands everything.

So many don't get the why behind the whole armor of God, or think that the enemy of God would grant them vacation time in this struggle called life that they live or would cut them some slack if they don't put the whole armor on. 

We're to suit up. To put the whole thing on.  To literally sleep with it on. The old self we read from Paul we are to put off. To remove those rags that did nothing for us spiritually, and to put on this armor, the new self in Christ Jesus. 

With it on we need to know and understand the purpose of each piece. 

I've come to realize that we aren't just to keep holding up the shield of faith to block the blows from the enemy of God all the time.  We are to follow up those blows with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  This way of thinking is certainly outside of our own understanding. 

See how that connected?

Jesus is coming to receive us to Himself. 

Will He find you suited up or half dressed?

I sit in peaceful silence each day that these posts are written. I long for the day that I get to hear Jesus cry out for me to come home...my place is ready.  My desire is that it would be at the Rapture.  

He's certainly burdened my heart to keep telling people that He's coming again, and soon.

That message means far more to me than my job, than my hobbies. Than anything else in life including unnecessary focus on even my physical health.  For those who had followed my time of weight loss, it's being maintained at a level that I feel is healthy for me.  It's certainly not what a doctor would want for me but I am where I feel is right.  

Should Jesus return today nothing more of it would matter. 

My hope is that someone, somewhere, through these posts might come to Christ for salvation.  That they too might realize the wonderful message shared here this morning.  That Jesus is coming soon.  

"and let us consider how ato stimulate one another to love and bgood deeds, not forsaking our own aassembling together, as is the habit of some, but bencouraging one another; and all the more as you see cthe day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB95. 

What Satan Cannot Do and What to Be Aware of

What Satan Cannot Do and What to Be Aware of 

by David Brenneman 

The Scriptures say that at the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Satan was defeated.  Yet here we are a few thousand years later and he seems to still be at his typical self. 

The word of God hasn't failed has it?  By no means!  Read the rest of the story.  

Jesus isn't willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance and be saved.  There's also an additional element.  Scripture says that every person will be without excuse when standing before Jesus.  Which means every possible excuse will have been covered to disprove that any way of mankind's thinking would equal the Father’s plan that required salvation in Christ Jesus alone.

Satan's the manipulator of mankind.  I have come to really understand that if we see the world embracing something en-masse, be very very careful.  

When core thoughts of God about your identity are under attack, there's good reason why.  Satan doesn't at all like what God has established in Christ Jesus.  Our identity is the primary point of attack. 

He knows that those who are solid in their identity in Christ won't easily be fooled.  

He also knows how to do many things to sidetrack Believers and how to keep the unbelieving from understanding that Jesus seeks to save them too.  We as Believers introduce people to Jesus, only Jesus saves, we do not save anyone.  

Satan cannot read the minds of Believers because the Spirit is in each who are saved. He can, however, use circumstances and situations to try to influence our behavior by twisting our thoughts and feelings.  

Satan's restricted by our Savior Jesus Christ in what he's allowed to do towards us.   God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  Satan has to get permission to do.  It's not just the book of Job that shows this but it's in the Gospels.  "Peter, Satan's requested to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you" is one way it's written.  

Satan's not creative.  He only uses on humanity what works. 

Satan's also restricted to the Word of God. 

He cannot jump ahead of or alter any prophecies of God.  He cannot go beyond them.  

Is Satan a defeated foe?  By all means, yes.  But we must claim that victory in Christ Jesus. That's where he lost. 

Jesus is indeed returning to receive to Himself His sheep.  Those that have heard and do hear His voice.  Really think on that.  When Jesus does return His cry to everyone, the living and the dead will only be heard by those who were and are His sheep.  We read through the Gospels too quickly sometimes and miss the real life examples of the sheep who heard Him and those who didn't.  Find the passages where the Father speaks and only some heard and understood.  Some thought it was thunder.  Jesus clarified by stating that the voice was for their benefit (and ours).

We can easily be distracted by our sense of right and wrong.  By what we want and desire rather than what the Spirit is directing us towards in growing in Christ.

People and forces in this world are intentionally dumbing down the population at large to make them obedient to the global leader to come during the Great Tribulation.  By way of the chemicals in our foods to chemicals in medicine, to how the medical field is permitted to work.  To social situations and the pitting of one group against another.  What's interesting is the evidence and essentially the confession of historical figures backs up these statements. It's easily looked up if people would be interested in knowing. 

Smoke and mirrors to keep people from finding that only a life truly lived is lived in a right relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Satan's not wanting what God wants. 

Satan's wanting the worship of mankind to be towards himself.  He wants the Throne of God.  

If life is indeed valuable to God, he will twist, distort, and kill to keep people from learning the value in the eyes of God that it is.

He will pervert everything he can to keep people from knowing the truth of how deep the love of God is for humanity.  

The helmet of salvation is to protect the mind. The breastplate of righteousness is to cover the vital organs.  The shield of faith works hand in hand with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  Block with the shield the attacks of Satan and wield the Sword to attack and defend. The Bible says of itself that it's sharper than any two-edged sword able to divide everything down to the soul and spirit.  Satan cannot defend against the word of God when it's properly used.

He hates it when people pray. He knows how to get people to pray selfish prayers. He really hates silent prayers.  He hates when we pray as we ought to because he knows that Jesus hears.  

He sends many of his minions to fight the answers to prayer. Read Daniel. 

Arm yourself with right information on living the Christian life.  Pray that God would show you what He has in mind for your life, not your plans but His to be done in and through you.  

Pray that you keep that Ephesians 6 armor on at all times.  Nobody in a battle in any corner of this world goes into battle without preparation. 

Know your enemy but be careful in what you learn.  You don't fight him on his turf. You don't fight him using his rules.  He really wants you to think you don't need reinforcements.  

Pray without ceasing is there to keep you and I in communication with the One who can handle him.

The Return

The Return: Coming Soon

by David Brenneman 

"so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." Hebrews 9:23 NASB95. 

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3 NASB95. 

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB95. 

Whether this leans towards the prophetic or not its not for me to say, but I have believed since shortly after I came to Christ to be saved that I was told this event would happen in my lifetime.  Likewise, and in many ways to my own detriment, I had also been shown by God that He has big plans for me to reach people in this medium called the internet.  Where I erred was in getting ahead of God many decades ago, thinking that I understood where He was going with it and boy was I not ready for it...yet.

Fast forward to today and I am amazed daily at what all the Spirit has done with me, with what I do now understand about the Bible, and my relationship with Jesus. With what He's done with whatever I am given to write it blows my mind.  2 years ago this blog passed 70,000 views. Today it's nearing 123,000. I post every here and most of the time it's posted on Facebook too.  

My prayers these days are about those whom I have crossed paths with who don't know Jesus as their own Savior.  I am burdened with praying for them as well as family who might not be saved or who have walked away from God. 

I see God doing things in my life and know that none of it is a coincidence in any way, shape, or form.  

I know that my Savior is coming soon, I, just like many others do not know when.   

The Bible says, from Jesus Himself, that no man knows the day nor the hour.  While Jesus was on the cross it is likely then that the Father chose the day and the hour.  Upon His resurrection and returning to His intimate fellowship with His Father, Jesus now knows too. 

I imagine that the global earthquake that will accompany His return will have something to do with countless graves erupting, and all those bodies being reunited having been glorified with their spirits in Christ.  

People will indeed KNOW that Jesus has returned.  But Satan is already preparing people to receive a grand lie about what happened.  People will be told things to debunk what happened. 

Satan, even today, is manipulating the workforces of this planet to minimize the impact of millions and millions of Believers who will vanish.  The world has one way of interpreting things, but the Spirit reveals what God's doing and what God's allowing to transpire. 

Satan is developing artificial intelligence to meet his needs to control mankind. 

People are embracing it literally like a newfound religion that's going to deliver on everything that we've ever wanted to be able to do.

The very foundations of the thinking behind artificial intelligence is found in science fiction.  Star Trek is a very prime example.  

The greatest thing to note is that all of this is being permitted by God towards only one end:  preparing for the return of Jesus Christ.  Preparing for what will happen soon afterwards.  Artificial intelligence will help automate many things that much of those millions of people who vanished were doing in this world.  It will also aid Satan in controlling this world.  Read Revelation and you can see the tendrils of the use of artificial intelligence to control how people buy and sell.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 NASB95. 

Generations are being groomed to be docile and to not question what governments offer by way of their "helping" those under them. The greatest enemy to those in supposed authority are critical thinkers.  Those who know how to live without reliance upon government handouts.  In our digital world, physical books are becoming very scarce for good reason.  Once it's in print on physical paper it cannot be altered.  Anyone with access can change anything in the digital world in an instant.  Can restrict anything in an instant. Can delete anything in an instant.  Can pervert anything in an instant. Can rewrite history in an instant. 

Our world has been manipulated for several hundred years by a few people in power to use chemicals introduced in prescription drugs and the foods we eat, sometimes the water we drink, to dumb down the public.  The same people who began this are playing both sides of the game.  They created the medical field and when those chemicals used caused harm, they created cancer societies to mop up.

Our world is not going to get better through legislation. Our world is on track for the return of Jesus Christ and is going to go through the Great Tribulation as outlined by the Word of God.  People are being taught to look everything else but in Bible believing Bible preaching churches for answers to life's questions.

Are you really ready to meet Jesus today if today is that day?  Are you at all interested in living life according to the plan and purpose for you in this world as the Spirit of God has in mind for you? 

I am probably among the few who see the dots connecting between what I read in the Bible and the things in this world. Jesus said to be alert for you know not when He will return.  Does that describe you?  Are you so consumed with your life that you have no time for you and Jesus?

Jesus said that He is going to return.  Do you believe Him or are you one of those who think that day is way off in the future?  Do you seek the blessings of Jesus, believe in the work of God in your life, yet are not prepared for today maybe being the day you meet Him face-to-face?

I read something last night, based on a Scripture passage.  Preach the word, whether it clears the room or fills it up. 

The preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ to this world is far more important than anything including our own health.  

Are you really ready to meet Jesus or will you weep because your relationship with Jesus wasn't genuine because you really weren't saved and were left behind?   

Know for sure.  Your eternity depends on it.

Consequences for Denying The Truth

Consequences for Denying The Truth 

by David Brenneman 

My Dear Reader:  

Know this truth about life:  Eternity matters.  Where you spend it matters. What choice you make in this here this now matters concerning the truth about sin and your need for a Savior who is Christ Jesus.  

Scripture is clear that by under no other name given among men must we be saved.  Only by the name of Jesus Christ. 

If anyone saw the ramifications of a single sin served up in the moment of it, it would only maybe change how they view it.  

Only maybe?  Most people are very stubborn towards what God says about sin.  Most don't want to believe it's that bad or want to believe there's anything bad at all.  There's this lie that Satan's perpetuated that you can do a bunch of good things to cover your sin. That's not of God.  

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, enjoying himself in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed from the scraps which fell from the rich man’s table; not only that, the dogs also were coming and licking his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s arms; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set, so that those who want to go over from here to you will not be able, nor will any people cross over from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I request of you, father, that you send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment as well.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 NASB95 

John 12:37 NASB95 "But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him."

The passage from John was part of my reading this morning and only today had I understood why the people there couldn't understand the words spoken by the Father to Jesus but the writer of the book of John.  Further proof they weren't His sheep.  At least not yet. 

Many believe they have the right to be arrogant towards a Holy God.  Millions and millions are in Hell because they arrogantly believe they could stand on their own against what God said about sin. And now they joined that rich man in Hell.  

That rich man in Hell as described by Jesus is a real man.  Lazarus that he describes is a real man.  A different Lazarus than the one Jesus raised from the dead.  But real nonetheless. 

Jesus wasn't playing a game of what if.

Jesus was describing a very real event that actually happened. 

Sin has consequences. The ultimate is when a person dies without having salvation in Christ Jesus.  Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone a person goes to Hell because they have ultimately rejected Jesus.  

People are in Hell, millions arriving every day, not because God sent them there, but because they chose to refuse salvation available only through Jesus Christ. 

My Friend if you too refuse to come to Christ to be saved you too will find yourself in the same predicament as the rich man.  You indeed may cry out for someone to come back here to warn others about the horrific consequences of sin.  

But ever since Jesus died and arose from the grave, Abraham and all who were awaiting Jesus's arrival left.  The paradise they were in was destroyed.  The Bible says He lead captive a host of captives.  He removed them from there and took them with Him to Heaven.  

Satan is the Liar and the father of lies as Jesus describes him.  He's the great deceiver.  His aim is to establish his rule in the universe. He was defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ.  All that remains is the fulfillment of the Word of God.  To give each an every person will be born a chance to turn to the living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Scripture is being fulfilled and it will be completely fulfilled as history unfolds. 

Jesus IS coming again. Satan knows not when and he cannot stop it.  

Jesus came to die for the sins of mankind.  He came to save you and I and countless others.  But you must choose. You must decide to come to Christ to be saved. 

"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 put to shame.” 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 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13 NASB