Don't Panic, Pray!

Don't Panic, Pray!

by David Brenneman 

As we place our dependence

upon God, an incredible

freedom and peace will begin

to rest in our hearts. And

reaching that point in our lives

makes every setback worth it.

To You they cried out and

were delivered; in You they

trusted and were not

disappointed.

-PSALM 22:5

God created everything with

a plan, and He has principles

that govern all He does. The

Lord always operates with a

sense of direction and purpose

in mind-not only for us as

individuals, but also to achieve

His universal, eternal goals.

O LORD, You are my God,

I will exalt You, I will give

thanks to Your name;

for You have worked

wonders, plans formed

long ago, with

perfect faithfulness.

-ISAIAH 25:1

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

"Why is this happening to me!?!?"

"I can't take it anymore!?!"

"I have no idea WHAT to do!"

You're in the right place. 

Rejoice and be glad in it. 

"Huh?!?" you might respond with. "My world is falling apart! You want me to be happy about it!?!".

Not me...God's Word says that in everything give thanks. Even the things that aren't going well as far as our perceptions go.

Go deeper with "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.

You, hopefully, did come to Christ for salvation at some point in your life. If you did, all the hope that's available in the power of the resurrection of Christ is within your grasp. If you have not, you're pretty much on your own. 

Someone was there to pray me towards salvation in Christ. My prayer for all who read these posts who haven't come to Christ for salvation yet is that they would. 

For those here who have come to Christ but are struggling with their 'world' falling apart...why are you trying to go it alone?  

In Christ means just that...you're following Him, obeying in what He says, following His direction. Sometimes we get ahead of Him and end up in some unique circumstances. He's still there to pull us through. Jesus said, in His model prayer, "your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven". 

If you're still trying to get your will to be done instead of His, you're creating a problem for you.  

You may think your situation is dire, insurmountable, impossible even.  

Fantastic! Jesus also said "And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”" Matthew 19:26.

And think on this: "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." 1 Peter 4:12-13.

My Dear Reader...if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus...you are held safely in His hands. 

Several times Jesus rebuked His Disciples for their lack of faith. They should have known and understood that the Father wouldn't allow anything or anyone to thwart the plans of God for Jesus while Jesus was living for the will of His Father to be completed. 

We, for ten months, could have panicked because of the circumstances of my unemployment. Wondering where was God in all this...truth was He was all over it. He provided every dollar we needed every single month. On top of this He provided food for us and our cats. He kept the lights on and gas in the vehicle's. Kept me busy with odd jobs, learning, restoring my confidence. My mind kept wondering if I was facing age discrimination in the application process. No, it was that I was back in school learning. The new job for me wasn't ready yet. 

You, my Dear Reader, need to re-read Luke 10:38-42 about Mary and Martha.  

As a great hymn says "Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer; Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.".

Turn your eyes from your circumstances and towards your Savior. Take whatever is on your heart to the Lord in prayer. Quit trying to figure out what He's already figured out. 

"Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 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 6:31-34.

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 

Looking to God for Your Why

Looking to God for Your Why

by David Brenneman 

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

"Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27.

Every Christian eventually has an experience that seems totally inconsistent in the life of a child of a loving God. It may involve health, finances, relationships, career, property, or family. Whatever the experience, you will come through it with one nagging question: "Why, Lord?"

     That question is acceptable to God; He is not angered by our desire for answers.- Walking with God, Dr. David Jeremiah. 

When you encounter a difficult situation in life that looks impossible, what is the first thing you think? For most people, it is, "Oh Lord, what am I going to do?" But that's the wrong question. Instead, the right thing to ask is, "Lord, what are You going to do?" Because, as we are well aware, He is all-powerful, and nothing is too challenging for Him.

     Of course, all of us know that in our minds. But often, when our back is against the wall and we don't know where to turn, we become gripped by the immensity of our predicaments and the disconcerting details that accompany them. It's natural

for us to immediately envision the worst-case scenarios and how helpless we are with our limited resources We become trapped by what we see and hear rather than recall who comes to our aid.

     This is why We must train ourselves to look to the Lord rather than our circumstances. Because when we invite the supernatural, powerful presence of the living God to take hold of our situation, He deals with our difficulties in ways far beyond our imagination. He can get us to the right solution regardless of what we face.- Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley. 

A year ago I had been a month into what would be a 10 month hiatus from gainful employment. It certainly would be a time of learning and a time for questioning things in my life.  

Only in some respects was it rough. What it did was to draw me closer to my Savior.

I was hit with some certainly unexpected financial news in recent weeks. Was already having a difficult time with one place, and another comes along that's much bigger than the first. It's medical bills. Evidently the person owing is to pay up as soon as possible yet those doing the billing have 6 years to bill you.  

It's an easy situation where you want to cry out "Why?!?". It's been these same two devotionals that I continue to read through and it's always amazing that God brings the right things to read at the right time. 

We are going to face why moments. 

We are not always going to understand the why's behind the things that the Lord chooses to allow in our lives...no more than Job.  

Yet we are allowed to ask the question and to seek out His wisdom and guidance to deal with what we face. 

Disappointments are inevitable, but discouragement is a choice is one of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles. 

We can choose to mope and have a pity party, do the old woe is me, or we can pray with all honesty to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and expect God to help.

It's really sad to me when people show their entire lack of hope in their lives. They lay claim to believing in God, even in Jesus, yet there's no fruit to show they ever came to Christ for salvation. 

Trillions of people are in Hell who believed that Jesus was real, and some even believed everything the Bible said about Him.  

Without actually coming to Christ for salvation, without asking Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...you will die in your sins.  

This is at the core of living a life that's dependent upon Christ for dealing with these difficult times and situations. Without a right relationship with Jesus, without knowing Him as your Lord and Savior, you're fooling yourself. 

I know these things are going to be resolved. I know that nothing is a surprise to my Savior. He was already in today before I got here. 

Scripture says He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is not just my Savior, He's the Creator. He's the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. He is over everything that is and what will be. 

He got us through many incredibly big and difficult times and these situations are no different. Satan's minion's aim was to draw us away from God to wallow in self pity, but the reality is God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. He allows things because these things draw us to Him. 

These medical bills are just another unknown on top of others but slowly things are getting worked out. Sometimes God answers through others, some of the times He has us pick up a shovel to start the digging to move the mountain before He steps in. 

We do ourselves much harm by constantly whining, griping and endlessly complaining because we are showing we aren't relying on Christ. 

Daily we pray, daily we await His response. Daily we do whatever it is for us to do and daily we thank Him for all He's done and is still doing. Thankful that we do have a Savior who cares intimately about everything to do with us.

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

We will be tempted to go it alone and to try in our own strength and understanding. The wise thing to do is take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Look for God in your situation and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

In Your Heart

In Your Heart
by David Brenneman

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.

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.

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.

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"
Author: John H. Sammis (1887)

We walk into an unknown-to-us world every morning we are granted a new day to breathe.

For those who are among the saved in Christ Jesus...things are supposed to be different for us.

The world is going to be nipping at our heels to get our hearts to indeed lean on our own understanding.  Satan's going to push...in whatever his minions and he are allowed...to cause us troubles in our lives. 

The Scriptures point us to the truths  about being persecuted.  About the troubles that the world will try to cause those in Christ. 

Then we have that passage where it says that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Praying and prayer cannot be stressed enough for the Believer.  In no way should prayer ever be a second or third thought when travails come upon us.  Before they do, while they're present, and afterwards prayer should be our first priority.

The world that Satan's running is the opposite of what it means to trust and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am usually more fond of these older hymns than the modern music being created because these songs of what modern man calls the early Church were far more rooted in Scripture.

Songs that made the person singing stop and consider the message within.  The words sticking with them after they've been sung.

There's always good reasons why these older songs of the faith go so deep.  Many were born of personal tragedy or great losses suffered. 

If ever you want a true spiritual musical history lesson go look up the stories behind some famous hymns.

Sometimes when spiritual battles come my way, hymns are what the Spirit brings to sooth me.  It's funny how it's mostly never the new songs that I have heard in Church. 

When pain and sorrow are what's on my heart...leaning on such wonderful hymns is like a balm.

When uncertainty is knocking on the door, a good hymn helps right the ship n gets me in a better place.

When loneliness grips me, which is more often than most everyone knows about, hymns bring my mind back to my relationship with my Savior. 

It's rather appropriate that my mind went to Trust and Obey this morning because of our current financial situation.  Satan's minions would love it if we fell to pieces because of something we weren't expecting hits us.  As another good song goes "count your blessings name them one by one, see what all the Lord has done".

These times in which we live aren't going to get better.  Biblical truths about these last days before Jesus returns point to things proceeding from bad to worse.  Hymns of the faith are among the things we're directed to focus on during times like this.

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:19-20.

Which, by what this passage explicitly points to, means we're not to be going it alone in Christ.  You can't speak to one another if you're by yourself.

An apt song this morning as well is "This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!".

Today is a day that the Lord created...rejoice and be glad in it...that He's already here before you got here.  He's already working things for your good.  Give up worrying about what's in front of you.  Jesus isn't.  He promised to never leave you or forsake you.  Rejoice in that too.

Pray on, pray over, pray through.
Singing, making melody in your heart towards God.

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

Plugged into the Power

Plugged into The Power 

By David Brenneman 

"Keep watching and þraying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak," Matthew 26:41

     Do you realize that when you fail to pray, you cut off the power, wisdom, strength, and blessings you could be enjoying. Perhaps you are noticing the effects of prayerlessness in your life today. Maybe you're experiencing the weight of your sin, or you just can't shake sense of confusion. It's also possible you're feeling unusually discouraged, weak, or depressed. That's what happens when you don't spend time with God.

     So why does failing to pray make you feel this way? Understand that the Lord isn't intentionally making you feel bad; rather, this is the natural outcome of being disconnected from Him. This is because prayer is like a powerline that plugs you into the Source. Through it, you're given His wisdom and guidance, His identity and purpose, His strength and peace, His love and acceptance. Prayer is the conduit through which you receive all of it. And that's why when you cut it off, you've got a problem.

     So don't quit praying when things don't go your way or according to your time schedule. Stay connected because you need the presence and power of God in your life.

Jesus, help me to keep praying and seeking You in every season. Amen.

-Trusting God with Today, Dr. Charles Stanley.

Drained is sometimes more than just a physical tiredness.  

Drained can be emotional as well. 

Drained, more importantly than those two, can be spiritual.

We really should put more importance on what time we spend in prayer. I will be the first to admit that I don't spend enough time in prayer.  

What Dr. Stanley said in this devotional rings oh so true. Stay unplugged, stay drained. 

Right now I ought to be even more in prayer with some of these heavily complicated situations going on in my life.

I am reminding myself that my Savior and my Lord Jesus Christ got us through 10 months of unemployment, quite often by miraculous means, so these things hitting us now shouldn't be rattling me.

It really does come down to prayer.

It's these things that are allowed that are meant to draw us closer to Himself. 

It's these things that are meant to grow us in Christ, to show us what needs to change in our lives.

Nothing of a malicious intent is behind such permitted things in our lives.  

Satan's minions, I say it that way because I never believe that with all that's going on in the world that I ever will be important enough for Satan himself to come after me, are not pulling a fast one on God and have somehow managed to get at me while He wasn't looking.

Sometimes that's probably how many people feel. That our God wasn't paying attention and the enemy got through. This is never the case.  

He wants us to stay plugged into the power of God in Christ Jesus. 

He wants us to keep our communication lines open between us and His Throne. 

He wants us to rely on Him and not our own understanding. 

We can, and often do, get lulled into a false sense of security by the peaceful moments that come in life. 

My prayer life directly impacts my physical life. It certainly impacts my mental health. Same goes with everyone.  

We cannot live the righteous life that God desires without being spiritually fed. Unlike physical food, we can never over eat spiritual nourishment.  

I would ask all of you to pray concerning my needs as I pray for yours.  

Just as we can't out-give God, we likewise cannot out-commune with Him. 

He never gets tired of hearing from me or you. We can never wear out our welcome. No matter when or where He's always ready for us.

Confessing sin fully opens that door of communication an unconfessed tends to hinder and start to close it. We must forgive if we want to be forgiven.  

Think about how different your approach to life would be should you really consider the Biblical truth that you're always walking side-by-side with Jesus.   

Pray on, pray over, pray through whatever you're facing. My prayers are for this blog to either draw people to Jesus or show people how to find Him again. My daily morning prayers are for my Wife, my Spiritual Dad and his Wife. For my local Church and its leadership. Safety of workers on site there. For unsaved people I work with now and those whom I used to. For the unsaved in my family. There's always someone you can talk to Jesus about helping either with regards to salvation or health or anything else. I include the guys in the Saturday Morning Group that I attend as well as our Sunday Evening Group. The health of family and friends. Those in authority over me, both at work and the country. These are but examples of what is important to our Savior to hear from us about.

Keep plugged into Him through prayer...you'll always be the better for doing so. 

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

Positioning You For His Will

Positioning You For His Will

by David Brenneman 

     "And what happens through your

times in prayer is that He's bringing you into harmony with His will.

After all, you need to be in agreement with God to receive His best.

     Sometimes it`ll seem as if trials or opportunities appear quickly

out of the blue-and those may be the ones you're most motivated

to pray about, But remember that over time, He's been working

to position you for them. He is actively working through the very

things you're praying about to reveal Himself and His will to you.

So keep seeking Him and be confident that what you're doing is

indeed powerful and worthwhile." - Exerpt from the July 12th entry in Trusting God with Today, by Dr. Charles Stanley. 

Much of what we go through in life as a Believer is to position us for success alright...success in Christ. 

Our thoughts and prayers are being developed to mirror the thoughts of our Savior Jesus Christ while we go through what we go through.

The Spirit is never aiming to leave us as we were when we first came to Christ for salvation, but rather His role in our lives is our sanctification. To make us more like Christ and never to leave us as we once were. 

We may not understand but we can obey.  

"All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11.

And then think on this:

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.

There's a path set before us in Christ that leads towards our becoming more like Jesus. That's what the workmanship is that He's bringing about. 

"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.

We are adopted into the family of God. We are to learn what that means and all that it entails and give it our everything in order to please the One who loved us enough to die for us, and yes rise again from the dead to save us. 

Who cares if we reach goals that the world says are important. The goals that matter in light of eternity all belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

If our goals and ambitions, our wants and desires, align with Christ's, all the better. But if we're shown that those aren't necessary or needed for what it is our part of the body of Christ needs...let them go. 

We are being positioned for success in Christ. We can either embrace this or fight it. It's never a good thing to fight it.  

Ours is to obey in all things.

Ours is to put ourselves on our own cross and die to self and live to Christ.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21.

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world, especially in setting priorities and living life. 

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

Remember what God's Will for you is: your sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3a. "For this is the will of God for you, your sanctification.".

While you may not understand the why's of life, in Christ, you know what it is for you to be doing: obeying Him.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org

Be Thankful That It's This Way

Be Thankful That It's This Way 

by David Brenneman 

"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.

Ever consider the thought that when we demand to understand that we're asking too much?  

When you consider all that Job went through, he really didn't know what was truly behind his ills.

When Daniel was praying and praying, he didn't know of the spiritual forces that were trying to hinder his receiving an answer. 

We likewise are not guaranteed an answer to what we face in life. At least on this side of Heaven. 

Ours is to do as that old hymn said "trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. While we do His good will, He abides with us still. Never fear only trust and obey.".

I was reviewing my Journal entries for this day of the year, over the last 9 years this morning. Reading my comments and emotional responses to things that happened in my life.

Having the right attitude during situations we face is everything if we are looking for some semblance of understanding. Even if it's next to nothing or if it's a full explanation. It's always on us to trust and obey.

I look back over things and honestly am disappointed in me for my lack of looking at life from a more Godly perspective. 

Our attitude during a situation certainly shows our level of growth in Christ, of how far our sanctification is.

We aren't to just take everything that sounds spiritual to heart. Scripture says "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1.

I often ask various Godly men about book authors to get their views on trusting the material they write.  

I have had experience in Columbus, Ohio, of coming across a demon possessed man serving in a young church. So I question new people preaching whom I know nothing about.  

We need to obey the Word of God if we're to be able to recognize the schemes of the devil.  

We need to live a life that honors Jesus Christ for all He's done for us if we're going to both grow in Christ and to see Heavenly responses to prayers we pray in Jesus's Name. 

Until we are called home to be with Jesus or the Rapture of the Church takes place...we're in the middle of a spiritual war. There are no bystanders, no conscientious objectors, none who are out of the fray. We are all facing something and need to be men and women of God who are heavily involved with prayer to our Savior Jesus Christ. 

When our hearts and lives are where they are supposed to be in Christ...indeed He does respond and will "do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us".  

In my short time on this Earth I have many stories to recount that tell of the wonderful things that God has done in my life. Probably many many more that I will recognize on the other side of this life when Jesus shows them to me. 

Knowing what you are facing, have faced and will face as a child of God will help you to see that trusting in the Lord with all your heart And not leaning on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight...will become a way of life. 

I am in awe of what God has done for me, through me and even to me in His Name.  

Look into your life from a Godly perspective rather than your own. 

Renovate your life, getting rid of every encumbrance that's slowing you down.  

All who are in Christ are in the race.

All who are in Christ are to live a life that honors Him with our everything. 

We can't know what's in store for us until we do...it really is beyond what we can ask or think.  Be thankful that it's this way...it's through this way we see the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Evil Men Will Increase & Your Instructions

Evil Men Will Increase & Your Instructions 

by David Brenneman 

"Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 3:10-17.

"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. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." 1 Peter 4:12-16.

So many shake their head at the evils in this world and aren't aware that the levels of evil are increasing.  

So many Believers have a very strong misconception about the things that they're going through. 

The two are very much connected and are even at times intertwined. 

I am not really surprised at all that what Paul said about Scripture was preceded by talk about the people of this world and as history showed he was speaking of evil within the Church.

Satan's schemes get permission from God to be used, do you not realize that? Satan's got a tremendous intellect and nothing but evil to back it up. When permitted we see levels of evil that are worse than what was seen even a few years ago.

Several times in the Scriptures we read of the evil people within the Church. That hasn't changed in the centuries since these books were first written. Evil people exist within the Church today...it's just that those leading those particular groups of people aren't willing to do whatever Scripture says to do to deal with them. So their evil influence persists. With the result that the people are lead astray and such church leadership will have much to explain before Jesus for why they truly feared man rather than God. 

We're going to face storms in life. We went over that in an earlier post. We have our orders, so to speak, on what is to be our focus on living life in the face of such storms.  

Some use an acronym "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth" for Bible. Basic Instructions Before Living Eternally or something like that makes more immediate sense for more immediate application. We are to be in God's Word daily to learn how to live NOW not just for whatever is to come and for after we are Raptured. 

We aren't studying the Bible for the sake of doing so. We're learning what the character of Christ is so that we can live life in like manner. 

We will sometimes be the ones facing evil head-on. Sometimes we deal with the effects of evil. Sometimes within the Church sometimes outside of it. But we will run into it.  

Some of Satan's schemes we give him credit for that have nothing to do with him. It's stuff that convinced ourselves to do or be like. We choose to either forgiveness or we don't. We choose to overlook the sins of others or we don't. We choose to hold a grudge or we choose to let it go. We choose to do things and bear the ramifications of them. Satan had nothing to do with it...it's our own inexperienced life in Christ because we're not doing more to live a life that honors Christ. We choose bad choices and blame it on anyone or anything but ourselves. 

We do these intentional things because we're either intentionally avoiding what God's Word says or we're too ignorant with regards to what God's Word says. 

We have our Instructions in the Lord. It's all there in black and white for us to read and take to heart. We don't know the kingdom impact we could be having by our obedience rather than our current view that is tainted by our disobedience. 

You, my Dear Reader, are either living in obedience or you're not.

While it's a certainty that evil men and women will proceed from bad to worse...it's just as certain that you will give an account of your life before Jesus.  

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

Quit with the excuses and get into the Word of God so that you'll be adequate, equipped for every good work. 

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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