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?

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Never Alone, Ready to Listen

by David Brenneman

"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5.

"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.

"teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

"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.

A Priest passing through his church

In the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar to see who come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,

And a man came down the aisle,

The Priest frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was torn and shabby,

And his coat was worn and frayed,

The man knelt down and bowed his head, Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed at precisely noon, the Priest saw this man, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch box in his lap.

Well, the Priest’s suspicions grew,

With robbery a main fear, he decided to stop and ask the man,

'What are you doing here?'

The old man said he was a factory worker and lunch was half an hour

Lunchtime was his prayer time,

for finding strength and power.

I stay only a moment because the factory's far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS BEN, JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The Priest was feeling foolish,

Told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome to pray there anytime. "It's time to go, and thanks," Ben said as he hurried to the door.

Then the Priest knelt there at the altar, which he'd never done before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed down his cheeks, he repeated old Ben's prayer:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME, JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the Priest noticed that old Ben hadn't come.

As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,

learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Ben was with them,

brought changes in the ward.

His smiles and joy contagious.

Changed people were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand

why Ben could be so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.

The Priest stayed by his bed,

he voiced the nurse's concern:

No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile;

'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, He's been here all the while.'

Everyday at noon He comes here,

A dear friend of mine, you see,

He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, BEN, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. I THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS AND I LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, AND SO BEN, THIS IS JESUS,

JUST CHECKING IN TODAY .'

-Unsure of who to give credit to for this.

We often don't really think of the truth that Jesus is with us everywhere we go. We sometimes may be among those who aren't sure how to pray. We can invariably be among those who over-complicate what is supposed to be the simplicity of the Gospel message.

A simple raw truth prayer of mine of late takes me back to a much younger version of me when was scared and Jesus was there Himself just holding me.

I have met many people who are Christian's who struggle with praying. They don't know what to say. It's rather simple...speak from your heart. Jesus doesn't need overly long or overly complex prayers. He wants you to pray from your heart, no matter how it needs to come out. You, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, are in a growing relationship with Jesus. It takes time for all relationships to grow.

We don't need flowery speeches.

We don't need long orations.

We just need simplicity.

Just as the gospel is presented so that even children can understand it...so can and should our prayers be. We are learning who our Savior is. We are learning how to walk this walk of faith. We are, as the poem eludes to, learning that Jesus will meet us wherever we are...is with us wherever we go.

There in the Scriptures as well is that same assurance. Joseph prospered because the Lord was with him. David spoke at length of the Lord being with him throughout all the years Saul chased him. We have the very words of the Father. "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!".

Jesus said He is with us wherever we go. That He would never leave us or forsake us. He's never broken that promise even when we unintentionally or intentionally sin.

We don't need to be theologians to pray from the heart. We don't need a doctorate or having had a dissertation presentation.

Just come as you are. No different than when you heard His call and were saved by Him.

That poem reminds me often to just be me. Jesus sees through pretenses. He's unimpressed by status.

Pray as simply as you know how and let it grow from there.

Consider the real simplicity of the often quoted Psalm 23. Consider how the Apostle Paul learned how to be content in all things from poverty to abundance.

Jesus saved you and knows everything about you. We don't need to try to impress Him. We can read of how that worked out for Peter.

Just be you. Pray from your heart.

If you are hurting, talk about that.

If you are happy, talk about that.

If you're 'good' talk about that. Talk about what you're thankful for. If there's someone on your mind talk to Him about them. It's ok to keep it simple and just remember to be sincere.

Jesus will always make time for you. He’s never too busy for any of us. Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Weaknesses and Strengths

by David Brenneman

"but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong," 1 Corinthians 1:27.

If you are feeling particularly helpless today, good. God delights

in imparting His all-sufficient power to those who meet the one

paradoxical requirement -weakness. If you have reached a place of exhaustion and emptiness, then look to the heavens and let the

Lord breathe His power into your spirit. And take courage. Those

who are brokenhearted and at the very end of their own resources

are merely a heart's cry away from the renewing surge of Christ's

sustaining power.

You may wonder why the ungodly prosper, while you've tried

to remain faithful and are suffering. Remember that the Lord has His reasons and will show His hand in due time. But also understand that the power of God is not for clout but for service, not for self-gratification but to glorify Christ. So the Father gives His

all-surpassing might to the humble, not for the advancement of personal interests and agendas but to honor His name. He strengthens

us so that we might demonstrate to others that He is sufficient and

is, indeed, the Lord. Therefore, if you're weary and troubled, keep

trusting Him--you are the very person whom the Savior stands

ready to empower and through whom He will exhibit His glory.

Jesus, You are my only hope. Strengthen me to honor You.

Amen.

- Trusting God with Today

Dr. Charles Stanley.

Not understanding is something that I am learning to get used to.

I don't 'feel' particularly strong in what I go through these days. I have the strangest dreams that make no sense. I know not from where my next job will come from. I search practically daily, which is actually very time consuming.

Which does lead me to feeling rather weak as far as accomplishments go.

I don't get out among people due to conservation of resources. So my only scope of relationships is with my Wife, two groups that I try to attend and Sunday Morning Church services. I don't see and mostly don't hear from people otherwise.

This too can look like I am achieving little to nothing.

What I do...is to try to remain faithful in whatever it is that I have been given to do...and leave the results unto God. Yesterday was unclogging a drain spout and fixing a dryer hood as well as making sure that the car was good to go.

What today holds I do not know. I am to do the best that I can with what I have been given and to do it as unto the Lord...even if it doesn't make sense to me.

As Dr. Stanley was writing so yes I do feel rather helpless at times. Not at all understanding the why's behind this. Am pretty sure future King David wasn't entirely clear on what he went through for years until he finally had the throne. Am pretty sure Joseph kept wondering for a few decades where what he was going through was going to tie into the visions that looked to have set off his brothers against him.

We are to trust and obey. That my Dear Reader is likely my favorite hymn. It's sort of there in between the lines of Dr. Stanley's Life Principle "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.".

I continue with what He's began with me in my mornings with Him in reading and writing. I continue each night in my devotional reading and study Bibles. It's been amazing the times one or the other or both touch on what I am feeling in that moment.

It's those times when I do feel as one who isn't alone. That promise that I wouldn't be forsaken being known.

I somewhat miss my old job...but the part that's taking a lot longer to heal is the broken relationship with the owner that began before I worked for him. This too God will take care of. It's on me to continue in prayer about it.

We aren't going to have all the answers to what's going on in this life we live. We are weak, He is strong...that children's song says it well. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus and do whatever it is He's saying to do. Even if it's not making sense.

The work that the Spirit is doing in us and through us is to grow us in Christ and touch the lives of others in His Name for His purposes.

We are only strong in the Lord when considering spiritual life. We must rely on the Spirit to teach and for us to be open for the lessons.

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

No I do not subscribe to the notion that this is a physical ailment. This begins and is described entirely as spiritual in nature.

I have weaknesses that are different from his. Yours are different from mine. Mine are not yours. Yet all of us find our strength only in the Lord Jesus Christ. What we need, when we need and where we need to accomplish His purposes in the moment.

"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.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, [21] to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

Weaknesses and strengths are a part of who we are. We must walk by faith and not by sight. We need spiritual eyes to see and spiritual teaching to learn...and a heart that wants what God wants for us.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Deeper Roots Lend to Greater Growth

by David Brenneman

"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.

Quite often we may think the worst in an apparently bad situation. I certainly didn't know what to make of being put on administrative leave pending an investigation last year. What it did do was immediately make me go to my God in prayer. Only He can and will go places that I can't go, and could make an impact where I could not.

Going deeper in the soil while He took care of things in this season of my life is what He's been doing to me.

Another thing is that I both knew and acknowledged from the Spirit that I had need of praying for those who were persecuting me. This too is found in the Scriptures. In not just the Gospels but we can find it in the Old Testament as well.

Another was to remember the words of Paul when he quoted the Old Testament. "Vengeance is Mine says the Lord."

Going on from there...knowing that He would supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

My Dear Reader...in all these areas and more He's provided in ways we never would have known possible.

He has a purpose for me, for you, in Christ. Not just our sanctification but in His plan for mankind. To point people to Jesus by the word of our testimony and the life we live before our God.

It's not about our getting everything we wanted in life but getting what He wants from our lives for His glory in Christ Jesus.

Paul counted everything in His life as loss in order to know Jesus more. He didn't see trials and tribulations as setbacks. He did in fact deal with anxiety but within it counted on God's grace to deal with it.

God's unmerited favor is the grace bestowed upon us. The writer in Proverbs says that "For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:12.

We think the trinkets we have in our lives that garner our attention are fantastic to us yet we will have no idea what the Father would give us if we give those things to Him.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

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

"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land." Psalms 37:7-9.

Jesus promises...should we fret or should we trust?

My Dear Reader that is what's before you and I. We fret we will burn ourselves out. We don't know what God knows. We don't see the picture from His perspective. We don't know from what we have been spared. We don't know the blessings to come from our obedience in our difficult times until we are in fact obedient in those times.

Jesus loves us with a relentless love. He isn't looking for "Ah HAH!" moments to get us with.

He wants to give us His best but we need to let go and open our hands, arms and heart to receive it..

The deeper our roots go the more we’ll experience in storms of life. It takes experiencing the storms to result in growth in between the storms. He promised to never leave us or forsake us and we need to trust that those words are right and true.

Jesus loves us more than we can know in this life.

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

Life does and will get difficult but we by no means are in it alone.

Trust in Christ who saved you.

Trust in Christ who sustains you.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Monday, February 9, 2026

Rejoicing in Song or Crying Out?

by David Brenneman

When the stars burn down and the earth wears out

And we stand before the throne

With the witnesses who have gone before

We will rise and all applaud

Singing blessing and honor, glory and power

Forever to our God

Singing blessing and honor, glory and power

Forever to our God

When the hands of time wind fully down

And the earth is rolled up like a scroll

The trumpets will call and the world will fall

To its knees as we all go home

Star of the morning, Light of salvation

Majesty

God of all mysteries, Lord of the universe

Righteous King

There will come a day standing face to face

In a moment, we will be like Him

He will wipe our eyes dry, take us up to His side

And forever we will be His.

- When the Stars Burn Down

--Philips, Craig and Dean

Worthy is the lamb who was slain

Holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Worthy is the lamb who was slain

Holy, holy is He

Sing a new song to Him who sits on

Heaven's mercy seat

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty

Who was and is in days to come

With all creation, I sing grace to the king of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Adore You

Golden rainbows of living color

Flashes of lightning, roars of thunder

Breathing here on earth strength and glory and power be

To You, the only wise King, yeah

Holy, holy, holy is Lord God Almighty

Who was and is in days to come

With all creation, I sing grace to the king of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

I will adore You

Filled with wonder, oh, struck wonder

At the mention of Your name

Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water

Such a marvelous mystery, yeah

Holy, holy, holy is Lord God Almighty

Who was and is in days to come

With all creation, I sing grace to the king of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Holy, holy, holy is Lord God Almighty

Who was and is in days to come, yeah

With all creation, I sing grace to the king of kings

You are my everything and I will adore You

Filled with wonder, oh, struck wonder

At the mention of Your name

-Philips, Craig and Dean

--Revelation Song

These songs were in my mind this morning...partly due to my morning readings are in Revelation as I'm wrapping up a year of reading through the Bible.

Are you ready to step into eternity to worship Jesus forever? These songs are a taste of what's to come in the Heaven that's been prepared for those who believe on the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Those who have never placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation will never see it.

This, by far, is the most important thing that anyone has to know for certain in their lives. Nobody can count on a 'later' in life to 'get right with God'. I personally know of true stories of people standing up to get something then falling dead on the floor who thought they had a today in front of them to live.

You and I are not promised a today. For those who are saved in Christ we are promised that He will be with us in the today we've been given and that He has our tomorrow's in His hand just the same.

Sorrow, pain, lonliness, griefs and troubles come to the saved and the unsaved alike but only those who truly have Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord - who have made Him the forgiver of their sins and the leader of their lives - have hope in each day to live it to the full.

Nobody was meant to handle the weight of even their own corner of the world on their own.

Jesus IS going to return. It's taught throughout the New Testamet that the early churches were taugth to be expectant. To not be lazy about life as to whether or not give their all to Jesus all the time.

Nobody knows when either their hour is upon them or if they have days, months or years ahead yet.

Lives are altered in a split second these days. Would you be ready to step into eternity and find yourself in the presence of God the Son or would you wake up in painful torment in Hell? The Word of God says that those are the only two choices. Being 'good' enough will never get a single person into Heaven.

"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.

This what Believer's can say of themselves. If you've never placed your faith and trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins...if He is not the Forgiver of your sins and the Leader of your life...then no you have never been crucified with Christ. He does not live within you.

"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.

Salvation is for everyone but it's on everyone to ask Him for it.

There's literally trillions of 'good' people in painful torment in Hell who thought they would be in Heaven who only now see why they aren't...that they never came to Jesus to be saved.

You, my Dear Reader, you must choose this day to receive His free gift of Salvation or face the same.

You have come this far in reading this and now know the truth and as harsh as this sounds...are now without excuse before Jesus.

You can text the word "Jesus" to 330-264-9459 and someone there WILL help you know for sure how to be saved.

You too then, my Dear Reader, WILL be able to sing such songs to He who will become YOUR Living Lord and Savior...Jesus Christ.

Time is not on anyone's side concerning this. While Scripture sayd that He's not willing for any to die but for all to come to the truth of salvation in Him...there IS a day set by His Father for His return.

It's GOING to happen as assuredly as the sun came up this morning.

God always keeps His promises and He certainly promised to return.

Will you be waiting for Him or will you be left behind crying out for Him to come back?

"Come up here!" is going to be said soon to all who are saved in Christ.

Will you hear that or hear the cries of the billions left behind?

Most know "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

Don't neglect to read the very next thing said by Jesus.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him."

The first time He came was not to judge. The next time He comes He WILL be here to judge.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Help My Unbelief

by David Brenneman

When We Don't Understand

"This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." Hebrews 12:27.

We may live in experience a fallen that world, so there are circumstances we may experience that will be God's are perfect will for us. Indeed, there are tragedies we will witness that are beyond human explanation and that shake us to the core. However, the Lord may allow us to face them through His permissive will for some significant purpose. In His omniscience, the Father knows what is ultimately best, including the long-term consequences of calamities that seem completely devoid of any good. We should not doubt God or abandon our beliefs when we lack understanding. Instead, we should latch on to what we know is true and not let go-and that is the goodness of God.

We must trust Jesus. That can be difficult, but understand that your life matters to God to a degree beyond which you can fathom. He cares for you, and He wants to teach you through what He is doing. So when you face inexplicable circumstances, remind yourself that God always has your best interest in mind. No matter what befalls you, your all-loving, all-wise, all-powerful heavenly Father has you in the cradle of His hand.

Jesus, I want to believe You. Help my unbelief, teach me and heal my heart. Amen.

-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley

"It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Mark 9:22-24.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, Yes, I cried to my God; And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help came into His ears." 2 Samuel 22:7.

"Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help, When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary." Psalms 28:2.

My Dear Reader, if we're honest as we ought to be with one another, we have prayed that prayer in one way or another.

We might even be aware of this passage too: "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." Romans 8:26-27.

What we go through in life might seem like we're all alone, but the reality is we never could be alone when it's the u deserved grace and mercy of God that even provides our heartbeat and each breath we take in.

I have had many opportunities to experience being alone or at least my perception of what alone feels like. The truth is extremely similar to a story I once heard.

---------

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's right of passage? It goes like this...

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him an leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a man.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

--------

We are quick to mistake silence for abandonment. Quick to think we're the only ones going through our hardship and pain. Quick to rush to judgment about what our situation is and what it appears to be headed for.

The truth is God only knows.

We go through what we do in order to be refined in the fires of tribulations to become more like Jesus Christ. That's what the work of God in Christ Jesus is always only going to be doing in our lives. That's what being "His workmanship" is all about. We won't always be blessed with understanding the why's behind the pain or sorrows but we will be able to know that He is there through the day and night by our side through it all.

I have been in serious school since last January in how I have been directed to learn from the Spirit of God. 6 devotional books and 4 Study Bibles. Every single evening even if it means losing sleep to complete it. My lessons went into the physical world in June of last year when, through no fault of my own, I was fired from my employer. All I had done was befriend a brother in Christ, no more, no less. God has made my innocence in the matter very clear to me. So my attention was then on what is in this season of life that I am to learn? It might indeed have everything to do with helping my unbelief.

We can withdraw from God, maybe even blame God, for what He allowed to happen to us at the hands of men and women. That, my Dear Reader is always the wrong perspective.

Job was educated on his wrong perspectives on what he was going through. He never connected the dots until after his exchange with the Lord Jesus Christ in the latter parts of the book of Job. The reality was his affliction was sanctioned by the Lord but carried out by Satan. But with limits in place that Satan had to abide by.

We can go through many things that are possibly Satan's fondest desires for us but are in the same manner as Job. Limits set by Jesus that cannot be overruled. We are to look to Christ for our life breath and all things...even within what we go through that we don't understand.

One sure lesson in the last 8 months is that it's ok if I can't figure out why. Another is to listen and do whatever He puts before me to be doing even if it isn't making sense at the moment. An applicable Life Principle is to obey God and leave the consequences to Him.

We are brought to things, go through things, in order to trust Him more. The appropriate response also should be to love Him more. To praise Him in the storm just as well as when there is none.

We need help with our unbelief because no matter who you are you have some that needs dealt with.

It's a simple enough prayer. Right there with Nehemiah's bullet prayers that have no time for words that are lengthy. We who are in Christ know what the Spirit will do when words fail us.

As our belief in Jesus Christ and His work in us proceeds we will grow in Christ. We will become more like Jesus. Isn't that what we really want more than anything?

Praying for ourselves to have our belief strengthened isn't a sin or even something that Jesus has a problem with. He visited with His Disciples for 40 days after His resurrection to grow them in Himself before leaving to take His place at the Father’s side in Heaven.

More than anything don't you want what God wants for you? It's going to mean going through some things to get there. As someone who had a conversation with a silversmith learned...silver stays in an appropriately heated fire only long enough for him to see his face in the silver then it's pure enough to be removed.

What we go through is there only long enough for Jesus to see something of Himself in us.

Lord I believe, help my unbelief!

Make me as you want me to be.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Always In Training in Righteousness

by David Brenneman

"and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts;" Revelation 2:23b.

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

"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.

"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." Romans 8:27.

"teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

Our perceptions on our lives are tainted by our views concerning what is sin and what isn't. On what should be and shouldn't be in our lives. On what's right before God and what isn't.

Satan's a defeated foe according to the Scriptures but he's a lousy loser. Bent on kicking and clawing at whomever has become a child of God.

But our individual lives are always before our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

His promise to never leave us or forsake us is ever before us. We know by His own words that He's searching our hearts. You just read that yourself taken from the book of Revelation. Paul talks of this truth as well.

Growing in Christ, becoming more like Jesus in everyday life IS our life. Regardless of what our day entails that's what we are engaged in first and foremost. Jesus takes no breaks from our being His workmanship. He doesn't offer vacations from learning how to become more like Himself.

If you aren't intentional about learning more from your Teacher and Lord Jesus, then you're heading the wrong way.

We seem to live in a world where everything to stimulate the imagination is now at our fingertips. Everything to satiate the desires of our hearts, or so we think.

We are talked into this or that to make our lives easier or better. We are talked into what is ok and shouldn't be consistent as sin but in fact if we were in the Scriptures we would see that it is.

Jesus isn't going to stop our transformation into being like Him.

If you objectively looked at your life would you see someone obedient or someone who's been self-deceived? We can get so busy with life that we push Jesus out of the room we are in.

We will lie to ourselves as to what's going on but the truth is we are to seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness. Yet we can and do knuckle under to the pressures of life rather than do that.

Do you set aside time, intentionally, purposefully, to be with Jesus because you want to?

Do you have things that you 'love' that have taken up your time so that you don't spend time with Jesus?

These things might even have the appearance of being good but the truth is the truth...you are neglecting your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to pursue those things.

Jesus is never going to cease working in your life until that moment where you either breathe your last or the Rapture of the Church takes place.

Jesus is always going to know when and where you lied to yourself and He was excluded.

We cannot put people, places or things before our lives in Christ.

So what if you miss a live stream or video or movie or television show or sporting event or anything else.

If what you engage in is proving to cost you in growing in Christ then the price is too high.

Nothing should be worth more to you than doing, living, what is right in the eyes of God.

Whatever is important to God should be important to you.

So what if this means you miss out on things...isn't making your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ happy of greater importance?

As Peter was told...so are we...we are to follow Christ. We are to take up our own cross and follow Him.

Get truthful with you. Look at where you've lied to yourself about things and turn back towards the righteous life that God desires for you.

Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

If your light ISN'T shining in such a way that people ARE NOT seeing your works and glorifying your Father in Heaven then stop n learn what it is, turn from it and get your life right before Jesus.

Jesus is GOING to keep on working on your life, it’s a matter of how hard you are going to resist Him while He does.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Friday, February 6, 2026

Getting Untangled by Jesus

by David Brenneman

"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.

Getting out Christmas lights and getting them ready to hang once again can be a challenge! Some would say it's on par with arguing with a toddler over a toy.

Yet we don't see how far and by how much we are entangled in sins that have been such a part of our lives.

The thing that we also so quickly forget when adversity comes upon us is the passages that tell us to EXPECT such things...because we don't we get anxious for nothing.

The sin that so easily entangles is anything that we're putting on either equal terms with Jesus or above Jesus whether or not we agree with the Scriptures about it. If God says that it is, then it is, and it's entangled us.

Probably it's heard thousands of times a day at many many Emergency Rooms by medical personnel from patients saying they're fine, give them something for the pain and they'll just go home. Never at all considering the risks associated with such a rash decision. They don't perceive what they are entangled in.

We cannot rely on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 commands, not suggests, that we not lean on our own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

We are going to lie to ourselves about what all has already entangled us in our lives.

Thanks be to God above, the Lord Jesus Christ, that He promised to never leave us or forsake us. That we ARE His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. That what He began in us is GOING to be completed.

Things that we have convinced ourselves that aren't bad...have we ever even asked the Spirit if they should stay or go?

Things that we say we enjoy so much that from our perspective are fun and joyful...are they crouching at the door of what's unacceptable to growing in Christ? Have we in fact crossed the line and don't realize it?

Do we justify our words when by all scriptural accounts those words never should have, under any circumstances, been said or even thought?

Consider this...has what you thought about a person...what you said about a person...would those thoughts or words ever come out of the mouth of Jesus?

Sin that easily entangles.

When we read Proverbs we can see a great deal of wisdom in how to live life. On guarding our hearts and minds. We read Paul's letters exhorting all of us to stand firm in the Lord.

We have probably faced various kinds of adversity and not understood why. The why's go back to the truth about the work of God in Christ Jesus, through the Spirit, that's GOING to happen in all of us.

Adversity indeed will only last as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

Do you realize that? Do you acknowledge that?

God HAS a specific and special purpose for you in Christ Jesus while you yet breathe and go about your life. Not unlike Ananias before going to meet Saul for the first time...we are to trust and obey.

We are to look at these adversities from a spiritual perspective and ask what is it that God's wanting to do in and through us or to remove from us or move us past in order to further His workmanship in us.

We all have sin that has entangled us. We are just so used to it that we don't recognize it.

Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to see what He's doing in your life about your entangled sins. Ask Him to reveal what you are entangled in and again ask for His help in dealing with them. We do want His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven don't we? His will for us is our sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3a "This is the will of God for you, your sanctification".

Not your personal happiness.

Not that you get everything you ever wanted.

Not that this or that would happen in order to make you feel better about life.

Your sanctification. Your becoming more like Jesus Christ. Everything else is EXPENDABLE. Honestly everything. Even people in our lives and everything counted as a possession.

We are entangled and thank God we won't be left that way. We have His promises that He's going to finish what He's started in us.

Pray for yourself that you obey in what He's telling you to do. What to let go of. What to begin doing. Pray and be prepared because you will have things that He's identified that need to go or need to change.

Run the race with endurance...after your arms and legs aren't tangled up anymore you will be able to give of your best to the Master and Lord Jesus Christ.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org