Oh We Are

Oh We Are
by David Brenneman

"O Daniel, man greatly loved..." ESV
"O Daniel, man of high esteem..." NASB
"Daniel, you who are highly esteemed...." NIV
"Daniel, you are very precious to God..." NLT
DANIEL 10:11

    Child of God, do you hesitate to claim this title? Ah, has your unbelief made you forget that you are "greatly loved" too? You must have been "greatly loved" to have been bought with "the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God" (1 Peter 1:19 NLT). When God punished His only begotten Son for you, what was that but being "greatly loved?" You lived in sin, and reveled in it--you must have been "greatly loved" for God to have been so
patient with you.
    You were called by grace, led to a Saviot, and made a child of God and an heir of heaven. Doesn't all of this prove a very great and abundant love?  Since that time, whether your path has been rough with trouble or smooth. with mercy, it has been full of proofs that you are "greatly loved."  If the Lord has disciplined you, it was not in anger;  if He has made you poor, you have become rich in grace. The more unworthy you feel yourself to be, the more
evidence you have that nothing but unspeakable love could have led the Lord Jesus to save a soul such as yours. The more defective you are, the clearer the display of the abounding love of God-for choosing you, and calling you, and making you an heir of happiness.
    Now, if there is such love between God and us, let us live under the influence and sweetness of it-let us use the privilege of our position. May we never approach our Lord as though we were strangers, or as though He were unwilling to hear us--for we are "greatly loved" by our loving Father. "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
    Believer, come boldly--for in spite of the whispering of Satan and the
doubting of your own heart, you are "greatly loved". This evening, meditate on the exceeding greatness and faithfulness of divine love--and go to bed in peace.
-C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening

Read this last night and it stayed with me this morning.   Spurgeon is right about the whispering of Satan trying to degrade my views of me.  Perhaps he's been doing this to you too? 

It's perhaps worse on those who aren't saved.  Without the restraining power of the Spirit of God in our world I imagine life would be far worse than it is for most with regards to how we view ourselves.

Jesus is very clear, and in the simplest of terms, that we need to cultivate our personal relationship with Him. 

Yes people in our present and our past might have hurt us but these things do not define who we are before Jesus.

The original devotional only had the ESV version of that part of the verse.  I was prompted to go and get other translations.

Satan's a destroyer of families and relationships.  He deceives.  He has had centuries to practice his evil craft.  He teaches his demons to do the same. 

We need to recognize his schemes.
We need to recognize and have a plan for counteracting it.  Remembering who we are in Christ.
Remembering the promises of God.
Remembering that we aren't defined by who tho world says we are but rather who God in Christ Jesus says we are.

We are His beloved.  We are and should be cultivating this.

We enable Satan's schemes by self-isolation.  By staying away from other Believers.  By drowning in things that have nothing to do with growing in Christ.  By believing these things provide happiness on their terms...even in the smallest of ways.

“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 7:21-23.

“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.

What separates us is our relationship with Jesus. 

Satan knows this.  Divide and conquer.  Separate people who can uplift and encourage from those who really need it.  Separate people who are hurting from those who can come up along side of them and hold them up.

Jesus went to the cross because of the love of God for mankind.

Jesus stayed on the cross because of the love of God for mankind.

Jesus arose from the dead because of the love of God for mankind.

Jesus is coming back because of His love for His Bride the Church.

A very old children's song still rings true today. 

It ties into today's verses.

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me!
Yes Jesus loves me.
Yes Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

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's Necessary if We Wish to See God's Desired Results

What's Necessary if We Wish to See God's Desired Results 

by David Brenneman 

He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.

LAMENTATIONS 3:33 GNT

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11

"But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

    It is never God's goal to break your spirit or to cause you pain. Rather, your heavenly Father, the sovereign King of creation, always has a positive, crucial, eternal purpose when He allows bad to happen, and it extends not only to your life but to the lives of the many people you influence and help. 

    It is true that the Lord works all details together for the good of those who love Him. So whatever you may experience and however broken you may feel because of the trials that assail you, always

remember that the Father has a blessing in store for you. Never give in to the thought that this is the end or that there's a limit to God's ability to redeem even the worst, most pain-filled experiences in your life and turn them into something worthwhile. Instead, accept that He knows your pain, He is powerful, He loves you unconditionally, and He is at work in the unseen for you.

    You may not be at fault for what has happened to you, but you are accountable for your response to it. So always ask yourself, How can I honor God in this adversity? How can I grow closer to Him from this?

Jesus, this is difficult, but I know You work for my good and Your glory. Amen.

Dr. Charles Stanley Trusting God with Today 

‐-‐----------------------------------------

Life can seem hard and life can seem easy. Life can seem full of confusion or life can seem full of pain.  

It's a radical departure from what the world thinks about life to rejoice always in the Lord. 

Reading the letters to the churches in Revelation with study notes from four Godly men is enlightening. The church I grew up in Revelation was preached all the way through from first verse to last and today I am still learning something new. 

No soldier becomes one simply by signing a few documents. By no means is he or she ready for the field of combat just because they said a pledge to the United States of America to defend it from all enemies both foreign and domestic.  

No athlete makes a team and then is left to his or her own devices to perform in such a way to reach a championship level. 

No person is going to go miss going through discipline to achieve a goal that hitherto was out of reach. 

Sometimes the changes that befall our lives aren't of our doing. Back in June my employer chose to sever our relationship. Fully unexpected and in mere minutes I was trying to wrap my head around what just happened. As Dr. Stanley pointed out in this borrowed devotional, and I believe it's one of his Life Principles, I wasn't responsible for what happened to me but I am responsible before Jesus as to how I respond to it.  

This abrupt employment status change didn't negatively impact my time studying God's Word at night nor did it stop these posts in the mornings. God didn't stop being God because of this happening. Jesus was never caught off guard by this happening in my life. He knows the truth because He was behind it. You see I have always held to the truth that I always work where I do until God makes it impossible to stay. 

We read also of the very words of Jesus when He says we who are saved are in His hands and nothing will touch us that hasn't been allowed by Him.  

Pain, grief, sorrows, joys, laughter, are reactions to what's been allowed to happen in life. 

Scripture says that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  

Also that eye has not seen nor has ear ever heard all that God has prepared for those who love Him. 

We are those bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

Our lives are to be what the Spirit's discipline for us needs it to be in order to bring about the righteous life that God desires for us. 

Our lives are likely going to see persecutions in one form or another. We are going to see loneliness. We read of the things that the Apostles went through so we shouldn't be surprised by the fiery ordeals we go through.  

Giving thanks in all things is certainly counterculture. That's what the Bible says we're to be doing.  

Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness is what the Bible says that we're to be doing. 

These steps and others are forms of necessary discipline in order to achieve God's will for each of us in Christ Jesus. 

We may relate to Job n never understand the why's behind what we are going through until we see Jesus. We may be granted knowing the why's or only some of them. 

The onus is on each Believer to take up their own cross and follow Jesus. Whatever that looks like, wherever it takes each one.  

We are to trust and obey. We are to pray without ceasing. Pouring out our hearts before our personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are to love God with our everything and love others as ourselves. We aren't to go after the things of this world that divide our time between it and our training in righteousness.  

I don't miss television or endless movie watching. I was never into sports so I can't miss what never interested me. I do find myself looking forward to each nights studying of God's word. I am grateful that keeping up with other's achievements and lives was never a driving force in my life.  

I do want to do what's pleasing to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I also strive to not do that which a child of God ought not to be doing. 

I want to respond to life as He would approve of even if it makes no sense.  

What is going on in your life that isn't glorifying God?

What are you going through that you're not responding to in a manner that God would approve?

What have you put above your training in righteousness that shouldn't be there?

Do you have a love for the things of this world that are actually traps to keep you from growing in Christ?

We're exhorted to stand firm in the Lord. We are to be intentional in our building our relationship with Jesus. We are to endure the discipline brought to us in a way that honors our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Without grumbling or complaining.  

Makes you look at "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" Proverbs 3:5-6 differently doesn't it?

We as the one in training are responsible to show up each day ready for that training. We are to put forth our best efforts to satisfy our trainer. 

We may not understand until later but we are to obey. Much as the lesson of Daniel in the first Karate Kid movie.  

What needs to change in your life?

What idols have found their way into your life that need to go? The Bible wouldn't be telling us to beware of them if they weren't going to present themselves to us.

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 will Your Day Before Jesus Look Like?

What will Your Day Before Jesus Look Like?

by David Brenneman 

"Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 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.” For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." 1 Corinthians 2:6-15.

Unless one is saved by the confession of the mouth and the belief in the heart...a life never conceived of is never going to be seen.

Indeed read it again for yourself as to what coming to Christ for salvation is: "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.

Eye indeed has not seen nor has ear ever heard all that God has prepared for those who love Him.

Think on that one. A life prepared for you and I from before we were ever born. Before we were ever known about is what God has prepared for us if we but come to Him for salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:20.

It's not just that there's a life we won't know if we aren't living a life of obedience to God's Word, with our faith and trust in Christ, but we're supposed to glorify God with our bodies.

Being blunt...how glorified is God in your body when you're participating in things of this world that you ought not to even be entertaining?

How glorified is God in your body when you're going after things of this world and are leaving behind the things that the Spirit is trying to teach you?

How glorified is God in your body when disobeying God is what you normally are doing rather than obeying?

How glorified is God in your body when people do not see any good works that cause them to glorify your Father in Heaven?

I was having a conversation last night with my Wife about the Final Judgement time. When all of mankind will stand before Jesus. Those who are saved will only have the account of their lives that they did for Jesus revealed as crowns of righteousness to give back to him. Those who are not saved will see their lives amount to nothing because as the Scriptures say, our own righteousness is as filthy rags.

By now we all know the name of the song "I Can Only Imagine". I imagine at this judgement these who turned down the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ will be shown what their lives could have been like had they said yes rather than refused. I also imagine that for Believer's that they will be shown what their's could have been like had they been fully committed.

In their book series of "Left Behind" I do think they probably got it right with the fact that all people will go through their one-on-one with Jesus at the same time. I imagine a sizeable chunk of even eternity would be taken up if every human being since Adam and Eve were dealt with one at a time.

How's your level of obedience to Christ and God's Word going these days? What is it about this world that you 'love' that you should not be? What is it about those around you that you 'love' that isn't appropriate? Who or what is taking first place in your heart that belongs to Jesus?

Throughout the early years of the church and decades that followed idolatry was warned about. John wrote of it, Paul wrote of it, Peter wrote of it. Idolatry is alive and well today in ways never before dreamed of by post-Genesis flood mankind. 

Idolatry is wrapped up in all kinds of forms of sensuality and feelings. Cars, trucks, houses, properites, friends and even family are idolized above their relationship with Jesus.

People within the church and outside of it are more fearful of offending people than they are of offending the Holy God of the Universe and His Son Jesus Christ.

As the shirt says it and I've said in truth.

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

People these days lay claim to not having enough time to pray or be in God's Word to learn. Yet they carve out time for a game, for a movie, for this family function or that. They carve out time for expensive vacations yet don't give to their local church. They spend what money they do get from God (everything a Believer has comes from God and belongs to Him) on the most expensive things rather than on what's needed. We're several generations into the concept of keeping up with the Jones's. Right now a sermon series at www.graceforohio.org.  

Are we going to be ashamed at what our life, our thoughts, our intentions are going to reveal on that day we stand before Jesus?

If you aren't saved...are you going to stand before Jesus in your own righteousness only to find out then that you're going to spend eternity paying for your own sins when you had the chance, the opportunity in this here this now, to have Jesus be your Savior?

Will Jesus be your Savior or your Judge when you see Him at that Judgement Day?

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 

Why are You Surprised or Confused?

Why are You Surprised or Confused?
by David Brenneman

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 4:7-19.

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Why are these things happening?
What in the world is going on?
That person must be sick.
They're pure evil!
What possessed them to do such a thing!

Truthfully the man or woman of God, saved by Jesus Christ, sealed in the Spirit of God, shouldn't need to ask these types of questions.  With equal truth...they ought to be able to explain to those yet in the world what it really does mean.

Christian's who've never had the realities of a physical personal attack will struggle with it should it happen to them. 

The reality is what God says it is about this world.  Adam and Eve sinned, and sin is passed on to every single human being, and Satan's been doing whatever he can and has been permitted to do with regards to mankind. 

Demonic activities are going to be on the rise the closer we get to the Rapture of the Church.  The student of the Scriptures ought to be well versed in this.  We should not be surprised when attacks happen on US soil.  On the contrary we should be about the Father’s business and be ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

We as Christians should never be the ones to ask in any heartfelt disbelief as to why such evil deeds are occurring.  We should be like Nehemiah instructed the workers...one hand on a sword the other used to work with.

We are going to face persecutions. 

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:18-21.

"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.

Need Jesus say more about it?

To take up our own cross and follow Him...look at what lead to Jesus's cross that He carried! 

As the Spirit allows things to happen in your world and mine...we need to do as the Scriptures teach.

Stand firm.  Put on and keep on the whole armor of God.  Rejoice when we're under attack by the Devil.  Resist him in the Lord and he will flee. Take up your own cross and follow Him. Let go of the things of this world that are holding you back in growing in Christ. Expect the ordeals you have been given to go through.  Stand on the promises of God.  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.

See this world through the eyes of the Spirit of God. 

Jesus is coming soon to fulfill His promise to bring us all who are saved to Himself. 

Be sure of your salvation in Christ and live each day as if today were the day you might meet Him face-to-face.  Strengthen one another in Christ. 

Don't let bitterness, wrath or anger get a foothold in your life.

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

Pray for those who persecute you.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48.

Pray not just for those who persecute you but for those who persecute those of the household of God. 

My Dear Reader...we really really should be more aware of the schemes of the devil and the promises of God to combat such things. 

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 Will Your Life Say?

What Will Your Life Say?
by David Brenneman

A Living Sacrifice
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual service of worship" Romans 12:1.

    God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. In the Old Testament God gave detailed instructions for how His people were to give their offerings. He declared that these brought a "pleasing aroma" to Him (Leviticus 1:13, 17). When the Israelites gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own; it belonged entirely to God. God would accept only the best that people could give. It was an affront to Almighty God to offer Him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself met the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotIess Lamb. Only the death of His perfect Son worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind.
    Now, God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. Just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice once offered, cannot be reclaimed. We belong entirely to Him. We cannot make a partial sacrifice of our lives; our offering must be wholehearted.
    Therefore if you are a Christian, your life is not your own. Rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice.  Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service.  You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.  The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him.  Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Experiencing God Day-by-Day

How much of your life have you really put on the altar for God?
How much of your life does Jesus really have?
How much of your own cross are you really carrying?
How much compromise have you really allowed into your life to make your view of life easier and more enjoyable?
How many idols would Jesus point out to you that are in fact in your life?

Lots of questions but all of them can probably be reduced to yes or no answers or to a number.

We indeed can do what we read in Malachi about being people who've spent their income on themselves rather than allowing the blessings of God to flow through us to others.

We indeed can be greedy by redefining what greed is as the world has done.  Because we know their definition of it is much easier on the conscience than our own.

We indeed can misplace our love for Jesus and place it on things or other people or on groups of people and deny that it's the same thing.

Satan's schemes are laced and loaded to the hilt in deceptions that we fall for from the earliest of ages.

We are the same kinds of people that Jesus walked among over 2,000 years ago.

We are really no different other than  in our day and age people aren't wise enough or aren't willing to acknowledge the work of demons in our society.  Here we are 2025 and demons are everywhere doing evil on levels that stagger the imagination and nobody wants to acknowledge that's what is going on.   The spiritual war is still on-going.  Satan lost at the cross of calvary but he's not given up trying to keep people out of Heaven.

His best deceptions are just to keep Christian's from living out what Jesus said...and make them look forward to it.   He easily made Adam and Eve look forward to the 'fruits' of eating of the tree of knowledge.  

Our world has been in a global war since Adam and Eve.  It took the perfect sacrifice of God's own Son on the cross to satisfy the sacrifice needed to save people through the forgiveness of sins based on faith in Christ alone.

The Bema seat of Christ.

That which all Believer's will face after the Rapture of the Church.

Our lives in their entirety will be tested as by fire of truth.  Our thoughts, our intentions, our actions all gone through from the day we were accountable until either the day of death or of leaving the Earth at the Rapture.

Do you really really consider what that really means?

We have the choice in the here and now to live a life approved by God in Christ Jesus.  We have the choice in the here and now to effect changes to show to whom we belong.  We have the choice in this here this now to live as lights in this world. 

We also have the choice to hide that light to which we were entrusted to let the world see.

You see, my Dear Reader, when we hide that light out of fear of others or fear of what God might have us do we let fear win and it's not just us that suffers loss but so does the world.  Our light was meant to shine before men so that people might see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

We read from Jesus too that we were entrusted with gifts from the Spirit of God to be used in service to God.  Have you thought about yours?  Have you been figuring out what they are?  Have you been faithful to use what you were given?

Jesus is coming soon.  Soon what was our life in this world will be literally set in stone.  Unchangeable.

Jesus wants to tell each and every Believer "well done!" but will He concerning you?  We read that many will watch the sum of their lives go up in smoke and the only thing will be that while yes they were saved they had NOTHING to give back to Jesus in appreciation for all He did on the cross to save them.  NOTHING.

Good works are not enough.

Both the Believer's and the unknown to themselves unbelieving will all have done good works.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus?  THAT is the game-changer.

That is what makes one a sheep in the folds of the Great Shepherd.

Going about your day or days without any conversations with Jesus should scare the life out of you. 

Going about your day or days without any thought that you might have missed reading your Bible ought to disturb you to no end.

Going about your day or days with no compassion towards others and whether or not they are heading for Heaven or Hell ought to both your heart as it bother's the heart of God.

Wake up.  Jesus is at the door of Heaven.  All it will take is Him taking 1 step out to call His Bride the Church to come and that's it for all Believer's lives, the good, the bad and the ugly of them all.   That's it for all who were on the fence about coming to Christ.  The next 7 years of literally Hell on earth are what's next.  Grand deceptions by a world leader, all the judgements of God poured out on the Earth. 

Jesus is coming...what will your life say of how you lived for Him?

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

My Father's World...and Will be Again

My Father's World...and Will be Again

by David Brenneman 

1 This is my Father's world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas--

His hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father's world:

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:

He shines in all that's fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father's world:

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let earth be glad!

- "This is My Father's World" - Maltbie D. Babcock 1901

Woke up to this playing in my mind and after reading my Bible this morning and the selections of the plan that I'm using...it's appropriate.

To many in this world, especially if you actually believe what you see on the news outlets...this world is going to hell in a handbasket. Yet wait...there's more.  

This world has yet to see the kind of hell in a handbasket that's coming.  

Our world in which we live was designed and created by God and was originally intent to be humanity's abode while they lived in harmony with their creator.  

Satan introduced sin and that handbasket has gotten bigger each day, week, month, year, decade, century.  

But there is good news! Jesus is indeed coming back to deal with sin's issues. Bible prophecy is replete with telling us that it will be so. While the attacks on Christianity are on the rise, this too has been expected. The world governments are all about "peace and safety!" while all the while they are behind the wars and rumors of wars that the Bible also said we'd know about.  

Jesus is coming soon and will be taking His Bride, the Church from this world and then those who are left are going to know what devistation is all about on a global scale. Combined, WWI and WWII and every war since will look like it was a playground brawl.

The warnings are all there for all to see. Jesus said that when you see these things coming, get ready.   

Well...we see them coming...they are here. 7 years of tribulation have been determined by the Scriptures. A time of such troubles upon the world that had it not been shortened nobody would survive it. Think long and hard about that outcome. Currently there's more than 8 billion people on this planet. Had God not been merciful with that tribulation time none of the 8 plus billion people would survive it. Minus the population that are His Church that is. The Church of God will not be here during that time period.  

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or is He no more than the 'man upstairs' to you? Are you in a relationship with Him? That's the differentiator to all between those who are saved and those who are not really and only thought so. You can't come to Christ and then not become involved with a Bible preaching, Bible believing Church. You need to be fed spiritually. Coming to Christ is but the beginning. A relationship with Him must follow. Growing in Christ is a necessity.  

Remember what the Scriptures said...Jesus Himself said after He separates His sheep from those who are not...both actually claimed belief. Only His sheep had a relationship with Him.

This is my Father's world...my Father who's in Heaven. When He says so, Jesus will step out of Heaven once more to reclaim His Church. That sets everything in motion that will not be stopped until 7 yeare are done, and all judgements for that time are completed. Then Jesus Himself will rule and reign in Jerusalem across the whole world. For a thousand years it will be that way. No wars. No diseases. Yet...even in the perfectness of His rule...in that thousand years mankind will fester a resentment that, once he's released, Satan will take advantage of and try to go to war against the Lord Most High and Jesus won't lift a finger. He will speak a word and the battle will be over.

That's what's coming...to my Father's world. He said it in the Scriptures and it will come to pass.

Knowing that you are truly saved is crucial to your eternity and where it will be spent.

If you are indeed saved...does the world even know you are?

If you are not saved...what's been keeping you? Fears of what might become of you? What's to fear? Jesus has your best life planned for you and not one of fear. But you have to invite Him in to be the forgiver of your sins and to be the Leader of your life.

Who can be saved? Everyone who breathes the breath of life. Matters not what corner of the globe you are at Jesus will come to you and be your Savior and Lord. He will begin a relationship with you. It does not matter if you are in prison or on death row. Does not matter if you're in kindergarten through high school, college or in any profession. Jesus will meet you where you are.

What does it take?

"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.

That's all it takes. Salvation is simple enough for a child to understand it.  

As another great hymn says "trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus...but to trust and obey".

This is my Father's World and soon the unrightful ruler of it will be usurped. Jesus is coming back...people get ready. I'm ready for the shout that will take the Church of God out of this world...are 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 

How Full a Sacrifice is Your Life?

How Full a Sacrifice is Your Life?
by David Brenneman

A Living Sacrifice
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual service of worship" Romans 12:1.

    God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. In the Old Testament God gave detailed instructions for how His people were to give their offerings. He declared that these brought a "pleasing aroma" to Him (Leviticus 1:13, 17). When the Israelites gave an offering to God, it was no longer their own; it belonged entirely to God. God would accept only the best that people could give. It was an affront to Almighty God to offer Him animals that were damaged or imperfect in any way. God Himself met the standard for sacrifices when He offered His own Son as the spotIess Lamb. Only the death of His perfect Son worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind.
    Now, God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. Just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice once offered, cannot be reclaimed. We belong entirely to Him. We cannot make a partial sacrifice of our lives; our offering must be wholehearted.
    Therefore if you are a Christian, your life is not your own. Rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice.  Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service.  You do not serve Him in your spare time or with your leftover resources.  The way you live your life for God is your offering to Him.  Relentlessly pursue holiness so that your offering to God is unblemished and acceptable to Him (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Experiencing God Day-by-Day

The question should arise now in your life rather than 1 second after you die.   The question should arise now in your life rather than 1 second after the Rapture of the Church.

What is this question?

Was my all on the altar or was what I thought was there? 

We read in the end of 1st John Chapter 5 that John's warning was to the readers about idolatry. 

We live in a world that hides idolatry in plain sight.  Candy coated, fluff inspired, balloons attached, everything that might grab our attention and get us to call it anything but what it is.

We unknowningly give in because we don't stop to ask God if it is what it might be.   We unknowingly give in because we are taught ahead of time that it's nothing to worry about.  That's our sin nature and the sin nature of others.  "Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain!"...a popular quote from a very popular movie.

When our passion is re-directed we should be concerned.  When we let the worlds flow "I just love that..." and we go on and on about it...we should be wary.  

When our time is consumed with it and not in learning more about how to be effective stewards of what we were given in Christ at coming to Christ...we should be conerned to the point of putting the brakes on.

Is our all really on the altar? 
Are we really and truly taking up our own cross to follow Jesus?

Is our pride in the way?
Is our desires for things of this world in the way?
Is the approval of others more important than our once had desire to be found approved by God?

Do we relate to the Psalmist who wrote that they USED to lead people into the House of God?

Do you guard your heart and mind against false teaching?  Would you know if you were being mislead by false teachers?  Would you even recognize false teachers?  Do you even know what a false teacher IS?

The battlefield is our mind.  Satan cannot inhabit the lives of any who are sealed in Christ.  All Believers have a mark upon them from the Spirit upon coming to Christ.  ANY who are not in Christ, are not saved by the blood of Christ, can be inhabited by Satan if the Spirit isn't already at work there in a profound way.  No matter what Satan wants to do he HAS to obey the will of the Spirit of God in the affairs of mankind.

Are you taking this spiritual battle seriously?  Or are you just trying to get by, or are you trying to not think about it?  Are you just so distrubed by it that you don't want to consider it as being real?  That you'd rather talk about anything else but this battle? 

If you should be privey to the behind the scenes of a true battle in this world, frivalous conversations are prohibited.  Staying on task is the difference between life and death for possibly thousands.

Is your all on the altar?

Your life is to be a living sacrifice unto the Lord.  Is the whole thing on the altar or only what parts you feel comfortable with Him having?

In the Garden of Gethsemene Jesus prayed 3 times to the Father that if it be possible let that hour pass from Him.  The response was that it was His hour to go through.  It was time.  What if Jesus hadn't put His all on the altar?  What if He didn't follow His own teachings on taking up our own cross to follow Him? 

Yes it's going to mean letting go of things in our lives.  Yes it's going to mean not pursuing things we have been.  Yes it's going to mean a purge of things.  It's going to mean acknowledging what the Bible says is idolatry in all it's ugliness and giving our ALL.

We CANNOT love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, mind, soul and strength if we aren't giving our all.

We cannot if we are more excited about what this world is offering than what we have in Him. 

We fool ourselves if we say that we are involved in what we are in order to attract people for Jesus.   How does showing people that we are no different than them in our misplaced loyalty and devotion going to show them we're different?

The order of the Ten Commandmants is how we get the passage I just quoted. 

First is you shall have no other gods before me.  Satan loves to set up this world to introduce new 'gods' to entice Believers away from living the Godly life that He desires for us.
Second is make no graven images.  We make 'merch' and other things that we use to embrace idolatry all the time.

Those are just the first 2.  Think about your life and ask yourself...is Jesus getting ALL of you or only what you're willing to let Him have a few times a week?   What we do during the week is to be done as unto the Lord.  Colossians 3.  

How much of your life is on the altar?  Think about it hard...it's probably not near as much as you think is there.  The Spirit will keep trying to show you what needs to go but you have to be the one to put it out of your life.

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