What We Do that Lasts

What We Do that Lasts

by David Brenneman 

‭"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." 2 Timothy 1:8-14.

Everyone doesn't want to be forgotten. Either while living in this life or after they've entered into eternity. The desire is to not be forgotten. I can remember a song from long ago called "Remember Me". Then there's one of Glen Campbell's last songs that was along the same lines, "I'm not Going to Miss You.".

We want, at least on some level, to be recognized as having value.  

We work many years and we want our experience to amount to something. 

Yet...we are really called to die to self and live to Christ. It's not about the things the world says is important. The world promotes self-centered living. The world sugar coats idolatry. The world sugar coats adultery. The world sugar coats every single kind of sin mentioned in the Bible. 

The harder part is the recognizing of these and being intentional on turning from them.

Paul wrote "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."

We are admonished to stand firm. 

We are encouraged to set our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.

We are encouraged towards obedience in Christ Jesus. 

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16.

In the book of Jeremiah there's much said about how the children of Israel had gradually turned away from the Lord. Of how they put their time, energy and effort into idol worship willingly.

How often are we recognizing that the same temptations greet us each day as it did them?

We are just as easily tempted as any other human beings in history towards things that do not last nor do they matter in light of eternity. 

How important is it to you and I that we are found by Jesus doing what we were called to be doing in Him?

How important is it to weed out the seeds of idolatry, adultery, lying, cheating, stealing from our hearts?

How important is it to us to magnify Jesus and have there be less of us seen?

When we get dressed...maybe put on a hat. Are we pointing people to Jesus or to idols?  

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all." ‭Philippians 2:14-17.

Do you at all consider living a life that is proving you to be children of God innocent and blameless, above reproach? Isn't a life lived like that a life that lasts?

The world suggests we be all we can be. To go get what you're owed. To go get whatever you want to make you happy.  

We shouldn't so easily forget that we are saved by grace. God's unmerited favor. That without Christ we were deserving eternal separation from God.  

We shouldn't forget that eternity is on the line for everyone around us. Paul surely got this. Paul's concern was heavily on all the churches planted. Warning them of the wolves in sheep's clothing that would come in among the sheep. 

To take up our own cross, as Jesus didn't suggest but rather commanded us to do, means more than most people are considering. 

Preferring one another above ourselves. What lengths would you go to concerning this truth?

If we indeed want to leave a real mark on this world we need to but a greater effort into whatever God's Word says to hold fast to in our lives.  

When we get to stand before Jesus...our deeds will out us as to who we lived for. Our thoughts and intentions are always laid bare before Him with whom we have to do. We cannot stand on excuses. That's why a person who defends themselves has a fool for a client.  

How serious do you take the Christian life? Hmm?

Do you want to be remembered as one who loved Jesus? King David was called a man after God's own heart. It had everything to do with his love of God. What God wanted for him and of him was more important than his own self interests. Read through the book of Psalms.  

Consider your ways says the Lord.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The Higher Standard

A Higher Standard 

by David Brenneman 

"But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." 1 Timothy 6:11-16.

"O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you." ‭1 Timothy 6:20-21.

Our world wants people to embrace their own standards. We even have a cliche "to each his own". We have slogans "be all you can be", "why settle for less?". 

There are supposed churches that do not preach or remotely teach the whole counsel of God in pointing the people away from their sinful lifestyles. Various forms of idolatry are actually encouraged although they are disguised. 

Twisting the word of God to keep people from the truth of God. Focusing on feelings and emotions rather than the truth of God that says there are consequences to a life that doesn't turn away from evil. 

In Jeremiah 26, he was brought before the King to be put to death because he spoke as the Lord commanded him to speak against the city because of the evil ways in which they lived.  

Our time in the world today is filled with evils on every side. We are fools if we believe otherwise. We cannot even go shopping or walking in a park without hearing the evidence for ourselves. Headlines are full, daily, of the evils of this world. Evils that are easily seen as such as well as the candy coated evils that the schemes of the Devil are presenting to this lost world.

Stirring people up towards anything but love and good deeds. Stirring people up towards selfish living and desires. 

Those in the name it and claim it camp would have people believe it's whatever you desire. It's really desiring whatever is right in God's eyes and the Spirit's teaching that is what's right, pure and true.

Quite truthfully...if God honestly gave me the desires of my heart in this here this now...my life would probably be a disaster. I firmly believe in the passage that we need the Spirit's help in learning how to pray. Because we really do need guidance in how to do that in a fully acceptable manner towards our Holy God. 

My desires in my heart would radically change my world in ways that I could never fathom concerning the consequences thereof. So would yours. Science fiction has for years delved into the possibilities of alternate futures. 

If God gave us the desires of our hearts as it stands...we wouldn't sew the return of Jesus Christ for an exceedingly long time. We would be too full of ourselves and our pursuit of personal happiness and joy regardless of the impact on others. 

Jesus taught His Disciples, and by extension us, to prefer one another above ourselves. To set aside our desires and replace them with whatever God wants of us. It's a life lived that glorifies Jesus Christ in us. 

In his closing words of that letter to Timothy Paul told him to guard what he's been taught. This isn't the only place Paul teaches people to guard what they've been taught. 

True members of the body of Christ are to hold a higher standard of living. Holiness is that standard. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Forgive others as I have forgiven you. If you do not forgive others of their sins neither will I forgive you of yours. Prefer one another above ourselves. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Put on the full armor of God. Be holy as I am holy. The standard is for all who truly believe. 

Do you consider any of those things that I just wrote in your daily life?

Do you seek what it is that Jesus has you still in this life to be doing for Him?

We were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ, He died for us...we are to be living for Him. 

This Easter is a time to reflect on how life in Christ came to get started. How the standard of life began and begins in the lives of Believers.

In concluding the inauguration of what's called Communion...the bread and cup, the footwashing, the supper together with the saints...Jesus said we are blessed if we do these things. I believe that He's also referring to His time of teaching them all that He has...because it was shortly thereafter He was betrayed. 

We are indeed blessed when we observe and do all that He's commanded. When we take up our own cross and follow Him as well as when we partake of the three parts of Communion and everything else we are taught to observe and obey in.

Do you seek the higher standard that's only found in a life lived in Christ Jesus?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation

The Impossible, Possibly Missed

The Impossible, Possibly Missed 

by David Brenneman 

The unexpected can be the expected if indeed the life we live honors God. Ever think of this?

In all the 80 years of the wanderings of the children of Israel...the generation that did enter the Promised Land was reminded of how. How their feet didn't swell from the walking. How their clothes didn't wear out. Of how God had provided for them food and drink.  

In your life...these things aren't impossible...just possibly missed. 

We often pray and seek but also often don't remember what we have prayed for. Answers came and went and the acknowledging of them to God is often missed. 

I know it's been that way for me at times. Being sensitive to the Spirit is something to learn. Our world wants sensitivity to it instead. 

Our world wants you to comply and compromise. When we do something has to suffer loss...that something is a someone. Our relationship with Jesus will suffer from our compromising with the world. 

When we do...there are consequences. Many times the unexpected happens and we're not connecting the dots as to why. 

We think we have dreams or aspirations and in pursuit of these we forget to ask God if those are for us. We forget...we get involved...we suffer loss or gain a lot. In the mix our relationship with Jesus suffers. 

I indeed have aspirations...not sure if they are dreams or not. But I am very hesitant to pursue them because to me they might not be what helps me in my walk with Jesus. I don't want to add things to my life that would cause me to suffer loss.  

The eventual adding of idolatry to the children of Israel after they entered the Promised Land caused many distresses to their lives. They were described as stubborn, stiff necked people. Unfaithful. Some went as far as to murder those sent by the Lord Jesus to turn them back.   

People haven't changed. The degree of efficiency of the schemes of the Devil have, but people are still given to pursuing idols. An idol is anything, anyone, who has been put above Jesus in a person's life. 

When we do this, we begin to suffer loss. The curses of God are just as real as the blessings of God. Moses wrote of these and made it abundantly clear to the children of Israel the results or consequences of both. 

They would experience a harvest time unlike any other nation or people by their obedience. The blessings of obedience would be totally unexpected and abundant. They would experience a lack of a good harvest unlike any other nation or people by their disobedience. They would be scrounging for enough to get by.

Our obedience to the Lord should be from a willing heart. We should be ready to obey God when He prompts us to a need or job to do. 

Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him...as Dr. Stanley used to say.  

Our obedience will indeed bear much more fruit than we can expect. These come with temptation as well. The temptation to waste the blessings or pass them on instead.  

When you go out into your day today...be grateful.  

Our world wants people to not think but just do what feels good.  

We get bombarded daily and often miss that still small voice of God. 

Look for the hand of God in your life today. It's always there. At no time are we abandoned by Jesus. He does have a purpose and plan for your life. To see it requires our attention to his details.  

We often do miss what's right in front of our own eyes when the Spirit is doing what we've prayed for.  

We often hold onto hurts that we shouldn't. That will impact our observational skills. 

We are all different yet all the same.  

In Christ we are different parts of His body, the Church.  

Take time today to stop n sit at His feet. The unexpected is possible and we're oh so good at missing it. 

Being Deliberate

Being Deliberate 

by David Brenneman 

‭‭"Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:14-16.

"Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all." This passage is such a motivation to me. Not that many people have outright said it to me, their facial expressions and demeanor conveyed it that I take life too seriously in my walk with Jesus. 

As one put it: "I don't know, He took going to the cross to die for the likes of me as pretty serious the least I can do is live for Him".

My Dear Reader...being found by Him doing what He's called me to be doing...isn't that the real reason for being here today rather than dying immediately after coming to Christ for salvation?

You who have come to Christ for salvation...are you living like that life altering event ever happened?

It was supposed to be just that: life altering. 

Reading between the lines in Paul's letter to Timothy you can see that there were some who looked down on him because of his age.

Age has nothing to do with limiting the power of God to save lives. 

We, as in everyone in the human race who has indeed come to Christ for salvation, has done nothing to save anyone. The Spirit does the work. We are the vessel that's used for Godly purposes to that end. We point people to Jesus and Jesus does the rest.

It doesn't matter our background, our upbringing, our age, our mental condition. God seeks a willing heart that's set on obedience to God's Word to work in the world. 

People often wonder when Jesus will return. All Believer's have a hand in that day coming by way of their lives being lived in a right way in God's eyes. When Believer's are silent and do not live lives as God's Word has said, they delay the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. When those calling themselves Christians aren't a praying people...the world does get worse.  

When the last person, prior to the return of Jesus Christ, is saved...then and only then...will Jesus return. Unless those called by His Name live out the Christian life as Timothy was exhorted to do its going to be a while. 

Jesus said what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? What will he give in exchange for his soul?  

What is it going to gain you to get everything you want out of life if by doing so others go to Hell?  

What will it gain you if your blessings could free a brother or sister in Christ to be a blessing to others if you don't do your best to help them? That blessing you sit upon...don't you think that if God bestowed that upon you once that He couldn't do it again?  

Dr. Stanley taught a sermon on giving up something precious to him. His camera collection. Indeed that was something he valued very much. It indeed was a great blessing in his life and he came to the painful awareness that the Spirit was leading him to sell it to help with something God was doing. He anguished over it. But did it. God had used this as a teaching moment for Dr. Stanley who said as much. In turn for his obedience he actually received his collection back again. Now this may or may not be your own personal experience in obedience but you're never going to know until you let go and obey Him. 

In my personal computer ministry...I charge nothing. I do it unto the Lord Jesus. If He chooses to bless me monetarily then He does. If not, I move on. I don't dwell on it. If I have something that can be a blessing to others, be it my time or something that I can do or give, I try to listen to the Spirit and obey. 

People may think me crazy for doing that but I don't live to make sense to people. I live to try to be who I am meant to be in Christ Jesus.  

All who are in Christ have a spiritual gift that's to be used for the glory of God. The parable of the talents points out that its imperative to be using what we were entrusted with. 

Don't expect the world to understand your obedience to God's Word. It's not going to. Sometimes, don't expect those claiming to be Christians to understand you either.  

As Jesus told Peter...what's that to you? YOU follow Me!

In Christ we are to live, move, and have our being. Expect resistance to that from within yourself by your own sin nature. Expect many around you to not get it. Expect the world to fight against you. The world is on the highway to Hell. Jesus said that the road is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it.  

Are you absorbed in living life for yourself or for your Savior? Are you more concerned with keeping your blessings or seeing just what more God can do through you to help others and watch that blessing multiply? Are you wondering why you aren't being blessed?  

Grace and mercy are integral to blessings. Those we deserve and those we are not going to see. Our obedience to Jesus Christ and His will for our lives has every single thing to do with blessings. Likewise our obedience has every single thing to do with our being effective in serving our Savior. Our obedience has every single thing to do with truly growing in Christ. 

Are you living deliberately in your life for your Savior your Lord Jesus Christ or are you living for you? 

All NASB 1995 nd NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

A Clock in Heaven

A Clock in Heaven?

by David Brenneman 

As is our weekly thing to do...my Wife and I make our rounds to several local and not so local thrift stores. One of my favorite things to do is sift through the book sections.  

Friday I saw repeated book titles of along the lines of asking the same question. "Are we living in the end times?" The simplest answer is yes.  

Human history with regard to God's point of view is split at the cross of Jesus Christ. There's before salvation's offering and after the work of Jesus on the cross to bring salvation. Once Jesus sat down at the right hand of God His Father, the clock was ticking towards the day He would return to come back for His Church.  

What an irony that comes to my mind is that in a place where time doesn't exist...there's a clock.  

Jesus said that evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse...this includes within the professing churches of the world. 

Jesus said that no man knows the day nor the hour. Jesus didn't know? Why yes, at that point He didn't know because He hadn't been through the work of the cross in His obedience to the Father’s will. Satan was absolutely confident that he was going to succeed at the time Jesus died on the cross. Satan was convinced his version of the world that would come was going to really start with Jesus out of the way. We sort of read that in the words of the High Priest with regards to the possible impact or lack of by Jesus. 

Once Jesus arose from the dead, completing the first part of saving those of mankind who would come to Him for salvation, sitting down at the right hand of God the Father...yes at that moment He knew when He was going to return. He and the Father were One again. 

The very early Church was looking at the times they lived in as being when Jesus would return. We have been in those times for over 2024 years and counting...give or take a couple years. 

Jesus said to be on the alert for you do not know the day nor the hour of His return. 

So what manor of Believers ought we to be?  

Jesus told us that had the man of the house known at what time that someone was going to break in that he would have been ready for him. To be on the alert. 

Should Jesus indeed come in my lifetime...I want to be found by Him as a doer of the Word and not just a hearer only.  

A doer of the Word of God is interested in what aspects of life are directives from God's Word that are written for us to follow in obedience.  

Living life in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. I really love how I saw Jeff Foxworthy put it in addressing people at a conference. To live a life with such an aroma that people want that for themselves. 

What does your aroma smell like in regards to you living life for your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?

What are you seeking in this life that has absolutely nothing to do with your life in Godliness in Christ Jesus?  

What are you doing that the Spirit defines as sin? 

Who cares how the world views things. If God says it's sin and the evils thereof...then my Dear Reader it's sin.

It's not just the unbelieving that live a life of what Paul wrote in the book of Romans as practiced sins. Believers in this world have practiced sins. Sins that are willingly done on purpose. From swearing to deceitful scheming to blatantly selfish acts to hoarding to any sin that mankind is capable of committing. 

Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse. 

With regards to the day we all have to give an account of our lives before Jesus...Jesus said many will have their works of their lives tried by fire and nothing will remain. Only they themselves will enter Heaven and they will have nothing to offer back to Jesus for all He's done to save them. 

Being on the alert means to be ready to go. Be ready because you have been so warned. Be ready because He told you to be ready.

Have your work in Christ completed to date. Have your heart loving God with your everything and loving others. Putting whatever the Spirit says is important for YOU ahead of what you want or think that you want. 

Are we living in the End Times? Absolutely. Are you ready to appear before Jesus Christ? That's the important motivator. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Where do we stand?

Where do we stand?

by David Brenneman 

Was reading the first chapter of the book of Timothy. Paul's exhortation to his son in the faith was profound.  

How would you react or respond to such words?  

‭‭"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme." 1 Timothy 1:1-20 NASB1995‬‬

It was Timothy's time to stand in the gap. That gap between this world of perishing people and the cross of Jesus Christ, calling people to come to it to find salvation. Calling people to turn to the one true God. Showing them that God's law concerning sin and death aren't imaginary.  

We can often live life as if compromise concerning sin isn't all that bad.  

We can unknowingly introduce psychology into someone's life that's of the world and certainly isn't of God the Spirit. The Spirit of God needs nothing, has no interest in, the so-called wisdom of mankind or mankind's so-called revelations about man in order to teach.

Nobody has ever nor will ever school the Spirit of God with regards to Godly living. 

Does the Spirit of God protect any other book than the Word of God?

Was He ever entrusted with anything more than the Oracles of God to impart to mankind?

Where do you stand my Dear Reader in regards to the Word of God? Godly living comes only from the Godly wisdom as taught by the Spirit of God from God's Word an that's it.

In the Old Testament, we read of the instructions of the Lord Jesus to the children of Israel...write down His words and bind them on their person. On their wrists, on their foreheads. Rulers of the people were to rewrite the Law of God to have a copy of it for themselves and to know exactly what's in it for themselves. 

The great hymn "Standing on the Promises" think about it...it points only toward the promises of God. 

When we give an account of our lives before Jesus...it won't ever be on any other merits but our obedience to God's Word, not God's Word AND this book or that book. This psychological study or that one.  

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. This means relying on, taking in, the Word of God and the Word of God only. 

Do you intentionally set aside time in God's Word or is it an afterthought when nothing is on television? Do you consider it optional in your daily life or is it such that you cannot go a day without reading it?  

Let's borrow Paul's words...let's press on...does God get your leftovers? Leftover time. Leftover money. Leftover this or that?

My Dear Reader...your first priority ought to include your devotion to Christ. If other things are taking up your time and you squeeze in a few moments to be with Jesus...your priorities are screwed up.

Is that how anyone should honor the One who died for them?

Is wearing clothing that points people away from God appropriate?

Is anything that this world does or offers us worth more than our relationship with Jesus? 

Where do you stand in regards to how you have lived your life to date?  

Everyone is 1 step away from returning to Jesus to walk with Him as they always should have walked. 

Everyone has temptations that try to take our eyes off of the Savior. 

Everyone is facing things that try to consume their time, energy and efforts on things that do not honor Christ's sacrifice for their sins. 

Jesus said we must come as a child. Children don't need fancy explanations. Children don't need most of what people today try with regards to walking with Jesus as they purport to need.

When you stand before Jesus...will you fall to your knees from shame at how you blew it in this life or will you be eager to hear Him say "Well Done?".  

Paul wrote that we should be sure of your salvation...and exhortation came to walk it.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Stepping into the World

Stepping into the World 

by David Brenneman 

In heavenly armour we′ll enter the land

The battle belongs to the Lord

No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand

The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the Lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the Lord

When the power of darkness comes in like a flood

The battle belongs to the Lord

He′s raised up a standard, the power of His blood

The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

To the Lord

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear

The battle belongs to the Lord

Take courage my friend, your redemption is near

The battle belongs to the Lord

And we sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

And we sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

We sing glory, honor

Power and strength to the lord

- Praise 11 - Let Us Worship Lord Jehovah • 1998

The Battle Belongs To The Lord

Lyrics of The Battle Belongs To The Lord by Maranatha! Music

Battles come in every shape and size. They come when we expect them and when we don't. They are impartial. The small and the great people of this world engage and endure them. 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;" 1 Peter 4:12.

"These things I have spoken to you so thatin Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:23. 

In Habakkuk he writes of the great dismay at what the Lord Jesus Christ has revealed to him. The chaotic, wild, unruly, disrespectful, arrogant, evil Chaldeans were coming and the very thought terrified Habakkuk. Yet at the end of his writing this book he spoke of resting in the God of his salvation. 

It's taken me way too much of my life to realize that there is to partiality in tribulations. It matters not if another decides to arrive before the last one has run its course. 

They can come from those that you thought you could trust with your life. They can come from those whom you've always called friend.

They are just more recognizable in those you don't call close or friend.

Many try to sway your opinions by way of persuasive arguments. Doesn't mean they are right or wrong. The question is what do you do with that information? Run with it or do what's right in the sight of God? That would be to check with Jesus first.  

Satan's schemes can come from anywhere, anyone at anytime.  

As a Chinese General once said "know your enemy, and know yourself". That's not the full quote, but the gist is there. 

What most human beings don't want to acknowledge or recognize is that every single atrocity known and unknown to mankind is possible from every single human being. That's the curse of our fallen sin nature.  

We just should not ever simply run out into the field of battle, be it leaving our bed, leaving the bedroom, leaving the kitchen, car, truck, place of business, place of work, place of worship...anyplace...without Jesus leading the way.

The facts are this: in this fully sin cursed fallen world...there's no safe place to be other than on our knees in prayer.

To put our faith and trust in anything or anyone other than in our Savior is to waste every ounce of time, energy and effort. 

There's another song (of course).

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

"Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

Where He leads me I will follow,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.

I'll go with Him through the garden,

I'll go with Him through the garden,

I'll go with Him through the garden,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. 

I'll go with Him through the judgment,

I'll go with Him through the judgment,

I'll go with Him through the judgment,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way. 

He will give me grace and glory,

He will give me grace and glory,

He will give me grace and glory,

And go with me, with me all the way. [Refrain]

- E.W. Blandly. 

Are you walking with Jesus or did you unintentionally walk out or walk ahead of Him? A testimony that should always come to mind is that in my life and in countless millions of other people's lives...we are all 1 step away from being where we ought to be with Jesus. 

Stepping out into life as it happens today isn't ever all done in sweet innocence. There are no places to go, no people to see, where life cannot take an unexpected turn. 

Here at home, things have happened where everything seemed normal and all the sudden a cry bursts out and we discovered that one of our cats has died. 

Trying to do the right thing at work...walking in integrity as the Bible says we ought to walk in...was not met with a Biblical response at all in recent weeks as well.  

In my workplace one of the first things is that they want you to be yourself...yet how do you do that when you keep getting told you can't because of this or that? In our working world laws come into play that negate your right to live by your beliefs. 

In my home life sometimes in an instant something breaks. Before or right after something else was just fixed. 

Stepping out into the world is an extremely risky thing to do. 

Stepping out without Jesus leading is never a good thing to do. 

Even if I am running up to the store for something by myself I often pray rather than listen to music or anything else. My drive to work has always included prayer time spent with Jesus.  

I made a rather disastrous mistake decades ago in getting ahead of Jesus. It took decades to find peace again to get back where I never should have left.

My Dear Reader...wherever you are...either turn back to Jesus or stay in step with Jesus. Where He leads...follow. He's not going to remove every single mountain, you may have to climb a few. He’s always working for our good.  

Anything we put before Him will be removed. Our relationship with Jesus is our most important thing in our lives. Always and forever. 

Find a reason to stay in step with Jesus and make it stick, even if, and especially if, the world doesn't understand it.  

I will not compromise in regards to doing what is right in God's eyes. I don't care what friends or foes tell me. Don't care what employers tell me...or anyone else tells me...I answer to Jesus before I answer to anyone else. I have had many battles at many employers...where standing on the truth of God's word was on the line. Every single time...Jesus took care of me. Every single time those who tried to force me to go against what He's told me to do...have lost dearly. 

I am to follow Jesus wherever He leads, under any and all circumstances. Trust in God and leave all the consequences to Him. 

The battle belongs to the Lord. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.