Oh...

Oh...

by David Brenneman 

Perhaps one of the best training yet not training videos you can see is within a movie. 

In the original, and only correct version, of the Karate Kid, Daniel agrees to be trained by Mr. Miyagi. 

What comes next made absolutely no sense to Daniel. He was washing and waxing cars. He was sanding and staining decks. He was painting a fence in a weird fashion. But when was he going to be learning karate? His frustration comes to a head and he blows up at Mr. Miyagi. Then Mr. Miyagi takes him through each lesson that he was unknowingly learning. 

We who have come to Christ are going to be going through things that we're not going to understand as being lessons taught to us by the Spirit of God. 

We're just not going to get it sometimes.   

But then there are those "Oh" moments. Those few and rare times when an explanation is given. 

Those "oh" moments can be quite humbling. Probably are entirely meant to be that.

We invite Jesus to come into our lives, our hearts even, and what are we expecting? That He's going to just sit in the living room and have coffee or tea? Shoot the breeze for a time? Maybe have the audacity to show Him to a room and foolishly make Him think that you'll call Him when you need Him? That you'll listen to Him as if He's only giving advice for you to consider rather than for the reason He's there to transform your life?

Maybe it's more than that? My Dear Reader of course it's more than that.   

Do you realize that you dishonor Jesus by behavior like we just read?

Do you realize that you are showing a life of selfishness by living for self in light of Jesus being with you when you do that?

Realize completely that you invited Him into your life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. 

When He comes in, He already has all the keys to all the rooms, known and hidden rooms, of your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Period. Exclamation point. 

Oh.

Yes. The Spirit is going to either initiate actions or activities to teach you how to live Godly in Christ Jesus or He's going to permit actions or activities that teach you how to live life in Christ. 

This is a very different episode of hoarders. We came to Christ with faith and trust in what Christ Jesus did on the cross to save us. We asked Him to be the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives. This means a blanket authority to remove whatever and insert whatever is necessary to become fully devoted followers of Christ. 

It means that we trust God and leave the consequences to Him. 

It means that we let go of whatever He throws out of our hearts and minds. 

It means that He leads we follow. 

It means we trust and obey. 

It means that we do not get ahead of Him. 

It means that we accept what He's doing and does without grumbling or complaining. 

We are in training. Read Paul's letters to the various Churches. It's all in there, you probably just don't see it right away. Just like Daniel didn't with Mr. Miyagi. 

There's always the temptation to bring something back in the house that the Spirit removed.

Something that we think we snuck in. He knows. 

Sometimes He will just throw it out again. Sometimes He will allow it to turn into a very hard learning experience. 

Our coming to Christ is never about us staying the way we were found.

Fast forward...Daniel's newfound understanding removed barriers that even he didn't know he had in trusting Mr. Miyagi.  

Look at the levels and degrees of trust that were being built between the Disciples and Jesus throughout the Gospels. Look at how Peter was and then read 1st and 2nd Peter. 

Look at the arrogant, self-righteous, pious, angry, murderous Saul and his transformation into Paul.

The Extreme Heart Makeover Edition happens to all who come to Christ for salvation.  

Before you think that the opportunities presented to you for ministry are someone else's...think again. Pray about it. NOBODY will be exalted for their movie or sports knowledge or achievements in that day we give an account of our lives before Jesus.  

All of those who are saved will, however, receive something for what we did in obedience to the leading of the Spirit of God in our lives. 

Oh.

Are you intentionally spending time in God's word?

Are you intentionally spending time in intimate prayer with Jesus?

Are you intentionally setting aside things that aren't what the Spirit has in mind for you?

You may never understand why the word 'no' was used by God in your life in regards to opportunities or possessions. That's part of you trust Him with all your heart And not leaning on your own understanding. It's part of you in all your ways acknowledging Him so that He can make your paths straight. 

Oh. Yeah...oh.

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

Renewing: Not just for Others

Renewing: Not just for Others 

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

Renewing of your mind is for you to be doing. If you wonder what God's will for you is...right there is part of it. It's not for "the other guy" only. It's not for just the Pastor and maybe his family. It's not just for Elders, Deacons or Deaconesses.

It's for you. 

So if it's for you, and right there in Paul's letter to the Romans it is, what are you doing to be obeying Christ in accomplishing it?

This does count with regards to the passage we read the other day that says "He who knows the right thing to do and does not do it sins".

You're on notice that you indeed know the right thing to be doing. 

You know that this transformation of your mind is something that God in Christ Jesus wants you to be doing. 

Sooo what are you doing to accomplish this?

It might indeed call for some sacrifices on your part. You might need to truly live by your commitments not your intentions. 

Ouch.

An intention not fulfilled sounds more like an excuse.

For me, it's meant not participating in some things. It's meant adding more time in God's word. It's meant sacrifices. Getting up at 3:15 AM Monday through Thursday. It's meant not going to bed until I have read my second Bible reading plan and a page in Dr. David Jeremiah's Walking with God devotional.  

While I sift through videos for instructionals more so than entertainment I have given up on television. It's been forever since I went to a movie.  

I want to help people. So I have done a 24 mile bike ride for a charity. Longest I have ever ridden might have been about 3 miles or so. I have volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore place.  

These come out of renewing of the mind.

Jesus went wherever the Spirit lead Him. Doing whatever the Spirit required of Him. Jesus knows all about what it means to sacrifice His personal desires.  

What are you holding onto that's more important to you than this renewing of your mind?  

Have you put your career ahead of your relationship with Jesus? Oh my Dear Reader that won't end well.  

Have you put your hobbies ahead of your relationship with Jesus? Same deal, not going to end well. 

Have you taken the energy and passion that truly belongs to God and placed it upon yourself, on someone else, on something else?

This is part of the will of God for you. This is between you and Jesus.  

Have you invited Him into your life only to have Him do nothing in your life that you invited Him in to change?  

Jesus is to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.

Is He? Do you still insist on your own vices?  

Go look at that mirror of yours and remind yourself of who Jesus died for in order to not leave you as He found you.  

You're never going to know the great and fantastic plans He has for you until you start obeying. 

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

Wherever You Are, Wherever You Go

Wherever You Are, Wherever You Go 

by David Brenneman 

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it." Proverbs 3:27.

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12.

Have heard this said a long time ago. Your life may be the only Jesus that people may ever see. 

When you're out and about during your day and it's nice out. Got the windows down, music turned up a little, feeling good. Someone pulls up next to you at the light. Would they know from what they hear that you are a child of God?

When you decide to go to the movies or speak to others of movies you've seen or are anxious to see...would they get the impression that what interests you God approves of?

Does what matters to Jesus matter to you? Does your speech, love, and conduct show a light that shines from the salvation that you have in Christ?

We had an impromptu memorial for a coworker who recently passed away. The family has no doubt that Steve was saved. He's safe in the arms of Jesus. Steve's Wife and a sister were there to hear of our reflections of Steve's work relationships.  

I typically don't like talking out deep feelings but I knew that I had to. Steve's probably the best example of living out Christ in the workplace that I have ever seen. He was humble, respectful, an encouragement to those he interacted with. Only once did I ever hear him convey a sense of frustrating anger. He was patient with all. Everyone he seemed to meet was not a stranger but rather a friend he hadn't met yet. He was more interested in you succeeding than himself.  

In my first winter in my new hometown he caught me at Lowes buying packs of firewood. He wouldn't have it. For most of a week he loaded up wood n brought it to work for me to take home. 

Are you fully aware of the light of Christ within you n how it's seen by the world?

Do you let your own self interests hide that light?  

Are your desires aligned with the Spirit of God's work in your life?

When you give an account of your life before Jesus...and your life is passed through the fire of truth...what will remain?  

I used to have some pretty good hobbies and interests. At least I thought they were at the time. God showed me that these weren't helpful in my walk with Jesus so I no longer pursue them. The temptation remains but I avoid them.  

Those things honestly brought out some of the worst traits of humanity out of me. I wasn't pointing people to Jesus because of any of them. I really was seeking something to make me more than I was among the men and women in my life. 

King Solomon wrote vanity of vanities all is vanity. There is nothing new under the sun.  

We can look at any given set of headlines and affirm the word of God in saying that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We really don't have far to look to know that we live in a sin cursed world.  

What are we doing about it?  

The work of the Spirit of God in each of us in Christ is to transform our lives. A transformation requires letting go of some things and situations and taking up other things and being in better situations. 

I honestly am ashamed of what some of the things that I used to participate in did to myself and others. While the world was and is ok with them these things were not showing Christ to anyone.   

Paul once said that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21. Note Galatians 2:20 that we have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us. 

The desires of your heart...are they what Christ desires?  

Would those things that you allow to excite you...would these things and or situations you put yourself in...would Jesus react the same?

Steve's obituary mentioned that he instilled the love of Christ in his children and his grandchildren.  

Would people describe you as one who loved Jesus? Would they know without a doubt that you went to be with Jesus after your passing?

Truth is we ARE the only Jesus that most people will ever see. 

If we really do trust in the Lord with all our hearts and are not leaning on our own understanding, and all our ways are acknowledging Him...He will make our paths straight. Those paths will show a life lived in such a way that people saw our good works and glorified our Father in Heaven.

Does your speech reflect Christ?

Do the activities you engage in reflect that Christ is with you?

No you're never going to get it right all the time, but striving to please Him in all aspects of life are what is supposed to be our goal. 

If what we do "just for fun" isn't reflecting Jesus...why do it?

If what we do to "fit in" isn't reflecting Jesus...why desire it?

I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God.  

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything. 

Get serious with that face you see in the mirror. The works that we do for Christ will go into that crown of righteousness that we will give back to Jesus one day. What will yours look like?

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

Memorials and Memories

Memorials and Memories 

by David Brenneman 

In Numbers and in other books such as Exodus, in many places, the children of Israel were told, taught and shown examples of "do this in remembrance of Me". Have you caught that in your readings of these Old Testament accounts?

Today, at least in the United States, is to be a day of remembrance. The thousands who died when terrorists attacked the country and the twin towers fell.  

Today in my little corner of the world, as part of a company gathering, we will be joined by some of the family of one of our Engineers who recently had been called home to Heaven. Recounting our memories of him in our lives. 

I don't remember a whole lot of my life unless something or someone triggers a memory. 

A book that I am writing is referencing memorial stones much as the children of Israel way back several thousand years ago were told to set up.  

We need memories of the good, the bad, and the ugly to help us along our way until it's our time to be called home to Heaven to be with Jesus forever. 

I wake up to aches and pains. Remembering that the last several hours or so were indeed but a dream. 

I often have certain temperatures causing my body to remember times when I ran into something or some sort of injury occurred. 

I look at pictures of loved ones or friends who have left this world...and certain memories stand out. 

Jesus wipes away their tears Himself. Here we seek consolations from others or spend time deep in thought with ourselves. 

Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread and broke it. Handing pieces to His Disciples. Telling them to eat it. Remembering that moment. Eating it in remembrance of Him in what He was about to do.

Then He took a cup of ordinary wine and took a sip. Passing that around to them as well. Telling them to take it and drink. Remembering that moment. Drinking it in remembrance of His shed blood that would be covering sins past, present and future. 

In the course of our day we need to remember we are children of God in Christ Jesus. Our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Seeking ways to get and keep Jesus off our minds and hearts.

He seeks to cause Believers to forget and to cause the unbelieving to think that the God of Heaven cares not for them.

Jesus, as the Scriptures say, often got away from everyone to be with His Father.  

Jesus didn't physically leave this world to be with His Father in those moments. He stepped aside to both talk to Him and to remember. 

Nobody who ever lived or will live has the resolve of Jesus Christ.  

To think that the lives of every single person who has ever lived or would live was on His mind while He was on the cross is incredibly mind-blowing. 

He remembered you and you weren't even born yet. He knew you by name and you weren't even a glint in your parents eyes. 

Do this in remembrance of Me.

We often offend the God of Heaven throughout our day. Perhaps in those moments or later on we remember and ask Him to forgive us.  

All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Look in the mirror. This includes you. 

Yet in our remembrance we know that our lives are hidden in Christ. 

We remember that our forgiveness is absolute.  

We remember that our temporary sorrow at losing someone in our lives is just that, temporary. 

That either by way of the Rapture of the Church or the time of our departure from this world, we will see those who are saved again. 

The saddest of funerals are those for people who steadfastly rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There's no true joy. Nothing to hope for in the next life. Their memories are gone because all they will know in their leaving this world is that pain and suffering will be theirs for eternity. 

Hope is only found in the land of the living. Those in Heaven have no need for it because they are with Jesus. 

Those in Hell have none. Their eternity is sealed in their choice in the time they were alive. Only briefly will they have a respite at the Judgment of the Lord at the end of the book of Revelation. Then the Lake of Fire awaits. Their sin ever before them.

In Christ our sins are forever vanquished. Gone. Erased. Remembered no more. 

Today I hope to make it through what little I have to say in remembrance of my friend Steve. 

I will speak of his caring heart as well as his life in Christ that was very evident.  

Today I remember the efforts of the company that I worked for who got to help the world in building sensors for test stands, to make replacement respirators lost during the attack. 

Each day I remember to meet Jesus here at this early morning hour to be in His book. To listen to Him in what to write in these posts.  

Each day I have yet to live I want to always remember all that my Savior and Lord has done for me.  

Each evening I remember to meet with Jesus again to remember in reading my Bible again.  

What are you doing to remind yourself of your life in Christ if indeed you are saved? As the Bible says we do not grieve for those who have passed on like the world does. We hope in Christ. We have His promises.

Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me. Bless His holy Name. 

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

More than You Recognize or Realize

More than You Recognize or Realize 

by David Brenneman 

"So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way." Romans 14:12-13.

"but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." 1 Peter 4:5.

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37.

"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13.

Dr. Charles Stanley has a Life Principle that says that you reap what you sow much more than you sow much later than you sow.

Was reading in my "Walking with God" devotional last night and read this "The same, of course, is true in the spiritual life. Through the books we read, the company we keep, the movies we watch and the music we listen to, we are sowing either to the Spirit or to the flesh. When we sow to the Spirit, we set our affections on the things above--seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness. By praying, studying God's Word, sharing our faith, and bearing one another's burdens, we sow to the Spirit. But if we sow our lives and money to the flesh, according to the Apostle Paul, we reap corruption. 

   Holiness is a harvest gained by careful sowing. Will you reap the reward of holy sowing? Or will you be surprised by what your harvest yields?" Dr. David Jeremiah, Walking with God. 

When you stop in this moment of your day. Just think about the last 5 to 15 minutes. What did you sow or reap? Was your mind honoring to Christ or was it focused elsewhere on things less than appropriate for a child of God?

Would you even recognize what kinds of seeds you are planting in your life?

Many do not. Many try to white wash their sins. Many have been desensitized for so long that they don't recognize a sin from holiness.

Think about that. Would you really recognize the difference? Do you justify the so-called pleasures in your life? Are you running with the crowd to fit in by compromising or are you doing as Paul said and are standing firm in what you were taught?

Have you reaped the seeds of fear?

Letting fear turn you away from what God intended for you to be doing for Him?  

Have you reaped the seeds of anger?

Are you reading books that aren't Biblical? Are you listening to music or people that are, shall we say, less than Godly examples?

Would you be described as one who sought after God's purpose in your life or described only in terms of worldly accomplishments and achievements?  

Will there be people who stand up to point to your life and testify that it's because of you that they came to Christ for salvation?

Nobody is going to care about anything else when they die.

One second after you die your destination is determined by your choice to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ or your rejection of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.  

For those saved in Christ, your treasure in Heaven isn't at all to do with any achievements beyond bringing others to see Jesus and their decision to follow Jesus too.

Degrees, diplomas, certifications, all the letters possible after your name means nothing in Heaven...or in Hell. 

What are you cultivating in your life?

Are you looking for the return of Jesus? The Bible says we should. 

Are you vetting out ungodly teachers from your life? The Bible says that you should be. 

Are you adding to the soil of your heart Godly music and song? It's in there too.

Are you showing fruits of the Spirit?  

The world justifies their actions. 

"It's ok, that kind of thing doesn't bother me. I just like to listen to it. I'm just curious as to what they have to say, I don't really believe any of it." These actions are putting a hole in the soil of your heart to plant seeds that are not going to grow you in Christ. 

Garbage in Garbage out. 

Are you going to be one of those who's lives, that after being exposed to the fire of truth, have little to nothing to show of a life in Christ?

"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 3:2-5.

 "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32.

What seeds are you sowing?

What harvests are you reaping?

What's your future harvest looking like?

You will, not you might, you will reap what you sow, much more than you sow, and much later than you sow.

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

It is these that Testify

It is these that Testify 

by David Brenneman 

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." John 5:39-40.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24.

Regardless of what life has been like for you, how it's going right now, or even what it looks like in your future, knowing that you are saved by the only begotten Son of God -Jesus Christ- is more important than any of that. 

As stated in many other posts this blog exists not to just be out on the internet but rather to either point people to Jesus to be saved or to point the way back to Jesus for healing and restoration into the right relationship with Jesus that they've been needing. 

Our world wants people to listen to psychology or be dependent upon drugs to maintain their lives apart from Jesus.  

Don't get me wrong. In some cases medication is a good thing. But when abused people can and only will be on the highway to Hell. 

Taking medication to maintain a lie is one such abuse.  

Jesus isn't going to address anyone by whatever they've turned themselves into. 

Jesus is going to address them as He created them to be.

Many people are twisting the Scriptures to get them to say whatever they want it to say to support their perverted lifestyle. 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  

He is Truth. He sees beyond anything we can conceive.  

Our definition of truth is corrected at the moment we pass from this world.  

"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." John 5:22-23.

It matters not what we can devise as a defense. The truth of God stands. 

Jesus fulfilled all Scripture concerning Himself.  

In doing so He also proved that His statements about Himself were and are true. 

Jesus is patiently waiting for that day that His Father set before returning to gather all who have truly believed in Him. 

Is Jesus Christ the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?

Do you live as if this were true or are you living no differently than before you laid claim to this?

A life change has to happen. 

A life transformation has to have begun. 

A life in Christ is supposed to be different from the world. 

The Scriptures will testify about you if indeed you're saved.  

The characteristics of Jesus will show in your life to you and those who see you.

Another aspect of a life in Christ is the world won't understand why you are the way you are. The Bible says that the natural or unsaved man or woman cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. 

You have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He must be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life first. 

Then the Spirit of God comes into your life and teaches you all things, just as Jesus promised would happen. 

Are you sure of your salvation?

Have you a real relationship with Jesus?

Has there been a definite time when you know that you gave your life to Jesus Christ and asked Him to be your personal Lord and Savior?

It doesn't matter how far you may be thinking that you are from God. 

He is always one heartbeat away from you. 

It doesn't matter what you may have done to your body. 

He is still ready to save you. 

It doesn't matter what you have done. Doesn't matter what you have thought. What words came out of your mouth. 

Jesus still waits for you. 

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

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

Grace and Redemption

Grace and Redemption 

by David Brenneman 

"Every adult has experienced it-being a dispenser or recipient of grace. Your child acts up and deserves to be punished, but you break his or her rebellious spirit with a loving hug. Or you treat your spouse badly but receive a smile and an "love you" in return. Or you feel your actions displeased God, and then read in your Bible that His mercies are new every morning.

When God extends His grace to us-sinners and enemies it ought to melt Our heart. It's hard to be angry with someone who has every reason to turn away from us but who comes toward us with open arms instead. The Prodigal Son's heart melted when he experienced the loving arms of his father rapped tightly around him in a welcoming embrace (Luke 15:20-21). Grace is receiving a present we know we don't deserve, we never thought we would receive, and we never saw coming, Grace is a gift, pure and simple. The love of God is shown in His grace to people who deserve nothing." Dr. David Jeremiah "Walking with God" 365 Devotionals Copyright 2019.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

His child, and forever, I am.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,

I think of Him all the day long;

I sing, for I cannot be silent;

His love is the theme of my song.

Redeemed, redeemed,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

His child, and forever, I am.

I know I shall see in His beauty

The King in whose law I delight,

Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,

And giveth me songs in the night.

Redeemed, redeemed,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed by Fanny Crosby 1882

That devotional really was uplifting to me last night. I highly recommend it if you can get your hands on a copy. 

Good enough doesn't cut it.

There you have a simplified statement from the Bible concerning why people need saving, why they need a Savior who is Christ the Lord. 

Our society is replete with people thinking their opinions on right and wrong are as valid as God's Word when it speaks to right and wrong. 

What did the Lord say in Isaiah?

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!" Isaiah 5:20, 23

Our thoughts and considerations, our conclusions and insights, mean absolutely nothing in light of what God has said in His Word. 

Grace is God’s unmeritted favor towards humanity. Some use an acronym of "God's Riches At Christ's Expense".

You and I need a Savior who is fully God and fully man. Only one ever has or ever will fit that description. Jesus Christ alone. 

There's nothing in life that we experience that He can't relate to. The Bible further says that He sympathizes with our weaknesses. 

But does not excuse them. We need the forgiveness of sins that only comes in a real right now relationship with Jesus.

I know my sins, while many and diverse, have been forever forgiven by my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

Are yours? If you haven't come to Christ for salvation...if He isn't your own personal Savior and Lord...all the legal weight of your sins in the court of God's Law are squarely on your own shoulders. 

You might try to point Jesus to all the "good" you have done. Worthless without His free gift of salvation. 

You might try to defend yourself by saying your good must amount to something! Worthless without His free gift of salvation. 

You might try to say you don't believe in His authority. Still worthless without His free gift of salvation. 

Any defense offered outside of an in faith decision to ask Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...is worthless. 

God's grace is honestly why so many billions of people aren't dead right now. His mercy as well. Not giving all who have turned from Him what they do deserve. 

Jesus is my Redeemer. In this I cannot be silent. His child forever I am.  

He jumped in front of me on that cross to take what was coming from God towards me. He took the bullet. He took the hit. He took the death sentence that was mine to receive because I am a sinner in need of a Savior. 

Now...I know my redeemer lives. Because He lives, I can live for Jesus. I owe Him my life.  

Have you really thought about all this? Can you point to a day when you asked Jesus to save you?  

Your thoughts on your goodness aren't enough.

Yes you probably did go to great lengths to care for loved ones, possibly your children. You probably did care for animals. You probably were very much in peaceful relationships with others.

By everything you know and understand...you cannot think of why you would deserve to go to Hell. 

The deciding factor is whether you have Jesus as your Savior and Lord. 

Not on your efforts or the good you think you have done. 

The bar is perfection. Nothing less will do.

Please think about that.

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

Someone loved me enough to share with me long ago that Jesus loved me enough die for me. 

Right now you I would hope you understand that I love you enough to tell you the same. 

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