In the Morning

In the Morning 

by David Brenneman 

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my groaning. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me. There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue. Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You. But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield." Psalms 5:1-12.

How often do you really start your day in prayer before other things? Do you at all consider that when you lay down and when you rise up you are always on the mind of Jesus? He who knows your thoughts from afar? He who set you aside from your mother's womb? He who eagerly desires the Spirit of God within you? 

It's always awesome and amazing when the Spirit of God makes parts of the Scriptures stand out. Yesterday part of what was written had to do with our hearts before Him. 

I read this morning and what I read last night stands out along side this portion from the book of Psalms. 

Was reading in the book of Chronicles. For as much as modern preaching says it's ok to do this or that. Do you notice how kings were rated on whether or not they served the Lord with ALL their heart or not?

I can't ever forget a saying. All means all and that's all all means. 

When we put things higher in our hearts than is healthy, the Spirit will have something to say about it. 

The Disciples were called to serve and learn with their whole heart. All their heart. 

They were teaching others as per the Great Commission to do the same. Later, we see some examples of people ridding themselves of stuff they put higher in their heart than Jesus. 

Your heart is that important to Jesus. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. See the pattern yet?

We prepare our hearts for the day by being in prayer. We get ready for the battles that wait for us through prayer. We communicate with Jesus through prayer. We share our heart aches and our joys with Jesus in prayer. We find out what's more important to us by our prayers. We see what we avoid talking to God about and the things we do. Don't think it goes unnoticed by Jesus when we're avoiding Him or avoiding a subject that He's intent on talking to you about. 

David was known as a man after God's own heart. David held nothing back in his prayers. Beit anger, frustration, fear, joy, love, hate, anything that was on his heart was shared with Jesus in prayer. 

David knew what we need to learn...we are an open book before Jesus. He accepted it, he embraced it, he looked forward to it. 

We often compartmentalize our lives. A social media room in our hearts. A face-to-face room in our hearts. A workplace room in our hearts. A close friend(s) room in our hearts. A casual acquaintance room in our hearts. A my desires room in our hearts. A...we can theoretically have countless rooms. 

The point is...Jesus wants into all of them. Our hearts belong to Christ Jesus. All of the heart. If we're holding onto a part that we think He's not coming into, He WILL wait us out until we submit to Him...or in some cases...He's going to bust down the door. Look at the Apostle Paul.  

The Biblical examples of the Kings of Judah show us that walking after God with a whole heart is important. Most of those Kings were compared to how well they walked with the Lord compared to His servant David. 

Our adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We read in 2 Corinthians 2:11 "so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes."

Schemes are being formed by the Devil and his minions concerning you. Read that again. 

Solomon fell, regardless of the wisdom he had because he did not walk with Jesus with his whole heart. All of it.

Liking something is perhaps ok in this world. Loving it, regardless of if you define it as such, is not right. 

If we are taking the passion, devotion, joy, anything that belongs to God and place it upon someone or something else, it's a sin. 

Jesus wants all of you. All of your heart. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Every good work can be read as All work in Christ Jesus. 

Start your day off right and clear out whatever is in your way of a right relationship with Jesus. He's the Good Shepherd. He's your Lord and Savior. He's worthy of our all. Not our leftovers. Not what we decide to give to Him. Not what we've justified as belonging to Him and these other things are ours to do with as we please. 

Even the Lord's Prayer is replete with the truth that "all" is implied. 

Discover David's heart in the book of Psalms. See in the books of Kings and Chronicles every single time their hearts are mentioned. 

It's time to be getting our hearts right before Him with whom we have to do. 

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

Does God Really Mean All?

Does God Really Mean All?

by David Brenneman 

"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" James 2:14-20.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

"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.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40.

Does the Spirit really mean all when we read the word all? Are there exceptions? Are there reasons to not give of all your heart to Him with whom we have to do?  

Seems in this current generation there's a belief that it's ok to not give all your heart to Jesus. They say that it's ok to love this or that in this world.  

In a Christian home, it's always to be Jesus first, Spouse second and Children third. Depending on the instructions of the Spirit of God, He may call on you and I to place someone outside of this hierarchy higher.  

A true story is that of a Pastor, his son and his son's friend. Went on a boat trip. A storm came to be and they were no longer in the boat. The Pastor could only save one. He knew his son was saved and his friend was not. His son gave every indication that he knew his Dad's dilemma. He told him to save his friend. The Pastor made the difficult decision to let his son go. He saved his friend. He knew he would see his son again. He made sure to tell his son's friend of his reasons for saving him. Later his son's friend received the free gift of salvation himself. Later still he became a Pastor as well.  

We do not know for sure how our lives will be seen by those outside of the faith. When we show the world that we compromise then we show them that giving our all isn't necessary.  

The passages above are but an example of all the places the Bible mentions "all our hearts".

My Dear Reader, are you compromising your walk with Jesus? Does He really have all your heart? We don't read in any of the Gospel accounts of exceptions to their dedication to following Jesus. There's no times where they took time for themselves apart from their calling in Christ that the Father brought about.  

Throughout the Old Testament we read example after example of what happened to the people of God who didn't give their whole heart to God. 

I was accused of overthinking this idea of all my heart. My Dear Reader, did Jesus only give part of His to the work that His Father set before Him?

Is it overthinking to know what a stumbling block looks like and doing my best in Christ to avoid these, as the Bible says that I should be doing?

When we give what belongs to God to things or people of this world...the Bible calls that idolatry.  

So think about the example of Christ Jesus. He came for the Father’s purpose. He devoted His life to that purpose. Today's generation would say that He missed out on living life!

Read again that part in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Why would Jesus have that written in the Bible if He didn't already know how often and how easily our hearts could and WOULD stray from a full devotion to Him? We are called in the Great Commission to "go and make disciples...teaching them all that I commanded you".

Examples given to me as part of being told that I was overthinking were hobbies and interests. I agree these areas are not bad in and of themselves. However, when we take the passion, devotion and dedication that we have and pour more into these than our walk with Jesus, it's a stumbling block. Take that fervor that you exclaim at sporting events and apply that to your life in Christ instead.  

We don't look for traps in life. 

We don't look for things that will trip us up in our walk with Jesus. 

Literally sheep do not.  

If you say that Jesus has your whole heart...all of it...do you still say you love things of this world?  

"Love not the world nor the things of this world".  

Many years ago I was ridiculed IN Church because I was not an Ohio State Buckeye fan. These men were serious and were passionate about their love of the Buckeyes. All it made me think was that God didn't have all their heart.

Does Jesus have all your heart? How much more for His Kingdom could you be doing if He did? Your life is but a vapor. The Bible says that His Word stands forever. The grass withers, the flowers fade but the word of God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8.

There's also Jesus's warning concerning stumbling blocks and children. It's better for a person to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be cast in the depths of the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 

Take care in how you walk. Scripture says to walk as children of the Light. The Light has nothing to do with the deeds of darkness. 

Take a good look at who you are influencing in your life. You're either leading people towards Jesus or away. 

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

Picking And Choosing

Picking And Choosing 

by David Brenneman 

"My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:1-13.

From a devotional that I am going through: "In this passage James gives a call to integrity and starts out by quoting one of the greatest commandments: to love others as ourselves. The best way to reflect God in our lives is to invite him into everything that we do; meaning we can’t afford to pick and choose which neighbor (co-worker, professor, in-law, sibling, etc) we decide to love as ourselves. The reality is that all of us can probably say that we have done this a time or two." 

It was interesting that I read in the book of Mark this very thing being lived out by Jesus. Jesus didn't pick n choose who would receive His grace. He also didn't let the success happening where he was cloud His eternal mission.

In Christ you and I have an eternal mission! We are not to pick n choose which parts we will do or not do. Not to pick n choose who is worthy of God's love and salvation. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God is what my Bible says. From the nicest person we know to the most vile...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 

'Clicks' inevitably come about in people groups. We can gravitate towards those who agree with us. Towards those whom we know will make us feel better.  

In where I was in the book of Mark, Jesus had spent time alone with His Father, went to the Temple to teach. Demon possessed people came to Him and He silenced them, cast them out. Healed a man with leprosy. Word spread. Most men would have set up shop because of our fictional laws of supply and demand. His Disciples were caught up in the moment, telling Jesus more people were there with more people on the way. Jesus kept His eternal mission. Told them it was time to go, pack up, they were moving out. 

Picking and choosing can get us into more trouble than obeying some times. It can be the right thing depending on circumstances, or it's the wrong thing based on other reasons. Being sensitive to the Spirit is where reality is for the Believer.  

We most certainly cannot put ourselves in a place of condemnation of others. Deciding who is worthy of the free gift of salvation and who isn't. We are to love God with our everything and love others as ourselves.  

We may have some really interesting, intense, people to deal with in the world. They indeed may be drowning in sin. They are, however, made in the image of God. They are breathing. Therefore there is hope for change and a new life in Christ for them. 

My Dear Reader, the Bible explicitly says that some have entertained Angels unawares. How would you know if you aren't obeying God?

We are reflecting the light of Jesus Christ to this world. John wrote in the beginning of his book that people loved the darkness rather than the Light for their deeds were evil. Don't you remember how painful it is to be in darkness and someone turns on a bright light? 

It's irritating, it hurts, but the most important detail is what is revealed cannot be unseen. 

When people are separated by us, we sin by our actions. We do not know who the last person is who will be saved before the Rapture of the Church.  

You could be that person who helps lead someone to Christ for salvation and set in motion the final steps leading to the Rapture of Christ's Church!

Likewise, in your disobedience, you could be delaying things by your behavior and lack of interest in the things of God.

We are to obey God with our everything. In our music, in our eating, in our social media, in our public interactions. In our personal life, our relationships with family and friends. In our workplace. In our hobbies. In our thoughts, feelings and actions.

We do not decide who is or isn't worthy. The most evil person we know can still come to Christ should the Spirit so work in them.

King Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most ruthless world leaders ever...yet he came to know the Lord as his God. 

When you go through your day, through your thoughts, look for anything that you are thinking or doing that isn't of God. Get rid of what you find.

We all must give an account of our lives before Jesus. Get rid of whatever it is you don't want to be explaining later with Jesus.  

We are free in Christ, and are warned not to let that freedom be an excuse to continue down a wrong path. 

Pray for your eyes to be opened to the truth about you. Let the light of Jesus Christ reveal the truth and obey Him in your everything. 

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

What and Who and Where?

What and Who and Where?

by David Brenneman 

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The verse of the day was the portion of "does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth".

What and Who and Where does your rejoicing go?  Simple enough a question, but perhaps not such an easy one to answer. 

We unknowingly, perhaps unwittingly, do far more rejoicing in the unrighteous acts we engage in and others around us. Probably those we see in social media, the news, videos...we actually join the world in this.

To be in Christ is to be among those "called out" in this world to be different.  Different in that our hearts are being molded after our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  

The rest of the passage is included because the true context is about the character of Christ. 

Long lived marriages are often because of the truth found here.  I used to be an Audio Engineer and weddings were very common.  Quite often this passage was quoted by the officiant with regards to the vows.

Would you characterize you as one taking intentional steps towards God's truth in your life?  

Do you embrace the things of this world or are you embracing the truths of God's word for you?  

I read something this morning that said that those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.  Those who are intentionally not teaching the past want it repeated. 

Your past is to help you to recognize where you are in Christ right now.  To see what's coming and to prepare.  We really don't have much to stand on when we are rejoicing in the wrong things and thinking. 

Do you give your rejoicing to others that belongs to God?

Do you rejoice in things that you already know that God wouldn't appreciate or approve of?

Do you at all get excited about a passage of Scripture that you now understand?

Does seeing the Spirit working in your life or the lives of people around you cause you to rejoice more than the worldly stuff you are involved in?

Many Believer's are embracing idolatry and have no sense to recognize it.  It's not harping on that subject, it's acknowledging the truth of our day.  We have more access to more information to further more imagination than the days of Noah. 

We live among billions of people who choose to rejoice in unrighteousness.  We really do.

It should be a given that if we are indeed setting our minds on the things that are above that we should be rejoicing in the truth.  

If indeed we are trusting in the Lord with all our hearts...then we should be rejoicing in the truth. 

If indeed we are not embracing this world, we should be embracing Jesus. 

It's incredibly sad when I have been to churches where more passion, more excitement is had IN THE CHURCH SERVICE CONCERNING SPORTS than they immediately followed with in regards to a hymn praising Jesus.  I have had people seriously say they would pray for me concerning my lack of interest in a particular sports team. 

This isn't rejoicing in the truth.

That is rejoicing in the world.

Jesus said Heaven and Earth would pass away but His words would never pass away.   

We heard it straight from Him.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.  No where in those two does the love of the things of this world come into the picture.

When you look at you in the mirror, do you see a person rejoicing in God's truth?

When you get dressed, is God honored by your choice of apparel?

When you speak to others about what excites you, is it about what Jesus is doing in your life?

When life comes at you...are you holding to rejoicing in the truth?

I can't help but recognize all the uses of the word "all" and immediately go to another passage. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped, for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16.

Put these two passages together and you really do have a different appreciation for the work of the Spirit of God in your life. 

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

Self Deceived We Easily Are

Self Deceived We Easily Are 

by David Brenneman 

While many in the faith cling to verses 5 and 6, read the rest of Proverbs 3. To help defeat self deception and self importance, Jesus provides examples. 

"My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor."

Our world is cursed. From the days of Adam and Eve's so it has been. At every single turn in human history Satan has been at odds with the plans of God for mankind. He has wanted all the glory due only to God. He's wanted the very throne of God. 

To achieve his aims he's been master deceiver. Jesus says that he is a liar and the father of lies.  

Regardless of your point of view Satan and his minions spend all your waking moments adjusting their strategies towards the ends of thwarting the will of God for every single Believer in Christ Jesus. 

"Know your enemy" has been a phrase used for a very very long time. Satan cannot possess the bodies of Believers. Satan cannot read the minds of Believers. Satan cannot remove the seal of God from a Believer. Satan CAN influence your choices and decisions by going to Jesus for permission. Read the opening chapters of the book of Job. Read the underlying truths in the Gospels...the Disciples were protected by the Father while training was happening. 

Praying for God's will for you will include dangers toils and snares.

It's good for you, regardless of your feelings on it because it grows you in Christ. Physical training, truthfully, honestly, stinks. But the rewards thereof are unmistakable. 

Nobody goes from the recliner to the finish line of a 5k just by getting a mind to do it. It takes an equipped body to do it. One that's been prepared for what is to come. 

We read of what the Bible says of Spiritual Warfare. Get used to that idea because it's 100% real. It's not stuff from 2,000 years ago. It's not made up stories. It's not make-believe. I have experienced some seriously heavy Spiritual Warfare in my life. Have met demons who were in places you wouldn't expect. They are as real today as at the dawn of creation when they fell along with Satan. 

Satan's plans include you choosing to go it alone by setting traps. 

Traps that look simple enough that you get it in your head that you don't need God's help. 

My Dear Reader, Satan's minions study you. Read that again. They study your life, your every desire, to see how it could be twisted towards derailing your life in Christ. 

Self-deception is a larger cancer in the world than cancer itself is. 

We don't even have the capacity that people 2,000 years ago did to recognize demons and demonic behavior! We don't recognize the traps that are set to get us to introduce "harmless" gods in our lives...and that is exactly what they are...gods. We take what is holy and cast the passion, honor, joy, and glory belonging only to Jesus upon Earthly things and people.  

We do this and don't even realize we did. We wear symbols of our idolatry. We have a greater depth of knowledge of our gods than we do the Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That's one HUGE clue.

Our paths are made crooked, quite often, by our own choices...then we get to a point where we have to cry out for God's help. The chains we are bound up in are of our own designs, by way of our own desires.  

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. 

Clean House. 

It's demo day for your heart. 

Scripture says to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  

Destroyed speculations. Read it.

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

Pray for yourself that your eyes would be opened. That the scales of deceptive practices would fall off so that you may see, know, experience, the love of God in Christ Jesus that is to be yours through obedience and the love of God for you. 

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

Would You Recognize a god in Your Life?

Would You Recognize a god in Your Life?

by David Brenneman 

"Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 15:8.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27.

“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus 20:3-6.

Many hope to have God seen in their lives.  But, a huge question is: Would you recognize a god in your life?  Are there idols set up in the hearts of mankind these days?  Most certainly!  

Some idols are disguised as countless "wonderful" things that this world offers. 

Some are at the behest of governments.  Things mandated that citizens must comply with. 

Some are indeed forced upon people even in a "free" society. 

Satan's minions, our own sin nature, certainly look for ways to ensnare the lives of Believers with secret idols by never calling them that.

Jesus said to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself."  Therefore there's absolutely no room for any idols of any kind or form.

Yet...we have them.  Things we don't let go of, and place on a pedestal in our hearts in a place of honor.  It can be anything and everything that is possible in our world today, anything that our imagination can lay hold of. 

Do you not realize, from reading the opening chapters of the book of Job, that anything approved by Jesus can be used to test the heart?  For Believers, Satan's got to get permission. 

What do we read of the Lord Jesus?  Does not the Scriptures say that He tests the hearts?  He searches the hearts of mankind?  

Do you at all think that He's not searched yours?  Think again. 

He is omniscient, all knowing.

He is omnipresent, everywhere at once. 

The Spirit of God in the lives of Believers is going to point out things in our hearts and minds that have no place in the lives of people who belong to Christ Jesus. 

Wrong thinking, things that are taking up time that should be used of God for His purposes.  The Disciples, from sun up to sun down, followed Jesus wherever He lead them.  No vacation days. No PTO days. No siesta's. No sick days for sure.  Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Period. 

The charge to the Disciples who would soon become Apostles, was to "Go, make disciples...teaching them all that I commanded you...".

So...let's go back to the basics...back to the opening question...would you recognize a god in your life?

As important as that, what would you do if you did?

There's but one throne in your heart. There's room only for one to sit upon it.

There's but one Book of Life that your name is written in blood in. The Lamb's book of Life. Jesus's book of all who believe and belong to Him. 

Are you devoted to Christ or podcasts that do nothing to grow your faith?

Are there things you possess that have realistically become a snare to your walk with Jesus?  This can be anything. 

Are you more knowledgeable of things worthless to the Kingdom of God and your growing in Christ?

Do you daily devote your heart to the work of the Spirit of God in you?

The Spirit worked with the Disciples 24/7.  He wants to do the same thing for you. 

It takes what Asa did...courage...to remove idols.  

"Really? Idols in today's world?" 

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,  and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

Does it get any clearer than this?

Idolatry is in the here and now. 

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, 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 men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

People wear idols emblazoned on coats, hats, shirts, on their vehicles, oh its out there.  Trillion dollar industry it is.  Satan's extremely invested in idolatry.  He began with Adam and Eve and its not stopped. 

Covetousness is a form of idolatry. Wanting what someone else has or is doing and taking actions to obtain.  

We really need to acknowledge that our hearts are as open a book before Jesus as the sunshine of the day.  Nothing is hidden from whom we have to do.  

What to do?  Cast them far from us.  Admit that it is what God says it is.

Ask the Spirit for help.  He is, after all, the Helper sent to take up residence in our hearts. Not along side of us, but in us.  

Pray without ceasing. Seek the Lord always. There's nothing in our hearts that is stronger than the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus.  

This is going to be a lifelong battle.  We may let go of something and another is waiting to take its place. Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 

Clean house...and see what Happens. 

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

Behave as if Always in the Sight of God

Behave as if Always in the Sight of God 

by David Brenneman 

‭"So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 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." Philippians 2:12-16.

‭"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:17-27.

I grew up in the Church. My earliest memories are of being in Church. I saw it, sometimes it was me, the seeing of how attitudes changed after Church let out.  

This thing of even in today's world it happens. People have a mindset that they gave God a few hours at Church so now they are on their own time. Life doesn't happen that way. 

We do not set the example of Christ by being part-time Christians.  

Paul lived out, Peter lived out, James lived out, Timothy lived out, all the surviving Apostles lived out Christ 24/7, 365 days a year.  

Living out their salvation with fear and trembling. Not fear as in afraid, fear as in with respect and honor. Not trembling as if paranoid, trembling as in taking every step seriously, taking...well...every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. 

We live in days that increasingly are after our every spare moment. We have advertisers that push into everything we put our eyes to.

Even www.biblegateway.com has succumbed to the heavy-handed push of advertising on their free site. To me, personally, this dishonors God when it comes to the reading and study of God's word.

We can't go anywhere these days it seems without additional intrusion into how we think and its impact on how we behave.

The anger of man does not bring about the righteousness of God.

That's what my Bible says. 

We also have an obsession with seeking out that which stirs our anger yet does nothing to cause us to pray about those things before Jesus. 

There's no end to "content" being created to mock the behavior of others, to stir up anger, and leave people to themselves. 

The point of this is this: God's not after your free time. He's wanting you 24/7 365. He's wanting me for that time frame as well.  

We read of Jesus being the Great Shepherd. He is because He gives His sheep His undivided, unedited, unending attention and protection. 

He is wanting His sheep who hear His voice to give of their best to their Master, their Shepherd Jesus Christ.

When we focus on anger and the things that will never grow us in Christ, we waste our time here on Earth. If Satan can't get to your soul, he will try to make you useless to the cause of Christ. 

He will stir up your sin nature to get you to be of no use to Jesus. He will cause our emotions to get the best of us. Cause us to not think about the word of God as a first line of defense in our thinking because we're too busy reacting. 

If we paid more attention to the truth that Jesus isn't our butler and is to be our closest friend, confidant, our everything, would we be immersed in the things we are?

Would we see the truth of what He says is idolatry in our lives? If He says it is, then why do we not remove it from our lives? Idolatry is EVERYWHERE these days.

The drive in advertisers is towards the greatest form of idolatry: you. Selfishness. You getting what you earned, what you deserve, what you desire, who cares what it costs. 

Getting you to not help your brother in need because after all it's your time and hard earned money. If they would work harder then they wouldn't be in that position. Isn't this line of thinking the same as those in the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan who did nothing for the person in need?

To live for Jesus is going to cost us those things that are most desirable to us. If anything is more important to us, be it time, energy or money, or possessions, they will become the chains that bind us. To some, these chains have been in place for so long they're now a blanket. Not thought of as a trap that they really are.

Do you give of your best to God?  

Do you intentionally meet with Jesus every single day?

Do you live life differently when you are alone versus being around other Believers? Around others who aren't saved yet? You realize what Hagar the concubine of Abraham said in the wilderness concerning her newfound thoughts of God? "You are the God who sees".

We read in Psalms of the revelations of King David that the Lord searches the hearts. From when we were formed in our Mother's womb He knew us.

We read of how jealous He is for the Spirit within us.  

We read of the truth from His own mouth that if He goes away, that He will return again. He's preparing a place for those who are His.

Are you seeing that your life is not your own? That you were bought with a price? The blood of Jesus Christ. That the price paid is too high for us to give our leftovers to our Savior and Lord?

Maybe we need a Spiritual episode of Hoarders. Clean out those things that are grabbing at our time, energy and efforts that indeed belong to Christ Jesus.  

I don't watch the news because the hearing of it causes me anger issues. I sift headlines online but that's it. It keeps me informed without causing my mind to be assaulted. 

I don't watch television because of it robbing my time from me.

I do look for instructional videos to teach me things that might help my skills. This is an avenue, I believe, that God is using with me to teach me free of charge.  

I do not sacrifice my times in the morning or before going to bed that belong to Christ for me. Those times in my Bible are non-negotiable.

Is your life really right before God? 

Do you live life in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven?

Jesus, by way of example, showed that He would rather spend His 'me' time with His Father than be alone. 

Do you see it that there's is never a moment when you are not to live life for Jesus? He is the God who sees.  

Take the time to be real with you. 

See if indeed you are seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. See if indeed He gets your best. See if you need to clear out things to make more room for the righteous life that God desires for you. 

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