Our Assignment, Our Lessons, Our Life

Our Assignment, Our Lessons, Our Life 

by David Brenneman 

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions." Mark 11:25.

"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:14-15.

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:6-8.

"And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:20-23.

There's much to be learned about concerning a life in Christ. It should never be that we come to Christ only for that and then do nothing significant in the eyes of God towards becoming more like Christ. 

We can read that passage from Mark 7:20-23 to see what is possible to come out of the hearts of mankind. Including Believers if their hearts aren't right before Jesus or if they're living for themselves only.  

The Father wants personal prayer time with each of us. Not our constantly repeated words that have no heartfelt meaning behind them. In your world how long would you stay in a relationship if someone talked to you that way?  

We can also be a people thinking we've justified our bitterness concerning others who have wronged us. Was anyone wronged more than Jesus? 

We can easily justify our choices concerning ourselves and others.  

What we often miss is Jesus wasn't just talking to be heard concerning what we read earlier on the requirements of forgiveness. If you don't then you won't be forgiven. 

It's this very thing on not truly forgiving others that really is what the "you shouldn't judge!" crowd mistakes for judging people. No one has the right to sit in judgment on other people with regards to saying who is or isn't worthy of the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We don't decide who is worthy or who isn't. We are to evaluate, judge, people based on their fruits. Jesus said you would know people by their fruits.  

This isn't to say you toss everything to the wind after you are wronged. You might be wise not to forget the incident but you are required to truly forgive from your heart.  

And please don't start with "But you don't understand what they did!". Nobody went through more of anything than Jesus in His life and ministry, through it and up to and including the cross on which He died.  

Scripture says: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:14-15.

We are called to forgive ourselves and others wholly and from the heart. Period. 

We are to enrich our lives through dedicated time with Jesus. We can't learn from the Spirit if we aren't in class. We cannot know what the character of Christ is if we aren't trying to find out.  

We are not here to be all we can be for our own sake. We are not here to be as successful as we can be in the eyes of the world. We are to be successful in the eyes of God on His terms in His ways that are taught by His Spirit. 

It took me a very very long time, on the order of decades, to realize that I had been mad at myself and hadn't forgiven myself for my past and present actions. I have known people, and in some instances it was me as well, where anger towards others superceded true forgiveness. The words may have been there saying they forgave but the actions and speech reflected an unforgiving heart. 

Bitterness is a pill that nobody should take internally.

You can't truly hold your breath longer than God. You cannot justify your position when He says that you must first forgive from your heart...then that is what you must do. 

We set ourselves up for failure when we try to justify our self-righteous position before men and women.  

We then open the door for these things to come into our lives and we self-sabotage our walk with Jesus. "proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness." All these things even a Christian is capable of.  

You are still capable of every single imagined and unimagined sin. 

Our first, best, defense is what the Scriptures say. 

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:26-27.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Peter would know. Peter was thinking he was in the right in his thought processes.

"But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Mark 8:33.

We can be crafty and be as self-centered as any unbelieving person on the planet. We can talk ourselves into what we say is right, good and acceptable before God without ever once asking God what really is!

From the heart...

What is coming from your heart to the world around you? What are people seeing? Yes it does matter and don't try arguing that it doesn't. Scripture says that we should live our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

Our first testimony about a life in Christ has nothing to do with a pre-written testimony of how we came to Christ for salvation.  

It's how our lives are lived.  

Are we weeding out these things that Jesus said that comes from the heart?  

Are we setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world?

Are we forgiving others the same way that Christ forgave us?

Are we recognizing any idolatry in our lives and are removing it?

Are we recognizing anything that is more important than pleasing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and doing something about it?

Jesus said that we will know people by their fruits. What do your fruits really look like? Ask not from your own perspective. Ask someone who's another whom you trust is firmly walking in Christ to answer you.  

Jesus said that disciples should be taught all that Jesus commanded them.  

What are you striving to know and understand about all that Jesus commanded you? 

How can you expect to be told "Well done" by Jesus if you aren't doing, aren't living, the life in Christ that He has in mind for you?

Jesus guarantees that your prayers will be hindered if you are not truly forgiving from your heart.  

It a guaranteed wall between you and Jesus if you're insisting on holding onto sins in your life with no regard for what the Bible says that we should be doing about them.

Matthew 18 goes further to say what should be done concerning unrepentant people.  

Hands down God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit have established that sin is a barrier between God and mankind that must be dealt with.  

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes." Psalms 119:9-12. 

We may sin against ourselves but we always will sin against God first. Daily cleansing by the asking of forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ is necessary to keep that communication open.  

Look at your heart. Ask Jesus. 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Psalms 139:23-24.

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

Believe This, Then Believe That

Believe This, Then Believe That 

by David Brenneman 

"They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, saying, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.” Mark 10:32-34.

"As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that it may not happen in the winter. For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ” Mark 13:3-37.

Truly truly I say to you...if you have believed on what Jesus said of Himself and it has lead you unto salvation in Him...be sure to believe all that He said! 

You can't believe only in Jesus, His life, death, burial and resurrection and NOT accept what Jesus said about the times of the end. 

We aren't here to make glorious lives of ourselves. We aren't here to be rich and famous unto ourselves. We aren't saved only to make us safe from the wrath to come. 

We believed God and took Him at His word concerning sin, death and the need for the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. 

So why are so many people calling themselves Christians living like they aren't? Why are so many people choosing to forget that indeed Jesus is going to be coming back?

"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.

If you used that measure of faith to come to Christ for salvation...do you have the faith to believe the rest of what Jesus said?  

When Jesus told the Disciples of the destruction of the Temple...they saw the days in which it happened. They certainly believed that Jesus spoke the truth.  

"And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” Mark 13:2.

And it happened in the year 70 AD.

Jesus never spoke for the sake of speaking. He spoke the words of life as the Disciples said of Him.  

If you believe in Jesus Christ for your salvation in Him, are you behaving like you believe the rest of what He 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? Jesus asks all people those questions.  

Are you hiding His word in your heart that you might not sin against God? In modern terms it means spending time reading your Bible. 

Do you practice what Jesus did and get away to spend time with Him? This could be praying or time alone with Jesus anywhere is feasible. 

Is living a Christ-approved life at all important to you?  

If you believed enough that you were convinced to come to Christ for salvation...do you live life believing the rest?

Do you live your life in Christ in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven? Or do they just see someone wrapped up in the world who looks, acts and speaks like they never left the worlds ways for the ways of righteousness in Christ?

Fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ are the future disciples that Jesus instructed His Disciples to make. Teaching them all that Jesus commanded them. To that end He kept His promise to send the Paraclete, the Advocate we know as the Holy Spirit. He who is another of the same kind as Jesus Christ.  

He is the vine we are the branches. We live because of the sustenance the vine provides. We are to bear fruit that shows to whom we belong. 

People are consumed by various things. Some immerse themselves in sports, some in entertainment, some in recreational activities outside. Some burying themselves in books to escape the reality of their lives. Some in children's and adult cartoons. Some in their hobbies. Some are consumed by their jobs.  

Anything to keep oneself from doing what they know the Word of God says they ought to be doing. 

For a second there you probably thought I was talking about the world. Paul actually had much to say to those within the Church who were living life like unbelievers.  

Jesus said to live life in Christ as if at any time He could return. He said to be on the alert. To guard your hearts in Christ Jesus. Don't let just any worldly thoughts or ideas into your life.  

Are you really investing in your life to the end that Jesus would approve of what you have done with you?

Are you at all attempting to or show any interest in growing in Christ? If not, why not? Several times we read "be sure of your salvation".  

Jesus said that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth at the revelations that people did a great many things in His Name but in truth they had no relationship with Jesus.  

If indeed you are saved...live it. 

Spring is upon us here in the United States. Spring clean your life. Get rid of those things that aren't helping you to grow in Christ. Be the full devoted follower of Jesus Christ that you say you are. 

Get back to loving the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Get back to loving your neighbor as yourself. Get back to setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. Get back to storing up your treasures in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy.  

Are there things that I am missing out on in my life? Probably. Are those things worth more than hearing "Well done" from Jesus?  

Does anyone want to hear Jesus ask why they didn't believe the rest of what He said?  

Start with prayer. Add in a few verses per day. Add some more prayer. Add a few more verses.  

You have to start somewhere.  

My goals aren't lofty. I read a yearly Bible plan in the mornings. At night I read 1 chapter at a time in 4 Bibles along with their respective study notes. I read a yearly devotional.  

If you want to grow in Christ you have to feed your soul with the Word of God.  

I finished reading this year a few other books by Godly men.  

How are you going to walk with Jesus if you aren't going to talk to Jesus about the things that are important to Jesus?  

If you believed what it says to be saved in Christ...be sure to believe all the rest.

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

What Do You Apply Your Heart To?

What Do You Apply Your Heart To?

by David Brenneman 

"My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways;" Proverbs 2:1-15.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes." Psalms 119:9-12.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." Joshua 1:7.

When in training a runner ought not to get ahead of the one training them. It's never good to get ahead of the trail guide before they have the chance or opportunity to assist you in being sure your feet do not accidentally fall into a place you ought not to have gone. When learning how to walk again it's best to listen to the therapist.  

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2.

We will never be in the position of having arrived concerning our walk with Jesus in this mortal body we currently reside in.  

One of the jobs of the Spirit of God in Christ is to teach us all things that Jesus commanded us. To teach us truth, God's truth.  

He leads the way, He issues warnings and lessons, things we should know. He calls the shots if we but listen and believe. 

How important are the things of God to you? Are you serious about hiding the word of God in your heart that you might not sin against God? David once said that it was against God and God alone had he sinned. 

Peter's way of thinking on the night of his denying Jesus probably made perfect sense to him with regards to dealing with those he encountered that night. He quite probably thought his words didn't matter all that much if he could just be there for Jesus and to die with Him if he must. After all he opened his mouth first to say that he was ready to die for Jesus. Was he really or was he really trying to prove Jesus wrong?  

We can oftentimes think we know what we're doing, what we're thinking, what we're needing and don't bother to pray about any of these things. We can be our own worst saboteurs to our walk with Jesus.  

Are you trying to be a man or woman after God's own heart yourself or are you trying to prove to the world and yourself that you got this, that you're ok going where you are going, doing what you're doing?

We have before us always the path of life in Christ and the path we would choose ourselves. Sometimes they're one and the same, other times they are radically different. 

It's actually a hard thing to learn this far into my life on the aspect of learning how to study God's Word by way of the Spirit of God. I never learned how to study. I am not sure if it's related to the material taught while I was in school or if it was because I should have been in a higher grade. I just never learned the habit of studying.  

Memorization is another troublesome thing for me. Memorizing Bible verses has never been easy at all for me. Interestingly enough memorizing songs never has been much of a challenge. Old songs that I grew up with...hear the opening part and can still sing along with it.

How much time, energy and effort have you put into considering how you will feel, how you will react, when you stand before Jesus, KNOWING that the real truth about your life is about to be tried by fire?

Do you really really strive to live life in Christ in obedience to God's Word? Are you really making every effort to live a life approved by Jesus? Does hearing Jesus say "Well done!" matter to you?  

When you realized your need for a Savior and gave your life to Christ it was to be the beginning of His workmanship of you into His character. Are you displaying the character of Christ? Would those in your life say that they see Christ in you?

Heavy thoughts to think for sure. 

We apply our hearts and minds to either a better understanding of God's word and His will for our lives. To the end that we keep pace with Jesus, not going ahead of Him, not falling behind, not stopping unless He says so. 

"Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life." Mark 10:28-30.

We either follow after Jesus or follow after the world.  

We either believe Jesus or we believe this world. 

Mark includes the truth that we're also going to see persecutions. Think about that.  

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

Your light is to shine for Christ at all times. It's not a pick and choose thing. It's not a separation of home life and work life thing. It's a 24/7 365 thing. Who cares if the world calls something fun to do...if it at all soils our chances that someone sees something other than the character of Christ in us...stop doing it. Who if the world is for something be sure to scrutinize it. Be sure that you put your obedience to God's Word above your thoughts on the matter. 

We are told to run the race in such a way as to win the prize.  

The prize is to be told by Jesus "Well done!"

 

Are you living life with this in mind or are you spending life on your own pleasures instead? Are you trying to skate by in obeying God?

Is that going to get you a "Well done?" Honesty...is a half-hearted attempt at living for Jesus what you think of all that Jesus did for you in dying on the cross for you?  

Is your all on the altar?  

Think about your why's behind what you do, say or think.  

Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  

Do your priorities reflect a life devoted to Jesus?  

Are you applying yourself to growing in Christ? In paying attention in the classroom of the Holy Spirit? Of keeping pace with Jesus along the way?

Think about that today. 

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

Struggle, Strive, Fight

Struggle, Strive, Fight 

by David Brenneman 

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 1:3-4 

"But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." Jude 17-21.

Let's start with some definitions. 

Contend: To strive, or to strive against; to struggle in opposition.

To strive; to use earnest efforts to obtain, or to defend and preserve.

Distress not the Moabites, nor contend with them in battle. 

To dispute earnestly; to strive in debate.

To reprove sharply; to chide; to strive to convince and reclaim.

To strive in opposition; to punish.

To quarrel; to dispute fiercely; to wrangle. 

To contend for, to strive to obtain; as, two competitors contend for the prize.

Licentiousness: promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters. Disregarding accepted moral rules or conventions. 

Many people we know choose to fight for the worldly things they've attached themselves to. The most prolific example is with sports teams. In truth they contend for "their" team. They toss out most of the character of Christ when they do so but it is them contending for their team. That's not my stretching the example to fit the word defined it's the truth when you've lived it. 

Many people would rather not think about the seriousness of what Jesus meant by saying to take up our own cross and follow Him. 

The Disciples learned what that meant and that is exactly what the Spirit of God had them teach others.  

Have been thinking about what my friend wrote in his book "My Godly Marathon" (Steve Crisafulli) available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble if you are interested.  

We are on a journey to Heaven and in our life we are to keep pace with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. It may mean running some days, may mean walking other days. Some days it fully means sitting down and resting before the next leg of the journey we are on with Him. 

We live in a world of complex compromises. We get inundated at a young age to compromise what our parents or maybe even our teachers and possibly Sunday School teachers might have taught us. Giving in to things sometimes might be the easier path but it can be fraught with dangerous things in order to get back to where Jesus is on the journey that is ours to be on. 

We have so many candy-coated temptations to try to sway us and trip us up. We're worse than a dog distracted by a squirrel. We see not the dangers until maybe too late. 

We aren't too keen on the lesson of Peter on the water with Jesus. 

Take your eyes off your Savior and you begin to sink. 

Yes the world was meant, originally, to be enjoyed by mankind. That was before the original sin that messed everything up. Demons corrupted the word of God among the people of this world since Adam and Eve had children. Demons still possess people today. They are just so good at it that they're often mistaken for people with mental illness. It's not to say that there aren't people with mental illnesses it to say that's one way they disguise themselves. 

Then there's those demons who are presenting themselves as angels of light. Looking like preachers. Misleading congregations. Claiming that there's only their way to be a disciple of Christ.  

Contending for the faith directly implies the need to fight to keep established in. Make every effort it says here.  

It may mean alienating people who are of this world because of living the life in Christ that you are indeed called to be in.

We are in a struggle. A fight. A war even. There's no room for letting off the gas in driving that car. We have a relentless enemy of God who accuses Believers every single day before Jesus Christ.  

Every single day! He's constantly seeking permission to go after you, me, and all Believer's in this world right now. You are never off the hook in this. He can't kill you, much as he wants to, but Satan and his companions are out to destroy the truth of God in Christ Jesus everywhere. 

Earnestly contend for the faith. 

I never realized how much I would enjoy spending an hour or so each day in so many study Bibles. Never really thought about how easy it was to get me to deviate from the path of my life that the Father intended me to be on in Christ. 

Did you know that you are going to be tempted to worship someone or something else other than Jesus and you will be blinded from recognizing that is exactly what you're doing?

Without praying earnestly for discernment we can easily be blinded much as the world already has been. We are easily taken in by things that look harmless. Originally snakes didn't look harmless until the first time one bit someone. 

How hard are you contending for your faith? How much effort are you putting into keeping that cross as the only thing you are carrying on your shoulders?

Going through this journey of life with Jesus is never Jesus and things of this world. No Disciple ever got far with Jesus AND money. Look at the life of Judas Iscariot concerning that one.  

Paul said: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me." Philippians 1:21-24, 27-30

Turn your Eyes Upon Jesus. Not just a hymn of great hope and comfort written in 1922 by Helen Howarth Lemmel, it's always an encouragement towards realizing that indeed Jesus's load is easy and His burden is light in being on this journey with Him on our way to Heaven. 

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Thro' death into life everlasting,

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion--

For more than conqu’rors we are!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you--He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!"

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace."

The reality is its not just that we are to contend for the faith...we are going to fight to keep putting down what has tripped us up in the past. 

We will be fighting all those things that we have compromised in that have been so much a part of our lives. We will be fighting every day to keep pace with Jesus because our sin nature wants nothing to do with living life for Jesus. 

There's no room to coast or to think we can let our guard down.  

Pray now, pray often, listen for what you will indeed hear from the Spirit of God.  

We are to be lights in this world that aren't hidden under a basket.  

It's for us to trust and obey. For us to keep the whole armor of God on us. To run from whatever is taking us away from the will of God for us in Christ Jesus. Taking up our own cross and following Him. 

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

Your Purpose in Part

Your Purpose in Part

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Paul did not take what was happening to him personally.

He realized that his suffering was the direct result of his mission in life. Even his thorn in the flesh was for Christ's sake. It was given to him to keep him from forfeiting his ministry and damaging the cause of Christ. Paul was not glorying in

suffering for suffering's sake. It was for Christ's sake. There was purpose in all he experienced.

Your mission in life is to bring glory to God through the spreading of the gospel of Christ. You may never stand in a pulpit you may never leave your hometown. Regardless of where you go or the opportunities you have, your mission is still the same. When you become consumed by God's call on

your life, everything will take on new meaning and significant. You will begin to see every facet of your life-including your pain-as a means through which God can work to bring others to Him, When God uses the adversity in your ife to draw people to Himself, you have suffered for Christ's sake. We know God can use our time, our money, and our talents. Why not our suffering? I have heard many invitations in preachers have asked people to dedicate children, and businesses to the Lord's service. I have yet to hear a preacher challenge his people to dedicate their adversity to the Lord. Yet nothing gets the attention of the lost world more quickly than a saint who is suffering successfully. Sorrow and grief are powerful tools in the right hands. 

For whose sake are you suffering?

This is an excerpt from Dr. Charles Stanley's book "How to Handle Adversity". I'm not taken to many books outside of my study Bibles but this one I couldn't put down for the most part. I like his books as well as Dr. David Jeremiah's books. 

In part this particular chapter caused me to reconsider some aspects of my life that honestly have been bugging me my whole life. I do have challenges in my life that are in fact a result of the way He caused me to be born. Scripture says that while I was being knit in my mother's womb He knew me. I do indeed have physical and mental challenges that have often been a source of struggles for me. It was because of this book that I am only now beginning to understand that these things are my own "thorn in the flesh" to keep me from exalting myself as well. That I too ought to glory in my weaknesses as Paul had learned to do.

It's a possibility that Paul's thorn in the flesh was physical due to how Satan's work on Job's physical body was external only. Satan didn't possess Job to bring about all the painful suffering of the head to toe boils. Paul's could easily have been arthritis to the extent he couldn't travel to see the Churches that his heart longed to see face-to-face.  

We aren't limited by anything in Christ Jesus that isn't there for His purpose in our lives in that these things are to bring Him glory.  

My body may not be 100% such as most people in this world enjoy but I am still a child of God, saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  

My limitations, your limitations, can be used of God for those good works that we do in order for people to see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

Dr. Stanley said it in that excerpt. You may never stand behind a pulpit but you do have a mission in life to reach others. In Christ we all are on a mission as Ambassadors for Christ in God. 

We either are embracing our calling or we are embracing the world. You cannot love, honor, cherish, adhere to, obey, both.  

He aptly pointed out in an earlier chapter that many many unbelieving people can look, act, live like Believers but have never professed that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior. He said that a great many people are actually living life in their own strength and selves better than a great many Christians.  

It has been an eye-opening experience reading this book on adversity.  

What are you honestly angry at God for allowing in your life, rather than thanking Him for allowing, in order that you fully embrace your calling in Christ? Many people are yet they deny being mad at God.  

Many refuse to believe they have not been following their calling in Christ yet their fruits show otherwise. 

A sad state of affairs for me personally is that I didn't understand much of what I have began understanding in the last several months many decades ago. 

Chasing after things, after feelings, after emotions, to keep from accepting my thorn as being from God for His purpose in my life. 

My Mom did nothing wrong before I was born. No more than anyone else was responsible for Paul's thorn in the flesh. No more than anyone was responsible for Job's.

When you come to Christ it isn't to enable you to be empowered to live for yourself without consequence.

It isn't for you to be free to spend your time, energy and efforts to build your life around your wants and desires. As a friend points out often: it's not about me and it's not about now.  

We can choose anger, depression, self-pity or anything else or we can thank Jesus for everything He created us to be, embrace it, and be like Isaiah "here am I, send me".

Yes, this is a different kind of post, but it is what it is.  

My mission in Christ is to point people to Jesus or point them back to Jesus. Nothing else is of as great an importance. Not my job, not my hobbies, not my home or even family and friends.  

Everything comes and goes throughout life for everyone. Nothing is built to last but the relationships we have with each other in Christ. Even though many are put on hold because of death they will continue when Christ returns. At least for Believers.  

Those who still haven't come to Christ for salvation will only know the severe burdens of the separation they will know for eternity from Jesus. It will be a painful torment that will never know an end. No one in this world has experienced how great a separation that is. Only one ever did. The one who gave His life to save mankind. 

What is your takeaway? Really consider the depths of "In everything give thanks to the glory of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ".

Really consider whether you HAVE been loving the world and the things of this world more than your mission in life for Christ Jesus. 

Jesus isn't going to ask you about your house or cars or your investments or inventions. He's going to only be interested in what you did in your life truly for Him that's only rooted in a true, right relationship with Him.  

Nobody wants to hear "depart from Me for I never knew you!"

Reading this chapter of this book yesterday showed me that I am on the right track for God's will for my life. What is Jesus trying to show you?

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

Does it Mean the Same to You?

Does it Mean the Same to You?

by David Brenneman 

"Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:9-10.

"Originally the word Hosanna meant "Save Now", but over the years it came to be used as a simple expression of praise--much like the word Hallelujah has changed from meaning "Praise God!" to something much more generic, such as "How wonderful!" - Dr. David Jeremiah note to Mark 11:9-10, Jeremiah Study Bible. 

"Hosanna! Originally a Hebrew prayer meaning "Save Now." On occasion it probably served simply as an acclimation of welcome. Blessed is He who comes. This phrase is part of the Hallel (Hebrew word for "praise"), comprised of Psalms 113-118, which was sung at all the Jewish festivals, most notably at the Passover. "He who comes" was not an Old Testament title, but definitely had come to carry such implications for the Jews (cf Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19; John 3:31; 6:14; 11:27; Hebrews 10:37)" Pastor John MacArthur notes to verse 11:9, MacArthur Study Bible.

This set of verses took on a different meaning for me after learning more about them. In the places that Jesus reiterated that the Pharisees and Sadducees.

"For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:39.

Then I looked again at the passages surrounding the Transfiguration. After this great experience, Jesus said that yes Elijah does come and restore all things. There IS a person who will rise up in Israel to teach the people of God to turn their hearts back to God although now in Christ Jesus. Which is possibly what Jesus was conferring to him and Moses about as well as the cross that Jesus was about to go to in order to save mankind. 

People are being taught in Israel concerning the Temple services again. They have been prepared to build the third Temple for decades. The political climate hasn't allowed for that part to proceed but the training of people for this Temple goes on. 

Rethink what you have learned about Hosanna and Hallelujah. In reading their respective study notes it's very clear that Satan's caused these to be watered down to be less impactful to all who would hear them. Much as people redefine words today to mean something else than it did 70 years ago.  

It's a difficult task to put the original meaning back to a word! 

However, this is the point and purpose to be in God's Word. To be sure of your salvation, to be taught of God, to learn from the Word and the Spirit and not what the world tells you it means. 

"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.

The tools of the devil should be known to those who are Christ-followers with respect to knowing what to avoid and what to expect and why.  

We can easily be mislead and manipulated when we leave Jesus out of the equation. Look at even the story of Joshua after they crossed into the Promised Land. In the first, he consulted the Lord before proceeding. He was quick to blunder and caused a thorn to Israel for centuries because he neglected to ask the Lord about a group of people. 

When we think we know or think we understand something about God or God's Word, it's always best to consult the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ before proceeding with those thoughts. 

We really are being trained in righteousness when we are remembering that we are students of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus. 

We should be setting aside specific, dedicated, efficient time to be alone with Jesus. To be in the Word, to be in prayer. To be learning what we should be knowing as the Spirit directs us. 

We shouldn't assume we know enough. There will never be a Pastor, that is a man of God ordained as such, who will ever preach through the whole Bible and cover everything as God intended. There are no women preachers as far as the Bible teaches. Women are to teach women and young children but that's it. Pastor/Elder/Teacher is in the descriptive male in the Bible. The word Deacon is likewise a male. Deaconness is female. There is no Biblical "Elderess" position in the Church of Jesus Christ.  

These things such as this and a lack of true study of God's word are why millions of people have been lead astray over the centuries. 

You can't know if you aren't in the Word of God what it means without consulting the Author. 

Do you dedicate a time of your day to reading your Bible and a personal prayer time with Jesus? Are you more inclined to only praying when you are in trouble? If that's your only thing then my Dear Friend you are in trouble. 

We were created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. This being the case we need to be in school to be taught first by the Spirit of God to know what it is to be a child of God. 

Easter Bible reading will not be the same for me after learning what the passage means that we read earlier. See that key? After learning. 

I'm still working on my timing but I am trying to be in my Bibles at 8 pm. To read and study through 4 study Bibles takes me about an hour. Why take so much time? Why shouldn't it?  

What does it say? "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." Psalms 119:11.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalms 119:105.

"The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." Psalms 119:130.

"My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it." Proverbs 2:1-22.

Whenever we tell Jesus by words or actions that "I got this, I know" we are in deep trouble. 

We should be recognizable as children of God by our love and devotion to our relationship with Jesus. 

Be sure of what you learn. Be sure of what you listen to. Be sure it's in agreement with the Word of God and not the definition of the culture of which you live in. 

Those passages from Psalms were from the man known as being after God's own heart.  

You who claim to be a Christ-follower are you indeed following Jesus or what the world tells you about Jesus?  

Be sure of your salvation and be sure to cultivate your relationship with Jesus above all else and everyone else.  

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

A Different Attitude, A Different Way

A Different Attitude, A Different Way 

by David Brenneman 

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:2-8.

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death." James 1:12-15.

"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 1:19-27.

A different attitude, a different way is what lies ahead of those who have come to Christ for salvation.  

We shouldn't fit in with the world around us. We should be recognizable as follows of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  

When people go to a Consolate of a foreign country there's a good chance that people recognize the Ambassadors of that respective nation.  

We are to be Ambassadors for Christ in this world while we yet live in it. Interestingly enough it's quite often times that our dealings with sin and our sin nature that should tell the world to whom we belong. 

An Ambassador of another country is a distinct individual in public as well as should be in private. They adhere to the laws and rules of their native country as much as is possible as they represent their nation. 

What does your life show of how much effort you put into presenting yourself as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ? When you pray, how do you do it? What do you pray for? Do you ask for wisdom? Ask for forgiveness? Ask for help? 

When you are out and about are you cognizant of your position as a Christ-follower? Do you blend into the world in which you live or are you different?  

Saw a quote from the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia "God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools and He has not been disappointed. If I have brought any message today it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer contempt of the sophisticated world.".

The Disciples learned through the interactions of Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Scribes of their day that being different from what was expected of Jews was going to hurt. They learned to embrace what Jesus taught them and did not shrink back from it. 

Being a doer of the word is going to cause you to stand out. Not giving the devil a foothold is going to make you stand out. Standing firm in the Lord is going to cause you to lose relationships at times. 

As quoted before "I would rather stand with Jesus and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by Him."

Being different in our world for Christ is often hardly tolerated, especially when those living life in all their utter sinfulness demand that all accept them for who they identify as being.  

Do you represent your Savior and Lord well in your part of the world? 

Or are you unrecognizable among those whom you are with?

We are to live life in Christ Jesus in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  

We may indeed live a life of adversity or a life that isn't or a life with a mix of both...live it to the glory of God in Christ Jesus. 

My choices along these lines of trying my best to represent Jesus is to not get swallowed up in things such as rivalries. To not waste my time on drama television shows. To not get mixed up into politics to the point my blood pressure goes up. 

What I am intentionally doing is praying more. Being intentional in my Bible reading and if any extra book reading its by Godly men and for the purpose of growing in Christ. If I wear a shirt with something on it I want it to point people to Jesus. I really don't want to wear the logos of corporations or sports teams because those absolutely do not point people to Jesus.   

I share these things because of the intentionality of my desire to please Jesus. I always have known its going to cost me. Cost me friends and possibly family. Going to cost me opportunities. Going to cost me in relationships. The Scriptures say to count the cost.  

We all go through adversity of various types and kinds. How we do shows ourselves and the world to whom we belong.  

Representation of ourselves to this fallen world is going to hurt when our enemy is attacking us because and only because we are Christ-followers.  

What are you doing in your life to show that you indeed are an Ambassador of Jesus Christ? Are you wearing something appropriate to your calling in Christ that isn't? As aptly pointed out...you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  

Are you speaking as one who follows Jesus? Are you behaving as one who believes God's Word?

In truth nobody really cares if you dress up like they do. It's not really going to tell them much. They really aren't going to believe you are different from the world if you talk like they do.

"For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

The Spirit of God who is at work in us is breaking up the hard ground of our hearts. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Are you? Do you?

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

What do you look like in a mirror? 

Do you see one whom represents Christ well or do you see someone who is doing their best to fit into the world around you? Are you running from the lessons that are yours to learn from the Spirit or are you there to learn? Are you hiding your being a Christ-follower or does the world know you are? 

Paul wrote to all to be sure of your salvation in Christ. To stand firm in what is right, pure and true in Christ.  

So what say you about all of this? 

Any Ambassador of any nation that does not represent their nation well is recalled and dismissed from their high position. When they apply or are called to be one they are explicitly instructed as to just what this entails. Even they are told not to expect outsiders to understand.  

Do people see your life in Christ Jesus in such a way that they glory your Father in Heaven?  

It's a powerful thought: If you were with Jesus during those many teaching times. Would you be included with them in having a hardened heart?  

Embrace the world or embrace Christ.  

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26.

Will you be ashamed of how you lived your life in the presence of Jesus when you give an account of it before Him? Will He tell you "Well done!" or will He have something less appealing to say to you? Jesus said that for some all their life will go up in smoke and all that they will have is the salvation they got from Him.   

We are to be different...are you?

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