ALL in All

ALL in All

by David Brenneman 

"You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I get dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name"

All in All by Dennis Jernigan 

When reading the verse of the day from the Bible app, this song came to mind. 

"And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39 NASB 

How much is your all?  

Is it really your all?

Is it your best, your full 100%?

If you're divided between the world and serving Christ then for certain you aren't giving your 100%.

If you're taking what you want of the Bible and disregarding the rest, you aren't giving your 100%.

If you're listening more to people's depictions of the Scriptures and are not reading it for yourself then my friends you are not giving your 100%.

If you've allowed heresy into your life then those things will entangle you and you will not give 100%. A heresy is a false teaching.  Something not true about God, Jesus or the Bible.  There's a lot of that going around these days from people from the pulpit to the music that's aired to videos.  Satan's twisting the minds of people to think, as the Bible says, to think they are giving service to God.

Was reading of a recent interview with a very very popular Christian artist. The interview shows how far they have slipped from God's Word in their life.  To condone living in sin as ok, to refer to God as a she as being ok.  There's no way such a person is giving their 100% to God. 

In Christ Jesus is where we are. Preaching the word, in season and out of season, is what is to be done 100% of the time. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that athe man of God may be adequate, bequipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB.

There's nothing that we ought to be doing that isn't reflecting a 100% commitment to our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

When compromise enters in at all the 100% is not possible.  Not until we let go of what's taking God's place.

What does the Bible also say?

1 Corinthians 6:20 NASB "For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

We owe our all in all to Jesus. 

We also read this: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6 NASB.  Most read that to talk about discussing the Bible. It's also about our lives. We read in another place "but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”"  1 Peter 1:15-16  NASB. 

Do you think about the holiness that's supposed to be coming from you?

Do you think about how honestly disgusting it is to take what belongs to God and placing it with the things of this world?

I think now of another song. 

"You have longed for sweet peace,

And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed.
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Refrain:
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will
To be free from all ill–
On the altar your all you must lay. [Refrain]

Oh, we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid. [Refrain]

Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet
When our all on the altar is laid! [Refrain]" 

"Is Your All on the Altar" E.A. Hoffman 

Temptations aren't just a group from a few decades ago. Temptations are distractions. 

They are intended by Satan to get you to not put your all on the altar.

They are intended to shipwreck the faith of people who claim to be Christians  

That artist I referred to is an extremely popular Christian artist. The person's words carry a lot of weight with probably millions of people. All being led astray. 

What you do for God is supposed to be in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 100 percent of the time. Your All. 

Take a look at your life, your ambitions, your goals, your all. Where is it going? Is it going towards God for all the right reasons? Is it your All? Is it your best?

Things to think about for today, for tomorrow. 

Where are they Biting?

Where are they biting?

by David Brenneman 

Mark 1:17 NASB "And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”"

Matthew 4:19 NASB "And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”"

You look at the 3 and a half year ministry of Jesus, you see Him gather His "fishermen" and take them to the "fish", wherever they were.  Jesus knew the best places to fish for men and women. He knew exactly what bait to use. 

Somewhere along the way the Church got the misguided idea that the only good fishing holes were in sports arenas and venues.  That the only way to get through to people was through their love of football, baseball, basketball, soccer or golf or for some, NASCAR. 

Had the first coming of Jesus been in today's world, I somehow have to believe that those would have been the last places you would find Him. He went to where the people really were.  In those places the fish often came to Him.  

Jesus sent the Apostles out into the fields. The world at large, in a controlled fashion. Some areas before others. Going to where the fish were, and where the fish would be biting. 

The Bible says "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NASB. 

Telling people what they want to hear is what politicians think they are doing.  It isn't for Believers. 

"All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB. 

So there's what's to be used for bait as it were.  

"Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 NASB. 

As a self-identified geek, I assure you that those like myself will be utterly turned off at the prospect of sports as a "draw" towards the things of God.  I would hazard to guess that the number is probably in the millions of men and women who do not at all identify with sports or sporting events. 

Jesus lead by example. He taught His Disciples to go to where the fish were biting. There's a really good chance that after the resurrection, when Jesus took the time to restore Peter, the whole eating of fish with them was a way to remind them. 

Scripture says for us to go, make Disciples of all nations.  Nowhere in that command is it pointing to arenas or special events. Not all fishing is done with nets. 

Jesus said to follow Him...following His example. Seeing what He says is important and making those things important to us. Seeing how He approached people and do so in like manner.  

Ask any successful fishermen or fisherwomen and every single one will tell you that to catch a fish requires certain things. Patience, the right place, the right time, the right bait. Some overemphasize location.  But as my brother has the ability to catch fish practically anywhere there's water and fish, it's certainly more than just location. There is a necessary knowledge of what you are fishing for and where they are. Of knowing what what works and what doesn't. 

In fishing for men and women we indeed have to go about it God's way not ours. If we go by our ideas on it, then it's walking by sight, not by faith.  Think on that one for a moment. 

We aren't here to be successful, to even be happy all the time. We aren't here seeking a retirement program that ensures a great end of our days on this Earth. 

We are not here to sell things nor make companies money. Those are the possible side effects of living a life right before God.  They aren't our purpose for being here in this now in history. 

We are His workmanship. We are being molded into what He wants us to look, act, and behave like. We live in a world that wants us to be their workmanship. To conform to their ideas, their thoughts, their ways.  We are here for a purpose. To be fishers of men and women.  I used to work exceptionally hard at being successful at work. Honestly the company didn't care one way or another. My responsibilities are Colossians 3:24-24. 

Are you at all looking beyond yourself?  Are you looking at who you are really pointing people to?  

Are you looking at people as Jesus did?

Are you at all looking for those people in the harvest that Jesus said to pray to the Father to go to?

Are you fishing with the right bait? Are you fishing where the fish are?  Are you doing as Jesus did, meeting people at the point of their need?  

This go round ar employment I am doing more at setting boundaries.  I keep work and home life separated more.  I indeed pray for work and the workers.  In 30 plus years of working at various places mixing the two certainly has been poisonous. 

Our light should so shine before people that they see God in us only.  That's the only light that's right, pure, and true.  

It's only a life in Christ Jesus that transforms people.  Not Jesus AND anything else. There ia for those workers in the harvest crops to be tended to. It's those places that are our fishing holes. 

Don't be surprised at the places that the fish are.  The Disciples sometimes were with Jesus.  

Some of the first lessons taught to the Disciples were of how to think outside the box.  We aren't going to reach people if we keep going to the same boxes over and over. 

You got the same command as all Believer's since He issued that command. 

You are here to reach people for Christ Jesus if indeed you are saved.  

"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5 NASB. 

God Sees

God Sees

by David Brenneman 

We read in Genesis of Hagar. Abraham's concubine. Of Sarah's impatience at waiting on the Lord, insisting that she can get done what evidently God wasn't going to be doing.  That's not how it's written but that's how it's easily understood. Sarah's mainly responsible for the whole second line of people in Abraham's lineage.  She knew the promise of the Lord and wasn't willing to wait.  

After God's promise came as promised, she had utter disregard for any reminder of her bad choice.  

But the point of understanding is with Hagar. "Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees me”; for she said, “Have I even seen Him here and lived after He saw me?”" Genesis 16:13 NASB

Sarah surely was a pill as we might say today in regards to being difficult to live with. Indeed this is sarcasm but it's almost amazing to not read in the New Testament concerning Abraham's faith that it would include dealing with such a wife as Sarah apparently was like. 

We often go through life feeding emotions that aren't real or relevant. Indeed we feed emotions that only burn up our mental energy.  Going on for minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, even years of people living rent-free in our heads.  Hypothetical and theoretical discussions that have either happened or are imagined. 

In our lives, though, we indeed have a God who sees.  He sees and knows even. As the Scriptures say in James 1:5 NASB "gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."  No shifting shadow...nothing to hide.

Jesus knows us in ways that nobody else ever will.

Jesus sees us in our ugliest times and still holds onto us and still says "Doesn't matter. I still love you.".

Jesus sees those who are in Christ Jesus as growing up into the holiness they weren't physically born into nor were able to achieve outside of salvation in Him. 

Jesus sees our needs before we are aware of them.

Jesus sees.

He sees what is right and true about us that the world doesn't understand. 

He sees what we are becoming in Christ. 

He sees how far we have come that we cannot. 

He knew us from before the foundation of the world. 

He knows the plans He has for us. 

We are the ones who aren't seeing what He sees.

We don't see His understanding. 

We don't see His adjustments in our lives to change us to be more like Christ. 

We don't see why He allows some things and doesn't allow others.

Indeed life wasn't going well for Hagar.  Yet the Lord told her to return to Sarah. It certainly would be a daily reminder to Sarah that her sin needed confessed. Would be a reminder to wait on the Lord. 

Would probably be many other things...to Abraham as well.  Abraham certainly also gave into fear a lot.  Fears on more than one occasion while traveling to where God was leading him that he lied about his relationship with his own Wife. Seems at least in part he was afraid of his Wife's behavior more than waiting on the Lord here as well. 

Jeremiah 17:10 NASB "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, To give to each person according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds."

Jeremiah 1:5 NASB "“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

We often don't consider our actions as being selfish or anything. Yet here we are, killing it.  We often over think life.  We give into whole trains of thought that do nothing towards our sanctification in Christ Jesus.  We easily live in a time where knowledge has increased...as the Bible says would be an indication of living in the end times. We waste so much time not looking for God's hand in our lives. We are easily very busy doing all kinds of other things. 

Indeed we waste time in even ministry if that ministry wasn't God's intent for our lives. We also can be a person or people that runs from that ministry God intended for us to be doing.  Remember we read in Romans that we are placed in the body of Christ as the Spirit sees fit.  Noting that we are to trust and obey in where we are placed in the body of Christ. 

If we're honest we don't want to think about the truth that God sees. 

We want to indeed do as the Scriptures mention...every man doing what is right in their own eyes. We want to craft a life free of what our minds don't approve of. We want a life that doesn't have conflict. We want a life that is only prosperous. We want what we want when we want it.

"You are the God who sees" - Hagar. 

In all eternity she will be remembered for saying that. 

God knows our pains and doesn't necessarily want us dwelling on them.

God knows what breaks our hearts and doesn't want us living in that moment. 

God knows.

God knows what He has in mind for you if only you would let go of the pen and let Him do the writing of the story of your life.

Live your life trusting in God's promises and not your own understanding.  

Live your life honoring Him and not you. 

Live your life in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 

God sees. God knows. God loves you more than you can possibly imagine. 

At His Feet with the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

At His Feet with the Good, the Bad and the Ugly 

by David Brenneman 

What might it mean to place something at Jesus's feet?  To place it at the foot of the cross?  

I am no theological scholar but what I understand is what I might impart today. 

In the various Gospels we see people who came and bowed to Jesus. We read in Revelation of the Elders putting their crowns they received at Jesus's feet.  We Read in the book of Acts of people bringing their offerings and placing them at their feet.  

As I looked farther into this, I understood the thought behind it.  As one website described it, it was a sign of great respect. When approaching a King one would bow down out of respect as they came near.  

But what of our problems, situations, issues of life?  

As Believers I know we give everything to Jesus, literally the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We trust Jesus to deal with what's beyond our comprehension and our apparent ability to handle.  We are to be dependent upon our Great Shepherd. We shouldn't be thinking we got this all the time. 

In Christ we are following Him. We see in the Disciples of them giving their all in learning from Jesus.

It's important to implicitly trust God when we cry out to Him.  He said that His Word provides everything pertaining to life in godliness.  

God doesn't need our offerings but chooses to accept them from a person who's heart is right before Him in order to bring glory and honor to Himself. 

Our problems and situations are able to also bring honor and glory to God.  Jesus said that nothing is impossible for God. 

Offerings and our prayer needs come out of a heart that relies on God. Our offerings are to be from a grateful heart. A possible way to look at it, is its our watering the seeds of faith. Our prayers feed our faith.

Throughout King David's writings we see him at Jesus's feet. 

Sin and death were defeated at the cross of Jesus Christ.  Leaving things at the cross would be a reminder to ourselves that our sin is dead and done.  Jesus took it all on and defeated it.  In Christ Jesus we share His victory over it.

When we lay something at His feet we want to share in His victory over those things.  But if we keep panicking and taking them back, we will never see it.

Scripture says we walk by faith and not by sight.  When we trust our eyes more than our faith we lose.  Peter sank in the water when he did this. 

We read of Jesus talking about asking, seeking, knocking.  This too is connected.  It's our prayer life.  Prayers are an offering as much as material needs, physical needs are.

Jesus told us about being anxious for nothing.  But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving bring our requests to God.  It's with an implied belief and trust that He's got this and that He knows what is best. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

We are the flawed human beings. 

He is not. He is the Creator God. 

He is the God who Sees.

He is from beginning to end. 

He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

He took my place, your place, on Calvary. 

He tells us to bring our burdens to Him. 

Psalm 55:22 NASB "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;

He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Perhaps that sums it up. 

I know that I know that I know that leaving my burdens with Jesus brings such relief that words cannot describe it.   Jesus said "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”

Jesus often was alone with His Father. He wasn't just sitting there, He was communing with Him.  Sharing His burdens with His Father. Receiving strength and wisdom from His Father. He was wanting to follow everything as His Father had planned out in full obedience. 

Another example is the real storys in the Gospels of the official who's daughter was ill.  He came to Jesus and was at Jesus's feet to cry out to Him to heal his child. After being assured that the child would be ok, he left Jesus in faith believing and indeed she was healed.  I kind of find it hard to believe that he didn't bow down to Jesus in his anguish and need. Certainly doesn't sound like he approached Jesus with "Hey, Jesus! Got a second? Look, if it's ok with you, and you have a moment, could you come on over to heal my kid?"

My thoughts are that he probably dropped to his knees before Jesus because he needed a miracle and knew where to go to get one. 

We are told to pray without ceasing. That certainly implies bringing the good, the bad and the ugly of our lives. Our burdens our joys our everything. 

Our anxiety our hopes our ideas our plans. 

Everything. Just as believing as that official at Jesus's feet to believe that Jesus can and will do something.  

As the Day Draws Near...Fight

As the Day Draws Near...Fight

by David Brenneman 

"and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB 

"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12 NASB 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 NASB 

Oh the interesting ways that the Scriptures often connect at this time of the morning. 

I have often wondered if indeed the writer of Hebrews was Timothy.  To me it seems befitting. That Paul's son in the faith write something. It's certainly not Peter's style and certainly has elements of Paul that one might find from a student. 

How hard are we really trying to fight the good fight?  How hard are we pressing on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?

How hard are we trying to keep the faith?

How hard are we trying to get together to talk about the things of God? 

Or is the world taking up all our time, and are we being selfish about what little daylight time we get each day, spending it on ourselves?

Read in the final chapters of Romans and you will see Paul telling those reading it that he has a hope of seeing them as a basically refreshing joy to be with. 

In recent years the whole institution of Church gatherings has been under extremely heavy attacks.  Both due to the obvious and not so obvious reasons. 

Satan certainly does not want Believers gathering at all...and it's a sad unfortunate truth that way too many in the professing Church accommodate him!  They don't even put up a fight concerning the whole idea of gathering together. All in the name of this or that.  There ARE valid reasons for some not to gather together.  Illness, illnesses in friends or family. Jobs.  But given some careful thought, people should be spending time with other Believers during the week.  We need that fellowship. We need that encouragement. That rest from the burdens of the world. 

The day indeed is drawing near concerning the return of Jesus Christ.  Are we at all living today as if today were to be that day?  Are you expectant or will you be surprised by it?

Are you following along with the plan of God for you?  Or have you considered it optional because of the interests you have in this world?

Romans 15:14-17 NASB "And concerning you, my brothers and sisters, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given to me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God." 

Paul was doing what he was doing with a purpose. We see of his desire that his offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Spirit.  

When you survey your life...can you say that you hope your life has fulfilled God's purpose in you?  Can you say that you've been fighting the good fight?  Can you say that you've kept the faith?  

This is a very sobering post. We are in a world far more distracted by temptations than perhaps any time in history after the Genesis flood.  Temptations that are easily as crafty as the snake in the Garden of Eden.  As subtle as a breeze.  We often don't need much coaxing to quit. To not fight.  The result is really a lot of stunted growth Christians.  We aren't living up to our potential in Christ Jesus. 

I look at me and wonder if indeed I am fighting the good fight.  

Noah had to fight the good fight hard for over 100 years building the Ark.  Additionally he dealt with the constant ridicule of people for building a boat on dry land, no apparent hope of ever seeing water with it.  Utterly sinful people around him with no regard for the things of God.  Lest we forget...the only one righteous enough to be on the Ark was Noah. He found favor in the eyes of the Lord.  It wasn't his wife or family. It was by grace those people were saved. 

It's by grace we were saved. It's by grace that we ought to seek out others in the faith to be encouraged and to encourage. 

The day is drawing near.  When our lives are tested by fire...will you wonder if anything will be left to offer back to Jesus?  Is there evidence of a fight between you and the world?  Or are you just going with the flow. Not rocking any boats.  

We were told in advance that this world would be full of people who are lovers of themselves.  The list goes on in 2 Timothy 3:2-8 NASB "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."  That last part of the verse seems to imply he's talking about people in the Church. People calling themselves Christians who aren't living it.  It's a sad truth that indeed 1 second after the Rapture of the Church, churches everywhere will still be full. Full of these kinds of people. People who didn't get it. People who weren't saved. 

1 Peter 5:8 says to be sober, be on the alert.  Does this describe you?  Are you at all aware of your surroundings? Are you at all ready to fight?  Most might know the rest of that passage. For our adversary the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, being firm in the faith.

How firm in the faith are you?  How firm do you expect to stand if your training all alone, if indeed you are?  There is no such thing as a lone wolf Christian.  Where two or more are gathered there Jesus is with them. Matthew 18:20.

Don't you WANT to be in a situation knowing Jesus is there with you?

We need each other in Christ Jesus. 

We need to fight to take back what's been lost to the world. 

We need to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. 

We owe everything to Jesus and ought to be living lives that reflect that. 

Giving Perseverance and Encouragement

Giving Perseverance and Encouragement 

by David Brenneman 

Was reading in Romans 15 this morning and came across that in verse. "Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Verses 5&6 NASB. 

I was just about immediately taken to a movie.  I believe it was "Facing the Giants".

The coach was making a point with a key player on the team. He had him go the length of the football field with a man on his back, while blindfolded.  He was getting him to see his importance as a leader of the team. 

The player had promised to give him his all, his everything.

We, when we came to Christ for salvation, did the same thing.  We promised to give our all with all of our being.  

But then life begins to happen soon afterwards.  We probably don't see it right away but we start to wane at our commitment. 

Read the wording of that passage again.

It says "God gives perseverance and encouragement".  In the last week, the blog posts of the Church we attended have been going through a mini-study on Perseverance.  

An example to me of perseverance was certainly my Mom's Dad, my Grandfather. 

The life he lived was indeed very long.  Born in 1901, he saw it all.  He grew up before cars. He saw the inventions we take for granted happen.  He saw the flourishing of the country go right down into the Great Depression and he came out the other side.  Saw both World Wars happen. Saw Korea and Vietnam War happen.  He lived through so many heavy times.  On the day he went home to be with Jesus, he showed us all why. He was found with his Bible.  

We have an over-sensationalized culture. The media loves to ramp up news stories to get the effects that political parties want out of people. This isn't encouraging at all. It's meant to keep people off balance mentally.  It contributes towards our faltering in the faith. Perseverance and encouragement are necessary and it must be of a kind that is beneficial and sticks with us. Only the kind that comes from God. 

Read in Psalms of King David's writing about thankfulness. 

Psalm 92 NASB "It is good to give thanks to the Lord And to sing praises to Your name, Most High; To declare Your goodness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music on the lyre. For You, Lord, have made me joyful by what  have done, I will sing for joy over the works of Your hands.

How great are Your works, Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep.
A stupid person has no knowledge,
Nor does a foolish person understand this:
When the wicked sprouted up like grass And all who did injustice flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore. But You, Lord, are on high forever. For, behold, Your enemies, Lord,
For, behold, Your enemies will perish;
All who do injustice will be scattered.

But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. And my eye has looked at my enemies, My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.
The righteous person will flourish like the palm tree,He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courtyards of our God. They will still yield fruit in advanced age; They will be full of sap and very green, To declare that the Lord is just; He is my rock, and there is no malice in Him."

This passage also brings me to "What He's Done" by Passion Conferences.  

There's never a bad time to give thanks to Jesus for what He's done.  

As a friend loves to say God has no problems He has situations.  A problem and a situation aren't necessary the same thing. A problem can easily go to a negative connotation almost immediately in a person's mind. A situation can easily be a positive or negative or even just be neutral. A problem implies the need to seek an answer. A situation means more to the point that He always already has the answer. 

God goes perseverance and encouragement. That coach was on the ground right next to this originally half-hearted player. He was in his ear reminding him of his promise.  Reminding him that he could do this. Reminding him to trust him.  The original premise was the 50 yard line.  When he told the player he did it...he had him take off the blindfold.  He made it to the end zone.  Perseverance and encouragement when rightly applied can take us farther than we ever thought possible. 

That storm that I drove through last year. It certainly was an exercise in Jesus being an encouragement to me to persevere. Going through was the only way.

We have many things in life bombarding us for attention. Get away from it and get alone with Jesus. Get the encouragement and help you need from Him. Get those voices vying for your time, energy and effort to quiet down. Be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10.

Be a Mary and sit at Jesus feet.  Be the obedient sheep that stays with the Good Shepherd. Listen for the encouragement you need to persevere. 

We will indeed be tempted to take paths that don't involve pain, don't involve regrets, don't involve emotional scars.  Read what the Angels did on the night the Disciples kept falling asleep. The stood with Jesus to be an encouragement to Him.  

We are going to have difficulty in life. Proper perseverance is necessary.  Sometimes it's necessary to pace perseverance. To not just shove your way through.  I got through that storm by not going too fast or too slow. We go through the valley of the shadow of death at a pace that is set by Jesus.  I still believe it's often by the scruff of my neck but He does get us through. It's called being taught perseverance. 

We will be hit with just enough to stall our walk with Jesus. Satan will seek permission at every opportunity to get us to stall at the very least.  To get us to be the ones to turn from the path that's our first best destiny in Christ Jesus.  To get us to gradually convince ourselves that this other road is better than the one God's Holy Spirit put us on. 

Remember we are placed in the body of Christ just as HE sees fit.  It's us that either stays true or gives up on that calling.  It's necessary to have God-given perseverance and encouragement to stay true to our calling in Christ Jesus. 

It's highly evident that my Grandfather's long life was heavy impacted by his relationship with Jesus.  Seeing all that he did in life from horses to get around to the landing on the moon to still other things. 

We are going to need God's encouragement. We are going to need it to get back on track to where the Spirit wants us to be.  We are in this here and now for His purpose.  Not ours. We are to lift up the name of Jesus, not ourselves. Not anything mankind can devise.  

We read also in Hebrews 11 of what was accomplished by faith.  We read of so many people who accomplished great and mighty things by the God-given perseverance and encouragement they received. 

I am so thankful for what Jesus has done in my life.  Just like that coach He is always by my side encouraging me to persevere. To keep going even though I collapse because of my sins at times. When I can't see the end from the beginning. When life isn't making sense. 

Toby Mac had a song called Move. I tend to listen to it when perseverance is necessary to be reminded of. 

"Another heartbreak day

Feels like you're miles away
Don't even need no shade
When your sun don't shine, shine

Too many passin' dreams
Roll by like limousines
It's hard to keep believin'
When they pass you by and by

I know your heart been broke again (oh-oh-oh)
I know your prayers ain't been answered yet (oh-oh-oh)
I know you're feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet, so

Keep walkin', soldier keep movin' on
(Move) Keep walkin', until the mornin' comes
(Move) Keep walkin', soldier keep movin' on
And lift your head, it ain't over yet, ain't over yet"

We have an enemy that prowls around seeking someone to devour.  Seeking lives to ruin that try to live for Jesus.  

His best work is when he twists minds to think things that God's Word says aren't true.  To get us to take the easy way versus God's way.  To get us to stop n rest rather than to press on.  To do anything and everything to make us ineffective for Jesus and to make it OUR idea.

Ask Jesus to show you what you need to be seeing today.  Ask Him to be that encouraging voice you need to get through this day.  Ask Him to continue to build your faith in Him.  To walk by faith and not by sight. 

Imminent Return

Imminent Return 

by David Brenneman 

Jesus indeed is returning before the Great Tribulation as described in the Bible. 

Many various denominations have something such as this, borrowed from the Grace Brethren Church's Statement of Faith.

"The personal, visible and imminent return of Christ to remove His Church from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10) and afterward to descend with the Church to establish His millennial kingdom upon the earth (Revelation 19:11-20:6)."

There's the Scriptures to point to within.  When we lived in our old hometown, the various Baptist churches we went to shared a similar statement. 

Some today are trying to bear false witness in teaching that Christ Jesus returning before the Great Tribulation is itself a falsehood.  

Let's read those passages above. 

"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, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB 

"and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:10

"Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth." Revelation 3:10 NASB 

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great feast of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slaves, and small and great.”

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse, and against His army.

And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years." Revelation 19:11-20:6 NASB 

We also read this: "Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Romans 1:1-2 NASB 

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NASB "For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Indeed we seek His return at any moment, no differently than the early Church. They lived and worked as though Christ could return at any time. 

Satan would love people to live life as though Jesus wasn't coming back.  To just live as though there's no reason to believe.  To live as those who have no hope. 

We live as people expectant. Read the parables where Jesus taught of the King returning.  Jesus presented those parables with the idea in mind to be ready. Be prepared.  

I do believe in the imminent return of Christ Jesus.  I do believe that the Church will not face the Great Tribulation that is coming. The Great Tribulation is about Israel, not the Church. It's the 70th week of Daniel the prophet.  The week of years that has not happened yet. 

The 7 year Great Tribulation is to do with completing things in regards to Israel.  It's Isreal that is to go through what's to happen. Not the Church.  The Church is the grafted in branch to the vine that is Christ Jesus.  It will be removed and Israel put back.  Satan's last great push to try to fight God will happen during those 7 years. 

Jesus mentions entering into His rest. Hebrews chapter 4.  Be sure of the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  Be sure of it and we indeed will enter into His rest.  

Because of the sensationalism of today's media many point to the things in this world in saying we are in the midst of the Tribulation.  No, not even close.  We are in the midst of troubles.  Not the same thing.  Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulations, have troubles.  But our scope isn't His.  Jesus uses the troubles and tribulations of this world in which we live to cause us growth in Christ Jesus.  But to be of good cheer He has overcome the world.  

The Great Tribulation is full of supernatural judgments of God.  Things totally unexplained by mankind through truth that will be lied about by Satan.

Once the Judgments start, they will continue for the 7 years. No breaks other than what is outlined in Revelation. 

We have not seen Iran, Turkey and Russia form a coalition to attack Israel with overwhelming numbers.  We have not seen the remotest beginning of the Great Tribulation. 

The important thing is to be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. 

For those in Christ Jesus who are saved its to be found by Him doing that which we were placed in the body of Christ to be doing. 

For the Church to be going therefore to make Disciples of all nations. The Great Commission. 

For those who claim the name of Jesus Christ to be living a life that reflects that.

To be ready.  Jesus taught parables of the Bridesmaids. Being ready because they knew not when the Groom was to come.

I find it interesting that most people in weddings tend to be awaiting the Bride to come into the ceremony.  Scripture seems to point to the awaiting the Groom who is Christ Jesus. 

Jesus says that many false teachers will arise in the last days. We certainly don't need to look far to find them streaming online, on radio and television. Making YouTube videos that try to say things, twisting Scripture, to deny the Rapture of the Church. 

I am ready for Jesus to return. Are you?

Are you sure of the gift of salvation in your life?

Are you living your life in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven?

We who are in Christ are here for a purpose.  It's to point people to Jesus for salvation by our lives lived for Jesus. 

We indeed will face troubles. But Jesus says that we will. The world isn't liking the Gospel message. That sin has a penalty that must be addressed. That a single sin that we are born with will prevent us from entering into Heaven. That we need a Savior who is Christ the Lord. That We need Jesus to be pur Savior and to wipe away that debt of sin. He is the only way to Heaven.  

Look at your life. If it's not a reflection of your life in Christ. Let today be that day for you to come to Christ for salvation. Let Him become your Savior and Lord. Be ready for His return.  It will not come with some big fanfare. The Bible says that it will be in the twinkling of an eye.  So fast that it won't register to those left behind until after it happens. 

My friend, don't be deceived.  Don't put this off til tomorrow because realistically, who's to say that you have a today?

We don't know the day nor the hour. Jesus will arise one of these days from His Throne and all Heaven will know exactly why. The global earthquake that will accompany the Rapture I believe will be from Heaven shouting for joy at the day coming at last. 

I am ready for that shout that will take me out...are you?