The Person and the Promise

The Person and the Promise 

by David Brenneman 

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:16-18, 26-27.

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1.

Those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross of calvary to save them indeed have the Holy Spirit of God within them.  

With this promise of the Spirit of God comes one that we're not under condemnation but under grace and mercy.  

Jesus promised in this same passage to return and receive all who are saved to Himself.  

We're not going to be here when the judgments of God, fall upon this world. Jesus will return and with a shout...take us out of this world while the 70th week of Daniel as further defined by the book of Revelation and other places, plays out. 

While the world passes through those fires, we will be safe in the arms of Jesus Christ. Quite possibly watching it all while standing at His side in robes of white. 

While in this world we've got the Helper. The very Spirit of God. 

Much true understanding comes from a right relationship with Jesus because of listening to the Spirit. 

There are some who hold to a belief that the Church will still be here during the Great Tribulation we referred to earlier. Why would those who do not stand condemned be put through those horrific events? Why would Jesus Christ the Righteous, put His Bride, through all that if they indeed were His Bride?

While in this world we who are saved are Ambassadors to Jesus and are considered joint heirs of Him. Jesus paid the penalty of our condemnation in full on the cross.

Scripture shows this in the interactions between Abraham and the Lord Jesus. Read what is said between them when the Lord was there to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. The righteous would not share in the condemnation of the guilty. 

With our Helper we learn to use our spiritual eyes and ears. With our Helper we learn what the Disciples learned on how to be living examples of Christ. We learn the truth about sin and how to avoid it. 

We grow in Christ, through the sanctification of the Spirit of God, throughout our days on the Earth. 

The day we step into eternity our sanctification is complete in Christ Jesus because of our being His workmanship.  

Oh the hope we have of the promises of God!  

We sang a song in church recently. It still resonates with me this morning.  

I love You, Lord

Oh, Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

And in darkest night You are close like no other

I've known You as a Father

I've known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

And all my life You have been faithful, oh

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now

I give You everything

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me, oh-oh

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now

I give You everything

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing

Oh, 'cause

'Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

Oh, I'm gonna sing of the goodness of God

Goodness of God lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

The goodness of God is embodied in the life and work of the Spirit of God in His people. 

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established."

I am one who certainly longs for the Lord to return. While awaiting that day, He has work for me to be doing. He has work for all who call upon Him as their Lord and Savior. 

There are none who should be thinking they've arrived an can go on living life as if they now have a free pass to sin.  

There should be none who think that there's nothing for them to be doing. Every single part of the body of Christ has a purpose. We know by way of communion that we are shown to be part of the body of Christ when we are saved.  

Life should be lived with the purpose of God for us in mind.  

Me, personally, I do not want to be asked by my Savior, "What were you thinking?" or "Why didn't you?...".

The Helper indeed is here to help those who are saved in Christ...but it's on us to listen and to obey.  

Are you going about life struggling every way you turn? Have you considered you might just be found fighting God's plan and purpose for your life? 

Stop and take the time to listen to God not psychology. Listen to the voice of God by way of the Spirit of God within you.  

If you haven't made Jesus Christ the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...all you have is less than crickets to listen to. In truth all you can hear from God is the invitation to receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  

The person of God, the Spirit of God, rests upon all who call upon Jesus Christ for salvation.  

That promise was made and kept for billions of people throughout the last 2000 plus years.  

Where do you stand today?

What time will you spend today with Jesus?

Will you listen when He speaks to you? He doesn't teach through osmosis people. He teaches us the Word of God. He speaks. It's on us to listen, to trust and obey. 

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

I'll be Back

I'll be Back 

by David Brenneman 

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I am going.”  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:1-6.

Long before anyone coined the phrase...Jesus said it.  

Long before it entered your mind...it was promised. 

Long before any nation denied it...Jesus proclaimed it.

The realm of Hell is full if trillions of people with thousands and thousands of religions and ideologies.  All based on the twisted truths of Satan.

In Heaven there's only Angels and Christ-followers.  What a radical difference!  There are no denominations there.  There are none who prefer themselves above others.  There are none who are arrogant.  None that mislead others in anything.

What I find most awesome is that Jesus meets with each and every single person who is in Heaven AND has the ability to meet with me here whenever I call on Him. 

Why hasn't Jesus come back?  

Many factors that many don't take into consideration.  

Bible prophecy.  Things written long ago that are ordained to come true according to the Scriptures before He returns haven't happened yet. 

Those yet unborn yet who would indeed come to Christ for salvation.  There are people alive today whom God knows will come to Christ for salvation.  There are people yet to be born who will.  The harvest Jesus spoke of is still white for harvest so workers are still needed. 

Sanctification is still at work in the hearts of billions of people alive today that long ago was planned out to happen in this world before these Believers set foot in Heaven. 

The work of the Spirit of God isn't finished yet.  After Christ returns the job of the Spirit will change a bit in order for the rest of the events of the Bible concerning judgments to happen. 

You, even you, have a part and portion with how this develops. 

Your obedience or even your coming to Christ for salvation is a part of this timetable. 

But make no mistake...the promise is assured and is clear...He is coming back.  

Jesus is the promise keeper.  

He may not grant you everything you ask but that doesn't make Him a promise breaker.  Your requests to Jesus should be according to the will of God for you.  

His purpose for delaying is according to the will of His Father.  They are not willing that any should perish but that all would be saved in Christ Jesus.

What we do, how we do, in life should be with regards to testifying of the love of God in Christ for us towards others.

It's not beneficial to others if we're self-absorbed.  It's not beneficial to others if all we do is think about our own personal this or that above others.  There shouldn't even be competition between denominations for souls.  We shouldn't pour our lives into meaningless endeavors.  

Jesus is coming soon.  If you study the Bible you would see what's left to happen and how much has actually occurred in your lifetime.  Yes Bible prophecy has had events happen in the last 100 years.  

Soon is a Biblical expectation of Believers.  To live each day as if today were that day.  A life lived as unto the Lord Jesus Christ.  A life worthy of the calling with which we were called upon being saved. 

So how do you approach the day?

Are you daily in prayer to cultivate your relationship with Jesus?

Are you daily in your Bible to learn more about these days in which you live and how to become more like Christ?

Or do you put those things off as if they weren't as important as you know they ought to be?

Or do you take what belongs to God and give it to others or other things in this world?

Jesus said He will be back and blessed are those who are ready for that day.  Blessed are they whom the Master finds doing what they ought to be found doing. 

Will you receive a "Well done!" or a "What were you thinking?"?

There are expectations for a life in Christ by Jesus.  Are you falling short in these?  As long as you are breathing there's hope to get it right. 

Have you not known a day when you can say for certain that Jesus became the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?  Make that day today.  Come to Christ for salvation and see what living life is really all about, not what the world would have everyone believe. 

No man knows the day nor the hour...so live expectedly. 

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

Is Doing Well for Jesus Your Priority?

Is Doing Well for Jesus Your Priority?

by David Brenneman 

"if you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, keeping all His commandments which I am commanding you today, and doing what is right in the sight of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 13:18

This statement at the end of the verse is repeated many times in this book let alone throughout the Bible. 

In many other places, associated with the judgment of God, it says that people were doing whatever was right in their own eyes. 

The deeds we do in our bodies for Jesus, it's these that will show our maturity in Christ.  It is these that we've done with a whole heart that will become a crown of righteousness to offer back to Jesus for all He's done for us. 

In many ways we can see the things we do for Christ.  We don't realize we're also part of a bigger picture. 

We're part of giving to missionaries that are being the hands and feet of Jesus to the uttermost parts of the world.  

We who give are to be givers back to Jesus for all He's done for us. 

Bitterness impacts our giving.  

Anger impacts our giving. 

When the things that we read are named among the people of God...there's trouble. 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;  and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.  But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;  and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." Ephesians 5:1-5.

We shouldn't speak even to how effective or ineffective those around us have been or are being.  We should be encouraging one another and all the more as we see the day of the Lord drawing near.

Any church that Christ planted by way of the Spirit should not be spoken against.  We don't know what God knows concerning its effectiveness or ineffectiveness.  We are not aware of a great deal of the spiritual things going on in our world. Churches sometimes have short lifespans some have long lifespans.  

We are to have the mind of Christ.  We are to go and make disciples.  

We aren't to criticize, which equates to grumbling, about others.

To be an effectual doer means keeping our mind and heart on what it is the Spirit has for us to be doing wherever it is.  He is the Judge of all those who have called upon His Name.  Not judging with regard to sin but with regards to how well WE were in our lives for Christ. 

Doing well for Jesus is more than we think.  To that point it's often more than we ask because we don't ask.  Some from fear don't ask.  Some from bitterness have a wrong view of what living for Jesus looks like. 

As Jesus said to Peter...forget what others are saying or doing...as for you...you follow Me!   

Are you an effectual doer?

Are you really?

Are you asking Jesus, what can I be doing that I am not?

Are you putting down others in Christ an not realizing you're hurting your relationship with Jesus?

This will hurt your being an effectual doer.

Are you doing your best at living for Jesus to give Him a robust rich crown of righteousness?  

Are you taking a very close look at your thoughts?  Scripture says to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus for good. 

We don't know the hearts of others until we have a relationship with them.  We won't know the heart of Jesus until we develop our relationship with Him.   We only think we know those who have been in our lives.  Jesus does and did know the hearts of those people. 

Pray that you have the mind of Christ.  Pray that your heart be searched by Jesus to see if there be any hurtful way in me...as King David wrote. Pray that He lead you in the way everlasting. 

We can help or hurt our relationship with Jesus by our attitude more than our actions. 

Pray for a right heart attitude. 

This will go a long way in adding to that crown of righteousness to give back to Jesus.  

That day we give an account of our lives is assuredly coming as the judgment that's around the corner that's coming upon all who have denied Jesus Christ for salvation. 

Is doing well for Jesus your priority?

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

He Thought...

He Thought...

by David Brenneman 

In reading the account in John 13 of the night Jesus was betrayed...there's several things that I caught. 

One was that even in this...Satan's actions were by command of Jesus only. Satan could not do anything apart from the will of God in Christ Jesus. Until Jesus followed through and handed Judas the bread and the commandment from Him was spoken...Satan had to wait. 

Another was that in his own eyes Peter really thought that he was laying down his life for Jesus. He just did not know how much farther he would need to go to truly do that. 

We too can be of the kind that don't wait for all to be said before acting. We too can be of the kind that don't wait for all to be understood before leaping into situations that are not ours to delve into.

We too can think we're doing our level best to serve or obey God when we haven't asked just what it really is that He wants of us. 

We think...yet don't. We understand...yet don't.

We are on a journey of understanding Jesus by way of the teaching by the Spirit of God. 

The worst is we often put a prideful hand up and declare we got this. 

He thought...She thought...We thought.

Consider it well that it wasn't until after the completion of the events of the Gospel accounts...after the Holy Spirit had come to the Disciples...much of everything they lived with Jesus wasn't really understood. 

They thought they understood.

Read through the accounts and look for all the places where you read that it was afterwards they understood these things. 

These are really a further, four book example, of what Paul said later. The natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned.  

Paul, as Saul, I contend was with Jesus as a Pharisee throughout the Gospels. An outsider of the 12 but nonetheless being taught even if he wasn't aware as of yet. 

After the revelations at His coming to Jesus moment on the road to Damascus he now understood everything he didn't before. Because now having come to Christ Jesus himself for salvation he understood. 

We cannot understand the things of God apart from the Holy Spirit. No one can know what they are missing without coming to Christ to be saved. As the book of John opens with...they are in darkness and loved the darkness rather than the Light. 

We don't know the depths of the work of God in our lives. We only see what we are granted understanding for. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness is an ongoing process nothing we will arrive at in this world. 

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. This is for this world and our lives in it. When we arrive in Heaven we end our Earthly part of learning and enter into the Heavenly. 

We think we have had enough. We often throw in the towel. Quite often Jesus throws the towel back and tells us to wipe off our face and keep going. We are in training. We are going through times of learning in life to become fully devoted followers of Christ. We are often our own worst enemy in stopping what Jesus is just getting going at teaching us something about Him and ourselves.

We think...an fall flat.  

Do you pray for His guidance each day? If not, why not? Foolish enough to think it's an easy day? That you got it? Foolish is the promise of failure for those who try to live any part of their lives without Jesus.  

Do you think that you're ok in your walk with Jesus or are you striving for more? A foolish person thinks they have enough of Jesus in their lives. 

He thought he understood what laying down his life for Jesus meant. 

He was wrong. He was shown how great a gap there was between his truth and reality. It broke him until Jesus restored him. Yet it could have been a whole lot worse! How? Read what Jesus said after He told Peter he would deny Him 3 times. Jesus knew in advance that conversation would happen and told Peter He prayed for him.  

Jesus prays for us too.  

We are feeble in our clouded understanding of all things Spiritual until the Spirit teaches us.  

We need to have reminders. In Deuteronomy Moses had the people write down reminders and put them in as many places as possible. 

Don't start your day with a layer of arrogance. Stop, pray, ask for help in this day. Stop, pray, ask for understanding in what you are doing and facing.  

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

Our Opinion...isn't on the Table

Our Opinion...isn't on the Table 

by David Brenneman 

Was reading through my memories this morning on Facebook. One of them stood out and it's oh so true. 

Things that we'll never hear God say. 

Suffice to say...our opinion on how to live life isn't something that God's ever going to ask you or I about. 

Our thoughts on what really constitutes sin we will never be asked our opinions on.

Our views on what's really appropriate concerning dealing with sin is something Jesus isn't going to ask you or I about. 

We aren't even going to be asked if we're guilty or not. We won't be asked if we are saved or not. 

There's no version of Peter or Paul up at those pearly gates deciding on who's worthy of entering. The God of all Creation needs no help in knowing the saved from the unsaved. Needs no assistance in anything.

A question for you is this: Have you either consciously or unconsciously decided to define what good and right are in your life? To the extent that you don't even look at the Word of God to find out if such things really are or are not?

Do you think more of your thoughts than what the Spirit says to you?

Do you think more of the thoughts presented by others more than what the Spirit is saying to you?

Consider this: there are no denominations in Heaven. Yet there are hundreds of thousands in Hell. 

We are either Christ-followers or we are following ourselves or others. 

No person, place or thing should rise above the Word of God. 

Think about it...God says that every single part and portion of the Word of God will be satisfied. Will come about. Will be established. Will stand up against every thought of mankind and every single scheme of the devil. 

It matters not how Godly the man who was or is teaching...the Word of God is the standard. 

It matters not how upright a person may be...their thoughts and intentions may seem really good. The Word of God stands. 

All over this world are billions of opinions. Some are in agreement with Jesus on sin, billions of others are not.

Yet all will be silent before Jesus. 

Jesus isn't going to return and take a poll on who really thinks it's time to go to Heaven. He's not got 50 things to ask on a questionnaire for people. His Spirit rests upon all who are saved and it's with His testimony alone that we will leave with Jesus.

At the Final Judgment...note it very well that Jesus simply separates those who are saved from those are not. He asks nobody on a scale of 1 to 10 how righteous they are.  

While we read of how it is right now in Hell of those weeping and gnashing their teeth in Hell...when Jesus separates people at the Final Judgment that will happen right there for all to see.  

Our definitions of sin mean nothing with regards to sin. God says something is sin then your opinions don't matter. God says that you do this and it is sin, then it's sin.

God says that if you place people, places or things above Him in your heart then it's sin....then that makes it sin...your thoughts on it do not come into the equation. 

What God says is idolatry is idolatry. What God says is adultery is adultery. What He says is coveting is coveting. Whatever has been written in the Word of God is what is right and true.  

What you and I think isn't that bad? If the Bible says it is, then my Dear Reader, it is.

We don't have the authority to decide. We came to Christ Jesus for salvation...we handed all our rights to Him. All our authority is given to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

Why are cities, states and countries in the state they are? They're setting aside the truth of God's Word. Setting their own rules and making them into laws when those things are contrary to God's Word.

No laws of mankind supercede the Word of God. As we do read in the Bible...what right has the clay to question the Potter?  

God made everyone in His image. 

God made everyone for a right relationship with Jesus. 

God didn't make anyone gay or a homosexual. God didn't make anyone an alcoholic. God didn't make anyone a barbarian. God didn't...sin's lies did. Jesus said that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. People are so caught up in lies vs the real truth because they go to sleep each night. Satan's schemes don't stop at sundown. Satan's minions study everyone for whatever sins they might exploit. They know you better than you do. 

Getting you to say what is really a sin and what isn't has been going on since Adam and Eve!

Getting you to set your thoughts on sin above what God says about each and every single sin has been going on just as long.

We are to agree with Jesus on sin, ask for forgiveness, then turn away from it. We are not in any position to tell Jesus that it'll be ok. That He's overthinking things. That He's just not getting it. 

Consider your ways is what the Bible says. Stand firm in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Stand firm in the Lord and the devil will flee from you.  

Any mighty river can have its course changed all because of a correctly placed pebble in the right spot.   

A single accepted lie as becoming a truth to us over the Word of God can cause incredible harm to a life.

Set your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.  

Agree with Jesus on what is sin, realize that you don't define what sin is. If you have, turn from it, ask for forgiveness from Jesus. 

Our opinion on sins will not bring about the righteous life that God desires for you and I.

What do you want?

What Do You Want?

by David Brenneman 

"And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.  If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." John 12:23-26.

Simplicity is often the best as I have been told.  I have lost track of how many times I have told many people that coming to Christ, living for Jesus, isn't complicated.  Adults complicate it.  

It was Jesus who said that we must come as a child.  Child-like faith is how it's often described. 

A child might have one or two "but what about..." moments but not many.  They simply just believe. 

Are your wants getting in the way of what Jesus wants for you and of you?

Have you allowed life's circumstances to cause you to run from or even to simply deviate from the life in Christ you are meant to be living?

I hope that my life is one that the Father will indeed honor, as Jesus said in this passage.

I am not one to like complicated schedules or scenarios to deal with on any kind of daily basis.  

As we used to say way back in the early days when the company I worked for was called Sensotec..."What do you want, where is it, when do you need it".

Simplicity.  And it worked.  That small company started out in a garage and grew into a 47 million dollar a year business in a very short time.  The original owner did a lot to take care of his people.  Suffice to say...the company that bought them knew nothing about taking care of the people.  It's not even a mere shadow of its former self. 

This to say...living for man's idea of success in the world will leave you wanting.  Living a life where indeed your treasures are stored up in Heaven is really where its at.

Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness means that you value His business in this world over your own business in this world.

Jesus said what the Father’s business was.  He said that we should look up and see that the fields are white with the harvest. To ask the Lord of the harvest to send out more workers into His harvest. 

The harvest He refers to are people.  The treasures in Heaven are people. 

The treasures in Heaven are nothing to do with your accomplishments or accolades of people here.  There's no use for those things in Heaven where the praise and worship of God are found for all eternity. 

Is what you're driving yourself to accomplish the same thing as what the Spirit is wanting you to accomplish?

Is what you desire the same as what Jesus desires for you?

Really...what do you want?

Jesus once asked a blind man what did he want.  Most would agree that the question seemed out of place.  Why would a blind man cry out to Jesus with the obvious hopes of being healed have to be asked what he wanted?

Why did Jesus tell us of asking, seeking, knocking with regards to prayer?  

We're in a relationship with Jesus. 

A personal relationship with Jesus. 

He isn't our employer. 

He isn't just our best buddy. 

He isn't a very good acquaintance. 

He isn't our butler.

He certainly isn't our personal genie.

He is to be our personal Lord and Savior.  We are in a personal relationship with Him.  Whatever is important to Jesus should be what's important to you. 

Watching out for traps and snares in this world is crucial.  We are often enticed into things we most certainly should be avoiding.  Look at what became of King Hezekiah.  His acts after he was healed by the Lord Jesus...really differed from what his life was like when he became King. When the words of the enemies of God were said it both angered him and caused him distress. When the judgment was pronounced of what will become of his kingdom because of his actions...it actually pleased him to know he wouldn't see it.  

There's been many times when I wonder if my prayers were too self-serving.  That had I stayed the course of where the Spirit was leading and what was set by Him before me to be doing...what would that have looked like?

Was reading Psalms 139 this morning too.  He knows my thoughts from afar.  

THINK about that.  Over 8 billion people on this world.  Yet He is intimately aware of my thoughts. Your thoughts.  The thoughts of the trillions in Hell. The trillions in Heaven.  

Are you content with your life?

Are you wanting what you want or are you wanting to please the One who gave you eternal life in Jesus Christ?

Success in the world and success in the eyes of God aren't at all the same thing.  

We are told in the Bible that we have not because we ask not. We also ask with wrong motives because we'll just spend it on ourselves.  

What do I often pray for?  

I pray for all who God brings to finding this blog or the Facebook version of it. I pray for God's help to get out of debt so that we can do more to help others.  I have no desires to be rich.  Too much evidence to support the Word of God's statements that it corrupts people.  I pray for my Wife.  I pray for my Pastor and his family. I pray for my Father in the Faith and his family.  I pray for those in the groups from church that we attend.  I pray for past, current and future coworkers for salvation.  My prayers are people-centric.  Jesus's mission was to seek and save the lost.  He sent the Apostles into the world to pick up where He left off. Workers into the harvest. 

What do you want?  Are your wants, your desires, what God wants of you and for you?  Is He really the forgiver of your sins and the LEADER of your life?

Just what would your treasures in Heaven look like?  

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

It really is simplicity. This life in Christ. 

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

Actually Looking Intently

Actually Looking Intently 

by David Brenneman 

"Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!" Deuteronomy 5:29.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And His righteousness;

And all these things shall be added unto you.

Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Ask, and it shall be given unto you;

Seek, and you shall find.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Man shall not live by bread alone,

But by every word

That proceeds out from the mouth of God.

Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Copyright: 

1972 CCCM Music

"Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember," Mark 8:18.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33.

Do you think to look with your eyes? Thinking on the last passage listed today I kept thinking on the word seek. You don't seek with your ears unless that's all you have to work with. 

Are you going about your day, living your life, without really looking at what all God's put into your life for this day? 

The following passage after Matthew 6:33, verse 34 says this: “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.".

I was looking at my Facebook Memories and ran across a video that I had recorded of a song at a church service called "Like I Wish I Had Lived", originally done by Greater Vision. 

Look it up. 

They say, and have said for centuries, that hinde sight is 20-20.

We often try to make records of significant things in our lives. Photos are probably the most prevalent of methods, the second being video and audio in this present age.

My attempts at journaling are haphazard at best. I try to note the day but more often than not when I reread these entries I don't remember what was behind what I wrote. 

What this is going towards is there is a reason to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Besides it being in our best interests. It's the desire of Jesus for you, for your good. 

But we need to take our eyes off this world and set them, fix them, on what Jesus is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us. 

We have had a culture for decades and decades of trying to find things to occupy our minds. Today it's as near as a smartphone. We are easily distracted. At times a dog has a longer attention span than most human beings. 

Jesus often got away to be with His Father because the world was what it was. He was seeking first His Father's kingdom and His righteousness.

We won't know or understand the will of God for us if we don't set our eyes on what it is God’s doing in us and the world around us. 

One line from that song says "Lord help me to live like I wished I had lived in the past".

While I may have left my mark in this world, both good and bad, and I know I am where I am today is solely because of what God's done and is doing in my life...oh how I wish I had "gotten it" sooner. 

Paul had regrets. Peter had regrets. Probably all the Apostles did. Some were cut down practically right away after becoming Apostles. Their deaths probably weren't on their radar after being empowered by the Spirit of God.  

Our lives are finite. As such...make them count. Do what matters. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness isn't a suggestion. It was and is a commandment.

Ask Jesus to wipe your eyes, to help you see what it is He's seeing. 

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Well...sheep...if you hear His voice...are you going to and doing what He's telling you? Are you looking to where He's pointing?

Letting go of what He says needs to go?

Jesus said...ask...seek...knock.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord...open the eyes of my heart.

Try praying that today. 

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

Remove the Stone

Remove the Stone 

by David Brenneman 

"You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” Luke 12:40.

"The biggest mistake we make in life is thinking we have time."

"Remove the stone" John 11:39a.

In life we quite often think that we have the time to finish something that really should have been done when the situation warranted it.

We decide to go somewhere and out of the blue either we or someone nearby is in a car accident. Somewhere someone is walking along in a store, all seems right with the world, and gets a stabbing pain and their world spirals as their next days are spent in a hospital. 

We foolishly think that Jesus returning is a long way off. 

We can be equally foolish to believe that our review of our lives shows that overall we're good people who deserve to go to Heaven, when the reality is that we never came to Christ Jesus for salvation at any point in our life. 

There's a stone in front of the hearts of many people in my world and yours. It could very well be in front of yours right now my Dear Reader. 

That passage of John 11 has to do with the very real story of Jesus bringing Lazarus back from the dead. While Jesus easily could have caused the stone to move AND resurrected Lazarus, He had them do what they could do.

You and I have a door to our hearts, it's quite possible as hard as a stone, that we need to move to let Jesus in. 

Satan comes to steal and destroy life because nobody really matters to him. He cares not for one single soul. He just wants everything that only God is deserving of.  

He will deceive people because that's in his nature. He is THE Deceiver. 

He will use whatever he is permitted to alter the lives of people to his apparent gain.   

He lost at the cross of Jesus Christ and all that's happened since is the Spirit seeking out all who would believe in the only begotten Son of God for salvation. To save all who would call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Receiving the free gift of salvation. 

But that door has to be opened. 

Many people think that there's no evidence to be seen that they are in any hurry. 

Lives are forever altered in mere seconds every second of every day. 

People leave for work as I am about to shortly and have no promise that their day will end with them still being alive. 

They all think they have the time. 

You might too.

You might be thinking that there's so much more of your life that you want to live before you decide to turn it over to Jesus. Thinking that you're going to lose out on living life if you come to Christ to be saved. That's a huge fat lie of Satan. 

Essentially it's saying that you still have sins yet to commit and enjoy before you're ready to stop and confess that Jesus Christ needs to forgive you and to save you.

Remove the stone.  

Satan does whatever he thinks is in his own best interests. If you wind up in Hell...he doesn't care...there's more people left.  

His deceptions are to keep you from going to the other side. To keep you from a life in Christ where you finally have your spiritual eyes opened and can see his lies in all their ugliness. 

A saved life in Christ is hidden with Him. An unsaved life is exposed to all the powers of darkness in the world. 

My Dear Reader...you don't have the time you think that you do.

You don't even have a promise of a next breath. That's God's unmeritted favor to you, giving you a chance to remove the stone and invite Him in to be your own personal Savior and Lord. 

Life is unpredictable. Yet it is full of predictable things.  

You can expect thoughts that will say that there's no need to hurry. 

You can expect thoughts that will laugh at what I am saying. 

You can expect thoughts that say you don't have the time. 

Remove the stone n invite Jesus in.

Do you really want to risk your eternity on what you think or feel vs what Jesus said you need to do?

Millions of good people are in Hell. Probably trillions. Countless millions never thought they deserved to be there. They thought they were really good people. Contributing to society. Helping mankind. Doing so much for others. 

Yet while they lived...they rejected Jesus. They wouldn't move that stone to hear the truth of the love of God poured out for them.

What will you do? You have a measure of faith given to you by God. You've got enough to come to Christ for salvation if you so choose. It's not an automatic thing because you believe that God is real. Demons have known that God is real since they were created. 

Choose life...real life.  

A life that you really can't understand until you invite Jesus in to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. 

Move the stone...and find the life and love of Christ that you've been searching for all your life. 

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

Grief and Fiery Ordeals Have a Purpose

Grief and Fiery Ordeals Have a Purpose 

by David Brenneman 

"But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.” John 11:4.

"So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive." Acts 9:39-41.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 4:12-19.

What we go through, no matter how it's understood by Christians or non-Christians alike, has a purpose under Heaven. 

It's by the grace of God that we do go through so much in our lives. What kind of Savior would we have if He saved us then left us to find our way to Heaven?  

Our walk with Jesus isn't for His Spiritual health but rather ours.

I don't pretend to know or to understand why I have been through or to know why I am currently going through the things permitted in it. I just know that through it all my Savior is here. He's here in this moment and every moment I have ever existed. 

I may feel the deepest of loneliness and He's still there. I might feel pain that other's don't see or have a clue is going on. He's there. 

Last night I had great trouble and sorrows that I brought to Jesus in prayer. Yes, He was and is there.

My life isn't unique...the Bible says that He was a man of sorrows well acquainted with grief. He knew how lonely lonely can get. He knew how people will think. 

He allowed various lives to be where they were when encountered them so that the works of God might be manifested in Him as coming from God. 

Mark Lowry once said his favorite verse his life verse in fact was "And it came to pass". He explains...and it came to pass...it didn't come here to stay.  

Life comes at us hard sometimes but it's not here to stay. The works of God will only allow those hard times, even grief, to only last as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. 

We need to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us. 

We need to sometimes just stay with Jesus for a while one-on-one because even the Believer's in our lives today aren't getting it.  

Grief, stress and suffering, aren't meant for the human race. Sin brought these into the world. 

The workmanship of Jesus in us is to make us more like Christ. This is going to mean times of pain and suffering. Going to mean times of joy. Going to mean periods that we haven't got a clue. We just can keep putting one foot in front of the other in obedience whether or not the people in our lives understand. 

I have a rather long history of people not understanding what I am doing or are going through. Didn't matter because the works of God in me prevailed. 

Truth is trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus...but to trust and obey. 

There's only one way to Heaven for Believer's and it's through everything meant for you to go through in Christ. Job only learned after his death. Daniel after coming up out of the lion's den. Lazarus after coming back from the dead. 

Joseph after helping Pharaoh. 

We also need to consider this...we're not meant to stay where we were. We go through things for a season then we move on.  

The Great Shepherd calls His sheep that hear His voice to go where He leads. Even if it's the valley of the shadow of death. 

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

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.

My current season will end at the appointed time set by my Savior. 

So will yours. Great things happening? It will pass. Sorrowful things happening? These too shall pass. 

Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness...standing firm in these things we have been taught and are convinced of in Christ. 

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

You ARE Somebody's Sheep

You ARE Somebody's Sheep

by David Brenneman 

"Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”" John 10:25-30.

When you read this chapter and it's similar sections of the other Gospel accounts...read it well that you either are a follower of Jesus Christ and by that are one of His sheep or you are someone else's sheep. 

Someone else's? Either people are Christ-followers, Christians, or they are not. Therefore those who are not...are following someone else.  

The Bible clearly says that either we are going to Hell for our own sins or we are forgiven of our sins by faith and trust in what Christ Jesus alone did on the cross.  

We either are saved or we are not. 

Not of any works we might have done or will do lest any man or woman could boast. That's what grace is. God's riches at Christ's expense.  

My favorite song even above Amazing Grace is one by Charlie Pride. "He Took My Place".  

If Jesus hasn't taken your place with regards to your judgment of sin that you have set against you then you will face the judgment of God yourself. 

"Softly and Tenderly" is another great hymn that follows "He Took My Place". I heartily encourage you to look up the words to these and think long and hard about them.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling calling for you and for me. See on the portals He's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home. Come home! You who are weary come home!

Jesus knows your past. Yet He still wants to take your place. He still wants to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. 

It doesn't matter what it is. You see when Jesus died and arose 3 days later? All your sins were yet future. As another great song says it, "When He was on the cross, I was on His mind".

You listen to someone every single day. You either listen to your Shepherd, Jesus Christ, or other shepherds. Others who will mislead you. 

It's why there's so much said to getting away to be with Jesus. To learn what His voice sounds like.  

You read it yourself. He said His sheep hear His voice. Sheep learn the voice of their Shepherd by interacting with them. The Shepherd teaches, they obey. 

Are you one of Jesus's sheep?

Was there a place in your life, as there is in mine, where you came to Jesus to be saved? That you can confidently say that yes, Jesus Christ is Lord of your life? That He is the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?

If not, my Dear Reader, then Jesus isn't your Shepherd.  

By coming to Christ for salvation you pass from death to life!

"For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14.

You cannot know or understand Jesus as your Shepherd if you do not have salvation in Jesus alone for your sins. Until He brings true life to your soul you cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned, spiritually understood. 

So that's everything. You're either one of His sheep or you are not. All who are not are condemned to spend eternity paying an eternally painful price for those sins. 

Jesus will meet you wherever you are. Be it a hospital bed, a closet, front line combat. Be it while driving a semi-truck or a car to a bicycle. You could be walking dark lonely streets or some back road in the country. You can be in prison on trumped up charges to being in there because of something you did do. You could be on death row. You could be even the leader of all that's against the name of Jesus Christ and He will still come to you if you want Him to be your Lord and Savior. Your social status means nothing. Your political affiliations mean nothing...these won't stop Jesus from coming to to save you. 

The Bible says that He died once for all mankind. That most decidedly includes you. 

To those who do claim the name of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord...live it. Live like He is. Live like it's true. Don't hide it anywhere. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine for all the nations to see.  

Jesus is coming back because the Word of God must be fulfilled and completed. The Father set a time by His own authority to judge the living and the dead. It's coming very soon. We do not know exactly when which is why the plea is so urgent to tell people about this free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.  

So who's sheep are you?

If you aren't saved yet...the Bible, not I...says that Jesus isn't your Shepherd. You are not going to hear His voice. You can't attempt to live a life of obedience to God's Word without being saved by Jesus and have it matter at your trial. 

Jesus said that there will be many people who will say they did all kinds of things for God, even for Jesus, and He will say to "depart from Me for I never knew you!".

Living a whole life doing good things, without Christ as your Savior equals nothing.

Living a mostly good life of good things, without Christ as your Savior, equals nothing.

Living your own life, without Christ as your Savior, equals absolutely nothing. 

Those 3 and every type of life in-between without Jesus as your Savior and Lord will only get you a full judgment against you from Jesus Himself. 

So what will it be for you?  

Those on the outside of salvation in Christ cannot understand or know the truth of a life in Christ. You have to ask Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life before you can find out what a life in Christ is all about. Don't believe the hype that the others who aren't saved are saying about it. They can't know either unless or until they come themselves to be saved. 

Is Jesus the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life? Then listen to Him. Go where He says, do what He has for you to be doing. Learn the voice of your Great Shepherd and obey it.

If He isn't...oh the dark future that awaits all who are not. 

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

Truth in Your Relationship

Truth in Your Relationship 

by David Brenneman 

"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart." Psalms 32:1-11.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:29-32.

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19.

Your inner man, or woman, is more important than what the world sees or you see about you. 

Being right before Jesus is more important than the opinions of others. 

Having a right relationship, a heart devoted to Christ, is more important than achievements or possessions, or the praise of peoples and nations.

We are supposed to pursue in our lives that which is going to grow us in Christ. If we indeed believe that the will of God for us is our sanctification, then we ought to pursue those things that cultivate that correct? Paul spoke of putting off things that entangle us, snares, troubles that would weigh us down in our pursuit of the will of God for us. 

Do you take steps towards growing in Christ above others thoughts and ambitions?

Do you listen for the direction of the Spirit of God or are you more interested in having your own way?

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4. This passage is its own beginning and end. When you desire what the Lord wants of you and for you, it will come about to you and for you. 

This isn't a passage that some might try to hijack for the "name it and claim it" crowd.  

Just like some do in claiming there are yet still Apostles today. There are none. There were only those 12 appointed by the Father. There are no female Elders. This is a male term in the original language. There are indeed Deacons (again male) and Deaconesses (female) as per the original language of the Bible. There are no other positions in the Church. No female version of Elders or Paul would have mentioned it to Timothy. There are no women preachers. The original language for Elder/Pastor/Teacher is a man. We cannot add to or take away from the Word of God and expect a blessed life or a remotely right relationship with Jesus. 

We cannot also be on the other end of the spectrum. We cannot come to Christ for salvation, and expect to do nothing towards sanctification. Coming to Jesus to be saved isn't about punching a ticket to get into Heaven. It's about becoming who Jesus means for you to be. 

There's many falsely zealous people out there thinking they are spiritual. The Bible says to be wary of such people. To flee from them. To run from those who teach things contrary to the Word of God, in truth they teach doctrines of demons.

Their purpose, while promoting a supposed life of godliness, is to water down the Word of God and keep people entangled in the affairs of men and women. Preventing them from growing in Christ. 

Jesus wants a personal relationship with you. Not a superficial or watered-down relationship. The Bible says the He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Doesn't say might, says will.

The Bible says that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. Walking in them means to follow them. They give directions and we follow those directions.

The truth of our relationship is its really beyond what we can ask, think, or see. Because we're still being trained on how to use our spiritual eyes. We're learning how to use this now alive spiritual body.

If indeed Jesus is the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life...then seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. These things are those things that bring about your sanctification. These things are to enable you to live a life of purpose that the world will not understand or come to know apart from their own relationship with Jesus.  

There so much more for a life in Christ than our minds can wrap around to understand. We get understanding in small portions to go through the day to day. The you today understands more than you could have in your past. Why? Because a life in Christ is spiritually discerned. The Spirit is to teach you all things...and we're to listen and learn. 

Are you pursuing a life in Godliness or are you spending, time, energy and effort on things that don't matter in light of eternity?  

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice...are you listening for His voice?  

What will your life show as your life is tested by fire as Jesus says it will be?  

Read again the first set of passages. King David was being honest with the Lord Jesus.  

What will you now do today to be who Jesus meant for you to be?

What will you let go of that He's been telling you is interfering with your relationship with Him?

What will you flee from that you've permitted to be acceptable in your life?

What will your relationship with Jesus reveal itself to be...

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

The Testimony in Your Life

The Testimony in Your Life 

by David Brenneman 

 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him." John 9:31.

"If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” John 9:33.

Have you thought of the unexplained moments of your life that truly testify to the love of Christ in your life?

In reality, apart from Jesus, none who claim the name of Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior and Lord can do anything. 

Our lives are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Whatever happens from that moment forward is a reflection of that relationship, not only towards ourselves, but to the world. 

It really is a trustworthy statement to obey God and leave the consequences to Him.   

We may not see where our feet are going, but He does. 

We may not hear everything but He does.

We may not know the path our feet will trod, but He does. 

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 implies the path set before you that's for you to walk with Jesus. 

Your personal path with Jesus is a multifaceted walk. It's your personal relationship with Him. It's your personal relationship with others in the faith. It's your relationship with those of this world.  

We may not be a Billy Graham. May never be a D.L. Moody.  May never be world renowned.  But we will be known and are known by our Savior in Heaven. 

We aren't here for ourselves anymore after coming to Christ for salvation.  We're here and we've been given a mission that revolves around obedience to God's Word and His plan and purpose for each of us. 

Do you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?  First, as in not after several degrees of self fulfillment take place.  First, as in before all else.  First, as in before everyone else.  

We may see our dreams come true, we may not.  I know from personal experience that our dreams must align with the plans of God.  Giving us the desires of our hearts isn't a blank check or unlimited wishes.  Many dreams of mine God has shown me that while they would work, as in my inventions, He says not to pursue.  

Many times we run after the wrong things. I do it, you do it. 

You're writing a testimony for all to see and hear each day of your life. 

You either give way to a testimony of Jesus and His love for you or you are showing the world something else. 

It's been said that there's no such thing as a lone wolf Christian.  There truly isn't.  We need other Believers to indeed have that iron sharpening iron that is also written in Proverbs. 

We need our attention where it does us the most Heavenly good. 

The economy of Heaven is people, not a system based on things. 

What we do for Christ matters and will be spoken of for eternity.  

What we do for Jesus adds to that crown of righteousness we get to lay at His feet. 

Doesn't that tell you that how you live for Jesus matters greatly?

What happened in your past is past. 

Live from this moment on with your heart, mind, soul and spirit set on living your best life for the One who gave His life for you. 

We can't control those around us anymore than we can control the wind.  We can, however, control our relationship with Jesus by our obedience regardless of all other aspects of life.  

"Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established." Proverbs 16:3.

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

Lastly...

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

We aren't missing out on anything by obeying Christ Jesus.  We're finally finding everything that is important.  Live like your testimony will change the world, because in Christ, we do.

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

Which Do You Have?

Which Do You Have?

by David Brenneman 

"Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains." John 9:35-41

"The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him." John 9:30-31.

You either have eyes that see or your eyes are still in the darkness that John spoke to in Chapter 1 of this book.

"In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5.

Ask yourself...do you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness? Do you try to dwell on the things of God? Are you in a real relationship with Jesus or do you treat Him as though He were a "good buddy", the "man upstairs"? Essentially, truthfully, is He little more than an acquaintance of yours?  

Knowing that God exists isn't enough. 

Knowing that Jesus Christ is real isn't enough.

Knowing that the Holy Spirit is real isn't enough. 

Why? The Bible itself tells us that even the demons believe these things and shudder. They know that there will be a day of reckoning for them. They know the power of God. They know the truth.

Do you seek the truth? Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. Do you believe this? It has every bearing on our question today. 

"Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalms 51:9-12.

King David wrote this passage. Do you see what the desire of his heart was? If you have eyes that see, this might indeed be a prayer of yours as well.

That particular true story of this blind man from birth always makes me smile. His parents were more afraid of these supposed leaders than where they stood with God.  

The Temple was where the people were to go to worship. This man was kicked out. He meets Jesus visibly for the first time and gets to truly worship Him. That particular passage "now here's an amazing thing...".

What amazing things has the Spirit been trying to show you?

What amazing things are you putting off recognizing in your life that are truly from Jesus to you?

If you indeed are saved, you have the light of Jesus Christ in you. It should be illuminating your heart and mind towards the things of God that bring out the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus in you. 

Do you desire what Jesus desires for you? We read that part from the book of Psalms. Would that be a prayer of yours?  

The thing is once your eyes are opened and you do truly see life as a Believer...why would you ever considered wanting them closed again? Sadly, some do. They are not too dissimilar to this man's parents. More afraid of what the world thinks and says than what God says and means when He says to stand firm in the Lord. 

With eyes that see, you can be dressed in the full armor of God. Without eyes that see, you really cannot get dressed with Spiritual Armor that you know not what it is or what it looks like. 

Fear drives many away from the righteous life that God desires for them. Fear of loss. Fear of exposure. Fear of what they're accustomed to in this world. 

The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. That's only possible in a life that's been given to Christ Jesus. A life thats saved by Jesus. 

What are you holding onto that's keeping you from accepting your new eyes in Christ? We do fight Spiritual battles every single day. We have a relentless enemy because of the truth that we are saved in Christ Jesus.  

Open your Spiritual eyes and turn your worries into prayers. Open your heart fully in faith.  

People are going to disappoint you. 

Jesus never can. He always keeps His promises. One of which is to keep His eyes on you.  

We lose worries and anxiety when we hold onto Jesus. Paul preached on it because it's something he was learning. Paul had great anxieties. For his disciples, for the churches he planted. For those seeking to kill him. Add to this that messenger of Satan that kept him stirred up. Jesus said His grace was sufficient for him.  

Job had many messengers of Satan attacking him. The similarities are too great to ignore or dismiss.  

God's grace was more than sufficient for Job. 

God's grace was more than enough for Daniel, Nehemiah, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, Timothy, Titus. The churches. 

If indeed Jesus is your Lord and Savior...open your eyes. See the world through eyes that are illuminating your heart for the Lord and His work in your life. Point others to Jesus. As one person said it, we catch em He cleans em.

We don't save anyone. We don't. Only Jesus saves. We can point people to Jesus and the righteous life that God desires for them. We can show others that Jesus loved them too enough to die for them, which He did. We can show them the reality that Jesus wants a real relationship with them too. An out of this world relationship that can't be seen any other way. 

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

The Promise, the Saving Grace

The Promise, the Saving Grace 

by David Brenneman 

In light of recent funerals I have been reminded of the tribute that Mark Lowry had for Anthony Burger in 2006. In this, he played a song sung by the Martin's called "The Promise".  

"I never said that I would give you silver or gold

Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold

But I did say you'd never walk through this world alone

And I did say, don't make this world your home

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night

Or that loneliness was something you'd never have to fight

But I did say I'd be right there by your side

And I did say I'll always help you fight

'Cause you know I made a promise that I intend to keep

My grace will be sufficient in every time of need

My love will be the anchor that you can hold onto

This is the promise, this is the promise I made to you

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you

Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool

But I did say like me, you'll surely be despised

And I did say my ways confound the wise

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death

Or have to walk through chilly Jordan to enter into rest

But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side (yeah, yeah)

And I did say I'll dry every tear you cry

'Cause you know I made a promise that I've prepared a place

And some day sooner than you think you'll see me face to face

And you'll sing with the angels and a countless multitude

This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

So just keep on walkin', don't turn to the left or right

And in the midst of darkness, let this be your light

That hell can't separate us and you're gonna make it through

This is the promise, this is the promise I made to you, oh

This is the promise, this is the promise I made to you" 

My personal journey in dealing with loss isn't much different than most. I am, as some people have taken to called it, finding a new normal. 

I know not why God says someone's days on Earth are up.   

I know not why some are born under the circumstances that they are.  

I only know what my Jesus says in His Word.  

"In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?" Job 12:10.

It's not helping matters much when sorrow is upon sorrow as well. When your life's dreams aren't what you had hoped for. When life's circumstances aren't what you expected. 

We are never promised to be granted a full understanding of what goes on in the course of our lives.   

In most, if not all, cases we wouldn't move if we truly knew what was coming. 

Personally I struggle with having dreams of accomplishing things in my life. Many are way way beyond my financial ability. Many are beyond the time I have each day let alone each week of the year.  

I am not promised to have dreams fulfilled. I am promised that in any and every circumstance my Savior is already there. 

My capability to understand does not and will not change that truth. 

Even Satan cannot be in my tomorrow before my tomorrow arrives. He has to get permission to even be involved in my today. Same as it is with every single Believer.  

It's interesting that it appears to be missed so often that all that afflicted Job was permitted by Jesus yet wholly carried out by Satan and his minions. Much of it was to give the appearance that it came directly from God. Job's thorns in the flesh that afflicted him so came from what Satan did by permission. 

Job suffered greatly...yet in all of this...Job and potentially his 3 friends and family who observed it all...saw God cause it all to turn for Job's good. We read that in the New Testament. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Job grew in his faith because of the failed attempts by Satan. 

You too might be going through some stuff. Stuff that you may not have ever shared with anyone. Trust me, I get it. I fully understand that and where it comes from. I have things that are only between my Savior and myself.  

You are not alone. 

In all the emotional pain that you are going through, you are not alone. In all that you are discouraged by and depressed about you are not alone. I am not alone. Say that to yourself. As many times as you need to. 

We are in Jesus's hands and He is in His Father's hands. Job was only permitted to go through what he was in order for the good that Jesus prepared for him to be achieved.

What we are going through, be it sorrow from losing a loved one or friend to even a beloved pet...there's no randomness to it. The timing of God is always good. 

Whatever sorrow we face, whatever depression we are having, it will not go on forever. Job certainly probably thought his was an eternity. But it wasn't. Yours won't be either. Mine won't be as well. 

As another song says "...Last night I prayed the Lord my soul to keep

Then I cried myself to sleep

So sure life wouldn't go on without you. But oh, this sun is blinding me

As it wakes me from the dark

I guess the world didn't stop

For my broken heart...".

Jesus has allowed me and you to go through exactly what we need to in order to make us more like Christ. That's His promise of sanctification. The Bible says that He was a man of sorrows well acquainted with grief.  

Think about it. We only get a glimpse of a few times when Jesus shows us that He knew what was really going on in the hearts and minds of the people around Him. He knew how long some had been suffering. He knew how long the woman had been in the condition that she was before she reached out to touch the garments He wore in faith. He knew the hearts of the Jewish leaders around Him. He knew every single soldier who beat Him, mocked Him and nailed Him to the cross.  

We read that we don't have an Advocate who doesn't understand. 

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16

Griefs, sorrows, disappointments, things of this nature are not to be nails to stop us. In Christ they propel us to move forward.  

I read my old journal entries. I have plenty to read that show where I was giving up. Yet in all Jesus was still there. Is still on the throne. Still my Advocate. He still made a way where there was no way for me to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 

His promises are always kept. It may not feel like it but they are.  

Paul wrote of his anxieties. Peter had anxieties. We are in good company. They grieved much. We grieve much. They drew closer to Jesus because of these things.  

We should do the same. 

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

I am Safe, Right?

I am Safe, Right?

by David Brenneman 

"There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:  Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,  A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil,  A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19.

"Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word." John 8:43 .

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised."  1 Corinthians 2:14.

"But I don't do any of those things!" You might be thinking. "I'm a good person!" 

Jesus said that He's at the door of your heart, knocking.  Have you listened for Him?  Have you let Him unconditionally?  

Jesus said it before Paul did.  Millions of people in today's world don't believe they're worthy of Hell. 

Millions die every single day waking up in Hell who didn't believe they deserved it either, yet there they are. 

It matters not our opinions concerning how good or bad we think we are.  What matters is whether or not you and I know of a time when Jesus Christ became the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our life.  That we fully trust in what He did to save us.  That we don't point to anything we've ever done as to why we should be allowed into His Heaven. 

Our good deeds mean nothing without salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Our thoughts we have that might indeed be good by our standards all the time mean nothing without salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Our anything means nothing without that something that's only found in the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. 

Are you getting it yet?

Many many people don't accept the things of God because they're more fearful of what they believe they will have to give up, what they believe they'll have to lose.

Jesus asked the question "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? What can a man give in exchange for his soul?".

You might have read about or heard about King Solomon.  Wisest man to have ever lived.  Had everything his eyes and heart desired.  Wrote a few books of the Bible.  In one he describes everything he ever desired as being vanity of vanities.  All worthless.  Richest, wisest, man on earth at the time and there was nothing to be had that was worth more than the Lord.  Solomon, with all his wisdom, was lead astray by his thousands of wives and concubines. His children suffered for it.  

Are you thinking that you're ok?  You thinking that all that religion talk isn't for you?  Guess what, all religions will fail you.  I'm not involved in a religion.  I am in a relationship.  All religions honestly lead to you attempting to be good enough for whomever you're worshipping.  A relationship with Jesus leans into you trusting in everything He did on the cross of calvary to save you.  All religions tie into dead people or truly demons.  In Christ we have a real relationship with Jesus who isn't dead.  

He's not only alive but is going to come back one day to claim all who have put their faith and trust in Him alone for salvation. 

If all you can think of is what you think you will lose...you've already lost. 

Nothing in your life will go with you to Hell or even to Heaven except people.  

You may become the only Christian in your family.  This might be hard but it's not impossible.  In Christ you're never alone.  As a Christian Preacher once said about a future King David.  David realized that he and his God were a majority in any situation.  

All it takes to earn your way to Hell is being born. Before you have ever uttered a word you're spiritually dead in sins.  We are all born in sin and all need a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  The Bible says this. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". 

You have to be the one who comes to that door to your heart and opens it AND asks Jesus to come in and be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  No other way exists to enter into Heaven. 

No if's and's or but's.  Having been born in sins, it's always downhill from there for everyone who's not come to Christ for salvation.  

The good news is the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus is free to all who ask.  So just ask! 

"Jesus I want you to be the forgiver of my sins and the leader of my life.  Forgive me for my sins. Save me!  I want your free gift of salvation that's only through faith and trust in You!"

Coming to Christ for salvation is simple enough that a child can understand it.  

The ball is in your court. 

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

Don't Twist the Word of God

Don't Twist the Word of God 

by David Brenneman 

"But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”" John 8:1-11

"But at least I am not doing that!"

Ever really remember watching yourself or others growing up? Of how from an early age we figure out how to justify our actions and our thoughts?

In this passage these Jewish leaders were, and quite obviously had been, manipulating the Scriptures to suit their needs and wants. 

The Old Testament Law spoke to adultery alright. But what they cut out was the part of the man's responsibility in this act that they were so ready to stone only her for. Why? With no witnesses he could think he got away with it. 

We can do similar things. 

We can justify our going places we shouldn't be going to. 

We can justify eating what we shouldn't eat. 

We can justify relationships that we should never engage in.

We are manipulators in our own right.  

We can justify a path different from God's calling for us by a little bit of self justification. We got overwhelmed and turned off in a different direction and never looked back. Our personal pain wouldn't let us hear the Spirit telling us to stand firm. 

Many people rationalize their choices. The simply redefine the sin into something else.  

As I read once: When it comes to the Word of God...your opinion doesn't matter. What God says is sin, is still sin today. Will still be sin a thousand years from now. 

We grade the severity of sins to twist the Word of God too.  

At least it's not as bad as...

At least I am not doing what they're doing...

We choose to call sin something else that's not as guilt ridden. 

There are no buts concerning sin.

There are no buts concerning what the Bible says about it.

If what you engage in is what the Bible says is idolatry then my Dear Reader it's idolatry. Period. 

If what you engage in is course jesting then it is in the eyes of God. 

If what you've been doing is avoiding the true path of God for you...then yes you ARE attempting to run from God.  

If you're at all numb to the sins that you've permitted to stay in your life...then you have a significant problem.  

As one of Dr. Whitcomb's favorite passages says "Let God be found true and every man a liar".

Our justifications will not stand up in the courts of Jesus's law.

Our choices will probably be questioned when we see Jesus face-to-face to give an account of our lives before Him. 

Part of what Jesus said of prayer is that we pray with wrong motives, so that what we ask for we would spend on our pleasures.  

The best course of action for any and all is to sit down with Jesus and get real. Ask if there be any wicked, hurtful, ways in your life. Deal with these now while you've got the chance to do what's right. Scripture says that he who knows the right thing to do and does not do it sins. 

Walking with Jesus means having the truth of ourselves revealed and seeing what He wants to see in us.

In the grand scheme of things...a lot of people aren't in prayer or in their Bible because they know what they will find there. The truth. It isn't about not having the time.  

So are you up to the challenge? 

The challenge to know the truth?

Again the Scriptures say that the truth shall set you free.

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