A Scribe on the Wall

Several years ago now, I believe that God gave me a message, He would be telling me things and it was up to me to tell others. To me, it's much like the Watchman on the Wall as described in the Old Testament. The Watchman was told that it was on him to warn others about any approaching dangers. God's apparently gifted me with being able to type and write. So I put the old definition of a writer along with the concept of a watchman together. Jesus is coming soon...are you ready?

Saturday, April 11, 2026

What We Asked For

by David Brenneman

"Tell me what charges you have against me." (Job 10:2)

O tested soul, perhaps the Lord is sending you through this trial to develop your gifts. You have some gifts that would never have been discovered if not for trials. Do you not know that your faith never appears as great in the warm summer weather as it does during a cold winter? Your love is all too often like a fire-fly, showing very little light except when surrounded by darkness. And hope is like the stars-unseen in the sunshine of prosperity and only discovered during a night of adversity. Afflictions are often the dark settings God uses to mount the jewels of His children's gifts, causing them to shine even brighter.

Wasn't itjust a short time ago that on your knees you prayed, "Lord, I seem to have no faith. Please show me that I do"? Wasn't your prayer, even though you may not have realized it at the time, actually asking for trials? For how can you know if you have faith, until your faith is exercised? You can depend upon the fact that God often sends trials so our gifts may be discovered and so we may be certain of their existence. And there is more than just discovering our gifts -we experience real growth in grace as another result of our trials being sanctified by Him.

God trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury but by causing them to endure lengthy marches and difficult service He makes them wade across streams, swim through rivers, climb

mountains, and walk many tiring miles with heavy backpacks.

Dear Christian, could this not account for the troubles you are now experiencing? Could this not be the reason He St dealing with you? Charles H. Spurgeon.

Being left alone by Satan is not evidence of being blessed.

-Streams in the Desert, L.B. Cowman.

In the lives of Christians everywhere is the desire of an increase in our faith.

Seeking such a path in life also will guarantee an increase in trials and tribulations. Jesus told us that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom. Acts 14:22.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5.

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:19.

Can we really expect a life of ease and comfort when it's through such things as these we enter into the Kingdom?

Can we really think this?

Jesus went through many tribulations while here on Earth. Especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. Likewise while being beaten and scourged. Let is not forget the pinnacle, His being nailed to a cross.

We shouldn't expect anything less than for class to always be in session with our lives in Christ. The Advocate, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, was brought not just to seal us for the day of Christ Jesus in salvation, but to teach us-bringing to remembrance all that Jesus taught.

Our lives are hidden in Christ Jesus...and our sanctification is an ongoing process until we are through with this physical life and step into Heaven.

While yes we read in Psalms 23 of being made to rest...it's not going to last forever in this life. It's meant as a respite until the next challenge we need to face to grow in Christ Jesus.

Becoming more like Jesus Christ is to be our ambition in our lives. To have the fruit of the Spirit shining in our lives. To see to it that the Father is glorified.

And it's a hefty process.

It's going to stretch us.

It's meant to.

While in school, year-upon-year, teachers stretched our minds to learn and explore new ideas and concepts.

The Spirit of God will do oh so much more in each of us.

Paul wrote of only some of the things that he endured for the cross of Jesus Christ. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ is how he put it.

We too ought to think better of the things we go through, as long as we're going through it for the right reasons.

Be sure of your salvation...and be sure of the things that you're going through aren't really self-inflicted.

We are to glorify God in our bodies.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5.

Keep in the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6).

Keep in prayer.

Keep in mind that what we're to be going through is to glorify our Father in Heaven.

Be on guard.

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.

Lastly...“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." Matthew 24:42.

We ought to be living lives in readiness for Jesus to return for us. Making the most of every opportunity.

Suit up in the whole armor of God.

We're in training and we will be challenged to grow in Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, April 10, 2026

More Than Time to Get in the Game

by David Brenneman

"In other words, God has chosen the specific era, location, and giftedness with which you would exist for the purpose of serving Him. You are not a mistake-your strengths, weaknesses, and situation in life are part of His plan to be glorified through you. Your

ministry does not start sometime in the future when your circumstances change. It begins the moment you believe in Christ. Serve Him obediently with this in view."

"I have a right to..."

"What about my rights?"

"When is it my turn to..."

"But what about me? When do I..."

These thoughts are very much in the world today as well as many others like these. In this, it's as prolific in the Church as it is outside of it.

People are indoctrinated into selfishness from a young age with many parents doing nothing to curb it in the very young. So it becomes a greater problem as they grow older.

Our world isn't what the world wants us to believe about it. It's not global warming. It's not social injustice. It's not racial inequality. It is a sin cursed world and the days of judgment by God through Jesus Christ are coming.

We who are among the saved in Christ Jesus are not to be wasting our days here on Earth that we've been given. We cannot afford to be living for self when the world around us is heading quickly for the Great Tribulation.

We can't afford to keep calling sins 'mistakes'. Nobody is in Hell due to mistakes. They chose to reject Jesus and died in their own sins.

We, you and I, were born in this here this now to live a life in Christ in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. To live in such a way that people want to know why we're different and to show them how to find what we found in Jesus.

We do ourselves and the cause of Christ a grave injustice when our selfish nature rises up when we ought to be silencing it.

We ought to be completely aligned with what the Bible calls sin and avoid it. We are to be living examples of Jesus to the world in which we find ourselves.

People ought to see the fruit of the Spirit in us. People ought to recognize something more in us than the world is offering.

How can we ever expect to hear "Well done!" from Jesus when we haven't been striving to please Him in all that we do, say, or think?

Why? Why are we doing so little to be committed to the calling by which we have been called? Why is it so difficult to consistently be in the Bible every day yet we can check up on movies, sports scores and stories, news stories, a Facebook newsfeed, a plethora of videos? Why is it we are falling for what's tripping up the rest of the world so easily?

I am not here simply harping...I have to look in the mirror too. I have by no means arrived any more than others in Christ.

It's a constant daily challenge to stay consistent. To persevere when life's showing an easy way to get by or go through seasons of life.

We can't afford to just accept the world's ideologies or definitions to life's difficulties either. There ARE demon possessed people in our lives today. Some may be out in the world when we leave our homes, some may be in our homes.

In Ephesians Paul is writing about how to engage the world from a spiritual perspective. We need to be fully devoted, fully committed, to suiting up in the whole armor of God each and every day. The implication in how he was lead to write it by the Spirit is that suiting up in the whole armor of God has to begin when we wake up. Right where we are...immediately...not later after we've had coffee or tea or whatever morning beverage.

We are among the called out ones to be walking in a manner worthy of our calling.

Do you really want shame to be your covering when you give an account of your life before Jesus?

How do you think you're going to feel when all these times you kept convincing yourself that you were making mistakes, you get shown that no, you were sinning instead?

Jesus has so much more in store for all who believe and are willing to put obedience first in their lives in everything they do.

We aren't part-time Christians either. We aren't to only live holy lives when we're in Church and live as we want the rest of the time.

Are you striving to please Jesus in all that you do? Are you committed to obeying God? Are you suited up in the whole armor of God? Are you seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness? Are you asking Him for whatever is next for you to be doing?

We were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we're to always glorify God in our bodies.

We need to ask the Spirit to open our eyes to the truth of what God says needs to go from our lives.

Why such talk in this message? It matters to God! The Jewish Leaders redefined the Law in many ways and oppressed the Jewish people and Jesus called them out concerning it. They wrote hundreds of extra things to be in control over the people. As Christians we should not be redefining anything in order to keep from calling what God says is sin as being anything else.

We are to confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is never translated confessing our mistakes.

Striving to please Him in all that you do. There's the motivation for a Godly life in Christ.

Time is running out. As soon as the Church of Jesus Christ is complete there is then no longer any reason for Jesus to delay in returning.

Get in the game. Get suited up and engage. Let your light shine in such a way that people see your good works and so glorify our Father in Heaven.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Thursday, April 9, 2026

A Life that Always Honors Christ

by David Brenneman

What to do with your time? Let's take it a little bit deeper. Who's time is it that you're spending? Who's to be directing your life? Who's to be choosing what you're to be doing? Is there to be a worldly view of retirement for a Believer?

The answers to these are possibly more than some want to acknowledge. Most in this world view retirement as a right that they earn or have earned and that they have a right to the rest of their days spent doing whatever they want.

Scripture seems to point to something different. Paul's exhortation to the Churches was to run the race, that is life in Christ, as one seeking to win the prize. In no race ever held has there been drastic changes of intensity simply on account of an age being achieved.

We do know that there's Biblical evidence that the scope of what we do in Christ changing in later years but never should our service cease.

Most assuredly we are supposed to do everything we do as unto the Lord...with our everything.

What brought this to mind, I do not know, other than what I've been reading in Leviticus in my morning readings and the New Testament in my evening reading.

We are to continue in serving Christ in whatever capacity the Spirit sees fit. We are placed in the body of Christ as He sees fit as well as our vocations in life.

Truly does any Believer want to have an excuse, when standing before Jesus, that after they hit their retirement years that they just stopped and took it easy rather than continuing to serve Him for all He's done for them?

Biblical rest for a Believer is when we step into Heaven. My thoughts, personally, used to go either way concerning retirement. Used to be something that you were taught to look forward to and usually, if we're truly being honest, for selfish reasons. To spend it on ourselves.

Biblical examples show us that we are indeed to keep seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. Which must include however we're to continue serving. Be it ending one job and beginning another or whatever it is that the Spirit directs us to be doing.

There's nobody saved in Christ Jesus who will ever be able to do enough for all Jesus did to save them. We are to love because He first loved us. We are to follow Him in His example of a servant's heart.

We are to run the race with endurance. That race that's set before us.

Does it say anything, anywhere, in the Bible that anything we do for Jesus is allowed to be done half-hearted? Less than with our everything?

Serving may take on a different appearance but it should never cease. Especially for selfish reasons.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19.

"If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:17-19.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23-24.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain.

He washed it white as snow.

Consider these thoughts today and where your heart is. Jesus said that where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Is your treasure in Heaven? Is your motivation to spend every moment of your life approved by Jesus? Are you in this race with Jesus with your everything for Jesus?

There's many things that we must give up in order to lead a life well pleasing to God. The Scriptures are clear that this world is going to pass away but His Word will never pass away.

Our lives will be tested by the fires of Truth. All that is wood, hay, stubble, will be burned up. Incinerated. Obliterated. Annihilated. Shown to have been an utter waste of the time, energy and efforts we gave such things that weren't glorifying to Him.

It's insanely easy to live for self.

It's insanely easy to justify our actions and thoughts.

Remember the words of Jesus. "Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven".

Think about how much of your thoughts and actions are benefiting the cross of Jesus Christ and how much isn't. How much of your life is Christ shining in a dark place and how much is being hidden under a basket.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Never Compare

by David Brenneman

"But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another." Galatians 6:4.

6:4-Refuse to fall to the trap of comparing yourself to other people or competing with them to see who is the better Christian. We are all de-

pendent upon God's grace for every good thing in our lives, including our growth (see James 1:17). Rather, measure your progress according to the Lord's standards and make sure that you are walking in accordance with His will. Because then instead of undermining others because of jealousy, you will reach out in compassion and minister to them as Christ would. (Notes from the Life Principles Bible, Dr. Charles Stanley.

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:17.

It's an easy thing to do, this comparing yourself to others. We live in a society that, for decades, has pushed comparing yourself to other's in their successes and their failures. That you need to measure yourself against something or someone to know where you stand.

In Christ, we all stand before Jesus Christ with His righteousness being seen and not our own. There's nothing to compare that to for any who are indeed among the saved in Christ.

We do ourselves and others a serious disservice by following the world's ideologies in this. We likewise should never be introducing such things to new believers either.

We are all on the same playing field. We are all walking in step with the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We do not see a single instance of Jesus acknowledging or condoning any kind of competitive spirit between the Disciples. In fact He teaches the exact opposite.

It's where we learned about servant leadership. It's how we learned that Jesus didn't come to be who the Jews really wanted Him to be.

There's this and other such opposites to consider.

"And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”" Matthew 20:24-28.

We are to come along side of others in the faith to lift them up, to be an encouragement, to help them along the way in their becoming more like Jesus Christ. It's not a competition, it's a compassionate caring to see others becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

We began our sanctification when we came to Christ. We continue it while we yet live. We will see it's completion when we stand before Jesus in His Heaven. That is the path of life for all who claim the Name of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

We damage ourselves and our thinking when we begin this comparison game. We begin to be blinded to the damage we do to ourselves and others. We alienate people because we spoke or acted without consideration for the consequences of the same.

"But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." 1 Corinthians 8:9.

"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. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Romans 14:13-22.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain." Philippians 2:14-16.

So my Dear Reader, we need to be careful. Paul only used food as an example because of the particular audience he was addressing but the concept aligns with everything in the world.

We shouldn't give a hint of anything by words or deeds that causes someone to stumble.

Paul, if he knew, caused someone to stumble he says he would never do it ever again.

We could hardly do worse to be more sensitive to the needs of others. Meeting them in their time of need and not ignoring what our hearts in Christ are showing us that we need to be doing or saying.

While we do read of Paul's exhortation to run the race as to win the prize...it's a singular race. Our running with Jesus and nobody else. Jesus always wins but we are to only compare ourselves to Him in how we are progressing in the sanctifying transforming work He began in us.

Are you someone who prays with an honest heart? Are you one who listens for the word of the Spirit of God in your life?

Or are you listening to others instead? Are you following other's bad examples of how literally not to live a right and acceptable life in Christ?

Don't be fooled...these erroneous concepts are being introduced and have been in many many churches who all claim that there's nothing wrong with them. Paul wrote of the last days when such things would be preached and taught as good things.

We are to bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. If you're into comparing yourself you're not to likely to be considering other above yourself.

Look at your relationships and consider those whom you're not in a relationship with any longer. Consider if there's evidence that your erroneous thinking or actions lead to where that relationship is today. Is God honored by you in how you might have introduced comparing yourself to other's?

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Are You? Really?

by David Brenneman

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25 CSB.

"My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend;" Proverbs 7:1-4.

"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.

"Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” John 21:22.

Was something similar that my Saturday Men's Group leader says to us often "keep pace with the Savior". Here in the Christian Standard Bible it reads to "keep in step" with the Spirit.

In 1890, E. W. Blandy wrote "Where He Leads Me" and its so fitting this morning to keeping in step with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

"I can hear my Savior calling,

I can hear my Savior calling,

"Take thy cross and follow, follow Me."

2 I'll go with Him through the garden,

I'll go with Him through the garden,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.

3 I'll go with Him through the judgment,

I'll go with Him through the judgment,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.

4 He will give me grace and glory,

He will give me grace and glory,

and go with me, with me all the way.

5 Where He leads me I will follow,

where He leads me I will follow,

I'll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Are you in step with Jesus or are you more about doing your own thing each day? Do you check in your Bible to see if what you've been taught and told is true to God's Word?

A very big sign of the end times is false teachers in the churches of the world. Note that I did not say the professing Church. There's practically countless churches out there who've been taken in by the false teachers of this world.

We can only spot such heresies by knowing the Word of God ourselves. We can only know if we've been deceived if we know what God's own truth, the Word of God, says.

There in Proverbs 7 King Solomon begins giving instruction that if heeded will keep one from such lies about life and living.

We can so easily be as swayed as the world when the lies it spreads are as decorated desserts.

This world is filled with dangers, toils, and snares these days that are beyond more than it was even 10 years ago. AI, artificial intelligence, has wormed its way into churches. From behind the scenes in sermons and sermon preparation, to the music and songs used.

We have to stand firm in the Lord.

We must test the things taught and presented by the world, especially those from within our churches, to be sure they 100% match up with the truth found only in God's Word.

We must keep the whole armor of God on in every waking moment of our daily lives. We are, after all, soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ. We are to take up our own cross and follow Him. Not just on a few hours of a day or two but at all times in all places.

We should never participate in the deeds of darkness in this world. We should never practice what the world without Christ enjoys without measure.

We should be taking the time to write on the tablets of our hearts the living Word of God.

Are you? Do you commit time to be in God's Word daily? Is it your number one priority? Do you seek Jesus in prayer? Are you committed to what it is God's called you to be doing in your life for Christ?

My Dear Reader...these things are what will survive the fires of truth when we stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him.

Everything that we've done NOT for Christ will be shown to have been a colossal waste of time as it's consumed by the fires of His truth.

"Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3.

"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalms 37:5.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

"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.

Many of the letters written that we have in the New Testament address false teachers and false leaders. The stage may have changed but the problem still remains. We cannot blindly take in teaching without seeing if it s so by the Word of God.

When we walk with the Lord

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a burden we bear,

not a sorrow we share,

but our toil he doth richly repay;

not a grief or a loss,

not a frown or a cross,

but is blest if we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

3 But we never can prove

the delights of his love

until all on the altar we lay;

for the favor he shows,

for the joy he bestows,

are for them who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

4 Then in fellowship sweet

we will sit at his feet,

or we'll walk by his side in the way;

what he says we will do,

where he sends we will go;

never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

-Trust and Obey, John H. Sammis 1887

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, April 6, 2026

Your Mission in Life

by David Brenneman

My point of still being alive today is the same as it is for YOU, as long as you have salvation in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins that is.

I am to be intentional about my days to both live them in the character of Christ and to grow with respect to my salvation. To grow in Christ...so should you be.

It's not about how many places we can visit, nor how many books we can read. It's not about what sports that we know the most about. Nor has it anything to do with the television or movies or games that are out in the world.

Jesus taught His disciples to always live for the obedience due God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

While I do have, much as I am certain you do as well, have a bucket list. Things you want to do or experience before you die.

While my list is mostly possible, it's not a priority to me. What God wants of me and for me is to grow in Christ. To live my life in Christ Jesus in such a way that people see the works that I do and glorify my Father in Heaven.

The world is ever increasing in its abilities to distract people from spiritual growth. AI is being treated as a miracle of humanity to grant all kinds of things.

Cell phone addiction is a real thing. AI conversations are a daily thing for most even if that don't realize that's what they're doing. The culture is creating a multitude of groups of people to keep the masses preoccupied with anything but a life in Christ.

It takes discipline to shut off the world and to focus on growing in Christ. Are you willing to accept such discipline to become what Jesus wants for you?

Are you willing to give of your best to the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ?

Have you fallen for the lies of the world, of Satan, that you deserve the things that preoccupy your life that have nothing to do with what your being saved has anything to do with?

Do you live a life that is truly looking forward to hearing how well you did living for Jesus? Or have you settled for less? Are you settling for less when the Spirit wants to do more with you?

The Spirit wants to grow you in Christ. Wants you to glorify God all that you say and do.

Question is: Do you truly want the same?

Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit of God showing in you?

You and I must daily, throughout the day, make choices that ought to be directed towards seeking God's approval with our lives.

I can do many things but I need to do whatever the Spirit directs me to be doing. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and obey His commands.

Are you listening for His voice? Are you obeying in what you're commanded to be doing, saying or thinking?

We all will give an account of our lives before Jesus...in all likelihood there will be people who will see their lives amount to very little.

You need to make Godly choices but you can only do that by being intentional about learning what constitutes a Godly choice.

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

Praying at all times. Intent on obedience. Spending time in prayer. Spending time in the Word of God.

We've been shown clearly what we should be doing, saying and thinking...it's on us to follow Jesus...it's on us to obey.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Risen and Returning

by David Brenneman

This morning is the 7 year anniversary of starting this blog. The message of it has never changed. To point people to Jesus or show them that He's willing and ready to have those who've gone astray come back to Him.

My thoughts this morning are rather intense, heavy, even.

While I still have much of the song "More About Jesus" in my mind, "He Took My Place" is there as well. Along with Cece Winans "Come Jesus Come".

The Easter message isn't just that the only possible way for salvation to be accomplished had happened in the person of Jesus Christ, but that the certainty of His former promise was now on the table.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3.

With Jesus fulfilling all that the Scriptures said about Him, we now have the gift of salvation available to all who would call upon His Name to be saved.

We are not at all automatically saved.

We must choose to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins.

We can never get to Heaven without Jesus's crucifixion at the heart of everything. We cannot ever do enough good to satisfy the penalty of even a single sin let alone a lifetime of them.

My Dear Reader, let today be the first day of the rest of your life in Christ. If you haven't made that choice to ask Jesus to come into your life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life, you ARE going to die in your sins. Your next destination after dying is never going to be Heaven. Jesus plainly said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.

If indeed you have come to Christ but haven't been living it, make today that day that you came back to Him. Everyone, at one time or another, has been that Prodigal Son or Prodigal Daughter. Sometimes several times in their lifetime.

Jesus is right there waiting with open arms to receive you back.

I would encourage you all to look up the song "When God Ran". Many years ago it certainly did drop me to my knees when I realized that song was about me.

Jesus Christ is coming back soon. Everyone who names the name of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior will one day be taken from this world and into His waiting arms. The rest of this world will begin to see the full judgment of God being brought upon mankind.

Come to Christ while He as yet may be found!

He is RISEN!

He IS coming again!

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

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