Oh the Idols We Actually Have

Oh the Idols We Actually Have 

by David Brenneman 

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they cannot speak; They have eyes, but they cannot see; They have ears, but they cannot hear; They have noses, but they cannot smell; They have hands, but they cannot feel; They have feet, but they cannot walk; They cannot make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, The small together with the great." Psalms 115:1-13.

Reading this passage, in the Bible's heading it says "Heathen Idols Contrasted with the Lord".

King Solomon wrote over and over again that there's nothing new under the sun. This most certainly includes our world today. If we trust the Scriptures implicitly to be as true today as they were when written, believing that Jesus Christ is as the Word of God says-being the same yesterday, today and forever-then we must accept that which is taught about sin and sinful practices. 

Paul wrote of the downward spiral of those who practice lawlessness, practice sin. People who may have come to Christ for salvation but hold onto their idols that have been in their lives. Yes my Dear Reader idols are ironically alive and well in 2025 as they were when Jesus walked the Earth as well as in the lives of those before and after the a Genesis flood. 

I was reading today's passage and what immediately came to mind as a singular example are mascots for sports teams. We also have them as supposed 'super heroes'. We have them as people erroneously high and lifted up called celebrities. People everywhere are obsessed with their idols. People even idolize musicians still today. People idolize their offspring. People put things, imaginary things, AI chatbots, AI relationships, movies, streaming, gaming, and everything else under the sun before a vibrant right relationship with Jesus. 

Those within the Church are not exempt from these temptations. Paul exhorts his readers to not be entangled in the things of the world. The race to be ran as his example sets, describing a runner of his day, had nothing on his body to slow him down. He spoke of soldiers. Soldiers didn't encumber themselves with the things of civilian life.  

Jesus, as if all these teachings were not enough, said that if we loved anything more than Him that we weren't worthy of Him.  

Jesus said to take up our own cross and follow Him. As repeatedly said before, bearing your own cross means you cannot hold onto anything else nor can anything be on your back to accompany you.

We cannot live a life that is pleasing to God in Christ Jesus if we're having Him set down somewhere else while we give our time, energy and attention to our idols.  

Self examination is required and it also requires a second opinion from one whom we implicitly trust. Ask the Spirit to show you what's hindering your relationship with Jesus. He WILL show you the truth because Truth is a firm part of the character of Christ Jesus. 

We make every effort to make wonderful sounding excuses about the things we include in our lives that the Bible says have taken our attention, time, money, away from Jesus and is sitting somewhere else. 

All those excuses will turn to ash when we give an account of our lives before Jesus. 

Read that slowly again and soak it up.  

All those excuses will turn to ash when we give an account of our lives before Jesus. 

If what is getting our love and devotion isn't aligned with the plan and purpose for us in Christ Jesus...then why are we holding onto it?  

A few posts back we looked at the thousand year reign of Christ on the Earth. All these things we looked at today will be removed from the Earth during those years. ALL. 

People will be living a wholly different life than has happened since Adam and Eve. No forms of idolatry will be found anywhere on the Earth in that thousand years. 

We are to be growing in the character of Christ as a Believer in Christ.  

Would Christ be ever putting anything before His relationship with His Father?

If He certainly wouldn't then why are we?

Why are we.

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

Waiting on God Isn't a No From God

Waiting on God Isn't a No From God 

by David Brenneman 

I completed a devotional reading plan this morning on this subject of 'Waiting on God' by Dr. Charles Stanley. It impressed me so that felt directed to talk about it. If you have the Bible App it's available through that if you search for devotionals under Dr. Charles Stanley.

To be honest I think this particular one I will be on my list of those to repeat and often.

We often get into the world's idea of a microwave mentality. We pray, don't see results in 5 minutes or less and give up on praying. We perceive our thoughts on what progress ought to resemble, what it should look like and we give up concluding that God must have said no.  

My Dear Reader...we, and I am most certainly include myself, give up way too early in the praying process.

Remember well the words of Jesus when it came to a certain kind of demon to cast out normally requires fasting and prayer. Since He was on the scene it didn't take that.  

Prayer isn't just our conveying our list of wants and needs. Prayer is also our point of learning more about He to whom we make the requests to. It's about sharing our appreciation for what He's already given us. It's about our communing with Jesus because He eagerly awaits to hear from each of us no matter what the reason is.

While we give way too much credit to Satan's interfering with our lives than we ought to, our own sin nature is to blame probably 90 percent or more of the time, we don't give prayer enough emphasis in our lives as well.

Right over my study area is a single one-word plaque. "Pray".

I've quoted in the past "Pray on, Pray Over, Pray Through" life. It's on another plaque that I have here.

I believe I found both at Hobby Lobby if they're still available, it was a number of years ago that I got them.

Praying with forgiveness in your heart also must be a part of your praying time.

Jesus said that we MUST forgive others who've done things to us or we will have our prayers hindered if not blocked for a time. Remember all unforgiveness does is start putting up bricks to build a wall between us and Jesus. As one put it...not forgiving as we have been forgiven...is US drinking the poison that we want someone else to feel. Same description is there about bitterness as well.  

Bitterness and and unforgiving heart will do very very much damage to our prayer life.  

We trusted Jesus to save us...to forgive us...then we Have to take Him at His word about justice.  

Something to remember about Matthew 18 as well. If we are aware of our brother having something against US...WE are to seek them out to reconcile. We are NOT to devolop a stubborn stance and go on with life. This too hinders prayers.

We do our own damage to our prayer lives and we are the chief reason why we jump to "oh God must have said no, so now it's up to me...".

Dr. Stanley addresses that as well.

Our impatience pretty much always gets us into trouble for whatever it is God is GOING to do.  

Scriptures is clear...God's ways are not our ways. His timing is not our timing. My Dear Reader...find one single soliltary time in the Bible where God was EVER late.

Even the timing of John the Baptist being born...when Jesus was born was EXACTLY at the right time. Scripture says so. There's many many factors to explain WHY this was at the right time not just spiritually. Physically the Romans had established actual roads and a multi-city roadway system. Getting the Gospel message to more cities at the time the Disciples turned Apostles were sent out...made it much easier to do. God's timing.

When it comes to praying...don't hold back what you're feeling either. You and I quickly forget that He already knows the angst, the anger, the bitter feelings threatening to devlop, the justice we crave, the sorrow we can't even find words for, the sadness that's beyond our comprehension, the utter loss we can't figure out how to fill again.

Dear Reader...consider it well that ALL OF THOSE THINGS...Jesus experienced here on Earth when He was here. We read that He was a man of sorrows well aquainted with grief. He knows our roller coaster of emotions we go through very well...yet in it He did not sin.

I said earlier that Satan's not to blame for 90 percent or more of what befalls us. While potentially all 8 plus billion people on this planet have potentially immediate access to Jesus Christ...Satan has not that ability to accuse each independently. He has to pick who it is he's wanting to do something to. Most of our issues are our own sin natures either causing ourselves issues or our interactions with other's sin natures showing themselves.

We will on day give an account of our lives before Christ...and in this here and this now we have the opportunity to have Godly people to be accountable to in order to help us achieve a better life if only more in the professing church would stand up and do this.  

Just because our perception is God saying no...strive on and keep on praying. Jesus answers 1 of 4 ways...yes...no...not right now...and wait...I have something better in mind.

It takes time to learn what the answer really is. What's also on us is when a TRUE answer is given...we're to be thankful, grateful, and to continue on in our walk with Jesus. We read of no time that the 11 Disciples started sulking when they were told no.

Pray on, Pray over, Pray through what you are going through. Jesus taught a parable or two on this on persistance in prayer.  

Persist in prayer and don't give up hope. In Christ hope is eternal.

Trust Jesus that His answer is always the right answer when you DO get one. He knows every minutia of detail on everyone and everything as to why His way was the better way.

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 Kind We are to Be, and Be Doing

What Kind We are to Be, and Be Doing 

by David Brenneman 

"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.

"Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:21-22.

"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, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20.

When we read in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.".

There's a purpose under Heaven for what we go through in life whether or not we agree with going through with it is on each of us. We either hold fast to the Lord going through these things and continue in obeying with what we've been given or we go our own way. There's only two directions in life. God's way and our way. When we've grown enough in Christ the two should be the same. Our way aligning with His way.  

We read in Ephesians 6 of putting on the whole or full armor of God. I found it amazing that that particular clarification was put in there by Paul. We don't pick and choose what parts we will put on and what we will not. We are not to choose to not pick up the Sword of the Spirit. We are not to choose to not put on the helmet of salvation. We are not to choose to not put on the breastplate of righteousness.  

Put it all on...and learn how to live life that way. As Paul often used soldiers as a metaphore he's also right (obviously as the Spirit lead him) to point out what that means to each of us. The determination to please the One whom we belong and are being trained to serve.

Are you determined to please the One whom you have pledged to serve, that is the Lord Jesus Christ?   

These passages took me to thinking about the here and now and the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the Earth. What will be missing that's in our world today? What will still be there?  

Well the Scriptures give us more than enough clues if we but look.

Many many occupations won't be around anymore that are here now.

There will honestly be no need for some that seem so critical today.

Some, today, are things that the god of this world has used to blind the minds of the believing. Not even realizing that they've taken what belongs to the Lord and given it to other persons, places and things.

You must understand that Satan and his minions will take even a slightest, most marginal, of a success in getting you to do anything contrary to the Word of God an declare it a victory on their part.

If you're trying to stay in the whole armor of God and he gets you to let your guard down even for the slightest of moments and compromise...he sees that as a victory. Things of that nature.

We likely won't have celebraties during that 1,000 year reign. Won't have most if any of anything coming out of Hollywood. Won't have hospitals or funeral homes or a need for the police or of a standing army. We won't have politicians. Much will be different when all that people will get to know is the Lord and how to live the way that mankind was supposed to live. Yet with all this God given peace mankind will still rebell at the end of the 1,000 years. As the sands of the seashore in number. After experiencing all the goodness of God for 1,000 years they will still side with the devil.

in this here, this now, though...we have a job, a responsibility, to obey the Scriptures from a willing heart and to see the fruits thereof.

We may be comforted to know that while our struggles seem to be unique to each of us...they're common to man. The nuances might be different but the struggles are the same. The Scriptures say so.  

Persistance is probably considered to be of more importance than patience. A soldier gets better and better by persisting in his or her training. By staying battle ready. While books and specific materials are at the beginning of worldly military training...the point by graduation is to have it memorized and be so much a part of the soldier that they don't need to refer to them. They'll just know what to do and when to do with all confidence.

We have a God-given amount of time in the day and the enemy of God's aim is to get us to waste it on frivolous things. A soldier gets better when their focus stays on what they're to be learning and doing.  

When we come to Christ we have something that's for us to be doing in this place and time in human history that's ours to be doing...that's ordained by God.  

We don't choose what parts we are going to do an what we are not. It's on us to learn what it is we're to be doing and to do what we do as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). 

When we have plenty of time for our interests and hobbies but haven't given the Lord honestly the time of day outside of maybe remembering to thank Him for the food we ate we're NOT living up to our reponsibilities and HAVE given the devil a foothold in our lives.

Are you at all interested in what interests the Lord about you? Are you wanting what He wants to see flourishing in you? Are you wasting precious minutes each day because something else you made more important than your training in righteousness that the Spirit wants to do with you? 

We're not suggested to stand firm in the Lord. We're commanded to.

We're not suggested to flee this or that that's taking our focus and attention off the work of the Spirit of God in us. We're commanded to.

We're not suggested to set our minds on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. We're commanded to.

We're not suggested to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. To love your neighbor as yourself. We're commanded to.  

We're not suggested to take up our own cross to follow Jesus. We're commanded to if indeed we are followers of Christ.

Too many people claiming to be Christians today are taking the Word of God as optional suggestions and not commands that lead towards their sanctification. Too many have been lulled into a false sense of security about life so as to not at all try to put on the whole armor of God nor to see to it that it stays on them.

Too many don't know of the Word of God because all they've done is follow someone else's repetition on a Sunday and have never cracked the book open during the week.

Scripture says that God's will for us is to become more like Christ.  

What are you doing to please God in your life to bring this about?

Are you living for Jesus a life that is true. Striving to please Him in all that you do?   

We have much to learn and to take in concerning the righteous life that God desire for each of us. All the Disciples of Christ gave up their personal interests to learn what all they could from Jesus on being who they were to be in Christ. Are you willing to do the same?

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 

When Words Fail to Come

When Words Fail to Come
by David Brenneman

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;  and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Romans 8:26-30.

We oftentimes find ourselves in this area of life where we hear nothing with regards to those things we are urgently praying for and about.

It happens.  In no way does this preclude that we've been abandonded by Jesus. 

In every way it ought to make us cling to Him all the more. 

We can, and often do, get ahead of God's plan for us.  There's just times when that plan requires a few deep valley's to go through on the way to where He's taking us.  We're not always going to have a smooth ride.  In fact it's absolutely not spoken of in the Scriptures that we're GOING to get a smooth ride.  In fact Jesus said (since He IS the Word) that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus are going to suffer in some way (paraphrasing of course).

So what do we do?  Dr. Charles Stanley says to do what we read in the Bible to do.  Duh!  But not.  Many don't consider picking up their Bible when the going gets tough.  But that's always the first step right after prayer. 

And then there's the gut punches that are so strong that we don't know what to say.  The situation is that powerful from our perspective.

That's when what we read this morning comes in all the more.

This week I've been having such a week.  We already don't have all that much interactions with people outside of our home.  When you're searching for a job and 98 percent of the time you get silence in return...and it's been going on for 5 months now...there's just no more words to say in prayer over it...it's just a deep pain that's got no words.

An extremely relative few people have asked how we're doing.  Many tell me they're praying for me, for us.  Only an extreme few cross the line and ask how we're really doing emotionally, spiritually, physically.

In these periods of silence...consistency in the Word is a must.  I can't recall verses like many many Godly men in my life have been able to do.  I just don't have that kind of memory.  But I refuse to give in to even a single day's worth of not being in my Bible in the morning and the study time in the evenings.  My area of struggle is sort of where today's post lies.  I don't want my prayers to be just a repetition of a list of concerns and people but to be heart-felt and genuine.  There's days where the list flashes in my mind but I don't recite it...I just look to a photo of a man being held by Jesus and want that oh so much more than words can say.

Words do escape people at times. 
Words sometimes, regardless of how extensive the human vocabulary is, just can't be found to match a deep, heart-felt, feeling.

The Spirit within knows our hearts way better than we do ourselves.

For that matter even demons know us better than we know ourselves.

Right above my study area, right at eye-level is a decorative wall hanging that simply says "pray". 

I keep a 5 x 7 card on the board behind my computer that is Psalms 143:8-12. 

I know that my job 'drought' will end soon.  I know not from what direction but I know it will end soon. 

Jesus will provide in ways that I never thought possible.  He has in the past and will do it again. 

During the storms with the Disciples...Jesus slept in the boat. 

He knew that nothing was going to happen to Him or them because that was not according to the plan of why He was here. 

In my prayer time I do try to pour out my heart...but there's just some days when I can't fnid the words and know...just know...that that is alright.  Knowing that Jesus knows is enough. 

Someone out there will look past my age and will give me the opportunity.   Why do I know this?  because of the promises of God to always take care of those who are His as He's always done for us throughout my 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

Seeking First, Being His

Seeking First, Being His

by David Brenneman 

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." Philippians 3:1-21.

Matthew 6:33 says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be provided to you.  

How often do you find yourself seeking anything in Christ?  

While in many places in his writings Paul exhorted Believers to stand firm...while you're standing firm...you ought also to be seeking His kingdom.

For many the first thing Monday is just our getting back to what life is about outside of doing what we normally do on a Sunday Morning. Some don't even wait that long. Before church lets out they're already making plans for watching a game or several. Wondering if they have enough food to get through them all. Who will watch it with them. They also have purposed in their hearts to shut out the world during this time. Any interruptions are unacceptable. 

For others it's the same vein yet for other reasons. Their hobby. Their time that they 'deserve' to go do whatever fancy's them. Just leave them alone because they want nothing to do with anything until 'their' time is done for the day.

Some go into Monday as if Sunday morning never happened. As if they weren't just with a group of people supposedly praising God and worshipping Jesus.

Some consider, whether or not they acknowledge it or not, recognize it or not, that they're putting on Christ and taking Christ off before and after their time with fellow Believer's.  

Paul's exhortation of putting on Christ isn't like a change of clothes. This isn't putting on your 'Sunday best' as it used to be called. Putting on Christ is a once for all lifetime thing. Once we put off the old with it's habits we're to put on Christ and leave Christ on.  

While some claim to understand my reasonings behind not getting into sports and some have perhaps seen some of my disdain for sports there's a spiritual reason why I abhor sports. It brings out the worst attributes in me spiritually. Before any get pious and stand there saying that it never happens to them. Go look in the mirror because to some extent it happens to everyone. Whether it's sports or some other thing of this world that we 'love'. Truth is our relationship with Jesus suffers when we 'love' something or someone more than we do Him in this world. With me and if anyone's honest about their behavior concerning whatever it is they 'love' in this world...it brings out the worst attributes of our hearts when those things we 'love' are slandered. Anger, bitterness, rage, are ususally the result and no it's never good to just say those sorts of things are a 'friendly' rivalry.  

When we take what belongs to God and give it to anyone or anything we are sinning. Plain pure and simple.

We ought to be those who are looking for ways to know our Savior and Lord more and more. We ought to be those who show ourselves to be examples in this world rather than blending in with the world to the point they don't even suspect we are a Christian.

I've seen myself behave in ways that are shameful in retrospect when I used to get involved with sports teams. I was berating people. I was belittling people. I would get defensive, act out in anger at people all over a stupid team. Those attributes are NOT the fruit of the Spirit.

I am grieved to see people who both lead in churches as well as those who fill the pews behaving in ways that do not show the love of Christ but rather the fruits of sin all over something in this world.

What are we doing when we do these things? We are NOT drawing people to Christ when we're being prime examples of those who do not know the love of Christ.

When we lay claim to having 'forgot' to read our Bibles but we devoted hours to useless things...what are we saying is our priority in growing in Christ? That it's not high on that list? Yes that's exactly what we are saying by our thoughts and actions.

When knowing Jesus isn't your highest priority...what does that say of your walk with Jesus?  

When letting your light shine in such a way that people see your good works and glorifying your Father in Heaven doesn't mean that much to you?  

Yes this world has much to be had to enjoy but we should never put anything or anyone before our relationship with Jesus.   

Every thought, every careless word we will give an account of before Jesus. When we berated anyone for any reason. When we possibly cussed someone out because of some mistake in a dumb football game. When we ranted and raged over someone carelessly changing lanes in front of us. When someone ripped into us because we don't like their particular hobby. When we will ooo and ahh over people in their lives and hold them up on a pedestal but have Jesus stand in a corner. When we will take the word of a celebrity but won't look to see what the Word of God has to say. When we're adamant about dolting over everything in a child's life, sacrificing time, energy and efforts for them but won't attempt the same to be with Jesus for even 15 minutes. When...well you see where all this is going.  

When was the last time you got real with yourself about what's really right and true in your life? Are you guilty of the sin of thinking that you can put on and take off the new person you are in Christ? Have you been neglecting spending time in God's Word over things that do NOT matter in light of eternity? Have you convinced yourself that you are 'living the dream' and don't realize you've given in to idolatry?   

As Dr. Charles Stanley pointed out...we can't see if we're engaging in idolatry...but we can ask Him if we are and to make it known to us and then to obey in getting rid of it.

While this week is yet half over we're also in the midst of a week to be thankful. Many are going to be with family. Many will plop down in front of a television while watching a game. While it's ok to enjoy such things do not cross the line and become sour examples of Christ because of it. Any Earthly Ambassador is on the job 24/7 365 days a year while representing their country or institution. You are an Ambassador of Christ if you claim to have Him be your personal Lord and Savior. You don't lay that asside for anything while the breath of life is in you. Remember that.

As the Scriptures say: guard your heart. Guard your mouth. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Do not lean on your own understanding. Leaning on your own understanding is telling Jesus "I got this, I don't need your help!".

My Dear Reader...examine your hearts. Really look to see who's in charge of your life. Is it you? Have you decided to yet still do your own thing after coming to Christ? He didn't just save you...He came to give you life but not just life life more abundant. A life we could never see, hear, nor understand on our own.

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 

Confess What Jesus Already Knows

Confess What Jesus Already Knows

by David Brenneman 

"But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance." Titus 2:1-2.

"Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect." Titus 2:6-10.

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:1-18.

The Idols That Impede Your Faith  

As we direct our focus to the Father and wait patiently for His will to open wide the way in our lives, we may discover that there are many things standing in the way of deepening our relationship with God and exercising our faith in Him. 

These strongholds—or idols—are very subtle. They steal into your life covertly, rooting themselves in your emotions and becoming more important to you than God. 

"No one can identify an idol except the Lord… and He sees your heart clearly. Anything that competes for your total devotion to God is an idol in your life. So what is it in you? What are those things—hidden or known to you—that stand in your way of waiting patiently for the Lord’s will to manifest in your life? Ask the Father to reveal them to you. He’s promised He’ll be faithful to show you if and where an idol exists. But be very careful that you don’t rationalize away what He reveals to you. If the Lord puts His finger on something in your life, then set your mind to deal with it immediately.

Here are some common idols in our lives: Our Own Understanding, A Sense of Security, Goals and Dreams, Relationships, The Past, Hobbies." - Devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley 'Waiting on God'

Our deeds, our thoughts and actions, even our intentions are more often than not in our own understanding. The things we started to think about but dismissed. The things we've added to our lives that we don't see anything wrong with. We see them as things to enjoy but don't see that they might be really impeding our walk with Jesus. 

In what Paul wrote to Titus we read how young men are to be and see that building progression to what one is to be as a mature man. We read in James of the tongue...and know what Jesus said was the literal heart of the matter...from out of our hearts comes everything and we know it finds its way to our lips. 

We have to ask Jesus what the strongholds are, what the idols are, what is impeding our walk with Jesus because we cannot trust ourselves to know on our own. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 are quotes by themselves a lot but include verse 7 add verse 13.

"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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding." Proverbs 3:5-7.

When we read, understand these things and add in Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Things take a different turn in our understanding. 

The often missed thing in the Gospels is the Disciples seeking out where Jesus went. Seeking Him should be our thought of the day. 

I completely agree with Dr. Stanley on the spiritual truth that we cannot trust ourselves to be fully honest with ourselves about everything pertaining to ourselves with regards to sin's utter sinfulness.

Seemingly innocent things are taking us away from giving our whole heart to Jesus. We are insensitive to the point that the thought won't ever cross our minds. 

Read that again.  

We have allowed things in our lives to shape our attitudes towards ourselves and others...by our own understanding. Not by way of the Word of God because we've never considered or conceived in our understanding to ask God what He says about these things. We understand them as fun and harmless...why?...think about this HARD...because the WORLD says they are harmless! 

We can more easily let the world sway our thinking and what maturity is in Christ than to seek out and apply what the Bible says that we're to live as, as Ambassadors for Christ.

When some think of the helmet of salvation...this helmet has a mouth guard, it isn't a hard hat. It protects the head all over. 

We can be so easily swayed by people, both the mislead Believers as well as well meaning unbelieving in our lives. This takes us directly to taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We aren't to be wise in our own eyes but seek out the will of God for us. We cannot trust our hearts to make the right choices on our own. God's will for each of us in Christ is our sanctification. Our becoming more like Jesus rather than our world in which we live. 

Have you asked Jesus what strongholds that are in your life that need to go? Don't think you have any? There's your first mistake. We all are human and live among humans therefore everyone is either on the Lord’s side or the devil's side. 

Seemingly innocent stuff keeps the Word of God from progressing through our world. People see us n don't see Jesus...to our shame and dishonor. 

Stop and reflect. Stop and ask Jesus to show you what's a stronghold, what really is an idol in 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 

Be Sure, Then Living It.

Being Sure, Then Living It.

by David Brenneman 

"To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Titus 1:15-16.

“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.’ [46] These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”" Matthew 25:31-46.

We are speedily arriving to that date set by the Father’s own authority.  

Being sure of your salvation ought to be on our minds at least in part, once confirmed, move on to the still greater things that awaits us. We do not want to learn 1 second after the Rapture of the Church that what we thought we believed in was false and not a life lived in faith in the Son of God. 

There's so-called churches these days where the so-called pastors and so-called leaders are not preaching the whole counsel of God. They are not mentioning the Name of Jesus. They do not at all have altar calls to ask if anyone would like to come to Christ for salvation. There's so-called churches who ignore the Word of God where it clearly states that those who live a life practicing homosexuality will not see Heaven. Some of those erroneously profess to be preachers of the Word. All such teaching is found in what the Bible says is the doctrines of demons. AI, artificial intelligence, has found its way into the pulpit. AI generated preachers. The use of AI to create sermons. People by the millions are being mislead. These people believe they are saved and yet will be those on His left being told to depart for He never knew them.  

You can't be stiff-necked, stubbornly living your life your way and claim to be living life as a true Christ-follower. That way lay the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. That way leads to the path to Hell. 

We cannot live life both ways either. We cannot live for Jesus on a Sunday morning then go live the rest of the week in whatever way we want. In doing that we are telling Jesus "Thanks for saving me, I got it from here...".

Are you sure of your salvation in Christ? Are you living as though it's true? Is it seen in every part of your life by others? Can the world see enough of the character of Christ Jesus in your life to convict you of being a Christian?  

Are you drawn to seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness? 

Are you removing things from your heart and mind that are taking what belongs to Jesus and you've been giving to idols? No that's not something strictly Old Testament or early Church New Testament. Idolatry is a flourishing vibrant problem in our world today. Escapism to fantasy worlds in virtual reality in movies and books.  

Lying to ourselves as to what constitutes an idol. Lying to ourselves as to what's really getting our love and devotion other than Jesus. 

My Dear Reader we still as yet have a sin nature that's bent on getting us to lie to ourselves about everything from whether or not we're truly saved all the way to whether or not something we're considering in our minds is a sin or not.

Be sure of your salvation then stand firm in it while being in the whole armor of God. Being intentional about our relationship with Jesus about everyone and everything else. A husband's wife and children should come next AFTER Jesus. A Wife's husband and children should come next AFTER Jesus. To a single person Jesus should always be the first and only one to get their heart. 

One second after the Rapture of the Church is too late my friend. Perhaps you have read of the parable of the wheat and the tares. Tares are false wheat. Looks like wheat, acts like wheat while it grows yet is all-in-all worthless. Being sown with the true wheat it believes it is real and doesn't look for anything more. The parable tells us that at the end of all things those tares, false Christians, will be judged and found deficient, having lacked a true relationship with Jesus through the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Be sure that you are saved. Don't risk an eternity of painful torment, eternal separation from God, because of a warm feeling we once had. Don't let your past keep you from asking Jesus to save you. Every type and kind of sinner has come to Christ for salvation and none have been turned away. Don't let your present keep you from asking Jesus to save you. Cleaning people is what His righteousness does. 

"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.

We are to be lights in this world we live in. If we've come to Christ for salvation then in everything we ought to be living life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. If people see us as no different than anyone else then we are failing at being an Ambassador for Christ.  

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror of Truth found only in Christ.  

Be sure, then live it out loud.  

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