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?

Monday, April 13, 2026

New Beginnings, Again, and Going Forward

by David Brenneman

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17.

"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; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." Ephesians 5:19-21.

It is a day of new beginnings for me today. Starting a new job. Looking back over the last 10 months it's been awesome to see the hands of my Savior and my God working out everything to our good.

It's been a time of reflection, of growth, of forgiveness, of peace.

In all these days...it's been important to stay the course and continue to run the race set before me. As it should be in the lives of all who believe regardless of what life appears to look like.

My past isn't where I am to live. It's shaped me and has helped define me but it's not my whole description of me. I might say that I am proud of my accomplishments where I have been but I am now to set out for new in the Lord.

Our lives are all going to be the same but different. As children of God in Christ Jesus He will use the same tools with each of us just in different ways.

The second section of Scripture we read this morning is to do with where our minds are to be going.

Colossians 3:23-24 say "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."

The right attitude in life is to always look to Jesus when anything and everything is happening...albeit the good, the bad and the ugly.

All who are in Christ are being seen by those who yet still remain in this present darkness of the world in which we live.

All, who are saved, are to shine as the Spirit works with them...wherever they are and in whatever capacity the Spirit sees fit for them to be doing.

There's no retirees in the Kingdom of God until He calls them home or He returns for the Bride of Christ, Church of Jesus Christ.

All that He allows in us is directed towards learning more about Jesus. To become more like Him in what we do, say, or think.

I am both excited and nervous at the same time. But I know that God brought me to this, He will see me through this. That's how He does life in the lives of all who have come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

Have had a few people strongly recommend that I not speak to those are becoming my coworkers today about my past work experiences. That's not how the Spirit works. The Spirit uses our commonalities to work towards fruitful relationships.

"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." Romans 8:28.

I know not where this new path in life is going to take me but I do know who it was who bid me to enter into this path.

My God's never ceasing to work in my life to make me more like Christ. The Spirit teaches character development in all that He does. Teaching us to live, act, think, in the character of Christ.

Our ups and downs, our valley's and mountain tops, are where this development occurs.

Our obedience is key. Without it, we will repeat lessons. It's always to be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The Spirit uses all of this to form bridges in our relationships to reach others who have not come to Christ for salvation yet.

Be malleable. Be moldable.

Be devoted to Christ in the day that's been set before you. Be open to the work of the Spirit in you. Don't resist when He's changed your direction. He does know way more than any of us as to what's going to fulfill God's plan and purpose for our lives.

Each day is a gift from God.

Every breath.

Every heartbeat.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Having Eyes That See, Ears that Hear

by David Brenneman

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17.

"And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear." Matthew 13:10-16.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 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 3:14-21.

To know...

To know begins with listening and seeing. The input devices that our Creator gave us. These are the beginning of understanding when we process what they see and hear. But what must come next, MUST come next, to a Believer is to learn to use their spiritual eyes and spiritual ears.

"for we walk by faith, not by sight—" 2 Corinthians 5:7.

"Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:15-17.

"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.

My Dear Reader...we are indeed infants learning how to crawl, to walk, and maybe even perhaps run in the faith.

We're not born in this life for our own bidding. We're not here to accomplish great things for ourselves. We're not here to build empires unto our own.

In Christ we're to grow with respect to our salvation. We came to Christ at His behest. We were sealed in the Spirit. We became the adopted children of God.

And now we grow, we learn. We learn how to eat true spiritual food, to drink true spiritual drink. We learn how to exercise the new spiritual bodies we've been given.

We are to walk by faith and not by sight. Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. That is what's to motivate us through this life.

We waste time, energy and effort trying to build a kingdom of our own. We're to live lives in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. We can only do this if our lives reflect lives that are lived in obedience to Jesus Christ.

We easily can be exemplary models of both Christianity and the world...all within seconds of each other. Doing great in life and getting caught broadside by an event or person and the old sin nature shows up instead.

A life in Christ is one of learning.

You must realize there's no room for slacking off. There's no time to take vacations from learning from the Spirit of God.

We are reborn in Christ and are immediately found to be under the gun. Scripture says that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

But enter it we will because Jesus is with us. We are never alone in this life. The Spirit takes no teacher in service days. The Spirit is always ready to share something new with those who's hearts are set on Jesus.

But are we looking to learn?

Are we trying to hear with our new spiritual ears? Are we trying to see with our new spiritual eyes?

We are given at least one spiritual gift upon coming to Christ for salvation. We're going to give an account of how we used that gift to God's glory.

I look back over my life from where it is right now...and even I can see that much of my life will be burned up when I stand before Jesus to give an account of my life. Of what I did in my body for Him or not for Him. I cannot change the past, but I can do something about the present and the future.

My Dear Reader so can you.

"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.

"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.

If we're living life in light of the Word of God...that we are not our own, that we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ...should not our lives reflect that?

Or is our lives a reflection of something or someone else?

Praying for eyes that see and ears that hear the things of God will never steer you wrong.

Praying for understanding before you read your Bible will get your attention where your spiritual eyes are looking.

Praying to have a life well pleasing in His sight rather than our own will never disappoint.

To seek first His kingdom and His righteousness starts with prayer that does not lack sincerity.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?

What are you possibly going to get for living a life for you and not for Jesus?

We cannot afford to waste the precious seconds and minutes we're given. Paul's life exuded a life way more concerned about others than himself.

There's many things that I could have pursued in my life that maybe for a moment could have brought joy and comfort. But it wouldn't have lasted. The problem with the pursuit of worldly happiness is its really unachievable. We got a high from something and try again to get that feeling again and it's no longer potent enough.

In Christ, a life lived will never cease to experience joys and peace that we cannot really describe because they're so good.

Pray for yourself that your life, your ways, align with what God called for you to be doing, saying and thinking. Pray that you are glorifying God in your body. Pray that when the Spirit says something for you to be doing or saying, that you just obey.

Don't expect everyone to understand or to get it. Obedience is a process and we're all in different places from each other with regards to this.

Isaiah had his eyes opened and he knew how dirty he was before Jesus. Jesus took away his sins and cleansed him. Isaiah was more than happy to obey in everything that Jesus wanted of him.

Pray for your growing in Christ.

Nothing else we do in life is remotely as important.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.

New American Standard Bible

A corporation not for profit.

www.lockman.org

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.

"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