Your Thoughts, Your Words Always Mean Something

Your Thoughts, Your Words Always Mean Something 

by David Brenneman 

"Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:12-19.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32.

"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 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 12:34-37.

Careless words, intentional words. 

Careless thoughts, intentional thoughts. 

How well do you weigh your words?

How well do you weigh the thoughts and intentions of your heart?

Do you excuse your bad behavior in light of social circumstances and conversations?  

Put it more pointedly...do you deceive yourself in thinking that "it was only in fun! Nobody got hurt!"?

In recent weeks I have seen the huge burden of even online social media harassment and bullying to adults on Facebook. What shouldn't be happening in what amounts to a page only repeating what is found on a police and fire emergency channel in typed form is happening. 

I can and probably always will lose my "cool" in the face of bullying. I truthfully and honestly cannot trust myself to control myself in those situations. It takes everything within me to restrain my words and actions from going further than required to spare in a situation such as that. It's never gone that far but I can easily see how a person can go full blown Terminator on a bully.

That kind of situation is a difficult one to navigate when emotions are the fuel. Add to this the accountability before Jesus for those actions.

Let's downgrade the intensity a few notches. The words exchanged at a game. One side versus another. Trash talk happens. In some cases true rage breaks out and people get physical.  

Let's lower it a few more. Supposed harmless slurs on one another as a "game". Cut downs they used to call them. Just in fun! Is the excuse given to justify what was said.

"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment."

"You're kidding, right? God's going to hold that against me? It was hilarious!"

Jesus said it...so yes...He will.

My Dear Reader...there's much said in the Bible about the tongue and its dangers.  

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?" James 3:8-11.

The Disciples were taught to follow Jesus. To learn His ways, which were in how to truly live life among men and women. None of them aside from Judas Iscariot missed the lessons on how their lives should always reflect Christ to the world. They didn't live two lives. They didn't have times to "cut loose". They took the training and teachings of Jesus completely seriously.  

The very thought that some day they would give an account of their lives before Jesus was ever present on their minds.

The world is who proclaims that "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" and lie all the life-long day concerning this.

It's a sad confession but I fell in elementary school to becoming a bully for an extremely short period of time. God brought a swift end to it and a very pointed reminder for the rest of my life never to cross that line again. It was peer pressure that brought that situation about but it was still no excuse. In my subsequent restraint from such things I became the bullied. Throughout much of my remaining time in public education this was my lot in daily life.  

Every careless word.  

Every careless thought.

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5-6.

I was convicted in that moment of what I shouldn't be doing. 

Later on in life I was likewise convicted concerning my words and actions with sports teams. My experience with this was never a good thing most of the time. This passage hung over me and won out over any desire to participate in such activities.  

There's no excuse acceptable for our mistreatment of others when everything we say, do, think, is available to be seen in every moment of our lives before Jesus. 

I assure you that whatever "joy" or "happiness" you might get in those moments will be turned to shame and regret before Jesus when you are completely aware that He isn't laughing.  

Take it potentially further. As Children of God...what if your spur of the moment actions cause Him to cry? Hmm? Ever think about that?

The lives of the Disciples were being taught to mirror the life of Jesus Christ. The old saying concerning Disciples of that day was "may you be covered in the dust of your Master". Follow the life, love, perseverance and gentleness of your Master so closely that your thoughts and actions are so exactly the same that people can't tell you apart. 

Someone once said that even a bad example is a good example.  

People wonder why I don't participate in lots of social activities. Many times I have not the emotional energy to expend in those settings. Many times I am trying to measure what might happen that I understand to either set me up for failure in caving in to careless thoughts and intentions or doing what's right in the sight of God.  

I have learned to take things that seriously because I am hoping to live life in a way that my Savior approves of.  

The Disciples didn't take vacation days or PTO days away from learning how to live a life approved by Jesus. They didn't stop to go do this or that just for fun. There were no commercial breaks to do other things that had nothing to do with being a Disciple of Jesus Christ. 

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 16:25.

Our views on our interactions with others should reflect Christ. 

Our views on what's best for our lives should only come from a right relationship with Jesus.  

Our thoughts and intentions, actions as well, we will give an account of before Jesus. 

We can often be careless in hurting others without even noticing it. 

Be bold. Ask Jesus to show you what needs to change in your life. 

"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.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

Really think about your thinking. 

Really consider your actions and intentions. 

Spring is coming. Cleanse not only your house but your heart.  

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

Where is your Mind?

Where is your Mind?

by David Brenneman 

Where does your mind wander to?  To what in your world gets your undivided attention when you are at work or at rest?

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.   The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4.

There's things in a song performed by Alan Jackson that have had me thinking.  The song is "The Older I Get".

"The older I get

The more I think

You only get a minute, better live while you're in it

'Cause it's gone in a blink

And the older I get

The truer it is

It's the people you love, not the money and stuff

That makes you rich

And if they found a fountain of youth

I wouldn't drink a drop and that's the truth

Funny how it feels I'm just getting to my best years yet

The older I get

The fewer friends I have

But you don't need a lot when the ones that you got

Have always got your back

And the older I get

The better I am

At knowing when to give

And when to just not give a damn

And if they found a fountain of youth

I wouldn't drink a drop and that's the truth

Funny how it feels I'm just getting to my best years yet

The older I get

And I don't mind all the lines

From all the times I've laughed and cried

Souvenirs and little signs of the life I've lived

The older I get

The longer I pray

I don't know why, I guess that I've

Got more to say

And the older I get

The more thankful I feel

For the life I've had and all the life I'm living still"

Satan's schemes, his tactics, are imminently laced with succulent temptations crafted over the centuries to sway the hearts of mankind away from the Living God and towards himself.  

There's no person who's ever lived who isn't facing temptation. 

Everything from being tempted to rage to being tempted to love that which they should not.  Tempted to empathize in situations where it's not called for according to the Word of God.  To want what isn't ours to have.  To do what must not be done or to not do what is right in the sight of God to be doing.  To find things, places and or people to keep us from the righteous life that God desires for us.  To do, say or cause us to think in inappropriate Spiritual ways. 

In these things he and his minions are relentless.  Satan accuses the Believer's in this world daily before Jesus.  

He constantly seeks permission to go after you and all you hold dear.  

He constantly seeks permission to claim people because people are whom Jesus died for. 

Oh the distractions of the mind. 

The futility of the mind when it is not set on the things of God.   

The older I get the more common sense that I see in the lessons of the Disciples in the Gospels that I missed many decades ago when I first came to Christ for salvation. 

The more I now see that the things that I craved and participated in corrupted me instead of grew me in Christ.  

There's the chains that Satan seeks to use with us and those we create ourselves.  

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34.

Objectively enter your home as if it wasn't yours.  What is your impression of what the occupants hold dear?  

Objectively enter your bedroom and do the same.  What insights do you gain?

Objectively look at the place as a whole...what's on the walls, in each room, the closet and the clothes in there and the dresser?

Idolatry isn't dead.  It is way way more prevalent than it ever has been.  It's disguised and hidden among everything in our lives.  

Taking what was once holy and giving it to others or to other things. 

Where does your mind go?  Where do you find yourself true happiness?  

Are you spending even half as much time with Jesus as He did with His Father?  

My Dear Reader...how much of your heart really gets Jesus's attention?

Where does your feelings go when you think of spending alone time with Jesus?

"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

"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.

A right relationship with Jesus is at the core of a real relationship with Jesus.   

Jesus said that there will be many people whom He tells to depart from Me for I never knew you. 

The older I get the less I want of this world and the more I now look forward to in learning from the Holy Spirit about my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.   

Jesus said there would be many people who will claim to have done all kinds of things in His Name whom never were saved.  The Scriptures teach us to be sure of your salvation.  Be sure it's real...then to live it out. 

Where does your mind wander to when it's not on the tasks at hand? 

Do you start your day in prayer?

Do you go through your day without praying at all?  Do you only pray when you are in trouble?  If so, you're already in trouble. 

How deep, how far, how rich is your walk with Jesus?  How much of your world has stolen away from it that belongs to God?

Where does your mind go?  

Who's the center of your life?

In growing up and throughout my life I have often been asked in many ways "What were you thinking?!?". 

My Dear Reader...ask yourself that very question while there's still time to start getting your real priorities in order before Jesus with whom we have to do. 

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

Without Excuse...

Without Excuse...

by David Brenneman 

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

"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 8:37-39.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:20-21.

The depths of what the Bible says with regards to being without excuse goes to the full depths of every single person's experiences. 

There's nothing anyone will have to stand on for a defense as to why they said no to the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. None.  

Jesus will prove that His time on Earth covered it all. All forms of temptation. Nothing that anyone will point to in saying that He could never understand. Foolish as that sounds even that statement will utter forth from the mouths of millions of people. Telling the all-knowing God of all Creation that He can't condemn them for lack of true understanding. 

My Dear Reader really read into "It is Finished!" Everything is completed. All is accomplished. Total fulfillment of duty to the highest level of perfection in obedience to God's Word from the Father. 

The Pharisees and Sadducees thought they had everything covered. All their privileged excuses to continue in their customs which were leading the people astray. Much to probably your surprise these legalistic people exist today within the Church. Their excuses abound for why they tell people you must read this version of the Bible. You must dress this way. You must adhere to these by-laws that aren't found in the Bible.  

People started with excuses in the very first sin. Then progressed to everyone doing whatever was right in their own eyes. Then Satan's schemes tried organizing mankind in his own image. Progressing through time to infiltrate the Church to twist what he could there too. 

Excuses still abound today. In the headlines today people obviously at fault defending their actions by blame casting to society or anything or anyone else.  

The wolves in sheep’s clothing are preaching from the pulpit and the sheep are just taking it all in because it feels like it is right. 

All the while it escapes their notice that in the courts of God concerning judgment there's no defense table to stand behind. There's no jury of our peers. We all have an all-knowing, ever present, sinless Creator God who is the Judge for all humanity. He isn't presiding over a court that is in search of the truth. He is truth. 

He has no need to listen to excuses when He's been involved in the lives of each and every single human being who's ever lived. His Spirit urging people to come to Christ and for those who have, to grow in Christ.  

There are no excuses possible that are acceptable before whom we all have to do.  

The modern day Pharisees with their legalistic teachings will be held accountable doubly before God.  

The final nail in the coffin of excuses is this: "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 4:15.

There's no excuse for introducing things within the Church that are not found in the Word of God itself. There's no passage of Scripture that states what version of the Bible is the "true" version. One of the jobs of the Spirit is to protect the integrity of the Word of God. Whichever version speaks to the heart and opens it to the salvation in Jesus Christ...is completely acceptable to God! 

In everyday life from the least to the greatest mankind has had people trying to manipulate people in their own image of what's right and wrong...to the end that more excuses are created. 

There are no exceptions or excuses to present before Jesus in anything from the basest of people outside the Church to the most important of people within the Church.  

People will be separated by Jesus with a word at the Final Judgment of God for mankind. 

Those within the body of Christ at the Behma Seat of Christ...Our works...deeds done in the body for Jesus...will pass through His fire without a word.  

Those whom rejected Jesus Christ for salvation...will cry out with excuses. Their lives will show for some to be great lives lived for the betterment of humanity...then the book of life will be opened and their name isn't found in it.  

Excuses excuses excuses. Enough with the excuses while there's still time to be right before whom we have to do. We are told to flee youthful lusts. We are told and taught by the Spirit how to live life in Christ. We are told to flee those wolves in sheep’s clothing. Legalism does nothing to grow people in Christ anymore than the teachings of the Pharisees.  

"‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ” Matthew 15:8-9.

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.

"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body." Proverbs 4:20-22.

Lastly...

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" Galatians 1:8-9.

Oh my Dear Reader...take great care in your ways to walk in them only as the Spirit directs each of you. Destroy speculations, and everything in opposition to the word of God. Remember always that Jesus sees all things including every thought and intention of the heart...your heart.  

Put even your excuses at the feet of Jesus and leave them there for Him to deal with.  

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

Sometimes We Just Don't Know What to Pray

Sometimes We Just Don't Know What to Pray 

by David Brenneman 

"When you don't have the words to pray, God hears your heart." 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

"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.

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord,"

Jeremiah 29:12-14a.

We really do run into times in life where we just don't know what to talk to Jesus about or how to ask what might be on our minds. 

It happens. We run into situations where fear is running amuck. We can't see how the situation began or how it's going to be resolved. 

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 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 8:26-30.

Do you remember from the Gospels where we find it recorded that while on the cross Jesus told all Creation: "it is Finished!"?

Overlay "It is Finished" over predestined, over called, over justified, over glorified. In the eyes of Him with whom we have to...these things are a done deal. They are Finished...merely awaiting time to play out.

There's no shortage of moments in my life where my thoughts were only between Jesus and myself. I still have days where I cry out to Him and all it is is a shout upwards in me because I don't know what to say. Life happens but I have learned that's where to go when I feel like I am sinking in the waters even though Jesus is standing on the water nearby. 

This morning I have things going on that are heavy to me. I am often fearful that my requests to Jesus might come across as selfish. But as I am reminded in these and other passages...He knows my heart. He knows my every struggle that even I cannot fathom the true depths of.

Physically I have issues but these things will happen. Anyone growing older has physical problems. My inner man is what's still growing in Christ. 

Sometimes we forget these things: "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

In the heat of the moment I will confess that I often can only cry out "Lord, save me!". Peter really said what I myself and countless others in Christ have said over the centuries when life takes a turn. 

"It's ok." Says the Spirit. "I got your back. I am here to help you. That's part of my job too. To teach and to listen. To help you in your time of need. To keep your communication open with your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ."

Even today my heart is heavy with situations that I have no clear answers to...that I don't know how to describe to others. You probably do too.  

Truth is: that's ok.  

Even the Apostles went through dire circumstances in their ministries that they didn't either. 

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation," 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

"Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

"For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5.

We aren't alone in our so-called personal struggles. If you are in Christ or not...you have struggles that nobody sees or knows about. The difference for those who are saved is we have the Spirit of God to intercede for us. Who knows what we mean by what we're going through even if we don't yet.

We are going to have days where the struggle is too much. It's a significant lie in Satan's arsenal that we will never be given more than we can bear. Of course we will or we wouldn't grow in our reliance upon Jesus in all things. We would only be satisfied with our own self confidence our own genius at how we solved a problem.  

Pray on

Pray over

Pray through 

I have many many days where my thoughts are only of being held by my Savior because the words don't come. This isn't at all a bad thing!

Not for me or for you. 

Jesus got away a lot to pray with His Father. The Father, Son and Spirit united through prayer. Because of Christ and His free gift of salvation its the 3 of them with us in all of our lives. We don't remember this often enough. 

Last night on the way home I remembered a chorus we sang in Church in my younger years.

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And His righteousness;

And all these things shall be added unto you.

Allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,

Allelu, alleluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone,

But by every word

That proceeds out from the mouth of God.

Allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,

Allelu, alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;

Seek, and ye shall find.

Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you.

Allelu, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,

Allelu, alleluia.

"Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

My hope for you is to comfort you with these words.  

Apart from a right relationship with Jesus you're going to try this life on your own and unfortunately you will indeed fail at it. Come to Christ first to be saved then go from there.

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

Foolish Blindness of Idolatry

Foolish Blindness of Idolatry 

by David Brenneman 

"Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit? Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame. The man shapes iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, fashioning it with hammers and working it with his strong arm. He also gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. Another shapes wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with red chalk. He works it with planes and outlines it with a compass, and makes it like the form of a man, like the beauty of man, so that it may sit in a house. Surely he cuts cedars for himself, and takes a cypress or an oak and raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm, I have seen the fire.” But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.” They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they cannot comprehend. No one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!” He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver himself, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” Isaiah 44:9-20.

"Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Hebrews 5:11-14.

"Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge." Proverbs 19:27.

I am always amazed when a Bible reading plan that puts a book with that one across 4 places in the Bible...are connected in what's being read.   

Billions of people in this world in which we live are suffering from the same various types of spiritual blindness that's written in the Bible thousands of years ago. It's the same. History repeats itself. As someone once said: forget the past and be doomed to repeat it in the future. 

People today are so enthralled with what's perceived as great and wonderful possibilities for joy and happiness that they fail to see how blinded they are to the truth of the traps being set before them. 

Idolatry has never gone away. Humanity has just been given ways by Satan in which to package it into something irresistible to the human mind. 

Idolatry is gift wrapped into things so wonderful looking that nobody sees the thorns and briars going deep with themselves. 

Jesus wouldn't have had it written in the Bible if it wasn't true then as much as it is today.

Temptations were brought to Jesus in the wilderness that we read of in the days that Satan tested Him that included idolatry. So no, this wasn't a strictly Old Testament problem. 

This is as much your problem today as it was their's for all of human history since Adam and Eve. 

What's the center of your life? What's the center of even your living room? 

What are you so deep into that you cannot live without?

What are you really devoting your mind to?

People like to create false narratives of "You get a million dollars if you can spend a month in a secluded cabin with no internet or phone service but would have all you would need to survive, would you do it?" 

Many of older generations could easily do such a thing. The last several generations would likely be borderline suicidal at the end of the 30 days.  

It's a misnomer to believe that blindness comes from intense light. 

Remove all light and you are blinded as well. 

Cover your eyes and you are willing yourself to be blinded for a time or for as long as you are willing to endure it. 

Idols exist today. They're just so intricate and designer that we can't bring ourselves to say that's what they are. Households have so many that they give up trying to understand what they are doing to their home.  

Satan comes to kill and destroy. His desire for all Believer's is to get them away from those who are not.

His desire for those whom are weak in the faith is to lay traps to keep them from growing in Christ. 

His desire for the unbelieving is to keep them that way. 

This should be a filter for all who claim the Name of Jesus: "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:5.

When we turn on the light of Christ we should be seeing the truth. For He IS Truth. We turn on His Light we should be repulsed by the things of darkness, not be attracted to them. 

We are easily self-deceived. We are easily trapped because this same Satan doesn't sleep nor do his minions the demons. They study us for weaknesses and they will exploit everything they might find as long as they get permission from Jesus to do so. 

Don't think that anything in particular has taken the center stage of your heart? Write down the events of your day. Video your off hours from work if you can. Be more aware of what you love to talk about.  

Now...how much of your time, energy and effort is directed towards a more intimate relationship with Jesus and how much of that really brings joy and happiness to you? Take that same train of thought to all the rest of your findings.  

Praying that your spiritual eyes be opened can likely scare you but it's something you ought to be doing. 

"There are none so blind as those who will not see. Understanding cannot be forced on someone who chooses to be ignorant." came up as a search result to that quote. 

Are you choosing, fully choosing, your life in Christ or are you so desensitized to the thorns, thistles and briars of temptation that you're choosing to ignore the dangers of the present darkness?  

Jesus said that we must all take up our own cross and follow Him. 

When all you have is stripped away do you have a meaningful life in Christ or is it with the world?

Choice came from the cross of Jesus Christ. What are you choosing to keep your life centered on?

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

Oh How Your Life IS Seen

Oh How Your Life IS Seen

by David Brenneman 

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16.

"Nobody saw that..."

Many have come to identify Integrity as doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. 

The Spiritual dilemma with this is Jesus is always looking.  

Literally the evidence of everyone's trial, even your trial, at the Great White Throne Judgment is being collected as your life goes on if indeed you're not saved in Christ Jesus. 

For those whom are saved...there's this:

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh," Romans 8:1-3.

"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 5:21.

While we have physical labor to do in this life, our primary focus is to grow in Christ and to be Ambassadors for Him wherever we go.  

There's no life hidden from His sight. There's nothing that the intention isn't known. He knew what you really meant by even what you didn't say as well as what you did.   

Read this again. 

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.  

All who have lived will have every single second passed through the fires of the Word of God.  

I have written of this in earlier posts...When the Final Judgment occurs Jesus isn't going to stop and try to figure out who is worthy of Heaven with Him or the fires of the Lake of Fire. He always already knows who is saved and who rejected Him. When a person dies right now He already knows who is saved and who rejected Him. Those who are saved are immediately ushered into His presence. Those who have never placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation instantly wake up in unimaginable pain and suffering in Hell. 

You cannot weasel your way into Heaven.

You cannot talk your way into a repreve to get another chance. 

Upon leaving this world your decision is for everlasting. For all eternity. Permanent. Unable to be altered or changed in any way. Unrevokable.  

Jesus knows a conman or conwoman long before He sees them.  

The Pharisees and Sadducees could not fool Him. Satan's schemes with Judas didn't fool Him. Pilate didn't fool Him. Pharoah King of Egypt didn't fool Him. Cain surely didn't fool Him and for absolute sure Adam and Eve didn't.  

Greater people than you have tried and 100% have failed.  

Salvation in Christ Jesus alone is the most eternal question you must answer before you die or before He returns to take His Church home to forever be with Him. 

It's not your status on Facebook, Instagram, X, Tik Toc, MySpace or anything else.  

It's not your cars, trucks or classic vehicles. 

It's not your house or your hobbies. 

It certainly isn't your religious affiliation with whatever sports teams catches your eye. Yes to many people their favorite sport is more important to defend than their relationship with Jesus. They're also in denial concerning this as well. 

But this choice, this decision, to follow Jesus takes priority over everything you have in mind or in your life. 

Further, you cannot know what a life in Christ is going to be like until you make that happen. All you have are other people's opinions and reviews of what it either was like or how it was for them. You cannot understand what it's like until you invite Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. 

The Bible says that. 

Many have decided not to try because they feel they are too broken for Jesus to do anything with. My Dear Reader if this is you...read the 4 Gospels and you will see what Jesus does with broken people. The only thing that matters is saying yes to the invitation and He does all the work.

Think of this...throughout all your ups and downs...throughout all your good times and bad...throughout all those moments when you thought the very least about yourself...Jesus never even turned away once.

He stayed at the door of your heart still gently knocking to ask you to let Him in.  

He isn't just a rescuer...He's THE relentless rescuer. His hand extended into the deep abyss you think you are in that nobody knows about and is ready to pull you out. 

In the Old Testament law...it was forbidden to touch a leper. To do so would break the Law. This was one of the worst things to do. Jesus healed many lepers and touched them to do so. He came to seek and save the lost in the world. He came to save you. You might think you're untouchable because of how you feel about you is so overwhelmingly negative. Jesus still has His hands out to save you. 

He knows everything about you since from before you were born...and still wants to save you. 

His forgiveness is complete. When a person chooses to be saved in Christ Jesus He washes them white as snow casting their sins as far as the east is from the west. Remembering them no more.  

Those who come to Christ have the chains of sin and death broken.  

Daily forgiveness is but a prayer away.  

A new life in Christ with all sins forgiven and forgotten is more than worth it versus an eternity separated from Him paying for your own sins.  

"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.

Your life is seen by Jesus long before anyone else has seen glimpses of throughout your years on this Earth. Seen in its entirety. 

He knows your beginning from your end. 

And His love for you was enough for Him to stay nailed to a cross to pay your penalty for your sins. He is God and could have come down at any time but chose to take the place of every single human being on the cross.  

Jesus loves you. Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart asking to come in and be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  

Enough with the excuses. Enough with your thoughts on being unworthy. Everyone is unworthy yet He went through everything to make a way where there was no way to save you and I.

Leave your name in the comments if you need someone to pray for you about this. I promise people will be praying for you. 

You haven't begun to live until you lose the shackles that have been binding you all your life.

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

Nothing Hidden from God, Lying to Yourself

Nothing Hidden from God, Lying to Yourself 

by David Brenneman 

 "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable." Isaiah 40:8, 27-28

"I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:10.

There's oh so many thousands and thousands of people every day dying thinking they were "good" with their standards before Jesus who only then found out that Hell will be their eternity.  

They had no profession of faith.  

They had no moment to point to whereas they can say truthfully they gave their life to Christ Jesus for salvation.  

They only thought by their standards that they deserved to go to Heaven and thought those who did come to Christ for salvation were too much into religion. 

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ " Matthew 7:13-23.

Would you be one? 

One of those whom think they're going to get a chance to defend their "good" life against the requirements of salvation that Jesus said were needed?

Only Jesus can clean a person of the sin...that they are BORN in.  

You cannot escape that point no matter what good you may do. 

You cannot think you're even going to get a chance to defend yourself when Jesus is all-knowing.  

He sees the very synapses of your brain cells forming your every thought and intention. He created you. The original sin of Adam is passed along to every human being.  

You cannot know what a life in Christ is really about or like without taking that step yourself to become a true child of God in Christ Jesus. 

Jesus is going to come back...He's going to give a shout to all who died in Christ Jesus to come forth in their new glorified bodies. Then those who are alive and remain who are saved in Christ Jesus will receive theirs and join Jesus in the air. We will then leave this world while the world suffers through the Great Tribulation of the coming 7 years.  

Will you still stubbornly hold to your "goodness"?  

The Courts of God are not like those here on Earth. There's absolutely no need to speak a defense that isn't necessary before Jesus who knows exactly every single word you spoke, why you said it, and when. He knows what you intended in your words and your actions. He knows every single desire of your heart. He knew before you were born. He watched you forming in your mother's womb.  

At the end of the age at the Great White Throne Judgment Jesus will separate people from those who are saved from those who are not...without speaking a word. 

There will be a great many tears shed in that moment because the truths of men's and women's hearts will be revealed.  

My Dear Reader...you cannot understand what God's love for you is like without coming to Jesus for salvation. You're basing your understanding on every false premise ever conceived by mortal man. 

Jesus...lived the life you couldn't. 

Jesus...died the death you would have. 

Jesus...arose 3 days later victorious over sin and death...that you could never do. 

Jesus stood in the way of the bullet, the car, the truck, the plane, the anything you can conceive of as a form of death...for you because He loves you that much.  

Death is wanting you. Jesus is offering to stand in the way. Wanting to tell Death that He's taking your place.  

But you have to ask Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. There's no other way. 

"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.

Please don't think you're good or ok with Jesus if you've never asked Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...because you are not. 

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.   

No one sees the Father, no one sees Heaven without going through Jesus. 

My prayer for you is that you'll choose Jesus. That you will come to Christ for salvation today. 

Leave a comment if you have. Leave your name if you want me to pray for this for you. 

Time is running out. 

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