Come...

Come...

by David Brenneman 

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:5.

There's several ways to not comprehend light. One is to deny it exists. Another is to not have a frame of reference for what light actually is thereby not acknowledging that that is what it is. Another is by choice. Still others exist, among them are re-defining what light is. Many do that today.

You cannot re-define what the Word of God has established. Those who do always, and I mean always, find out upon their death just how wrong they were to do so.  

The same can actually be said of those who do make it to Heaven by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and learn that not all of their thoughts and ways were right in His sight.

When all is said and done...it's only the Light of Christ, the truth as The Truth explains it, that matters.

I'm wrong about a great many things that I've come to think I understand and know. So are you.

What I'm sure of 100% is the Word of God and what it says about Jesus Christ, His first coming, His second coming, the prophecies that spell everything out that has happened and is going to happen according to God's plan for humanity.

Works do not save anyone. Works do not get anyone into Heaven. Being good will never get a single person into Heaven. Countless trillions of people who did 'good' are in agony in Hell.  

Is God being wrong in this? No, He is not. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Not through being a good person. We read yesterday about salvation in Christ Jesus. That hasn't changed going into today. God is not being mean by having set His standard for entry into Heaven. God is being just. God is also being merciful in that He's not immediately sending everyone who's not a Believer in Jesus Christ for salvation directly to Hell.  

He's giving everyone a life where the opportunity to come to Christ for salvation is presented to them to either accept or reject. There's nobody in Hell whom God rejected. All who are in Hell are people who rejected God.

Simply put, being a good person for your entire life isn't even going to remit even one single sin.

You want to know the truth? Ask Jesus to show it to you. He's alive and well and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will easily show up if you would open the door to your heart.

In fact, just as it shows in the parable of the Prodigal Son, He would run to you if you would just turn to Him. That's how important you are to Him.

That's right. YOU are that important to Him.

Before you might go there with how sinful Christian's are...you're right, they are, I am as well.

But...in Christ we have the forgiveness of our sins. We can ask to be forgiven and He promises to be faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (sin). It's then on us to be sure to turn from such things towards what the Spirit teaches us.

While we're 'there'....churches the world over are always having flawed, failed, people attending them. No church has perfect people showing up. No church has only those who don't need help showing up. Every church has broken people showing up.

If you have excuses for not coming to Christ...none will hold up against what Jesus said you need to decide. You, my Dear Reader, must choose either to accept or reject His free gift of salvation that's availble to you. You can't choose for someone else, and nobody else can choose for you.

A life in Christ isn't going to be perfect for you or me here on Earth. Nobody in Christ achieves any form of perfection until they leave this world to be with Jesus. Only then do they leave their sin nature behind.  

My Dear Reader it's always on my heart that those who find this blog will turn to Jesus or turn back to Jesus. That's my prayer for you. Nobody anywhere can take that prayer from me for all whom God brings here to read it. And with over 3 million views since 2019...God is certainly bringing people here to read whatever it is He's having me write each day.

Come to Jesus...quite running from Him.  

Come to Jesus...ask Him to open your eyes to see, and understand His Light.

Come to Jesus...and find salvation in Him alone.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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

A corporation not for profit.   

La Habra, CA All rights reserved 

www.lockman.org 

Your Invitation My Friend

Your Invitation My Friend 

by David Brenneman 

“and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.” Acts 16:30-32.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.” Acts 8:35-38.

"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 in only one man, the man Christ Jesus. The Scriptures are not and do not make coming to Christ for salvation complicated. 

On the contrary, the plan of salvation is simple enough for a child to understand it. 

It's adults who make excuses and reasons why it either doesn't work or of how He couldn't possibly have meant them too because of all they've done. 

My Dear Reader, the thief on the cross wasn't able to do anything but profess what he did and Jesus promised him that he would be with Him in paradise. 

Salvation is also much more than the intellectual acknowledgement of Jesus Christ being real. Hate to break it to EVERYONE but that's all that the demons and Satan have going for them and their future is them condemned to the lake of fire for all eternity. An yet these same demons and Satan have seen and known the Lord and yet still rejected him.  

You, no matter where you are, can come to Christ for salvation. You too can have Him as the forgiver of your sins and have Him as the leader of your life. You can be saved in this very moment if you too believe with all your heart what you just read above in the opening passages. 

Jesus is indeed coming back again.  

Jesus is also waiting for that last person who has yet to come to Him for salvation before the Great Tribulation will take place that the Bible says is coming upon mankind. 

My Dear Reader Jesus Christ loves you. Unconditionally, right where you are. He is more than able to forgive you of your sins and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness. 

He would cast your sins as far away as the east is from the west, remembering them no more. That's what my Bible says. 

You may need to deal with the consequences of your sins but you most certainly would be forgiven of them. 

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. That's what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Jesus said to Nicodemus "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.".

Jesus says those words to you. 

He waits with open arms for all who would turn to Him to be saved, promising that not one who does so would ever be turned away. 

Let today be your day.

Let this moment be your moment. 

Let Jesus come into your heart and life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.   

This, by far, is the most important decision you will ever make. 

Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of the universe, loves....you.

Scripture says that though your sins be as red as scarlet He will make them as white as snow. 

You haven't yet begun to live the life that you can be living until you do make this wisest of choices. 

Jesus loves you. Jesus went to a cross to die in your place. Taking what you owed as the penalty for your sins upon Himself. He arose from the dead 3 days later conquering sin, death and the grave.  

If you want to know more on how to be sure that you're saved...call 1-330-264-9459 or text that number "Jesus". Someone there will certainly help you to know for sure that you are saved. 

Jesus loves you and is waiting for you to come home to 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 

Knowing and Doing Are Different Things

Knowing and Doing Are Different Things 

by David Brenneman 

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

“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 then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.

Knowing the right thing to do and does not do it...this is an unfortunate hallmark of many generations. 

It's not just a word of instruction for the Believer it, by the nature of what it is...applies to every person.

So many things happen in our world that are terrible yet people observing such things walk right on by and do nothing about. 

When it comes to complaining...grumbling even...we're poor examples of how that's to be handled as well.

So many professing Believer's just are not taking their life in Christ seriously. No where near as seriously as Jesus lived for His Father. 

A life in Christ should not be a Christian seeking to find out just how much of the world they can keep in their life while obeying God the rest of the time. There is no happy medium, so to speak, between obedience and disobedience in Christ. 

Christian's can yet still be as blinded by the things of this world as the unbelieving already and always are.

We make quick choices rather than pray and wait for God's answer. 

We do this and since nothing happened and it looks like God's not against it...we embrace it, whatever it is, and don't question our decisions again about it. 

This is how Believer's embrace idolatry because they've renamed it to something less offensive, they think, than what the Bible says about it.  

When Believer's really walk with Jesus they really learn what is good and acceptable and what isn't. 

That's growing in Christ. 

That's becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. 

That's knowing the good that you ought to be doing and doing it as unto the Lord.

When you indeed stand before Jesus to give an account of your life all your words, thoughts, and intentions will be tested by the fire of His truth about it all. If indeed you're desiring to give Him back a crown of righteousness to Him for all He's done for you...live as the Disciple you are in Christ as a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. The more you obey His Word, in word, thought and deed the more value goes into that crown you will lay at His feet.  

Consequently the reverse also applies. The less you obey the more you live your life for you rather than in obedience to God's Word and plan for you...the smaller and smaller that crown will be.

As a line from a song goes, they (the world) will know that we are Christians by our love. 

Our love of Jesus Christ first and foremost. Our obedience to God's Word. Our living out life in the character of Christ. Our sacrifices our giving. Our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Just how are you doing on this front?

How prepared for the day are you in the Lord? How much grumbling and complaining do you do? You should know that the Scriptures say that's not a good thing in the sight of our God. 

How often are you getting away to be with Jesus? How often do you stop and read His Word to you?

How important is it to you to not compromise the Word of God in your life?

You're either going to obey God or obey whomever or whatever is vying for your heart. 

The Scriptures say to consider our ways. Do you? Are you loving the world and the things of this world?

Are you seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness? Have you chosen to cast aside time with Jesus in favor of these things of this world that you 'love'?

That crown will get smaller and smaller. Consider your ways!

Stand firm in the Lord! Get that armor of God back on! You know the right thing to be doing...do it so that you might not sin against God. 

That's the only option vs obedience...disobedience. 

You either do what you're taught in Christ by the Spirit of God or you don't. An the Spirit will teach you the right thing to be doing...if you're truly listening. 

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 

What the Christian Life Looks Like

What the Christian Life Looks Like
by David Brenneman

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.  We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.  Rejoice always;  pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;  abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22.

“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.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 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 5:15-21.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17.

“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. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.” Colossians 3:23-25.

To the casual observer it is hopefully something worthy of their attention.

To those who profess to be a child of God hopefully this is something that is lived.

While we're daily immersed in temptations, possibly even trials and snares, we are still His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. 

We already know, my Dear Reader, from what we read in Romans of the deplorable state of mankind by virtue of our sin nature. 

We also read from the Gospels what our Lord Jesus Christ said concerning laying down our lives, taking up our own cross and following Him.

Some may look at a prior post or two and think that the Scriptures are pointing people towards an isolated life from the world. 

On the contrary the Scriptures teach you and I how to truly live lives that reflect children of God who are growing in Christ through sanctification.  Children who display the character of Christ in what we do, say and think.

We will have dreams and desires for sure, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't.  However, as the Apostle Paul wrote...of first importance is the sharing of the Gospel to those who don't believe.

Of first importance means we choose to lay aside our wants and desires in favor of Him whom we love enough to shine for in this present darkness.

Jesus said if we love Him we will keep His commandments.

I wasn't writing things nor have I written anything here that does anything other than to point people either to Christ for salvation and or point people to a renewed life in Christ where obedience is at the center of their lives.

As I am directed so comes the writing.  Simple as that.

A life in Christ is to be open so that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

Truth is people should never see us out of the character of Christ.

That's not bashing hobbies, bashing sports or bashing anything that people claim to value.

It is by way of reminder to all of us is that 24/7 365 from sun up to sundown we are to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ...sharing through our living life that Jesus is alive, is real, is waiting with open arms for all to come to them.  That's the will of God for us in Christ Jesus...along with our sanctification. 

The will of God for us is our sanctification.  Why would a true follower of Jesus Christ ever want to set that aside in order to "enjoy" things, thoughts, activities of this world? 

Why would we ever want people to see angry, bitterness, malice or any such thing come from our lives?

Why would we ever want people to see how ungrateful we are for the blessings that we never earned that have come to us in Christ?

Why would we ever, honestly, disgrace our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by our way of thinking and living life in the world?

Think about it.  Why did the Spirit direct Paul to teach on standing firm in the Lord?  Why did He direct the teaching to all who believe on what things that ought not to be named among those claiming to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ?

Why do we, now be truthful, resist the work of the Spirit of God in our lives and deny we are doing so? 

Jesus said we would know others by their fruits...look at yourself in reflection...what real fruits shine in your life?  Do the words of your mouth always reflect your life in Christ?  Does what you wear always reflect the character of Christ?  Does what you do show the world that your desire is to obey God in everything?

What does your life show?  We don't get time off from taking up our own cross and following Jesus.  We don't have days or hours or minutes where we can set aside the race that the Spirit of God has set before us. 

Think about your life and really consider whether you are really a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ or not.

Think about your life and really consider whether you've compromised in areas of your life and allowed idolatry in.  Naming it other things does nothing to change what it is in the eyes of God.

Does your life really look like a life in Christ wholly and completely or are you diligently, actively, pursuing the righteous life that God desires for you?

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

His Name is Jesus

His Name is Jesus 

by David Brenneman 

"Jesus" by Chris Tomlin (C) 2016

There is a truth older than the ages

There is a promise of things yet to come

There is one, born for our salvation

Jesus

There is a light that overwhelms the darkness

There is a kingdom that forever reigns

There is freedom from the chains that bind us

Jesus, Jesus

Who walks on the waters

Who speaks to the sea

Who stands in the fire beside me

He roars like a lion

He bled as the lamb

He carries my healing in his hands

Jesus

There is a name I call in times of trouble

There is a song that comforts in the night

There is a voice that calms the storm that rages

He is Jesus, Jesus

Who walks on the waters

Who speaks to the sea

Who stands in the fire beside me

He roars like a lion

He bled as the lamb

He carries my healing in his hands

Jesus

Messiah, my Saviour

There is power in Your name

You're my rock and, my redeemer

There is power in Your name

In Your name

You walk on the waters

You speak to the sea

You stand in the fire beside me

You roar like a lion

You bled as the lamb

You carry my healing in Your hands

God, you walk on the waters

You speak to the sea

You stand in the fire beside me

You roar like a lion

You bled as the lamb

You carry my healing in Your hands

Jesus

There is no one like you

Jesus

There is no one like you

----------

This morning as I sit to read and write...this song we heard the choir at our church sing was still playing in my mind. 

I know yesterday's post was very difficult to take for some. Some possibly thought I was taking things too seriously.  

You see, the truth of the life of all Believers is that they live their lives as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ...not what they want but what He wants of them must take first priority. 

We can't know the things that He's prepared for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose if we are not taking our calling in Christ as seriously as Jesus took His calling from our Father in Heaven.

Yes it's going to mean saying no to many things and yes to others. 

The Scriptures confirm that we have a part to fulfill in the body of Christ that's for us to be doing. We have responsibilities in our lives that are divinely directed.

Yes it's very likely we won't be popular. Jesus oftentimes wasn't popular.  

We're in training in righteousness...which has no snow days, inclement weather days, not feeling it days. 

When Jesus was up and ready the Disciples were on the move with Him. Their personal wants and desires took a back seat to what Jesus was teaching them. 

We as a "modern" world people really don't truly understand Peter's statement about giving up everything to follow Jesus. 

Jesus...just what DOES His name mean to you? Just what do you give a higher priority to than what He's wanting to teach you? Who is getting your time, energy and efforts that could be spent with Him at His feet learning from Him?

We have calendars both written and digital and yet most don't have a dedicated time to be with Jesus.

We don't take the time to learn the importance of sitting at the feet of Jesus. 

We don't consider that an non-optional thing in our lives. 

I began writing this blog in the spring of 2019. Can't remember a day of not doing it. 

I see with my Bible app that I haven't missed over 1100 days of Bible reading in it.  

In the fall of 2024 I felt the Spirit directing me to study more. That began really January 1st 2025. Can't go an evening without it.

Consider what you can be doing.

Yes it's going to mean sacrifices from what the world finds fun and fascinating and all sorts of things. 

The Disciples learned what that meant in order to truly follow Jesus Christ.

What's in your life that really shouldn't be because Jesus is wanting more time with you that you're not giving Him?

If you can dedicate time, money, towards useless things this world offers you can just as easily spend it on eternal things to please the One who gave His all for you. 

His Name is Jesus. 

Not Called to be Any Fan, Rather Am the Called

Not Called to be Any Fan, Rather Am the Called
by David Brenneman

What's bothers me the most about  fans of people, groups, things, even teams or corporations is the reckless abandoning of the principles of God's Word that occurs without any regard to the impact on a person's testimony and what happens to the Name of Jesus because of it. 

I'm sure that I will be told that I am taking this too seriously...to refer all such comments appropriately...Jesus took my sins seriously unto death and paid for them on the cross. 

No where in the Scriptures is it ever excused to willfully put aside the character of Christ in favor of fitting in, of making fun of, of belittling, berating, speaking angry words about anyone for any reason.  Nor is there anywhere it's appropriate to set up what amounts to shrines in homes to show dedication to a person, place or things.

I will not willingly participate in anything that will ruin my testimony in Christ.  This is my choice. I get it if others don't agree. However, I am trying my best to not grieve the Spirit of God. I am trying my best to not add to the things to what I already have to give an account about before my Savior Jesus Christ.

I know what I am capable of doing in the name of fitting in.  Of being a fan of and it eventually left me appalled.  I was passionate about being a fan and I was ripping people, trash talking, and honestly felt disappointed in myself, disgusted even, for doing that.  So I stopped cold turkey.  I looked at my life and saw other things that I unwittingly had allowed to become, by the Biblical definition, an idol in my life.  Those went too. 

As a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ there's no room for such an attitude about things or people or any such thing in the life of those who claim the Name of Jesus.

The temptation to return to such things doesn't go away.  It's to me the very definition of what it means to stand firm in the Lord.  That Satan and or simply my sin nature is going to try to get me to return.

Pointing people to Jesus means more to me than fitting in with any crowd.

I won't promote any person, place, thing, that gives anyone the chance of the notion that I am a fan of it.  I stopped buying any shirts or hats that promote people, places or things that do not have Christ in mind.

What Jesus thinks of me is more important than if a person or group of people thinks well of me.

Going on...
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!  Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” Romans 6:12-16.

     "In the 1960s, an Episcopal priest named Joseph Fletcher developed a theory of Christian ethics known as "situational ethics." He said that the highest biblical law was selfless (agape) love and that other, lesser laws could be disobeyed if necessary in the pursuit of love. Therefore, the ends can justify the means. And one's circumstances or situation can determine which of
God's laws one keeps.
     This unbiblical approach to God's laws can also lead to "circumstantial character"-character that is dictated by one's circumstances. If God says He does not change (Malachi 3:6),
and if it is God who lives in us (Galatians 2:20), it's hard to see how we could be justified in changing who we are our
character-as a response to our circumstances. One of the characteristics of those who dwelt in the presence of God in the 0ld
Testament was a willingness to suffer loss rather than compromise their character (Psalm 15:4).
Character has often been described as what people do when they know no one is looking. Because God's eyes are always open, our character needs to be constant before Him." Dr. David Jeremiah "Walking with God".

The CSV for the passage in Romans 6:12-16, where we read "instruments" says "weapons".  Reread that with that word changed.

We ruin our character before others when we take off Christ for to follow after anything or anyone in this world.  We ruin our testimony before others when what comes out of our mouth would never come out of the mouth of Christ.

Would we ever think that Jesus would treat others the way many Christians do before, during, or after a football game the way Christians today do? 

Would we see Jesus behaving as many today do in their homes, wearing what they wear? 

No we wouldn't because He would only be looking to think, speak, act, as His Father in Heaven would want Him.

I get it that this will mean being shunned by others in this world.  I get it that it means not being included. 

My Dear Reader...living a life approved by Jesus Christ means and should always mean, something more important than anything the world thinks must be.

We who are called out of this world, for such we become in Christ Jesus, are fully His representatives to the rest of the world. 

We ruin our testimony by sounding like the evil of this world. 

We give no reason to draw near to Jesus when we show the world there's nothing different enough to leave their present darkness for the light of Jesus Christ.

We are representatives of Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

I know such teaching isn't going to be popular.  I know the hard choices and decisions that a Believer must make in pursuing a life that exemplifies being a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. But never do we read of Jesus setting aside anything He was here to do, be, in order to please people, not even unto Himself.  He was here in full obedience to His Father in Heaven.

You may have similar choices to make as I've had to do all my life.  Choices about movies, music, sports, people, everything.

Scripture says that we are called out of this world to represent Jesus and glorify His Name, grow with respect to our salvation, and to make more Disciples because of all He's done for us. 

You must examine your life to see if you are pursuing that objective.

No you won't be popular but you will be living a life that is what you were called to be in Christ.

We are to reflect the light of Jesus Christ from sun up to sundown.  A follower of Christ sets aside their wants and desires in favor of the One whom they follow.

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

Your True Daily Life

Your True Daily Life 

by David Brenneman 

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-7.

From Trusting God with Today by Dr. Charles Stanley. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.

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

Galatians 2:20.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We cannot fight a spiritual war with physical means.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The same goes for you. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. 

New American Standard Bible 

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