A Sanctified Life is an Involved Life

A Sanctified Life is an Involved Life 

by David Brenneman 

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12.

According to John Stott in The Message of Galatians, sowing to the flesh means "to pander to it, to cuddle and stroke it, instead of crucifying it. Every time we allow our mind to harbor a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh. Every time we linger in bad company whose...influence we know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature, every time we take a risk which strains our self-control, we are sowing to the flesh. Some Christians sow to the flesh every day and wonder why they do not reap holiness. Holiness is a harvest; whether we reap it or not depends almost entirely on what and where we sow." Study Notes of Dr. David Jeremiah on Galatians 6:8. 

The letters that Paul wrote were from the heart of Paul with the certification of the Spirit of God. While some may still be looking for them the other letters of Paul were lost to time and decay. What we have is what the Spirit preserves.  

I have been, since January, reading through 4 study Bibles at a sitting each night. Not only is the repetition good so it is that the mind is slowed down to consume more.  

Drawing parallels is how some people understand things or they are persuaded against things. I, after these recent months of reading, became convinced that there have been many people in my life who would have tried to counsel the Apostle Paul to not write like he did to those churches and those people. 

Yet what we have is what the Spirit says is necessary for our sanctification. We are in a war and soldiers don't learn when and where everyone gets a trophy. 

"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

We aren't going to grow much if we're coddled from dangers that we're going to run into in these spiritual battles that we find ourselves in. 

We can't go to church on Sunday and listen to music during the week that isn't healthy at all to growing in Christ. We can't spend our time in reading works of fiction and not finding ourselves in our Bible. We can't listen to people who aren't Godly and expect to be better off spiritually. We cannot keep trying to stay as close as we can to a life outside of Christ while being in Christ. We cannot keep with the excuses for why we have chosen to not let go of sins that we know we ought to let go of.

The Spirit fully intends to grow those who are saved in Christ Jesus to become more like Christ. 

We read that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We read that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Yet so many people fight growing in Christ! They would rather embrace aspects of a selfish life and in all truthfulness give lip service to Christ. 

Paul wrote often of not being entangled in many things of this world. The greatest temptations we face daily are tailored by our enemy to entangle us. We really don't try to understand our enemy or his schemes. God's Word says this is a spiritual war. That we battle not against flesh and blood.  

We miss out on the work of God quite often because we're not looking for it. 

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

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

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

Are you really ready to face Jesus to give an account of your life knowing that you never really tried giving your all to Jesus in appreciation for His dying on the cross for you?

Are you really saved? Nothing else matters. No situation or problem you face in your brief life is more important than knowing that you are saved in Christ Jesus. 

If you are saved are you striving to please Jesus in what you do in life?

Are you intentionally making time for being in the Word of God? Intentionally making time to be alone with Jesus in prayer?  

These things are part of sanctification. These things develop the character of Christ Jesus in you. 

There's very strong evidence that we could be very very close to the return of Jesus. Very significant pieces of the puzzle are falling into place to reorient the world to only focusing on the middle east. Things are happening in Israel that are very significant.  

Would you be ready to meet Jesus face-to-face? What would you say?

Take the time to get yourself right before Jesus now. Make the right choices even if it hurts. Ask Jesus for the help you need from the Spirit of God.  

I am waiting for the shout that will take us out of this world into the very presence of my personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...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 

The Unseen War is Very Real

The Unseen War is Very Real
by David Brenneman

"He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.  Then the Philistine came on and approached David, with the shield-bearer in front of him.  When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance.  The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine also said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field.”  Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.  This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.”  Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.  And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.  Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.  Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled." 1 Samuel 17:40-51.

"These four were born to the giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants." 2 Samuel 21:22.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  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 10:3-6.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," Ephesians 6:10-18.

When someone does come to Christ they only then come to the beginning of the realization that there's much more going on in the universe than what their life before Christ revealed.

A long time ago, believe it or not heard on a 33 1/3rd vinyl record, I heard a speaker make mention of knowing your enemy, David knew his and you'll be wise if you know yours.

The opening Scriptures we read what might be a footnote or some doubt in the future King of Israel.  Having tried out King Saul's armor and that not working, he picks up 5 stones.  Many easily point to the fact that there's only one giant out there.  David knew his enemy.  We read at the other end of 2nd Samuel the rest of the story. 

We must realize that if the Bible says there's a spiritual war going on that there is a spiritual war going on.  There's no contentious objectors.  There's no pacifist types who won't engage the enemy of God.  There's no neutral parties whom are staying out of the fight.
Add to this, all who live and breathe, regardless of being saved in Christ Jesus or not...are in the thick of the battle every single day. 

There's nobody who will be able to stand on a premise that they're not going to fight that they don't believe in fighting.  The Bible says the war is real therefore the war is real.

There's training in righteousness for our survival let alone for our growth in Christ Jesus.  Paul had compared Believers with soldiers in training.  The section we read in Ephesians is very defined as to the armament a soldier of God wears or is to be wearing.  Unlike the future King of Israel's failed attempt at wearing King Saul's, this Spiritual armor fits.  Some preach that it's defensive in its arrangement.

The point is missed that the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is an offensive weapon. 

"divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  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" is what we read.  The literal take on the truth of God's word is that it IS offensive to those not yet saved.  The real translation of another passage in the Bible says that Peter was told that upon that Rock Jesus would build His Church and that the gates of Hell would not be able to withstand the onslaught of the Church. 

The thing that brings the most grief to the majority of people in our world today about weapons in the hands of a civilization population is there's no formal training required.  Soldiers in active duty practice practice practice. 

The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, must be used daily.  Must be read daily, must be thought about, considered, ruminated, digested, to become so familiar that it becomes an extension of the body as much as a hand or an arm.

Knowing your enemy is part of your training in righteousness.  Knowing Satan's schemes and his limitations.  Knowing your sin nature.  Knowing the effect of the Word of God vs the enemy of God. 

Acknowledging the battle and Acknowledging your need to be accepting of the training in righteousness through the Spirit of God will bring about the victory. 

Had David decided that he should listen to King Saul about the use of his armor we wouldn't be reading about the defeat of Goliath. 

King David was known as a man after God's own heart.  King David wrote a huge part of the book of Psalms.  King David's family line is where Jesus came from.

This all being said...people are not your enemy.  The sin within them is.  The demons in this world are your enemy if you're indeed saved in Christ.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost in the world.  Salvation is offered to everyone.  Including even the Antichrist who will reject everything to do with Jesus.  The schemes of Satan involve deceptions.  Getting Believers to believe things contrary to the Word of God.  Getting Believers to believe that the things that Scripture says are optional.  Jesus said that Satan's a liar and the father of lies.  He's the destroyer. 

You and I are in training in righteousness for the war that we are in.  We are being transformed by the renewing of our minds by the Word of God through His Spirit.  Our transformation is to make us more like Christ.  Jesus was at war when He stepped into His ministry here on Earth.  He often fought the Pharisees and Sadducees.  John said that he didn't write everything he could have written about those three and a half years. 

Dr. Charles Stanley said that we ought to fight our battles on our knees in prayer.  Prayer is our direct communication with Jesus.  It's both prayer and the wielding of the Sword of the Spirit that's part of the lifeblood of the Christian life.  The shield of faith blocks the attacks and the Sword of the Spirit counters the attack.

Be sure, Dear Reader, you're in this battle of the mind until God calls you home.  Be in the Word of God daily.  Be in prayer constantly and consistently.  You're in training by the Spirit of God. 

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

Only the Washed, the Sanctified, the Justified in Christ

Only the Washed, the Sanctified, the Justified in Christ
by David Brenneman

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

In the times of the days of Noah everyone did what was right in their own eyes.  The Lord Jesus said that the thoughts of everyone were evil continually. 

Fast forward to the times of the end that Jesus spoke about.  It's a long read but context is essential and is everything.

"Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.  And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”  As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.  You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.  But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.  At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.  Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.  This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.  Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.  Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.  Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.  For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.  Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.  Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.  For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.  Behold, I have told you in advance.  So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.  For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.  But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.  And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.  Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.  But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.  Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.  Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.  But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:1-51.

We are living in those days of Noah more than in any century since Jesus ascended back to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. 

This here this now.  Look at the vast and immense amount of confidence people have in the flesh.  That people see nothing wrong with their way of life that they live.  Loving what is evil in the sight of God rather than what God offers for all in Christ Jesus.

We are, as astoundingly as it is, getting even more evil as the generations go on. 

The Rapture of the Church could easily be at any moment and the world will, for the most part, greatly rejoice and celebrate the departure of the Church of God in Christ Jesus...once they get past the horrific fallout of the disasters that resulted in the Church leaving so abruptly.

The world's reactions this time won't be like it was when the flood waters came after the Lord Jesus Christ sealed Noah, his Wife, his sons and their wives into the Ark of Safety.  Back then they ran to his ship beating on the sides of it, begging him to let them in.  The real truth of their mockery coming full circle.

This time around after the Church leaves with Jesus and the global disasters subside, these remaining people will gladly accept the leadership of the Antichrist. 

Only those saved in Christ will escape these days.  For sure there will be people saved throughout the Great Tribulation but they will not be raptured as the Church had been. 

The Church of Jesus Christ is the place of safety in Jesus.  Only those who've placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are those who will leave before the most horrific days mankind has ever faced since the Genesis Flood are safe. 

My Dear Reader there remains a choice all who live and breathe must make.  All who live have been given a choice to make.  Come to Christ for salvation or to reject Him.  Everyone chooses.  The Bible says that everyone will be without excuse in the day they stand before God. 

What choice have you made?

The salvation that's available is free to all who ask of God. 

"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.

You're not going to get saved in the last second because you'll never see it coming.

You'll not have any inclincling that it's about to happen. 

The choice is yours to ask for or to reject salvation in Christ Jesus. 

Expect resistance to all of this.
Expect doubts to arise that will try to get you to put it off.
Expect all manner of resistance to this great need.

My Dear Reader one of the absolute core reasons why this blog exists is to spread the word: Time is running out.

The other core reason is to point people back to Jesus to restore their relationship with Him.

For God so loved you that He gave His only Son that should you believe in Him that you will have everlasting life.

As the Apostle Paul said so say I, there is coming a day when according to the gospel that there will be a judgment of God for all mankind.  There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, only in the Name of Jesus Christ.

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

No One Gets Away With Sin

No One Gets Away With Sin
by David Brenneman

"It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife.  You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.  For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.  In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.

Whether we think so or not, intentional sins are always seen and known before Jesus.   There's many who do not believe in what's been termed "Church Discipline".  In Matthew 18 we read it said directly from Jesus as to how such a path is to be taken with regards to imploring someone to return to a right relationship with Jesus.  Here, Paul makes mention of this again.

You would have to be really isolated to not know of an incident at a recent concert.  A corporate executive and an human resources person were caught on camera.  The fact of the matter is that he's a married man caught in his illicit affair.  He showed no remorse at being caught.  Said that was an improper use of a camera catching a private moment.  It's like, no, you were caught and what you had been hiding now the whole world knows about.

In what we read here in 1 Corinthians, Paul was addressing a so-called brother in Christ.  There was a duty, a responsibility, to deal with such people within the Church and if they weren't all that willing to, Paul would.

It's necessary to edify the Church.  To preserve the unity of the Spirit of God in the Church.  Following such a practice of Church Discipline is meant to restore such people to a right relationship with Jesus.  They're so far down the wrong path that they're in need of these steps to come back to the righteous life that God desires for them.  It's not a path of punishment but of restoration. 

This executive person showed no remorse for being caught in his affair.  His company is now in trouble.  

Whether or not he or his wife or this human resources person are Believers who's to say.  The point of this matter is that sin is sin is sin is sin.  It doesn't matter what the world says if the Bible says something is sin then it's sin, because nobody's opinion on the matter matters.

What becomes of such people within the Church?  As you follow what's written in Matthew 18, a gradual pushing out of the offending party out from under the protection of God is what begins to happen.  Each step taken is meant to try to restore a person in the eyes of God in Christ Jesus.  Not at all in harshness but done in the love of God in Christ.

As you read 1st and 2nd Corinthians you read of a very troubled Church with regards to things such as this example.  Repentance came at last to many because of these letters and much prayer.  Repentance is to agree with Jesus and to turn away from the sin doing it no more.

Embracing any practiced sin puts up a wall between the Believer and Jesus.  It absolutely hinders effective prayer.  Until or unless these sinful practices are dealt with such people ought not expect anything from God in prayer. 

Paul wrote about the dangers of practiced sins in the book of Romans.  

We shouldn't put anything or anyone between us and a right relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Nothing should be more important than obeying the Lord Jesus Christ.

To be clear a practiced sin is one we intentionally choose to participate in doing.  We should never choose to invest time, energy or effort in something that was heaped upon Jesus on the cross!

For those who actually believe that it's not hurting anyone, you're wrong, it hurts you and your relationship with Jesus.  Every...single...time.

He who bore your sins on the cross to save your soul deserves to be treated better don't you think?  He deserves greater respect than to be so disrespected by embracing what put Him on the cross in first place.

We will never get away with any practiced sins.  Be it adultery or idolatry or anything else.  It's always best to stop and repent.  Turn from those things and keep a right relationship with Jesus flourishing.

Those who choose to not turn from his or her sins effectively spit on the face of Jesus Christ and what He did to save them. 

Many think they have gotten away with it.  Yet the Bible says that everyone will stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives before Him.  Believers for what they did in the body of Christ for Him and unbelieving people to indeed show that they never came close to the requirement of salvation through Jesus Christ alone to be saved.

Jesus searches the hearts and knows what all are doing at all times.

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

All NASB 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

He Does

He Does

by David Brenneman 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul called out Peter publicly because of his own hypocrisy.  

Peter responded correctly to this and repented of it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's the thing. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

What We Do or Don't Do Has Meaning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ask, seek, knock.

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

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

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

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

God Causes All

God Causes All
by David Brenneman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Step up your prayers to do the same.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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