He Does

He Does

by David Brenneman 

"In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God." 1 Corinthians 4:2-5.

In the lives of everyone there is a judge, the Judge, Jesus Christ. 

No one has the right or I should say, the level of righteousness, on their own to determine who is or isn't worthy of the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  

We aren't that good, even as Believers in Christ, to decide who is or isn't worthy.  

Evaluations and Judgments in the New Testament aren't the same thing. We are to evaluate the fruits of others to determine whether or not they are truly saved. We are not to enter into condemnation against others to decide that they aren't worthy of coming to Christ themselves. That being said there's going to be many millions of people who are not going to accept the message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone in this world.  

It's not on us or any Believers to decide who should or shouldn't hear of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Yet many do just that. They cut off the goodness of God because of situations.  

What if those who lead you to Christ had succeeded in doing that to you?

Do you also not realize that by omission we often say that people aren't worthy as well? By our omitting living out Christ in our lives in public. 

Paul called out Peter publicly because of his own hypocrisy.  

Peter responded correctly to this and repented of it.

We can often think we're doing the right things in dealing with people when in fact we're casting them aside or misleading them as to what a Christ-follower is to be like.  

It's wholly part of what I believe that the Spirit means by teaching us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. 

We cannot trust ourselves but absolutely should trust the Word of God as taught by the Spirit of God. 

It's famously known in the New Testament that the Berean Church wouldn't take what anyone said at face value, they would go search the Scriptures to see if what was said held up to that standard. 

I know that I can't trust me in fully grasping the right or wrong way to go in my life on my own. Psalm 23 tells us that our Shepherd leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. He leads.  

He leads us in our daily lives and He puts people before us whom we will often wonder why in the world He ever would put them there. 

Here's the thing. 

We are workers in His fields. It's His harvest that's at hand to be workers in.  

Those in fields are either watering, planting seeds, pruning, cultivating, nurturing or gathering up from the fields.  

You know not what your being Christ to someone will do to their life. 

It's extremely certain what you being a self-centered, self-righteous, person will do to their life. 

Do you firmly believe in the promise of His coming back to bring the Church into His Heaven? Do you not realize that it's contingent upon that last person who's to be saved gets saved prior to the Great Tribulation? The times of the Gentiles as the Bible says, began with a person receiving Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and will end in the same way. It's not an event that marks the return of Christ but a person coming to Him to be saved. While indeed there will be those saved during the Great Tribulation there still remains the truth that there is an individual who marks the end of this present time.  

As such, it's on us to be obedient in our calling in Christ Jesus to be about the Father’s business as Jesus was when He was here. To not brush aside our calling or to decide who isn't qualified to come to Christ for salvation. 

Jesus didn't cut people off from His Father’s plan to save mankind. Mankind chooses to reject it or accept it. People aren't too dirty in sin that the blood of Jesus Christ can't cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Everyone's sin today was future to the cross of Jesus Christ. All of our sins. 

All of our motives will be disclosed when we give an account of our lives before Jesus.  

Excuses won't matter because He will always already know the truth. He is Truth. 

Just be Jesus to those around you and let the Spirit of God do the work of God in the hearts of those you encounter. You might not see the fruits of your efforts but you will have obeyed Jesus. 

The Great Commission is for all of us who are saved in Christ Jesus.  

Be the light of Jesus Christ in your corner of the world and watch what God does with you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

What We Do or Don't Do Has Meaning

What We Do or Don't Do Has Meaning
by David Brenneman

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord---for we walk by faith, not by sight—we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.   All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’  “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;  for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’  Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”" Matthew 25:31-46.

When you think of an Ambassador of a country's position and duties what comes to mind?  I mean besides those who've abused their position decrying 'diplomatic immunity'.  These are people whom wherever they go, whatever they do, they're obligated to represent their respective nation well or potentially face being recalled in disgrace.

It's a very high calling to be in such a position. 

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

You might have noticed that most of the passages today all come from the letters to the Church in Corinth.  The false Apostles that were there twisting the Word of God, the testimony of Paul, was certainly heavy on Paul's mind and heart. 

We are still today the called of Jesus Christ, the Ambassadors of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world if indeed we are saved in Christ Jesus.  We are His representatives to those in the Church and the world.  We read as well in Ephesians 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.".

We have both the responsibility and the urging of the Spirit of God to walk in our lives in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  Since He is not willing that any should perish but that all might be saved, so should we be of that same mind toward one another and those in the world.

Those who are Ambassadors in our world go through special activities and training to memorize their duties so that they flawlessly perform them.  When questioned they have confidence in their responses. They study even after being chosen for their appointment. 

Do you study for your own Ambassadorship in Christ?  Do you look intently into the Word of God daily?  Is it something you're taking seriously?  It does not matter where you are or your employed position in life or if you aren't employed at all.

If we indeed believe that we battle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12.

That the immediately following verses apply daily, not just whimsically, to put on the whole armor of God...then what manner of men and women of God ought we to be?

Praying without ceasing.
Setting our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. 
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps.

Everyone who is in Christ represents Christ.  There are no exceptions.  Jesus said that every branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off.  Others will be pruned so as to bear more fruit.  A continual process. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

Ask, seek, knock.

All these things come together for the will of God for us in Christ Jesus: our sanctification.

Take time to evaluate your life and desires.  Are they in agreement with your calling in Christ?  God's word says you have a calling in Christ and should be fulfilling it to the best of your ability.  For there will be a day when out deeds done in the body will be tried by fire when we give an account of our lives before Jesus. 

What will yours show?  It's not yet too late to be about the Father’s business. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

God Causes All

God Causes All
by David Brenneman

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30.

"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’" Isaiah 41:10.

It's rather interesting how easy it is in a world where intercommunication is so prevalent that so many people think they are alone.  The truth is everyone is one serious thought away from a right and true relationship with Jesus. 

We have at our fingertips a more powerful by far computer with astoundingly more capabilities than that which put man on the moon.

Yet many people are lightyears apart in the same room.  Some are in vast cities, great metropolitan centers, millions of people around them and they really don't know anyone.

What we read in the book of Genesis is the preincarnate Jesus Christ saying it isn't good that man should be alone.  So Satan's schemes include creating ways to make that absolutely happen.

Many people believe they're either okay enough or good enough that God wouldn't throw them into Hell because of how they lived their lives. 

The sobering truth is God has cast, thrown, tossed, sent, nobody to Hell.

Choosing to reject Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is what put everyone who is in Hell in Hell.

Jesus Christ is more than the Savior of the world, He is the Creator of all things.  He is sovereign over all His creation. 

It plainly says, so that nobody can say otherwise, that we are born in sin and all who sin are deserving eternal separation from God.  What we get for our sins of which in ourselves we cannot do anything about is a spiritual death penalty.  The wages of sin is death. 

Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are under His protection and all the promises of God are at their disposal.  This doesn't mean that we will have serene perfect lives that are free of troubles.  Jesus said that those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus are going to be persecuted. 

It's a very very clear representation in our present time where association with a people or group garners being ostracized in and and possibly all ways from social media to financial.  People criticize an airline before boarding online are getting kicked off the plane and banned from flying with that airline.

In the lives of Believers everywhere we have the opportunity and ability to enter into Heaven in prayer.

We have Jesus Christ as our Advocate.  We have many things to go through in this world on our way to Heaven but in no way are we alone in that journey.  As the Good Shepherd He is always mindful and watching all His sheep. 

The path of life for all who Believe in Jesus Christ for salvation is to grow in Christ, to become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  It takes the work of the Spirit of God in our lives to accomplish this. 

Fear.  Fear comes in all kinds of situations that the world deigns to produce.  Satan's schemes heavily involve fears.  Fears of sinning so bad that God disowns us.  Fears of being so far away that He would forget us.  Fears of screwing up so bad that He would reject us.

My Dear Reader, embrace the real truth in Christ.  Embrace the real truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  EVERY single sin you have committed or will commit was all in the future from the cross of Jesus Christ over 2,000 years ago. 

Nothing is powerful enough to cause the mark you received from the Spirit of God upon coming to Christ for salvation to ever be removed.

We have fears to wrestle with that the situations in our lives are too much for us.  They might be, however, they are not for Jesus.  I have often quoted "If God brought you to it, He will see you through it".

As Dr. Charles Stanley has said often enough God doesn't have problems only situations.

We can choose to view life as one problem after another or as situations that God's already working on because He loves us.

King David was known as a man after God's own heart.  Read even the book of Psalms.  David constantly was pouring out His heart to the Lord. 

Step up your prayers to do the same.

You also don't need a Sunday Morning to only worship Jesus.  Do it anytime.  Do it anywhere.

God causes.  There's no other words in between.  God causes all things.  Not some things not certain things.  He knows our hearts and minds and wants us to know His.

Take your fears, as often as they show up, and give them repeatedly back to Jesus to deal with. 

Those who try to go it alone will always find they will run out of steam to get through their perceived problems. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

You Have, If You Are In Christ

You Have, If You Are In Christ 

by David Brenneman

"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.

"From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:28-29.

"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;" Hebrews 3:1.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:4-7.

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3.

In Ephesians Paul writes "worthy of the calling with which you have been called".  

We who have come to Christ for salvation are the called. We heard His voice and came to Him to be saved, and saved us He most certainly did. Satan's first thing to do to them who have heard and did come is to convince you that it never happened, that you and I weren't worthy, that on some level we just didn't cut it.  

Once saved always saved is what the Bible does tell us concerning those who are indeed saved in Christ. The seal of the Spirit of God in Christ is upon all who are saved. Our salvation is not dependent upon our worthiness but on His grace and mercy because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

So, as Paul also said, since we have so great a salvation, walk according to our calling in Christ Jesus. Walking with Jesus in everything. The Disciples certainly walked with Jesus in everything.  

The thing is there's absolutely no Scriptural basis to show that salvation is a ticket to Heaven only. It it the beginning of our transformation, Romans 12, towards becoming like Christ, since we are His workmanship, Ephesians 2, created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

Our lives are then in Christ.  

Our lives are then to glorify Jesus Christ the One who gave His life in our place, taking on what we deserved that was the wrath of God towards all who remain in their own sin. 

We come to Christ for salvation, we also get the things that come with it. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. We're going to have troubles in this world. 

As ironically put as the movies are, the Matrix actually does a fairly decent job at showing what goes on, although in NO way is this an actual Christian comparison to truly walking in Christ. I absolutely am NOT drawing parallels between Christianity and the prospect presented in the movies. It's to only show what goes on between the Spiritual world and the physical. Satan's schemes include deceptions of every single kind both imagined and as yet unimagined. As happened in the movies, such happens in this real world we live in. The enemies of God want to silence those who are in Christ Jesus.

Satan's out to cause destruction and at minimum divisions in families, in the Church. To get Believers to believe even the most subtle of lies in order to prevent the Word of God from being effective in their lives and to help others in Christ with their own persecutions that they face. 

All those who have been saved have a calling in Christ Jesus. All will be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. All will have something to be doing in the body of Christ. All who are saved are the branches as He is the Vine.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5.

By ourselves we are going to be guessing at our calling. We need the rest of the body of Christ to help us understand what our part is.

Rest assured, in Christ, you my Dear Reader, if you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, have a calling in Christ to fulfill. 

At our minimum we are called to be doers of the word and not just hearers only who delude themselves. 

We are going to have a Godly evaluation by Jesus for the things we did in our physical body for Christ some day. There IS that day of accountability coming to all who believed.   

With such things before us, is doing our own thing really going to go well for us in that day?

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

The mind of man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. 

Love your neighbor as yourself. 

Pray for those who persecute you. 

If indeed you are saved and you haven't been living a life out of respect for all He did for you to save you...you have some time to get that rectified. To make that right.  

There will evidently be many who will enter into Heaven by the literal skin of their teeth. Nothing to show in appreciation for all that Jesus did for them to save them. The Bible speaks of that fact.  

It's another reason to not forsake the assembly of the Church of Jesus Christ. We need others who are more mature in Christ to help us understand our calling in Christ. 

Don't go by your known talents and abilities. Steven Curtis Chapman sang a song called "Whatever". You should look it up on YouTube.  

For all that Jesus did and went through to save you, whatever He calls you to do for Him is for you to be doing. In Colossians we read "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

Every single person has a physical body that, when healthy, has every single body part doing what God designed for it to be doing. Your eyes do their part. Legs, hands, arms, stomach, liver, their own parts. 

In the same way in the body of Christ each part is to be doing their part as the Spirit directs, as He sees fit.   

In this world we have hospitals and extended care facilities to show what happens when a physical body isn't working as God designed it. 

Be sure of your salvation then be sure of your calling in Christ Jesus. We are here still rather than immediately going to be with Jesus because our first calling is to be a witness to the power of God in Christ Jesus unto salvation. So that others might be saved. That they see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. While here we are called to grow in Christ. To become more like Christ. We are called to be alert because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We are called to put on the whole armor of God. 

There's plenty to know about in our calling in Christ Jesus after receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  

Ask, Seek, Knock.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Come Quickly Lord Jesus

Come Quickly Lord Jesus
by David Brenneman

"in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

"so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray
Come, Jesus, come
Let today be the day
Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break
But I'm holding on
To a hope that won't fade
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
Come and turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
There'll be no war
And there'll be no chains
When Jesus comes
Let today be the day
He'll come for the weak
And the strong just the same
And all will believe in the power of His name
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
One day He'll come
And we'll stand face to face
Come and lay it all down
'Cause it might be today
The time is right now
There's no need to wait
Your past will be washed by rivers of grace
Come, Jesus, come
We've been waiting so long
For the day You return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong
We need You right now
(Come and turn this around) turn this around
Deep down I know this world isn't home
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
Come, Jesus, come
-(c)2024 Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come".

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’  “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;  for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;  I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’  Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46.

Is there a love in your heart for the return of Jesus Christ?  A longing that causes you to want to cry out "please come quickly Lord Jesus!"?
A longing that you can't quite find the words to say to explain it?

Shouldn't there be? 

In any journey away from home there comes a time when you long for it again.  But how do we long for a place, for THE person, when we have yet to see both?  The Promise of His coming. 

"Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.  For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.  But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:35-38.

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.

"looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!" 2 Peter 3:12.

Do you not pray for His return?  I know that I do.  The opening lines of "Come Jesus Come" reach deep into my heart...touching a part of me that longs so much to be with Jesus.

Do you have yourself so wrapped up in whatever is going on in your life that you've neglected to long for, to pray for, the return of Jesus Christ? 

Are you going to be counted among those who will indeed love His appearing? 

My Dear Reader please consider it well that this particular promise is just as valuable and valid as all His other promises. 

For me His return is something of a reunion and a relief.  A reunion because I know when I was a baby getting surgery done on my eyes, He was with me, comforting me.  I can tell you that photo in the back of the book "Heaven is for Real" of Jesus?  That face is pretty much what I can remember it being like. 
The relief will be because the battles of my life internally and externally will be over.  My sin nature will trouble me no more.

But to be held by my Savior! 
I don't have to imagine what it will be like for me.  I already know that I will be crying.  I will be one of those whom He will be wiping the tears from my eyes.

We would really do well to not just be reading THROUGH our Bible but to dig deeper into it.  The love of God in Christ Jesus is evident throughout it if we would but slow down going through it.

Jesus keeps His promises.  He said "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3.

Do you not long to go home to forever be with Jesus?  Paul wrote that he certainly did.  He was torn between his calling in Christ Jesus and his desire to be with Jesus.

Come Jesus Come...let today be the day.

"I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.

Is your hope alive?  Are you listening for that shout to take us out of this world to forever be with Jesus? 

There's a crown for those who are longing for His appearing. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

What is Shown...Your Decision

What is Shown...Your Decision
by David Brenneman

"saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”  Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” Acts 28:26-28.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25.

It's interesting that a textual slip of the tongue often has people saying it's fruits of the Spirit when it's a singular fruit with one set of descriptions concerning that fruit.

It's really been interesting studying through the Bible getting 4 different views of the New Testament from 4 different men of God. 

Paul really is an interesting study by himself as well.  His personality really was transformed throughout the letters you read that encompass most of the New Testament.  You can see in the finer points, if you look for them, exactly what he described about the various Spiritual gifts that would be going away...as they were...over the years...leaving him as well.

The foundation being Christ, the Apostles on top of that...then throughout the years of the early Church we see vibrant fruit of the Spirit in people.  The building up of the Church of God that still stands today.

It's interesting to note that the things he spoke about concerning false prophets, false teachers, false preachers, is very much infecting the Church today.  People whom Paul would have called out publicly to their own shame and disgrace.

It should not surprise you, my Dear Reader, that Satan's schemes involve mimicking the fruit of the Spirit.  We read this in other parables, just written differently, by Jesus.  The wheat and the tares.  Tares being false or fake wheat.  I. it's first breaking through the soil they look the same.  Yet when they both start growing the evidences prove out who is or isn't a child of God in Christ Jesus. 

In the final Judgment of God, which literally is an unknown short number of years from now plus 1,007 years, those false prophets, preachers, teachers will be trying to defend themselves as to why they should be able to enter into Heaven. 

The Apostle Paul wrote about making sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus.  To find out after the Rapture of the Church that you weren't saved is absolutely not the right time to know.

You indeed may be showing similar fruit of the Spirit but if you aren't sealed by the Spirit of God after coming to Christ for salvation, it absolutely does not matter. 

Read what it says in the Bible, don't take my word for it.  Jesus Himself will separate the truly saved from those who are not...Biblically speaking...without a word.

He will not conduct interviews.
He will not use a scale of 1 to 10.
He will not grade the deeds of people on a curve.

He will look for the seal of the Spirit of God.

When someone comes to Christ for salvation they become His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  A transformation begins to take place.  Romans 12.

The purpose of the fruit of the Spirit is God the Father’s glory.  That people would see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

The really sad part is that opening passage wasn't just referring to those Jews who were too hard hearted to understand.  It's for all who have come up with excuses to reject the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

To die without salvation in Christ Jesus is to immediately enter into Hell.  To die with Christ is to immediately enter into Heaven. 

I am a proponent of the view of the age of accountability with regards to understanding salvation.  Children for sure who do not know right from wrong are certainly that. Those who's mental facilities have never progressed beyond a child's are certainly that. 

Sin has a price.  A death penalty.  Payable upon physical death.  Everyone who has lived pays up or is acquitted in Christ at their time of death. 

My Dear Reader with watching the headlines of the last decade going into even the coming few years, I absolutely would not be surprised that we are on the cusp of the return of Jesus Christ as He promised to keep.

Are you sure of your salvation in Christ?  Have you been lead astray by false teachers and false preachers? 

Once the Rapture of the Church happens the 7 year Great Tribulation begins.  The wrath of God comes upon the Earth.  Billions of people will be dying.  Read it in the book of Revelation. 

You can't save yourself.  The only way to salvation is through the cross of Jesus Christ.

"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.

Satan's wanting as many as possible to be deceived into thinking they are saved so that they won't go when he KNOWS that the Rapture of the Church WILL take place.  Sadly he believes more of the Bible than most professing Christians.

The Bible says that our goodness is as filthy rags compared to what is evidenced by the goodness of the fruit of the Spirit.

There is no one good no not one we read in the Scriptures.

We need the righteousness of God in Christ imputed to us by coming to Christ for salvation in order to be seen by God the Father as good by His definition of good.

Be sure of your salvation. 
Your eternity depends on your decision.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org

Our Light, His Light, Our World

Drawing Near

by David Brenneman 

The times are indeed drawing near for Jesus to come back.  The events of this world are coming together in preparation for the Day of the Lord.  This passage is as relevant today as it was when it was written:

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,  as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:3-18.

There are subtle things happening in our world that are not what the mainstream media says they are.  There's certainly things happening that are not what the governments of the world say is happening.  They merely are able to say what they are because of the control they exercise. This is no conspiracy to those who are in Christ Jesus.  As my Spiritual Dad often refers to some, we are students of the Bible prophecy.  We look into the Scriptures to see if these things are so.  We stand on the Word of God as the defining truth. 

There's great significance in how, almost daily, world events are being shaped both nationally and meteorologically.  The world itself is being prepared for the return of Jesus.  It's not global warming or climate change its Bible prophecy coming alive before our very eyes. 

Long ago the Lord Jesus wrote throughout the Old Testament many many points that were all directed towards His first coming and every single one came true.

In fact after His resurrection He opened the minds of a few of His Disciples to see from Moses onward everything that mentions His coming, His sufferings and His dying on the cross.  

We stand on the Word of God concerning the rich salvation we have in Christ Jesus.  Should we not stand on all His promises including that of His return to fulfill His words to bring us home to forever be with Him?

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 

What a rich revealing of what is to come!  What joy should be had in the heart and mind and soul of Believers to know this promise is for all who believe!  

We are far far closer to the return of Jesus Christ than ever before in the last 2,000 plus years.  Literally there's nothing left to have to happen Biblically than has already been done.  What's occurring in our day is the finalizing of the details.  The refining of the national setting. 

A very significant aspect that may very well occur in the near future could be a world where the United States isn't a defining power as its been for many decades.  Biblically speaking either the United States withdraws from the world picture or God removes it by way of either war or natural destruction.  

Jesus is certainly coming again.  We are considered blessed if we are indeed looking for His appearing.

"in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

Do you get excited at the prospect of Jesus returning in your day?  I certainly hope so.  

We're to live each day as if today were that day.  Jesus said that. 

We know not the day nor the hour so live in anticipation.  

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.  Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.  But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.  Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.  Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Are you ready?  

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. 

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org