Do You Not Know?

Do You Not Know?

by David Brenneman 

"For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths." Proverbs 5:21

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"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.

"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

"According to the power that works within us." This is none other than the Spirit of God after we come to Christ for salvation.  Sealed by God through the Spirit. Placed in the body of Christ as He sees fit as well.  All Believer's have this distinguishing mark that's known to other members of the body of Christ and seen by our Savior and Lord. 

Your ways, your thoughts, your passions, all your feelings and emotions are laid bare before Jesus.  He knows you far more intimately than you do Him.  Through prayer, and solitude with Jesus you learn more about Jesus.  This too is the will of God for you. 

By no means are you to come to Christ then go on living like you hadn't. 

That other promise is very much a promise and not a mere statement.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 

There we go again...finding another application to how much of you should be applied to that search...all of your heart. 

When we look at the history of Godly men and women, what do you see?  No these people weren't simply different nor simply called to the life we see or read concerning them.  They were and are living out their salvation with fear and trembling.  Fear in this regard has to do with respect.  Trembling because they understood the stakes in this endeavor.

Do you my Friend?  Do you really understand what's at stake here?

You are to be growing in Christ. Growing in your relationship with Jesus as your highest priority. Living a life of obedience to God's Word and plan for you.  That moment yet future where you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life...it will only be about your obedience to God's Word and plan for you.  Not at all about your worldly successes or failures. Nothing to do with your reputation in this world apart from Jesus. Nothing about your vast amount of possessions.

In the Old Testament we read of them writing the reminders of God's word on various items that were on their clothing, throughout their home.  The teaching was to bind these things to them so that they might not sin against against God. 

In today's world we can search the Bible in microseconds.  Nanoseconds even.  Finding every single time certain words are used. 

Many recommend keeping Scripture Journals. Writing down when something is taught to you by the Spirit.  

All of you is what all of Jesus desires.  He said He is jealous of the Spirit of God within you.  

Soon, at a day set by the Father, Jesus is returning and will complete the Word of God by calling all who have died in Christ first then all who are alive and remain to Himself. In new glorified bodies.  Forever free of sin and death. Forever free of the struggles of combating the effects of sins curse. 

My Dear Reader...with all that is at stake...how much of your time do you think should go towards your walk with Jesus?

Are you putting career, family, friends, things, ahead of your life in Christ?  They aren't the same thing. 

God first, Spouse second, Children third, everyone else after that.

Nothing should supercede that arrangement of priorities. Not government. Not ideologies. Not hobbies. Nothing should be more important than that arrangement. 

Take a look at the 10 Commandments and how Jesus summarized them.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do you see any room for anything else when Jesus invoked the use of the word ALL?

Pray about your heart.  You really need to my Friend.  Pray for your eyes to be opened to see what the Spirit wishes you to understand and know about your relationship with Jesus.  Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  See what a difference that perspective will make in your life. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

Praying for Your Conduct

Praying for Your Conduct 

by David Brenneman 

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." James 5:13-20.

When someone comes into your life...do you count it as accidental or something else?

We are to be aware enough in our walk with Jesus to see, know and understand that there's going to be Godinstances, not coincidences in life. 

You who are in Christ are now in the mission field. You are Ambassadors for Jesus Christ while you breathe and live out your life until called home.

This is the chief reason that after coming to Christ your life goes in directions that you never imagined possible...and that's a fantastically good thing. 

You get to do life with other Believers. You get to weep with them in ways the world cannot understand...because the world has no hope to look forward to in the afterlife. We rejoice with others in ways the world cannot understand because of our reasons for doing so. The world cannot understand the joys possible living in a life wholly dedicated to Jesus. 

Paul wrote that the natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. They are foreign to them.  

There's many many different things in this life that are foreign to me...and I am certainly okay with that. There's things that I have experienced that I wish were still foreign to me but aren't.

We who are in Christ, there's an expectation of conduct concerning us. We read that our lives should be lived in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. 

We read that in this world we will see persecutions. That those who wish to live Godly in Christ Jesus are going to be persecuted. Everything may be permitted by God in our lived that appears to be against us.  

We read that we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. All these things are those things that we need to grow in Christ. 

We are living out growing in Christ while pointing others to Jesus themselves to find His free gift of salvation. All the while our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  

The life of a shepherd is going to have difficulty. David recounted to King Saul of his experience against the lion and the bear. It's not at all just watching the sheep and harp playing. It's an active life.

Truth be told the only retirement program for Believers are when Jesus says its time to come home. Regardless of age, as long as you are breathing, there's something for you to be doing for Him. Just like the appropriate train of thought concerning "judging others" is that we are to be witnesses regardless of the individual. That as long as they are breathing there's still hope. We do not have the right to condemn someone to Hell. We do not sit in judgment to say that anyone has no right to come to Christ for salvation because of the life they have lived. That is to say the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross just wasn't meant for so-and-so. That Jesus didn't die for someone. 

Scripture says that Jesus died once for all. 

My Dear Reader, if indeed you've come to Christ for salvation, you have a higher calling in life now. 

You are representing your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dare to be an Andrew. Pointing people to Jesus Christ and the hope of salvation through Him. 

Praying at all times. Let your light shine before men in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. 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. Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.

Yesterday while volunteering the subject of accountability for actions came up. We aren't excused in our interactions with others. We who are in Christ Jesus will give an account of our lives before Him. Our biases will not be an acceptable excuse. 

Look at your life and see if indeed you're saved. If you are, are you living life in such a way that people see your good works and are glorifying your Father in Heaven?

If you aren't saved yet...my Dear Reader...it's not at all about what you will lose in coming to Christ for salvation. It's about everything you will gain. Sure you'll lose your sense of wandering aimlessly. Lose your sense of loneliness. Lose your lack of true family. Lose all that has been a boat anchor in your life keeping you from running.  

What you gain is oh so much more.

Praying at all times isn't just stopping and folding your hands all day to talk to God. Nehemiah prayed wherever he was. Inside he just pointed his heart to God and talked to Him right where he was. 

I do it a lot. No job is too small or too great for my Savior and Lord.  

You must choose. You decide for yourself who you want to save you. Jesus or yourself. The only acceptable way to Heaven is through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary. 

The only human beings in Hell are those who rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

The only human beings in Heaven are those who accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Jesus is the only Way the only Truth and the only Life. 

Praying at all times is a privilege to those who love Jesus. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

Depth of Heart is a Requirement

Depth of Heart is a Requirement 

by David Brenneman 

"Ask yourself am I just saying my prayers, or am I praying my prayers."

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3.

2 Thessalonians 4:3a "This is the will of God, your sanctification".

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2. 

All too often in the history of mankind, when interacting with Jesus, be it when He was known only as the Lord Almighty, or Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, people more often than not did not understand that words rolling off their lips were not enough when interacting with Jesus. 

That opening quote was from a devotional on the book of James. But it stood out so plain and simple as a very very deep truth. 

The section of James that it was referring to is the portion that I quoted.  

How often have you, my Dear Reader, prayed for God's will for you? The other passages that I quoted are often seen as places where it appears to be clearer but here in James, the will of God for you is also stated.

"let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,"

ARE you laying aside the things in life that are slowing you down in your race to your finish line that is in Heaven for you?

ARE you running in such a way as a man or woman who's trying to win? Or are you not giving Him your best efforts?

ARE your thoughts towards preparing for the Lord in your today or are they elsewhere?

ARE you praying or are you actually, mindlessly, reciting words?  

Do you put your heart into your prayers or is it not engaged?

My Dear Reader James said that these things:

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16.

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

Are you giving your best to Jesus or not?

Are you seeking to grow in Christ or are you just trying to skate by?

Does sin bother you at all? Does your heart really follow after Jesus or are you really calling the shots?

Jesus taught a parable on the seeds. You should go read up on it as a reminder. You are one of those varieties. There's not a human being who's lived that isn't one of those. That would be Matthew 13.

Are you more interested in the life the world wants you to live than the life that Jesus wants to give you?

You can't live it both ways. You cannot give part of your heart to the work of the Spirit of God for you. 

Half-hearted prayers shouldn't expect a full-hearted response from God. Think about that question deeply. 

Further after James spoke about prayers and praying he mentioned Elijah's prayers. In Hebrews we have what's been referred to as the Faith Chapter. You show the world the depth of your relationship with Jesus by the depth of the prayers you pray. Is your heart in your prayers?  

My prayer are that whatever I am directed to write leads people either to Jesus for salvation or points the way for people to come back to the life in Christ that He desired for them...for you.

It's a daily struggle to keep shrugging off the things that so easily entangle. The world is a professional at getting people entangled. Satan's been practicing for centuries. Know your enemy. 

Satan's so good at deception that you won't even know it's a deception...until it's too late. 

Put your whole heart into the race set before you. 

Put your whole heart into your prayers.

Jesus doesn't want part-time visits with you. He's to be your personal Lord and Savior. Treat Him as such. 

Does the music you listen to honor this race you are in?

Does the reading material you take in honor the race that you are in?

Does the videos you watch honor the race that you are in?

Does your hobbies honor the race that you are in?

James says you are in a race. 

Therefore the Spirit says that you are in a race. 

Those racing to win train to win. 

Maybe it's time you took it seriously. Give Jesus your whole heart. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

What IS Your Life?

What IS Your Life?

by David Brenneman 

"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24.

Would you say something like this of yourself?  Could you?

Jesus said "And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Luke 9:23-26.

Do you have something, some ministry, that is yours to accomplish in your life for Jesus?  Deep down, I think that you know that answer.  

Think about another passage since we're going down this path. "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

When Joseph spent 2 whole years completing his training in a prison after accurately interpreting the Cup Bearer and the Chief Baker, it was only then that he was moved on up to fulfill his own dream interpreting concerning himself and his family. 

Joseph's life was nothing that he imagined it to be, yet, in it and  through it God was glorified. God received the credit and the resultant praise.  What if Joseph had figured out how to escape the plans his brother's laid for him?  We might be reading of someone else in the book of Genesis. 

Your story has much in it my Dear Reader.  For many it may not have a pleasant beginning. It may not be full of happiness and joy even today.  To be honest, yes, I certainly would like to not have gone through the things in life that I have that were painful then and some are still painful today.  However, my life today in Christ would not be where it is without those valley's and the problems they were at the time.

Coming to Christ with your whole heart is essential, critical even, to start doing what you have for you to be doing in Christ. 

For sure, ALL throughout his life, the Lord Jesus Christ had Joseph's undivided attention.  We read of the Lord being with him.  He didn't understand why but he obeyed anyway.  

You may not understand the why's of your life, obey anyway.

Do not lift up things in your life higher than your relationship with Jesus. Nor should anyone or anything receive the honor, love, and respect that belongs to God in your life!

Honestly so many people are doing that and don't even understand that's the real reason their lives are in trouble!  

Their looks are more important than obeying God. 

Their possessions are more important than obeying God. 

Their jobs, their family, their hobbies, their sports teams, political affiliations, are more important than the true plans for God in their lives!

If your love, admiration, passion, joy, peace are tied more to the things of this world than they are to Jesus then, my Dear Reader, you have a problem.  

Are ANY of those things more important than hearing "Well done!" from the One you call your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Are there dreams that I have had for my life?  Sure.  Are there things that I wish I could have done, have accomplished?  Yes. 

None of these are more important to me than knowing that I have not lived a life that disappointed my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

I urge you as Paul did "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.   Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,  contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:1-18.

My Dear Reader, you cannot fathom the life that God desires for you.

It's not possible to know the true impact of a life sold out to Jesus. 

It's so much more than we could ever ask for or think about. 

It, like Joseph's life, may not at all look like the life you desired but in God's scheme of things...He will receive the honor and the glory that belongs only to Him. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Acceptance or Rejection are in Your Hands

Acceptance or Rejection are in Your Hands 

by David Brenneman 

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen." 1 Timothy 6:3-16.

On the other side of Hell's gates are only those who rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  

In the world of Christianity souls are not 'won'. People are shown a still better way. People are shown the Truth, the Way and how to find the Life. People choose to either accept or reject the life in Christ that He's prepared for them. 

Acceptance and Rejection are in the hands of all who breath the breath of life. Our day of accountability before Jesus will either be for the deeds we did in our lives for Him AFTER coming to Christ for salvation or for the deeds we did in life and to be shown after all that's to be revealed that our choice was to reject Him. Those who accepted Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him in glory. Those who rejected Him will spend eternity feeling only a taste of the painful torment that Jesus experienced on the cross when He died for them. 

My Dear Reader acceptance or rejection of the message of the Gospel truth about salvation in Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins is in YOUR hands.

In Christ there IS a life in Christ to which all Believer's are called to live out. It's not burdensome, it's not heavy, nor complicated. It's not about all that we've been told by the world that we're going to lose out on.  

Our faith must help others find themselves at the feet of Jesus so that they can see and experience the love of Christ Jesus for themselves.  

A long time ago I heard a sermon about daring to be an Andrew. 

Think about how different the four Gospels might have been if Andrew hadn't been so willing to obey God and tell his brother Peter about Jesus!

In my life I cannot help but consider all the saints before my decision to follow Jesus that went through all their journeys to get to me.  

If they hadn't been obedient to their calling in Christ then I wouldn't be writing these things today.  

The life of a Believer isn't what the world would have everyone believe. It's not about missing out, it's not about giving up, it's not about all that the world holds dear. You cannot compare the Light with the Darkness. It's beyond the teaching example of comparing apples to oranges. Without the Light of Jesus Christ you cannot even taste what it means to know the truth of God!

To all a measure of faith has been given...and it's enough to open the door to your own personal life in Christ if you so choose.  

Jesus has provided enough light to you my Dear Reader to find the door to open up to Jesus. It's still on you to invite Him in to be your Lord and Savior.  

I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't come to Christ for salvation. Since I about went through it once, I imagine decades ago I probably would have committed suicide. Painful despair was very much apart of my first few weeks after coming to Christ for salvation. I said yes to His free gift and it felt that life got worse! Well it might have felt that way but it wasn't true. The path of righteousness isn't the path of the world. I imagine there was ridicule to be had by the Disciples when they dropped lives they were living to follow Jesus. 

Jesus's free gift of salvation is free to all. Romans 10 says "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.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:8-17).

You, my Dear Reader, choose Heaven or Hell. Acceptance and Rejection are in the hands of all mankind because of the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Only the Spirit of God can write your name in the book of life that belongs to Jesus Christ. He writes your name in the blood of Jesus that was shed for all who believe. 

Lastly...your belief must go beyond believing that God exists. In the book of James it says that even the demons believe that. A life in Christ must be more. A life given to Him will be so much more. 

He says "Behold I stand at the door and knock..."

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

What About Today?

What About Today?

by David Brenneman 

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.  But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." 

James 4:13-17.

You probably woke up to some kind of expectation about this today you find yourself in. 

You might have thought your day was planned out.  Then this didn't go as planned or that fell into your lap.  A snowball effect begins.

You are in a race and while turning a corner stumble over something or someone else in your path.

How do you react?  

Dr. Charles Stanley's Life Principle #20 "Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice." 

This has been on my mind a lot lately.  

Robert Burns is quoted as saying  "The best laid plans of mice and men oft' go awry...and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy!".

Oh do I have plans.  Mostly my plans do not come close to my budget on time or possible materials.  Work often is in the way of many things. 

What do you do when life is now throwing curve balls?

Even in these kinds of emotionally charged and difficult times Proverbs 3:5-6 "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." comes to the forefront of the mind...or at least it should be the practice of our lives. 

Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice." 

We can choose our reactions to things that aren't going our way. 

This is at least partially what is meant by "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus". 

This weekend is a good example.  Sure I had other plans.  Sure my plans were in place for over a year.  God's saying to let go of those plans because He had other things in mind.  

Time is, regardless of what the song says, is not on our side.  We do have a certain, specific, set amount of time on this Earth. 

Our wants and desires tend to be more pleasant when they align with the wants and desires that God has in mind for us.

We really do choose to be discouraged or not to be discouraged.  The choice has to do with selfish desires.  We see how the situation or circumstance affects us personally and we get upset about it rather than react as Christ Jesus would react. 

The goal, after we come to Christ for salvation, is that we learn how to live life in the character of Christ. 

We can live in fear of the days ahead or simply trust the One who was powerful enough to overcome sin, death and the grave.  We can focus on all that our eyes see and ears hear or our bodies relate to or....or...we can trust in the One in whom holds all our days.  

Jesus said rather clearly and without any kind of parable what our expectations should be about today and tomorrow. 

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,  yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!  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 6:25-34.

So many people over compensate on preparing for tomorrow.  So many people who claim to be Christians are truly worrying about tomorrow rather than praying about tomorrow. 

Are you leaning into this yet?

Jesus has something in your today for you to accomplish. 

Jesus has something for you to be doing for Him in your here and now.

It may not look like anything you've seen before. It may not make sense for you for sure.  Steps of faith can happen at any point in time for the Believer in Christ Jesus.  When we take those steps our faith in Jesus grows and our reliance on self diminishes. 

So things aren't going your way? Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 

Things going really good today? Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 

Someone did you wrong?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 

Something unexpected happened?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 

Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

The Judgment then, the Same Now

The Judgment then, the Same Now

by David Brenneman 

Having rejected Jesus as their Lord and Savior, upon dying, seals a person's eternity.  

Deeds are shown in the writings of the book of Revelation to the effect that nothing we could ever do would be enough to escape the Judgment of the Lake of Fire.  

To be maybe a little bit more clear...anything and everything you could try to do apart from salvation in Christ...will net you the same fate now.  The only reason people are in Hell is because of their steadfast rejection of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Nobody is there because of their deeds save the aforementioned rejection.  

The judgments are the same and for the same reason.  

Whether a person has exhibited the most heinous of atrocities or was the kindest of people to all they knew.  Their deeds done in their lives, all that they did, amount to nothing.  

In the book of Revelation we read: 

"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:11-15.

Did you see it? Did you catch that part?  Every one of them according to their deeds.  If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life...

My Dear Reader, you must choose to ask for this free gift of salvation.  It's the only significant deed done in your life that has eternal consequences.

You could have billions of dollars and be the greatest philanthropist who ever lived...without Christ as your Savior and Lord you will exit this world and enter into Hell. 

Seems sort of obvious but bears saying, you could be the most evil of people who ever lived and will wake up in torment in Hell. 

You could be an average person living today.  The kind that takes good care of family and friends. The kind that cares for people and animals. The kind that has a great heart of giving.  Without salvation in Christ Jesus alone...it's worthless. 

These kinds of people and every single type in between will be judged by Jesus and after every single thing of their lives is examined...if their names were not written in the book of life...you read what happened next.

Salvation in Christ Jesus is free.

Satan and the world would have everyone believe that it costs you everything you are.  That's the greatest deception in your life. 

The greatest lie ever told is the one that gets you in the end. 

Coming to Jesus for salvation is so simple that children can understand it.  Adults overthink it.  

"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.

Your deeds, your accumulation of accolades and accomplishments, your possessions kept or given away, good deeds, bad deeds, nothing apart from salvation in Christ Jesus will save you.  

Were anything else be possible to enter into Heaven, then the Father would have accepted it.  The only path to Heaven comes through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary.  Jesus said of Himself that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. 

My Dear Reader be sure in this moment of your life...be sure that you are indeed saved!  

My eternal hope in writing these posts for the last 5 and a half years is for either people to return to Jesus or for people to find salvation  in Christ my Savior. 

Jesus says this:

"“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:21-23.

When you come to Christ for salvation you begin a new relationship with Jesus.  This is what He's talking about here.  People doing life apart from Jesus claiming to do this good work or that with no foundation in Christ.  No relationship with Jesus.  

That book of Life?  Your name can only be written in it by the testimony of the Spirit of God when you come to Christ for salvation.  You are permanently sealed in the Spirit...permanently a child of God...from that day forward. 

My Dear Reader...please choose life in Christ.  

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.  

Your Heart, Not Your Stomach

Your Heart, Not Your Stomach 

by David Brenneman 

"After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7:14-23.

In and of ourselves our hearts cannot be trusted. Having the mind of Christ is what reigns in the heart.

Our sin nature is extremely devious. 

Our sin nature will lie to us, tell us things to make our walk with Jesus far more difficult. 

We can and do provoke it at times with those things we desire. Those things we listen to and watch can often fan its flame. 

Look at what Jesus just said and now look at what Paul said to Timothy. 

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

And further, the Apostle Peter. "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts," 2 Peter 3:3.

King David had this to say: "Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land."

Reading that from King David you might also see echoes of what Paul would later write.

What fills your heart? Is it important to you to grow in Christ?

Is walking with Jesus with your whole heart important to you? 

Either Jesus is in the driver's seat or you are. Either we run the race set before us with the aim being the prize at the end in Christ or we aren't. 

The writer of Hebrews wrote concerning sins that easily entangle in Chapter 12 verse 1.

Paul wrote this to Timothy and all of us: "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." 2 Timothy 2:3-7.

Are our eyes focused on what's in front of us in any given moment or are we looking forward to our face-to-face with Jesus?

If what you've got going on in your life, those things and situations that you embrace so closely to your heart, were to be your last moments on the Earth would you be embarrassed by these before Jesus?  

Are you cultivating a relationship with Jesus or your desires?

Our desires are often sensory motivated. Way more than you think. Smells can trigger powerful emotions to drive you to either eat or be repulsed by eating. Sounds can drive you to potentially enjoyable activities or away from them. A touch can either bring comfort or anger. Hunger can actually blind us to further dangers ahead. HALT. If you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired...you are in danger of going headlong down a slippery slope to sinning.  

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." Jeremiah 17:9-10.

My Dear Reader, you must choose daily who is the object of worship in your life. You or Jesus. It actually didn't dawn on me until now that the passage I just copied was entirely one statement from Jesus. The quotes were already there.

Pray that your eyes would be opened as to what the Spirit is trying to get you to clear out of your heart. Take great care to watch your thoughts and feelings to see if you're going to glorify God or yourself. Paul said to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.  

Would you recognize those attributes Jesus mentioned or Paul mentioned in your life? Would you recognize and understand what idolatry is? Would you recognize anything else that the Spirit says is sin?

If we can be satisfied with saying "Oh that's not that bad" rather than to ask the Spirit if it is first...we're in trouble. Our understand of what's good and acceptable absolutely are not what the Bible says is good and acceptable. If ours was as good and acceptable as we think then Jesus died needlessly.  

As the prophet Haggai wrote twice at the beginning of that book "Consider your ways!".

"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 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

All or Part of You?

All or Part of You?

by David Brenneman 

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”?  But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:4-8.

"And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13.

"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.

"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 3:14-17.

It's rather interesting all the all's in just these passages. The all in the first section is heavily implied.

Enjoying life is one thing, but to do so with no regard to our relationship with Jesus isn't right. 

Jesus isn't just a confidant that we call upon once in a while when life is troubling to us.  

Jesus does not want conjugal visits when we feel like it.

Jesus does not want part time visitations either. 

You don't see any of that with the teaching of the Disciples in the four Gospels.  

They were being taught HOW to carry their own cross.  They were told after the resurrection to teach these things to others that they learned from Jesus.  "Go therefore and make disciples...teaching them all that I commanded you...".

Honestly? Missing out on what this world offers isn't the end of the world. 

Many hem and haw over what they feel they must give up in order to follow Jesus with their whole heart.  Oh what they'll have to give up! Oh what they will have to get rid of! Oh how they will need to behave like!

Really?  We came to Christ Jesus for salvation, the free gift that is offered in His Name.  Jesus took upon Himself the punishment of us all upon Himself on that cross on that day over 2,000 years ago.

And we whine about our sacrifices in living life for Him?  We are not as careful as we should be about living a life in Christ as we ought to be. 

We try to sneak in aspects of the world into our lives, thinking it won't be a problem, won't be a hindrance. 

We do this and do not realize we've given the devil a foothold. 

I have unfortunately given the devil a foothold in my life and it's an often daily struggle. 

My Dear Reader, take this life in Christ seriously. Jesus wants a full devotion, a real relationship with you.  

Pray and ask God to reveal any idols or ways of the world that cause temptation in your life.

Pray for strength to withhold temptation or desire to fall into the ways of the world.

This world isn't your friend.

Ask Jesus how you need to be and go for it.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

Our Internal Interests and the World

Our Internal Interests and the World 

by David Brenneman 

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:1-8.

"What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:1-4.

What drives you? What really gets your motor running? What ambitions do you have? Indeed are there some areas of your life where you do indeed love this world more than you do your relationship with Jesus? To look at this world of Christians and non-Christian people it's incredibly sad and difficult to tell them apart at times. 

The only thing separating both groups is the grace of God through Jesus Christ.  

Jesus said that for those who wished to follow Jesus each would need to take up his own cross and follow Him. 

Does your life show you taking up your own cross? Would there be, as it were, enough evidence to prove this about you?

Do your own personal desires take precedence over those of others?

Do you have intentional daily times with Jesus, both in prayerful conversation as well as time in His Word?

Do you actually try to do your best to balance living for Jesus and living peaceably with the world?

Thinking that you'll do enough to please Him and not upset your relationship with the world?

There's a common phrase known as burning the candle at both ends.  

People don't think about the things that the Lord told Moses in the 10 Commandments as being relevant today. That those were for a much more uncivilized time. Guess they missed the facts.  

Fact is, Jesus Christ said He's the same, yesterday, today and forever. 

Fact is, Satan is a liar and the father of lies. 

Fact is, pride took down Adam and Eve, still takes down people today.  

Fact is, sins still happen today that happened 6,000 years ago.  

Fact is, we've come to Christ for salvation, to be cleansed, washed clean. To not walk in those ways anymore.

Fact is...if adultery, idolatry and all the others mentioned in the Old Testament weren't still relevant, the Apostles wouldn't have still been writing about them in the New Testament.

Our sin nature is very crafty. Very cunning. Certainly very deceitful. It's almost limited by our own imagination. 

To take up your own cross...I have mentioned this before that you really can't carry anything else. It's estimated that the cross Jesus had to carry weighed around 300 lbs. 

Movies like "Back to the Future" made the phrase "that's heavy" popular again from the 1960's.

The weight of one world was on His shoulders on His way to be crucified. To take up our own cross...consider that the two thieves were probably carrying theirs right behind Him or in front of Him. There was nothing else they could carry. 

On my best day, in my prime, I might be able to haul 250 lbs, dragging it across my back. There's absolutely nothing else crossing my mind when focusing on not falling down with that kind of load. The focus being getting to my destination. 

What's your destination? Are you trying to carry the weight of this world with you as well as your own cross? Are you living for Jesus with all that you are? Striving to please Him in all that you do?

Look, this isn't about setting up people for a guilt trip. It's about the reality of the cross. The reality of the life in Christ that He desires for us. The reality that until we are letting go of this world we're going to struggle with our attempts at balancing a life in Christ and this world. He says to love not the world nor the things of this world. 

Set your eyes on the prize. A runner sheds everything to be as fast as possible to win the prize. 

Look around your 'kingdom'.

Do you see the vestiges of things of this world that conflict with His Word? Maybe it's time for the Spiritual Edition of "Hoarders". Time to clean up and clean out.  

To make the room for the real Will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

What Does Life Look Like?

What Does Life Look Like?

by David Brenneman 

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, 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. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13.

"So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.  But you did not learn Christ in this way,  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Ephesians 4:17-24.

In the life of a Believer things are supposed to be different.  We have much entrusted to us in Christ. 

Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus through His Spirit.  

We are easily fooled by ourselves given the opportunity.  Our sin nature is slick, sly, deceiving in ways we really cannot fathom.  To 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...takes a commitment!

We are easily swayed by what sounds good, what looks appealing, what feels good.  Our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour by way of these things. 

We read between the lines of the four Gospels and we see a commitment that's more than being a fan of Jesus Christ.  

A fan does not pursue what the Disciples pursued.  A fan doesn't do what they did. 

The Disciples wanted what their Master wanted of them and for them. They committed themselves to the Lord. To His teaching.  To allow their lives to be changed by His perfect influence and direction. 

Did you skim over the opening passages?  Go back and read them again.  They're talking about you. 

If indeed Romans 10 is true of you, that is: "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.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”" Romans 10:8-15.

Last week I was prompted by the Spirit to look at all the terminology in the book of 2 Chronicles that I had already been reading in to find all the descriptions of the state of the hearts of the Kings of Judah and Israel.  It further cemented what it says in the Bible that it is He who searches the hearts. 

He searches your heart all the time. Every single second of every single day.  Every single thought you have every single time you had one and are having one. 

He knows you intimately. David wrote of that in the book of Psalms. 

My thoughts, ideas, dreams, are useless outside of the will of God for me in Christ Jesus. 

Yours are as well for you.  We only THINK we know what we want. We don't see the dangers toils and snares of this world. Some we have added to our lives are choking out the full work of the Spirit of God and we can't see it nor understand why we aren't as effective as we could be for Jesus. 

The sin nature we struggle with is a disaster waiting for the opportunity to happen.  We don't realize the poison it brings to a life in Christ.  

We don't look for idolatry in our lives because of what it would mean to remove it.

We don't look for self-deception because we would have to face the fact that we were fooled.

We don't look for roots of bitterness or anger because we want to feel justified by our great thoughts concerning ourselves and others. That we know enough to make an informed decision about our views on ourselves and others. 

We don't really look for the plans that He has for us because we really didn't think to ask in faith in praying. 

When you look at your yesterday do you see His will being done in your life or was it yours?

Did you get dressed with the thought that He has something for you to be doing for Him today?

Did you not spend time with Jesus because you made something else more important than that?

Stop and pray for your eyes to be opened about the condition of your heart. Pray that Jesus would have all of you. Not the just the parts that you have been thinking He wants. 

He is searching your heart right now. This second. And this second. And the next.

You may have come to Christ for salvation, but are you committed to living that out?  

From personal experience I can very easily say that I could never fathom the great things that He has had in store for my life in Christ. 

I only THOUGHT I understood what I wanted.  I had to let go of these things to find my purpose under Heaven that He has for me. 

My prayer for you is to live the Christian life in the way that most honors God and not you.  It may take some embarrassing things to get back to Jesus and His plans for you but it's worth it.

For those who read this, this far, and aren't saved yet. Are you done with the struggle yet?  Trying to figure out life and are tired of a life without meaning or purpose?  Jesus is at the door of your heart knocking.  Waiting for you to open up and let Him in.

He already knows everything about you...and loves you anyway. He knew everything you would say or do and still died on the cross for you anyway. He arose 3 days later to be Christ and King to make the way possible for you to be saved. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The World vs Truth

The World vs Truth 

by David Brenneman 

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  James 3:13-18.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.  A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.”  This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.  For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” John 10:1-18.

"Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.  You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” John 8:42-47

The tools of Satan, the minions of Satan are all around you and I. They are coming into our homes, our workplaces, our entertainment, our hobbies, our every single aspect of our lives. 

The only power that can fight these influences is the power of Christ Jesus through His finished work on the cross.  

It's easy to go with the flow of this world.  It's easy to allow things into your life that do nothing to grow you in the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus for you.  

You will find fake wisdom easily. You will find fake joy.

You will find fake success. 

You will find a counterfeit to every single good, perfect and wholesome thing from above.  These worldly desires will be twisted perverse things and ways that are just enough to keep you from the truth of God for you. 

Many times it will only be after you find yourself in a bind will you see how foolish the ways of the world really are.

Jesus said in that passage that His sheep hear His voice. Do you listen for it?  His voice that is. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  When sheep hear their own shepherd's voice they run to him.  When Jesus speaks to you, do you run to Him?

We can be oh so easily fooled by ourselves and others.  Our sin nature isn't going to work together for good with us. 

We can be so good at bitterness and anger that we look like professionals.  Justification is something we inherited from Adam and Eve. 

The world draws you away from the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

The world will never ever be overt in this.  Subtlety is in the ways of Satan.  Believe it or not, so is patience.  As someone once said "know your enemy".  Satan gets credit for much that we ourselves do. Our sin nature, in all reality, just needs encouragement to do that which offends our Holy God.  

The world has no lack of know-it-all people.  Within the Church and outside of it.  

You are responsible for you.  You who claim the name of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord are going to give an account of your life before Jesus Himself.  He's not going to play 20 questions. He has nothing to need to ask of you.  

All your heart is laid bare before Jesus. All your life is an open book to Him. Every single thought and intendion.  Every single action and inaction you're doing or ever considered.  

Actually this is the same for those who are saved and those who have denied Christ Jesus and are now in Hell.  The same goes for those who have not yet chosen the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

The difference is the Spirit of God within the Believer.  

Without the Spirit who only comes by way of acknowledging the need for salvation, repenting of our sins, and turning to the living hope found only in Christ, there is no hope of escape from the tormenting fires of Hell.

The world cares not that you go to Hell or not.  The world wants you to stop living for Jesus.  The world wants you to stop believing in God. The world wants to silence Believers everywhere. 

And the world wants your help in doing this. 

It takes commitment to live life in Christ Jesus.  It takes seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness. It takes asking for God's wisdom rather than accepting the world's attempts at wisdom.

As you look at your life, are you saved?  Is Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord?  If not, why not? What's holding you back?  Please don't be fooled by this world any longer. 

Every good and perfect thing truly comes from above.  

"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.”  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?  How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Romans 10:8-15.

Until your death there's the chance for you to find the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  

Jesus IS the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. 

Tired of the lies?

Tired of the empty philosophies?

Tired of the world?

Jesus is waiting...just for you. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

What's in Yours?

What's in Yours?

by David Brenneman 

"For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;  from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh." James 3:7-12.

A devotional I read in my Bible app on James says "Matthew 12:34 says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” What is on the inside will come out in what we say. If we have anger or bitterness it will seep into the words that we say. If we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will speak words that are life giving and encouraging to those around us. As we surrender control of our words to God, ask Him to search your heart for anything that could be impacting the way you speak."

What is your heart full of?  What consumes your thoughts during your day?  There is a connection between the two. 

Does bitterness and anger pour out of your mouth?  Anger at what others have said or done, whether good or bad?  

I am reminded of the last chapter of Jonah...when Jesus asked Jonah "Do you have a right to be angry?".

If the passion of your life is Christ, shouldn't your thoughts be of your walk with Jesus?

If what gets your motor running is nothing but the things of this world...what's in your heart?

If your knowledge of God is so little that you can't think about it...then...think about it now.  

When will you make Jesus the leader of your life?  Quit treating Him like some celebrity you know and met once.  Your heart will give away who is reigning in there.

If your desires are most important to you...then it's not Jesus. 

We really don't want the same chastisement that Peter received from Jesus.  

"But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”" Matthew 16:23.

So, my Dear Reader, who is ruling and reigning in there?

"Love not the world nor the things of this world" seems rather easy to figure out.  

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit." doesn't leave much room for any confusion. 

"Love your neighbor as yourself" seems pretty self-explanatory to me. 

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" sets a pretty good path before a Believer in Christ Jesus. 

There's no room nor place for compromise in the life of a Believer. 

Do we really want to add to those things that will be burned up by the fire that will test our deeds done in our lives?

Temptations do not make life change easy.  

We have to take up our own cross and follow Him...that's exactly what Jesus said.  That cross you take up requires all of your attention. All of your heart.  

When established...creeks, rivers, flow naturally.  The path from your heart to the world flows naturally.  So what flows from yours?  

Does pent up rage seem to be it?  Anger at others?  Why?  The Bible says to not let any root of bitterness take hold in your what?  Your heart.  Read your Bible. There's oh so many examples of what that's not a good thing. I would suggest the book of Jonah.  

He had a cultural anger that ran deep.  Jesus was trying to uproot it. 

For a time these people turned to God and God showed mercy at the preaching of Jonah.  

We need to take great care in what resides in our hearts.  Loving this or that in this world will become a snare.  Perpetually being angry will cause bitterness to take root.  When we teach others to love things in this world we introduce stumbling blocks to them.  Jesus's harsh words on that concerning children says everything. 

"but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks!  For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!  “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire.  If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost." Matthew 18:6-11.

Take stock of your hearts desires. They will show you much. 

Take a good look at what pours out of your mouth. 

This will show you the state of your heart.

Take a good look at your real relationship with Jesus.  Not the one you display before others.

Jesus wants your whole heart. 

He searches your whole heart. 

Not just the parts you want Him to see. 

Our lives are not even a spec on the time-line of eternity but what we do, how we do it, what we do it for, impacts everyone around us...for now and eternity to come. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.   

How Much is All?

How Much is All?

by David Brenneman 

"Wisdom shouts in the street, She lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:  “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge?  Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.  Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.  Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord.  They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.  So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices.  For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.  But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.” Proverbs 1:20-33.

How much of a percentage of all do you consider as being all?  75 percent? 85? 95? 98?  Actually all 100 percent?

The opening verse starts with "Wisdom shouts in the street".  Does the Spirit need to shout at you to get your undivided attention?

Our world is overrun with teachers teaching people what their itching ears want to hear.  Within the Church and outside of it. Public schools are heavily involved in indoctrinations towards the end that there are no absolutes. 

The Bible teaches otherwise.  

The Spirit is to be OUR Teacher.

It's not for us to be walking with Jesus and for us to keep putting up a hand to silence Him and His wisdom for us.  

It's been an amazing time catching things this go-round reading through the Bible that I haven't seen before.  A sermon a week ago triggered a thought to look for things in the book of Chronicles. 

I think I mentioned it a few days ago.  Seems that today we're to look at how much is your all?

Does your whole heart really get God's attention?  Do you obey God in all your ways?  Do you even try to?

Do you ever say but don't say "this is my time! It's me time" to God?

When the Disciples followed Him, they gave of all of themselves towards the teachings of Jesus Christ their Master.   In time they came to know Him as Lord of all. 

Not Lord of some.

Our world has no lack of ways to ensnare people in compromise.

Wisdom cries out to people and just when it gets our attention, we see something glittering and off we go to chase it down. 

It it ok to have a room in your heart that doesn't belong to Jesus?  

Rhetorical question I know.  The Biblical answer is no.  

Is it ok to teach a little one to not pursue giving their whole heart to God?  Jesus said it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck and be cast in the depths of the sea.  

Parents, family, friends, teachers, supervisors, all those in your life are either going to point us towards Godly wisdom or away from it. 

For as known as he was...even Paul was fact-checked by the Berean Church.  By what means?  By comparing Scripture with Scripture.  They looked up in what they had, which was the Old Testament, to see if what he said aligned with the Word of God.

They used Biblical wisdom to see if these truths were so.

Our world wants people to rely on the world for truth.  Not to look at God's Word.  Not to take the word of Godly men but to trust in our circle of 'advisors'.  

Call me crazy, but, when I read in so many dozens of places the percentage of the hearts of Kings following the Lord Jesus like His Servant David...we see clearly that Jesus indeed is sifting the hearts of mankind.

In Genesis we read that before the great flood that the Lord Jesus said that the thoughts of mankind were evil continually.  

How far are we away from that being true today?  

We're told to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  The first steps to living the righteous life that God desires for us is to start with seeking out His wisdom.  James says he gives it freely to all who ask.

Seems that most people toss up a hand to say "stop" to the Spirit's wisdom and say to Him "I got this. I don't need your help".

Do you love the world and the things of this world?  Do you love inanimate objects?  Do you love sports teams?  Movie stars? Political figures?  Are there things you know more about, are more passionate about, than your relationship with Jesus?  You either seek out wisdom to grow in Christ or to grow in something else.

Do you have the mindset that what God gets of your life is on Sunday morning's, maybe Sunday evening's or maybe Wednesday night's? That the rest of your time is yours?

Do you not realize that the Bible is not just a book, but a love letter written to humanity? 

It is the only book you will ever read where the Author is present when you read it.  

You cannot get Spiritual wisdom by osmosis.  It's not something to absorb.  You must spend time with Jesus.  Must be spending time in your Bible.  Must be talking to and listening very closely to the Lord Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord. 

Look at what you enjoy so much. 

Does it bring you more joy than your relationship with Jesus?

When someone slanders what you love in this world, do get upset more than you do when someone says something about Jesus that's wrong?  

How much of your heart REALLY belongs to God?  I encourage you to go read the book of Chronicles. Look specifically for where how much of the king's heart was following Jesus as His servant David.

Spiritual Warfare is all around us.  

Satan's ever seeking those who he may devour.  To silence the truth. To silence those who are following Jesus Christ with a whole heart. 

There's nothing in your life that you will take with you when you die.

Your deeds done in the body are all that will go with you.  The deeds done in your life that were indeed what God wanted for you will survive the trial by fire, all the rest will be burned up. 

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 Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 

Seems easily enough to understand that as many times as the Spirit repeated saying it that your whole heart is what Jesus desires of you. 

Whole as in 100 percent. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.

The Tongue

The Tongue 

by David Brenneman 

"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh." James 3:1-12.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21. 

Another way that I saw this passage in Proverbs said was "words are weapons, choose wisely".

In our day and age many marvelous ways and methods have been created to give practically everyone a voice. Deaf people, blind people, those with no ability to physically speak now might have that ability. 

This is not something that is just to be marveled at, but, to be looked at with the perspective that there's much in a heart that wants to come out.  

Many examples exist of those who were unable to speak that, with various electronics, showed the world that they could and not only could but were rather intelligent. 

Intelligence doesn't immediately make one wise. Many millions, if not billions, of intelligent people are in Hell because of rejecting the wisdom God as shown in His creation that points to Himself as their Creator. 

"Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." Proverbs 17:28. 

"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37.

We either show Christ by our words and conduct or we don't. Our tongue will either show the world that we belong to Christ or show our lack thereof. 

Our ability to speak, by however the means, opens the heart for others to see.

Great wisdom doesn't save anyone. Great wisdom doesn't stop people from sinning.  

The Scriptures say that the wisest of man, Solomon, still sinned in many ways. Wisdom without a right relationship with Jesus Christ lacks everything. 

"And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell." James 3:6

We can undo a great many wrongs done to others in the physical sense. What we break physically more often than not can be replaced or repaired. When it comes to words...these can have an eternal weight that far surpasses anything we do physically towards ourselves or others.

We can speak words to lift up or to tear down. We can reveal truth or speak lies. We can doubt or we can stand firm. We can confess or stay silent. We reveal our character with our words just as much as our actions.

I can't get past some of my words sometimes. Perhaps the same can be said of you.

Choosing your words is always wise. Once said they cannot be retrieved. 

It's been an amazing time for me to realize new things that I have discovered in reading my Bible. Seeing patterns has been a gift from God for me. Words spoken by various Kings of Judah and Israel revealed their hearts way more than their actions. What's more is the many multitude of times that it's recorded where how much of their hearts were lived in relationship with the Lord. 

What has your tongue said in regards to your relationship with Jesus? Have you confessed Him to be your Lord and Savior? Have you kept silent? Why?

Our tongue is exactly as the Bible says it is. A very powerful tool.  

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

"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.

Paul didn't put value on living life his way. His words spoke to the truth of his heart. 

If it cost him his life to live for Jesus so be it. He knew in whom he believed and was sure of his future in Heaven with Jesus should a day come where it meant his physical life would come to an end. 

What comes forth from your mouth? Does the words you speak tell a story of a life changed by your relationship with Jesus or does it show a life of compromise that makes you seem no different from the world around you?

Our words in prayer take us to the very throne room of Jesus. Our words can shred another human being. Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus sets our hearts in the right direction.  

Pray for yourself and for me if you would that we can have the help of the Spirit of God to properly wield this tongue of ours.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.