Your True Daily Life

Your True Daily Life 

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. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.

From Trusting God with Today by Dr. Charles Stanley. 

     Every morning when you wake up, whether you realize it or not, you are at war. Many believers acknowledge this but don't take it as seriously as they should. When we talk about spiritual warfare, however, we must remember that daily we face face a a real and personal battle with spiritual forces that are trying to defeat us. Failure to recognize this has resulted in painful losses for even the

most dedicated Christians. Just when they think they have an area

of sinfulness conquered, it rises back up to overpower them again.

     Perhaps you've experienced this and wonder, If Scripture is as

mighty as God has promised, then why am I still facing defeat? The

problem isn't that the Word is lacking in power-it's that we do not

always understand how to clothe ourselves in it to fight effectively.

It's not merely something we can quote when we feel vulnerable

though that's always a great thing to do. Rather, it's both a defensive

and offensive weapon that must become an active and daily part of

each area of our lives, And if you wield it correctly, it will not only

protect you but will put your every enemy on the run.

Jesus, show me how to use Your Word as an effective weapon of spiritual warfare. Amen. 

------------------------

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“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.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Galatians 2:20.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

The foundation Scriptures today in addition to what Dr. Stanley taught in his devotional from yesterday place us in a different position from the rest of the world. 

We are at war in the spirit world along with everyone else who's come to Christ. 

We are to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ every waking moment, from the moment our eyes open until we hit the pillow in sleep at night. Dawn to dusk we are on call as Ambassadors for Christ. 

We don't take PTO, personal time off, from being an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.

We aren't to ever take off the whole armor of God. We are supposed to be taking in the Word of God daily in order to hide His Word in our hearts so that we may not sin against God. 

We are to contemplate, meditate, on the Word of God in order for it to transform our hearts and minds. 

We cannot fight a spiritual war with physical means.  

Understanding the truth of what we face each day in light of the Scriptures is what allows people to see Jesus in us and not us.

When we speak or act, will people see Jesus or see us?  

When we pray, we need to pray that we think, act and live in the character of Christ so that He may receive all the honor and glory. 

Yes, it's going to mean leaving things of this world behind. 

“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11.

I honestly have been around children wise beyond their years spiritually and around adults who are as children spiritually. 

Peter and all the Disciples learned to let go of everything, not just what they thought was everything, in order to follow Jesus. 

Ever the impetuous, presumptuous, one, Peter had declared to Jesus that they had left everything to follow Him...and learned that they really hadn't yet. 

You may think you have given everything you are to Jesus...but if you are trusting you to define what everything means...then like Peter...you have a lot to learn on what God says is everything. I know enough to know that I don't know to what extent everything of me is in Christ yet...but I have learned to be in a position to ask and not trust me in this.

Many Believer's don't understand just what everything means in Christ. 

They don't understand the full extent of totally forgiving others is.

They don't understand the true meaning of fully devoted follower of Jesus yet.  

They don't place the immense importance of being in the Word of God is yet.  

Then wonder why life isn't really content as Paul said he learned contentment to be.

There's many things that I have learned to walk away from that honestly I found enjoyment in that were in truth opposed to the will of God for me. I couldn't represent Christ and indulge in those things. I couldn't grow in Christ and participate in those things. I couldn't honor Christ and His sacrifice on the cross and keep those things in my life. I couldn't be the Ambassador of Christ and be those things or include those things in my life too. 

My Dear Reader to understand what I just said took understanding the spiritual war that I am in. Satan's schemes cannot remove the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ from my life but his schemes fully involve trying to keep me from growing in Christ and representing Him well in my world. 

The same goes for you. 

You may, as I did, really enjoy the things in your life. But if you are truly failing as an Ambassador of Christ by keeping them in your life then get rid of them. Don't trust yourself and your thoughts on what is right and wrong. Of what is tripping you up and what you're convinced isn't.

Keep the full armor of God on at all times. Keep yourself in the Word of God daily. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness daily. Look objectively at your choices of what you say you enjoy in your life...is It tarnishing your walk with Jesus?

We will be giving an account of our lives before Him for how we obeyed and lived as His Ambassadors.

You need to acknowledge and accept the full truth about what is going on in your life as you live it.

We are at war and we are representing Christ everywhere and in everything. 

If the world only sees us...we're failing. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

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 

Never Alone

Never Alone 

by David Brenneman 

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

“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.

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ” Romans 8:31.

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”” Hebrews 13:5.

“The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.” Psalms 46:7.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

How often do we admit that we feel like we are alone? How often do we feel that kind of despair?

Keep this list of passages handy. Along with the other's the first few points to His promises to us and that He keeps His word to not just those who believe but to those who rejected Him as well. 

When we face uncertainty, face grief, face abuse, face mankind, we can feel as though we're going it all alone. 

The promises of God are forever. 

Learning to do life differently in Christ is going to take some time to adjust to. 

The Disciples had to be retrained concerning what they knew to be their truth from birth to what God's truth said concerning them and the world in which they lived. 

Jesus spoke to them of what the battles ahead for them were going to look like. Of how these battles wouldn't really be fought in the physical world but on spiritual battlefields.  

My Dear Reader your battles take place in the same places. That same Jesus who assured them assures us. That same Jesus who went through everything we read of the cross and arose again to conquer sin, death and the grave and encouraged the Disciples also is there to encourage us.

We can get fixated on our issues and forget we aren't alone in them.

We can get comfortable with the pain when Jesus keeps saying "Give that to Me".

We can "suffer in silence" rather than cry out to Jesus "help me!".

We can be insufferably stubborn about our lives and whatever is going on in them to go it alone when we who are in Christ were never meant to go it alone. 

We likewise can "enjoy" such successes in life that we are still going it alone apart from the relationship with Jesus that we were supposed to be having. 

A Disciple, from sun up to sundown, walks with their Master to learn to walk in their ways. All the while denying themselves and their wants and desires in favor of what's to be learned. 

The Master, our Master and Lord Jesus Christ, assures them and us, that the Disciple who follows fully won't be alone.  

My Dear Reader...really consider, really really consider what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Really think about what you experience and perceive about being alone or even in a crowd and align that with His truths about daily life in Christ. 

You may be going through what you think is the worst day of your life...He is there with you. 

You may be going through a mediocre day...He is there with you. 

You may be in a place of hurt and pain over whatever has happened in your life...He is still right there with you. 

Sometimes in my life I have just prayed for Jesus to just hold me.

Sometimes my only prayer was "Help!".

If you are among the saved in Christ Jesus...He is always right with you. He is the promise keeper. 

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 Path of Life for You

The Path of Life for You
by David Brenneman

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

“There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19.

“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalms 23:3.

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” Proverbs 4:18.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34.

A peaceful life is what most people seek and say that they want and desire yet they don't let go of the literally unrighteous things that infest their lives to gain this.

Scripture is extremely explicit and extremely clear on who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“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.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

“and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Revelation 21:27.

Yet so many of us try to keep so many things in our lives that do nothing to keep us on the path of righteousness.  The race set before us is this same said path on righteousness.  One and the same.

Removing whatever is causing us to drift from that path of righteousness should be what we desire...just as it's the Spirit’s desire for us.

We cannot embrace what the world likes or loves or accepts as truth and embrace the living Word of God as truth as well.

Jesus clearly said you cannot serve two masters.  You will love one and hate the other.  Cling to one and despise the other.

We know what makes for a right relationship with Jesus.  We know what is wrong for us to pursue.  So why do we do it?  We know what idolatry is and yet many professing Believer's engage in it all while denying that's what it is.  Scripture condemns their thoughts on this matter!  While there is indeed no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...we completely dishonor His life and sacrifice by embracing such things.

We need to take this race set before us as seriously as our heartbeats within us.

We need to agree with Jesus on what is wrong and should be never named among those claiming to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We need to shed every encumbrance that is weighing us down from running to the best of our ability in the Lord.

Look at the character of those in the early Church.  They didn't care what it was...they didn't care of how they would be perceived...they destroyed whatever it was that was an encumbrance to running the race set before them.

They laid it all down, took up their own cross and followed Jesus.

Can we remotely say we have done the same?

Are you lying to yourself about the things you've embraced in your life from the world?

Are you trying to live life your way and the way the Spirit is leading you to live?

Are you honestly finding it that you're fighting the Spirit of God because of what you won't let go of? 

My Dear Reader...is the life you're choosing to keep living your way going to burn up completely when you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life before Him?  A life shown to be a waste because you knew how He wanted you to live and you chose the world's way anyway?

Consider these words and see if in your heart of hearts they apply to you.

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

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

Your Life, His Plan for You

Your Life, His Plan for You 

by David Brenneman 

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

“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,” Ephesians 6:10-19.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” Isaiah 6:8.

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

Matthew 11:28-30.

“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.

There's a partial pattern in all the Scriptures that we just read...a pattern that is to be the life of the Believer in Christ Jesus. 

The Christian life. 

Let us not neglect as well this part: 

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

The point of view we have about living in the world should be that of a transformed life. A life that, regardless of the situation, reflects Christ and shows the world to whom we belong. 

We don't have time for side tracks when we're running the race set before us.  

We don't have all the learning in the Lord that we need for each day because the days keep changing. 

Thank God He stays the same. 

As a Disciple of Christ we are to take up our own cross and follow Him. The point heavily implied that we aren't putting it down again. 

We do have a day set before us...are we going to show ourselves and others the light of Jesus Christ or show them our version of life?

Are they going to see Jesus or our temper?

Are they going to hear Jesus or hear our outburst of anger over things that don't matter in God's economy?

Are they going to see Jesus or see us obviously not at our best since anything less than Jesus being seen isn't going to be good?

My Dear Reader...the opening passages reflect just part of the life of a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. A life that's changed. A life that's different.

What does your life really show the world in what you believe?

Jesus wasn't being mean to Peter when He said "What is that to you? You follow Me!".

Regardless of persons or circumstances that's our calling in Christ: You follow Me!

Many Christians don't have a vibrant study life in the Scriptures.

Ignorance will not be an excuse when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him. We will see we had every opportunity to be in His Word. 

Claiming to not have had the time will not be an excuse when He will show us just how much time He gave us that we wasted.

You, if you claim the Name of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior...have a life in Christ set before you that will honor and glorify God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ if we live it His way. 

Getting rid of every encumbrance and sin that weighs us down. 

We get so used to these encumbrances that we don't realize we have them.  

Just how seriously, how personal, is your walk with Jesus? Is He getting your first fruits of your time, energy and effort or the leftovers? 

Are you honoring Him in words, thoughts and actions or?

Pray that He renew a steadfast spirit in you. Pray that He shows you what needs to go, what needs to change and then do it. Pray for those in authority over you. Pray without ceasing...that is bring everything to God in prayer that concerns you. 

As a Believer in Jesus Christ, you DO have a race set before you. 

Are you standing around or are you focused on it?  

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 Present The Future

The Present The Future 

by David Brenneman 

“My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 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. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.”

Proverbs 3:1-35.

From a Facebook post:

Me: "God this makes no sense!"

God: "It's not supposed to. It's supposed to grow your faith."

The days, months, weeks and even years after any election day are fraught with many questions and doubts about why this person or that person won out or why this issue passed but that one didn't. 

It is all in God's hands no matter our thoughts on the matter. What happens in the affairs of man are to abide by the Word of God and His plans for mankind.  

We may not now nor maybe never understand this side of Heaven but whatever happens the Scriptures say that it is He who establishes kingdoms and He removes them. He is the one whom puts people in power and He removes them. 

What's next for all who claim the Name of Jesus Christ is the same before such elections as afterwards. 

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” 1 Timothy 2:1-8.

Whatever in the Lord is what it is for each of us.

Whatever He desires. 

Whatever He deserves. 

Whatever He puts before us to do. 

Whatever it is...is for us to accomplish in His Name...to do with all our hearts as unto the Lord. 

We aren't representing political parties in this world. 

We, regardless of worldly activities, always represent Christ.

We may not understand and for these moments in our lives it's probably best we don't. Not that we can't or shouldn't pray for understanding it may not be given to us.

Life for the Believer is to trust and obey. Pray without ceasing. Leaning on the everlasting arms. Be who we are meant to be: representatives of Jesus Christ here on Earth. 

Before you allow joy or sadness grip you and take you down a path that might be before you...stop and pray. Ask, seek, knock. Ask for Jesus's point of view on what you see. Rest in the knowledge that He's in control. Go about your life reflecting Christ's light to this still lost world. 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.  

Fulfill your ministry.

Run the race set before you. 

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

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 

Oh, Look at the Time

Oh, Look at the Time 

by David Brenneman 

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

“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul is crushed with longing After Your ordinances at all times. You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, Who wander from Your commandments.” Psalms 119:11-21.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Does what interests your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ interest you?

Does knowing His Word have special meaning to you?

Do you set a time to be in God's Word daily? Over time, has that time grown? Better still, have you asked the Spirit what all He's thinking you should be studying?

We treasure, that is put immense value on, memories. We treasure what potential good memories that a subject stirs up within us.

But, My Dear Reader, are you valuing, treasuring, that which is most valuable to your Savior?

Read through the Gospels and an immense portion of these points to the Disciples learning to treasure what Jesus treasured. Learning to value what He valued. 

While saddened, grieved even, Jesus only ever wrote off one individual and that was because it did fulfill the Scriptures. Jesus warned all who opposed Him and the message from the Father.  

This aligns perfectly with the notion that as long as people are living there's hope towards salvation in Christ Jesus for them. 

Two treasures are mentioned. Treasuring the Word of God in our hearts and minds, and treasure in Heaven which is people.

The Word of God turns hearts and minds towards the will of God for us in Christ Jesus, then after salvation it turns our hearts and minds towards building up treasure in Heaven. 

We do ourselves a great disservice by neglecting the Word of God daily. 

You wouldn't go daily without eating or drinking water, but oh so many starve spiritually for lack of seek sustenance in prayer and the Word of God. 

People go through so much adversity looking for reasons why and the greatest is always to draw us nearer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

We cannot know or understand the hard times of life if we don't know the promises of God written for our benefit. 

We value so many things, ideas, concepts, even people, above learning more about how we're to run the race set before us as outlined in the Word of God. 

We essentially aren't reading the instructions before putting life together.

My Dear Reader...look at what you won't budge on in your life. Is time spent with Jesus one of them?  

Is time spent in the Word of God one of them?  

Do you spend hours on all kinds of things yet neglect the Lord your God?  

Does what you do get involved with actually bring out the worst part of you? You act, think, speak as one of the worst offenders of the gospel and call it 'fun' and 'entertaining'?

Yet you won't spend time in the Word of God to treasure it as that pearl of great price?  

We are supposed to be learning how to think, act, live like Jesus Christ in our part of the world by His grace and mercy. We cannot learn if we're not intentional about time with Jesus or time in His Word. We cannot learn what true treasure is unless we put value to what Jesus valued...which was humanity. 

We cannot become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ unless we take up our own cross and follow Him. We cannot learn what is truly valuable unless we learn from God's Word what is truly valuable in God's eyes.

Reset your priorities. Boldly ask Jesus to reprioritize your life. 

Seek to live the "Well Done!" life, not the "Whew...I barely made it!" 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 

The Days That Are Upon Us And Those That Are Coming

The Days That Are Upon Us And Those That Are Coming 

by David Brenneman 

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

“My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it.” Proverbs 2:1-22.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine And valiant men in mixing strong drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!” Isaiah 5:20-23.

“So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

Romans 14:12-14.

Would this ever be you? "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!””Isaiah 6:8.

Has there been a time, a moment, in your life where you found your calling in Christ and would let nothing and no one get in your way? 

If not, what all have you done to seek out what it is that you're called to be doing? For every single part of the body of Christ has their own divine purpose in Christ. 

Don't let worldly desires, pursuits, successes and failures, get you off of or away from the righteousness life that God desires for you. 

There's a lot in the opening passages but all is beneficial for you and I in Christ. As are all the Scriptures. 

We should never allow personal ambitions to be more important than whatever it is that we've been called to be doing in Christ. 

We should learn, through prayer and Godly counseling, what it is that the Spirit has placed you in the body of Christ to be doing and then to have the zeal of Isaiah to run with it, allowing nothing and no one, to keep you from your appointed task. 

Satan's schemes include influences to get Believer's to devalue their calling in Christ. 

His schemes include whatever manipulation he's permitted to use to get us to slow down or stop whatever we're doing in Christ. 

To get us to justify why we aren't running the race set before us so that when it's convinced us so that we won't look to blame him. 

Truthfully the worldly influences concerning employment have done great damage to the thoughts and intentions of Believer's in that it gets Believer's to truly think that there's an earthly end to ministry because of time spent doing it. 

The Scriptures do not support a Believer in Jesus Christ setting a end date of service out of anything other than an inability to continue. 

Running the race set before us means that race is on and continues until we either are called to come home or the Rapture of the Church. 

We have to give our all for that which we are here to be doing. Give of our best to our Master, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

We give the enemy an opportunity, a foothold if you will, in our lives when we entertain stopping the race He set before us, especially in light of worldly desires.

My Dear Reader, you, yes you, have a very pertinent, extremely valuable, position in the body of Christ to be fulfilled by you through His strength and His wisdom. 

We're going to be tempted to lay it down.  

We're going to be enticed to move on to less important things. 

Lest anyone consider the idea...the race set before us was established by God, the Spirit of God. 

No one, not even ourselves, especially ourselves, has the authority to put a stop to whatever the Spirit has called us to be doing in Christ. No one.

We should always have that zeal as Isaiah showed to pursue whatever Jesus wants of us. Knowing that we will give an account of our lives before Him. Knowing just what all He did on calvary to save us.  

We should indeed be looking for and removing every single encumbrance that is slowing us down in this race. 

We should be checking our hearts to be sure we are still fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. 

We should be checking to be sure our all is on the altar. 

We should be checking to be sure that any forms of idolatry are not found within us. 

We should be giving our best in this race He set before us. 

Yes it's going to mean saying no to lots of things.  

Relate today's post to this passage: "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.” Philippians 3:7-11.

The days in which you live are the race set before you. The days that are coming are yet still going to be that race and the thoughts and intentions of your heart regarding what you are called to be doing are going to be fully known when you stand before Jesus. 

Run the race set before 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