No Camouflage Here

No Camouflage Here

by David Brenneman 

"The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them." Isaiah 9:2

While this great light is a prophecy about Jesus, we're called to be lights in this world. Emmanuel means God with us. When people come to Christ for salvation, He comes to live in us.  

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

So many people in this world try to keep their mannerisms of life that they had back before they were saved in Christ.   

We're not to be doing that. Paul taught on that very subject.

"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 4:22-24.

"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." Colossians 3:9-11.

We are to shine in this present darkness. We ought to be striving for to win the prize as the Apostle Paul wrote as well. Running with the aim of winning.  

"knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7.

Do you not want your Father in Heaven to be glorified?  

Do you not want to stand before Jesus rather than to shrink away from Him when you are before Him some day?

These desires that people attach themselves to are often traps. Minefields at best. Satan's schemes aren't hidden! His schemes are certainly not camouflaged in the least!

We are often embracing whatever he tries to do in our lives and then we have the audacity to cry out to Jesus because we say that we don't know where everything went wrong!

Was listening to Steven Curtis Chapman yesterday. "Be Still and Know". Along with "Great Expectations".

How often do you try to sit at the feet of Jesus?

How often do you actually stop n wonder if what's put before you is a temptation or something good from God? We are approaching a season of giving. Thanksgiving is upon us and soon afterwards is Christmas. Satan's schemes are often wrapped up to look like something from God.  

Would you recognize the difference?

In combat training people learn the art of camouflage and its required to successfully complete that part of training in order to advance. 

In Christ we aren't to do this in order to advance in growing in Christ Jesus. 

We are to be lights in this world...not hidden under a basket...away from the world. 

So what if people look down on you for truly living the Christian life as the Spirit directs each of you.  

Is anyone you run across more important than serving your risen Lord and Savior with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit? And meeting His approval concerning the life you lived?

I sort of jokingly posted a picture of football fans in a snowy stadium and said that if Christians today had that kind of drive and commitment, Satan would be running scared at the onslaught of the Church.  

Jesus doesn't have kind words to say towards those who are ashamed of His association with them.  

Live your life in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Period. 

Let your light shine! Think back to that children's song of this little light of mine.  

Remove those things that are causing your light to be hidden from the world. 

What are you doing hiding anyway?

My aim is to hear "Well done!" from Jesus...what about you?

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

Who Accomplishes According to His Purpose

Who Accomplishes According to His Purpose 

by David Brenneman 

"Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth." Psalms 57:1-3.

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

Was part of my morning reading the passage in Psalms was and immediately I thought of the other in the book of Romans. 

These two made me reflect on my current set of predicaments. My prayers go up not just daily but often hundreds of times a day when I don't know what words to say and indeed the Spirit intercedes with groans too deep for words for me. 

I know quite a bit about quite a few things. I like instructionals. Videos on how to do things. Figuring things out is something that I enjoy doing. 

But there's times where I know God's telling me to wait. The answers aren't ready for me to know yet or the answer isn't for me to know.  

Even Daniel was told that he wasn't going to understand everything he was shown. John in his writing of the book of Revelation was dumbfounded by most of what his eyes saw. 

Understanding often takes time. God's timing isn't our timing. As the Scriptures also say that His ways are not our ways His thoughts are not our thoughts.  

Job too wasn't shown the why's behind his story either, that we know of. 

But we're far from alone. Far from stranded. Far from abandoned.  

It's ok to not understand. It's ok to patiently wait upon the Lord's timing. It's only us that thinks it's not ideal. God still causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  

With catching that part of my Bible reading "that I am the Lord"...I look for that now when I read. The sentiment is here in Psalms that we read. King David was living out the truth that he trusted in the truth that the Lord was the Lord. Paul's trust was in the Lord. Peter's trust was in the Lord. The Spirit teaches us that Jesus is the Lord. 

Someone once said that if you only pray when you are in trouble then you're already in trouble. 

Part of our teaching from the Spirit is to know that Jesus is the Lord. That He's got our back. That we can trust in Him. 

We're entering the season of fall and winter here in North America. For some it's a hyper season surrounded sports. For others it's a time to slow down and reflect on the year.

I'm not that much of an outdoor person as it is...and I look forward to the solitude of time in front of the fireplace during this time of year.  

Take time to reflect more on your year with Jesus than whatever has gone right or wrong in the year.  

Look for how and when He's caused things to work together for your good. Look for these and write them down. You'll need these for those future times of stress and heavy concerns when life isn't making a whole lot of sense.

Our faith history shows us that He is the Lord. He's there 24/7 365 for all our worries and concerns. 

Paul struggled with anxiety so we're in good company.  

Look for opportunities to pray and not just to pray when problems arise.

Jesus is a promise keeper.  

"Be still and know that I am God".

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

The World is a Different Place

The World is a Different Place 

by David Brenneman 

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Matthew 5:11-12, 14-16, 18

When someone comes to Christ they get a new address. A new name in Christ. Adoption into the family of God.  

A famous quote from Billy Graham to do with himself goes that we may hear of him dying. The truth is only his address has changed and he is more alive now than he's ever been. 

We who die in Christ are ushered into the very presence of Jesus.  

We cease to be here and open our eyes there in Heaven.  

When people die who do not know Christ Jesus as Savior...the truth isn't that you go to some kind of pergotory you go right into the torment of Hell. Painfully real Hell.

The light from within the life of a Believer should show a life changed by the work of the Spirit of God within them. 

We're those who have passed from death to life. We are those who are the salt of the Earth. Showing people that there is hope in a world seriously lacking hope.  

We long for that moment of time when Jesus is embracing us. We long for our eternal home. 

If you haven't placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. If He isn't the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life then Heaven is not your home. Heaven will not be your destination when you die. The Bible says that all the good works we can do are as rubbish without the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Worthless. 

There's nothing apart from Jesus that saves.  

We cannot leave this world we know and go to Heaven without Jesus.  

The message for over 2,000 years has been that we need salvation through no other. Coupled with that message is the urgency of the hour. That we know not when Jesus will return. We just absolutely are certain He is going to once the pre-Tribulation prophecies are complete and the last person who will come to Christ before it is to begin comes to Christ for salvation. 

Time isn't eternal. At a point in time not far from now, compared to eternity, time will be no more. Literally 1,007 years after the Rapture of the Church time is over. The Final Judgment of God is completed and eternity is sealed. 

My Dear Reader at the end of the day...you must know where you will be spending eternity. 

You must choose to believe the God of the Bible or the god of this world. Nobody gets anyone out of Hell. Everyone there chose to reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. From fallen Angels to people Hell is a vast place of painfully tormented inhabitants. Every single one there knows exactly why they are there and they do not want anyone joining them. 

Jesus showed us all that when He spoke about it. 

The free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a limited time offer. While yes people will be saved in the Great Tribulation, their lives will be at stake all the time. 

You choose.  

You choose a life in Christ now while you can or you don't.  

The consequences of your choice are entirely on you.  

As for me and my house...we choose Jesus. As for most of my family, that I am aware of, they too choose Jesus. Many of my friends have chosen Jesus.  

What say you?

A life in Christ is different in ways that nobody can really fully understand without first coming to Christ for salvation. That's no cop-out that's what the Bible says. 

The world is a different place for those who are saved. We know we're just visiting. 

Where you go from here is entirely up to you. 

Take Romans 10 seriously. "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.”

Come to Christ and see the world as it really is. 

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

He IS Coming!

He IS Coming 

by David Brenneman 

My Dear Reader when I wake up many times throughout the night and the same thing I hear gets said to me, I begin to write. 

This blog's description makes reference to the Watchman on the wall as it was in ancient times of the people of God.  

That the blood of the people would be charged to that Watchman with regards to whether or not he warned people of a pending doom. Should he not and yet knew their blood would be on his hands for not telling them. Should he warn them and they ignore him then their blood be on their own hands. Should he warn them and they listen to him they and would have saved themselves. 

In my heart of hearts I know that worldly events are picking up speed again. If it's not been noticed, start noticing my Dear Reader, because these events were foretold in the Bible. To read about the Third Temple in the Bible is one thing, to hear of government officials openly declaring that they will fully support the building of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount says to all: the curtain is about to go up on the book of Revelation, of Ezekiel, of Daniel and all other places in the Scriptures. The King is coming. 

Yes this isn't written like other posts but then again I am the writer, the person dictating what is written isn't me. I have not chosen what's written unless directed to use current events or experiences of my life.  

The King is coming. World events are re-centering around Israel. Tiny little Israel who is smaller than the state of Rhode Island in the United States. Tiny little Israel is being defended by God as He has said He would do. He chose them, they didn't choose him.

My take on current events is this: be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. Be sure that you are saved. What day, hour, minute or second that Jesus will return for His Church we do not know. Many have tried to rush it and claim knowledge of it. Only to be proven to be false prophets and false teachers. Romans 10 is a great place to dwell on confirming that you indeed are saved.  

"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. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you.” And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Romans 10:8-21.

What will happen, exactly, when Jesus returns? For those saved in Christ Jesus, instantly they will be ushered into the presence of Jesus. Joining Him in the clouds to leave this world and forever be with Him.  

What happens to the world is global chaos. Global instances of catastrophic events. Plane crashes, innumerable vehicle crashes. Innumerable construction accidents. Billions of children missing who weren't old enough to understand good from evil. Billions across the world dying because of the lives of Believers leaving the world.  

A world leader will arise to claim that he is the answer to all that's going wrong and that everyone must trust in him. The masses will indeed follow him. Out of desperation, out of necessity, people will do whatever he says. He will reform the global economic climate to fit his vision for it. Those who are alive and still seek the God of the Bible will become enemies of the state. People will turn in friends, acquaintances, family, in order to obey this world leader. 

Then there's all the judgments of God that will come. The building of the Third Temple is only a part of the things that are coming. Various judgments of God will still kill billions of people.  

Oh you think this is nothing but fairy tales? Consider that dozens of Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled in the last 100 years. It was extremely significant when the world was made to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. To see the hand of God in Israel's battles is a sight to behold. None of those were coincidences, they certainly were Godinstances.

For all of you...again...be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. What you own, owe, have or hope to have doesn't matter. 

Who you know, have met or hope to meet or see doesn't matter. 

Knowing that you are ready to meet the King of Kings and Lord of Lords when He returns is all that should matter. 

Jesus is coming soon. My Savior in whom my hope lies, is coming soon. I've seen His hands in my life and I have to ask that only pertinent question: Do you know Him? 

Jesus came to this world to seek and save the lost. He wasn't lost, we were. He searched until He found me decades ago. My Dear Reader settle that question right now. You may not get a today to finish thinking about it.  

The Church of Jesus Christ is not under condemnation but has passed from death into life. God's word says that there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We do not stand with the world in being condemned to experience the wrath of God that is to come. The Church will see from the side of Heaven the fulfillment of the Word of God. The Church will see those martyrs under the Throne of Jesus awaiting their own justice from Jesus for them.  

The King is coming...do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Is He the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life?  

This blog is God’s doing in my life every single day for many years now. I write and He handles global distribution. He draws people to find it and to read it. If you are reading it then He's found you too.

As my Spiritual Dad says at the end of his Biblical Prophecy newsletters: Get ready for the shout that will call us out!

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

Always by My Side

Always by My Side

by David Brenneman 

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

"You hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

My strength is in your name

For you alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I'm holding on to your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

Nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in your hands

I'm holding on to your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side"

Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear 

Although there are times when I have stumbled and fell, when sin has reared its ugly head, it matters not because my Savior is still standing by my side. 

It's taken a great many years to comprehend the complexity of life in the battles between my new nature in Christ and my sin nature. Been years and I'm probably only beginning to maybe understand how fierce the battles can be. 

Having been that generation that grew up watching M*A*S*H, it possibly provides some perspective on what the horrors of battle do to the mind and body of a person. 

Some of the, in my mind, more powerful episodes were those with Dr. Sydney Freedman. Those battles that he ran into were in the mind. But also to see the struggles of those in post-op. How difficult it was to just lay there awaiting healing. Sometimes the follow-up surgeries.  

Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Of the Samaritan finding the guy in his wounded state and picking him up and providing a means to get him both to safety and a place to heal. First off Jews and Samaritans did not interact this way. Add to it he was different from others in his compassion. 

It is one thing to look back on your life and relish or shudder at the highlights that you remember. But how often do you ponder the times when the Savior made you lie down to await healing? 

Going back to the show, many times the nurses were the central character because they were there not only to administer medicine but compassion. An episode that stands out is one where a nurse went along with what a soldier was seeing only in his minds eye.  

Our Savior and Lord knows our battles way better than we do. He knows our hearts better than we do. His Spirit knows every single dastardly secret we fool ourselves into either choosing to forget or that we hope gets overlooked.

He knows every single wound we have and what brought it about.

His work in us isn't going to end until we are finally in His presence, an acceptable glorified person, who was adopted into the family of God. 

He will stay at our side no matter what comes our way. No matter what happens in our lives. No matter if we choose to sin or choose to obey He remains at our side.   

Of course the recommended path is to willingly be at His side in obedience to His Word and purpose for our lives.  

But maybe today you're hurting, you're not feeling well, you're struggling, you're stressed. 

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

Whatever He allows in your life...turn to Him with a whole heart and do not let go. He made a promise and He always keeps His promises. 

Always by My Side.

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

What People Don't See Matters

What People Don't See Matters 

by David Brenneman 

"The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them." Proverbs 11:3.

Some have said that integrity is what defines a person when nobody is looking. 

This morning I was reading that chapter in Proverbs and read that passage with that definition inserted. "What a person does when nobody is looking will guide them, but those who think they are getting away with things will be destroyed by their actions."

Is your life really by way of your own interpretation, understanding, estimation?  

What is it that God has said that He's looking for? People after God's own heart. His Disciples were had the seeds planted while Jesus yet walked among them to grow into the very foundation of the Church in Christ Jesus. The very seeds that become the people after God's own heart. 

What you think you do in secret is anything but done in secret. 

What you choose to do is not by chance, nor is it fully out of a person's control. At least not for the masses. There are those with physical issues that cause behaviors to be seen that aren't spiritual in nature. But for the rest of us...what we do Spiritually has a direct relationship with our physical world. 

What does the Spirit say through Paul in the book of Colossians?

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23-24.

Your work is not truly separated by leisure and actual work. It's whatever you put your hands to doing. That verse in its opening part defines that.

What are you indulging in that you know in your heart of hearts God wouldn't approve of?

In the book of 1 Samuel, on several occasions, the soon to be King David was being pursued by King Saul. On all of those occasions temptation was beating on the door of his heart to kill King Saul when the opportunity was ripe. His integrity wouldn't let him. He knew that it wouldn't be right to be placing himself in God's sandals. King David had to wait years for the fulfillment of the Word of God concerning him being King.

We have passed what it used to be described of a past generation as being a microwave society. Instantaneous is what this present culture wants of themselves and others. We don't wait like we used to in order to find out something we jump on a phone and try to look it up. 

Integrity is indeed what you are doing when nobody is looking. Our impatience is fertile ground for a loss of integrity. In a moment its destroyed. For many it takes a lifetime to recover from one instance of stupidity. 

I have no need for anyone to point out my various times of my being stupid. In thinking that since nobody of significance saw that I am safe. By no means do I believe that a supposed secret is safe in a person's life unless they are taken from this world by God and even then what a person does follows after them. 

King David's response to his companion's was that he could not reach out against the Lord's Anointed without serious repercussions. That God would indeed know even if nobody saw.

You, my Dear Reader, are always in a position of having the right thing to do before you. God isn't going to turn away at any moment just because you want Him to. Indeed the Scriptures say that He who knows the right thing to do and does not do it sins.  

What we do when people aren't looking matters.

You have to decide how you are going to be. There's the integrity of your heart at stake. We who are in Christ Jesus will see just what impact that thought had on us when all our deeds done in life are tried by fire.  

Will all that we did in the life we were given go up in smoke or will there be a crown of righteousness to give back to Jesus. 

That should weigh heavily on your decision making you do in secret or in the open. 

"Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalms 121:4.

"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a.

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them." Psalms 139:7-16.

You see, there is always one who sees all that you and I do. Everywhere we go from our bed to the farthest reaches of the Heavens.  

Pray for your integrity. We all need to pray for that because it is a foundation stone for what we do in our lives for Christ.

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

A Conduit not a Container

A Conduit not a Container 

by David Brenneman 

"The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him." Proverbs 11:25-27.

When we are blessed then we should look to bless someone else.  

While indeed there are times when God does provide a blessing specific to our circumstances, we should still look at how we can pass a blessing along to someone else. 

When we read of the rich man and Lazarus, this rich man was blessed in ways that most people dream about. He had want of nothing. His only concerns were on how to maintain what he had and had projected to be coming to him.

We can slip into this when an unexpected blessing arrives. To forget from whom it really has come and to forget to be grateful, thankful even. 

A hymn sung in many churches goes like this:

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen."

Credited to Thomas Ken 1674.

I get it that many churches are attempting to appeal to people from a more modern take, but, this simple hymn does so much to bring people to a point of gratitude. 

A heart that is after God's own heart has to be practicing gratitude. 

A heart that is after God's own heart has to be thankful, forgiving.

The work of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus is to take what we were and make us into people after God's own heart. Not to leave us as He found us. 

The soft temptation is to withhold what we've been given. No one will know. Nobody will miss it. Nothing is going to really change if I don't.

My Dear Reader...the Spirit within you knows. Therefore God knows.

When we are amply blessed and are more worried about being burned by people who appear to be ungrateful than we are in the truth that it's God's blessings and we are to do as He sees fit...we really have a problem. 

So we are seeing things squandered by those whom we have blessed. Do you not think that God hasn't seen this? That in time He might use this to win a soul?  

It's not a thought of concept but in using measuring instruments for such withholding what is supposed to flow causes resistance. Friction results in a constrained flow of water. We see it as a building up of pressure. In an electrical circuit we use things called resistors to intentionally slow voltage and current. In many cases we see or feel the result of this restraining power in heat from the device. 

We too can feel the heat of withholding what God intended for us to let go of. 

Think about how you really are when the still small voice in you is prompting you to give what you have been given.  

We are approaching a time of year called Thanksgiving. What is it you are doing or not doing that's hampering you from being not just thankful but grateful?

I have often donated to others rather than trying to sell for money. I get it that some believe that is a better way to do with what God's given me is to sell and use that money for His good. But what about it? It all belongs to God! Whether sold or unsold its God's. If He, the owner, says to give, you give.  

We are a bloated society on possessions. The storage unit business is flourishing. Sounds like a beginning of a parable of the Rich man and Lazarus. 

Who could you be blessing right now and haven't been? What are you wasting money on that could have been meant to bless others in helping them? 

Think about how you can be a conduit not a container for God's sake and not your own.   

So what if it makes you look foolish. Read the beginning of the Church in the book of Acts. People liquidated and did whatever was necessary to bring financial freedom to thousands. Pouring out God's blessings.  

What is the Spirit prompting you to do to be a blessing to others today?

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

Who Gets Your Trust?

Who Gets Your Trust?

by David Brenneman 

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken....but I will trust in you." Psalms 55:22-23c.

"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.

Try searching the Scriptures yourself for "know that I am the Lord" and you're going to be there a long time.  Whether or not the app is considering all the words as a whole or not, the one I used says over 14,000 times.  

Do you, my Dear Reader, think that statement, always repeated by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, is trying to get us to understand and know that He is Lord?

Whether in part or in whole, we trust in whom we know.

Jesus's free gift of salvation isn't just a ticket punched in order to go to Heaven and escape the extremely painful aspects of Hell.  Jesus's free gift of salvation is a beginning of a new life in Christ. 

The healing to our heart, mind and soul isn't a one and done thing, it's a lifetime of love growing in a deeper relationship with Jesus.  Trusting in Him a little more each day, walking with Him in all things that we do.  Whatever is important to Jesus becomes important to us.  Whatever had been important to us no longer seems to be as important anymore.

The orders to the Disciples were to go and make more disciples.  Teaching them all that He commanded them.  Everything they learned they were to impart in the lives of people who received the gift of salvation.

Not much is said very often of Jonathan, David's closer than a best friend.  Yet look at his life.  He and David were closer than brothers.  They took an oath before the Lord to always watch after each other's families for all time.  We do see that in as much as was possible King David kept his promise to his friend Jonathan.

"That they may know that I am the Lord".  Another New Testament way Jesus continued saying this was "that they may know that I am He".

After the 7 year Great Tribulation that's on our doorstep, Jesus will come to Earth yet again physically and rule the whole world personally.  The Scriptures say that in that thousand years, nobody will be asking to be taught what it means to know the Lord.  They will be able to know the Lord. 

Reading the surrounding events to many many of those Scriptures where "that they may know that I am the Lord" you always find that through every possible means the intent is to turn the hearts of mankind back to Jesus again. 

We are tempted most in life to go after other things or people in this world rather than Jesus.  Satan's greatest schemes are around deceiving people to believe that which is dangerous to our relationship with Jesus really isn't. 

Many people have crafted quotes about how a mighty rivers course can be changed at its beginning by moving a single stone.  

It doesn't take much to disturb our relationship with Jesus, we just need to acknowledge the truth that it has been and that we need to turn around to come back to Jesus again. 

"It's not that bad" or "You're making a mountain out of a mole hill" or "it's just for fun, I'm not taking this seriously!" or "I'm just a fan, I am not that into it!" does more to damage our relationship with Jesus and ruin the trust we have in Christ than a little bit. 

The Disciples on at least one occasion recalled an Old Testament passage that directly applied to Jesus and they didn't need an interpretation "zeal for My House will consume Me".  Jesus didn't misdirect His passions to things in this world.  His intimate relationship with His Father meant the most. Second only to that was His reason for being here...to go to the cross. 

Jesus showed the Disciples that they trusted Him so trust His Father.  They grew to know Him so grow to trust His Father. 

What are you putting your mind and your heart into?  It's an easy go to but billions put theirs into politics or sports.  Wasted time in light of eternity for most.  The passion and zeal that belongs to God being put on what amounts to worthless things in light of eternity.  

The Disciples were taught to put their relationship with Jesus Christ first.  Teach others to do the same. 

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

Doesn't say anything about "do what you consider as adequate".

Doesn't say anything about making time for Jesus as best as we see fit. 

Doesn't say when the going gets tough then come to Christ for help. 

What are you doing to become a person after God's own heart?

What are you doing to say with David "I will trust in you" to Jesus?

What needs to go from your life that is taking what belongs to Jesus?

Think about it...because when our lives are tested by fire...all that will be burned up as waste.  It does nothing to help create a crown of righteousness to give back to Jesus for all He's done for us.

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

Savage Wolves

Savage Wolves

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. “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" Acts 20:24-35.

To this day there's no end to the false prophets and false teachers within the Church today.  

Why speak to this this morning? The warning wasn't only for those churches that were written to several thousand years ago but rather for the duration of time until the Lord sets up His millennial Kingdom.  

Most have heard it said that there's no perfect employer. Well the same can be said of churches. Why? Because whether you believe it or not the Earth is a battlefield. A generational battlefield. Both physically and spiritually in nature.  

Paul taught the Ephesians, to whom he was speaking here, to stand firm, to suit up in the whole armor of God. That there's a war on. While Jesus sent them...they were sent out among savages to seek and save the lost in the world. People would persecute those who are about the Father’s business.  

Many times we can get the "why me?"''s. Why am I going through this? It makes no sense! Why did those people treat me like that? Why were they so uncaring towards those other people? Why is there so much suffering in the world?  

My Dear Reader...we step into the world we step into the battle. 

We can only know about and understand what's really going on by being in the Word of God daily. To be in prayer daily. Building this right relationship with Jesus as the Spirit directs each of us...daily. 

Our culture, for generations, has not struggled much in this fight. We've let things slip into our lives because we didn't think they were so bad. That we thought God wouldn't mind. We never asked Jesus nor thought to check the Bible, God's Holy Word, but He wouldn't mind. We in our own estimation, our own wisdom, didn't think anything of it. 

An that's how savages came into the church. This little group of people agrees on this thing that the Bible says isn't for Godly men and women to be involved with and so it starts. 

The Bible teaches us that we are not our own, we were bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We must not do as the world and be found doing whatever is right in our own eyes.  

We often attempt to apply reverse logic. If God really had a problem with this or that, He would have stopped me. I know that I shouldn't but I just can't help myself.  

We can do just as those not in Christ at providing justification for why we aren't living the Christian life as the Spirit has been trying to teach us to be living. 

The closer to Jesus that we walk the less likely we'll fall for false prophets and false teachers. Funny how that works. False teachers, false prophets do things in darkness and are exposed by the Light of Jesus Christ. The New Testament Disciples were told to expose such things. 

Satan's going to keep fighting against God until that Final Judgment Day when he is cast into the Lake of Fire.

Satan is very real and is one whom we are warned that disguises himself as an angel of light. He is called a liar and the father of lies. He's extremely active in this world. 

He is absolutely NOT more powerful than God. In the cases of Believers he must obtain permission to impact their lives. Scripture says that he is the accuser of the brethren. We see a taste of it in the book of Job. 

My Dear Reader we cannot allow ourselves to let our guard down. This training in righteousness doesn't take a time-out or a vacation.  

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

Pray on, pray over, pray through life.

Right now my truck is broke. At least that's the world's view of things as they are.

Truth is God’s truck has a problem and I prayed to Him about the fact that His truck has a problem and I need His help in fixing it.  

Perspective is everything. We cannot have an ungodly perspective and expect Godly results. 

We cannot wander through this life without realizing the dangers, toils and snares that are out there. 

We must keep the whole armor of God on at all times. Realizing that the devil DOES prowl around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. From within the churches and outside of the Church.

Seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness and what? All these things will be added unto you.

Make the time to be in prayer.

Make the time to be reading your Bible. 

Make the time to make whatever is important to Jesus important to you. 

The more you do the more your eyes will be open and ears will hear what God's showing you and teaching you. 

Removing things from your life that aren't at all honorable to God isn't making you weaker nor are you missing out on living life to the fullest.

Should you ask the Apostles or Timothy the first Pastor...there's nothing in this world that compares to living a life that honors God in Christ Jesus.  

You NEED to have a healthy Spiritual life that isn't taken in by Satan's minions or his schemes...but you won't know what to look for or to do without a life that's all-in with Jesus. 

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

Weaknesses a Plenty

Weaknesses a Plenty 

by David Brenneman 

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

When I look back upon my life through this particular lens of Scripture...things look differently to me.   

I certainly have weaknesses a plenty. I sometimes think on this passed "For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within." 2 Corinthians 7:5.

Sometimes God has sent a comfortor or two in my more desperate hours of life. "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;" 2 Corinthians 7:6.

Something tells me that Paul wasn't the only one who had a messenger of Satan to poke n prod him through his life in ways that he really didn't forsee or want to experience. 

I find it interesting how much of the world adopted the saying "thorn in my side" implying that someone or something was just there to be a constant irritation that didn't want to leave.

We often over complicate life let alone what the Scriptures say about life in general let alone when it's specific. Jesus said that salvation is so simple that a child could understand it. Adults in many generations over complicated the salvation message.

My more recent understanding of my weaknesses is very similar to what I read in Paul's writing here about his own.  

Many hold to the idea of Guardian Angels that watch over Believers, so why would it be such a stretch to consider that this messenger of Satan isn't a demon that would endlessly complicate Paul's life until his mission on Earth was through? Once Paul was assured that A) this messenger wasn't going away and B) it was permitted by Jesus to be there, he then gladly accepted his situation wholeheartedly.  

I have many faults, many things often irritate me that don't irritate other people. I have things that trip me up in my walk with Jesus that perhaps don't even bother others in the slightest in the faith. Things that I have prayed that God would take from me for probably my entire life as a Believer that are still a thorn in my side.  

While nobody in their right mind desires a complicated life or relishes in chaos and troubles...sometimes it is in fact what's been permitted by Jesus that causes us to press on all the more in the upward call for us in Christ Jesus. 

Dr. Charles Stanley said in a Life Principle that adversity will last only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.  

Paul's adversity was going to stay with him until God called him home.  

What the enemy of God does to the Believer is only what is permitted by Jesus to happen. Our sanctification is paramount over our comfort. Jesus said He was sent to seek and save the lost in the world. The Disciples, soon to be Apostles, were sent to go and make disciples of all the nations. Teaching them all that He commanded. Satan and his minions are GOING to fight for every single person who isn't saved yet because God wants to save them.  

He's going to be before Jesus accusing the Brethren. Which would be you and I if you're saved in Christ Jesus.

He is going to do everything he is allowed to do. Jesus said that to get to a Believer that anyone must go through His hands.  

While my faults, my weaknesses, plague me at times I know that I have an Advocate in Christ Jesus. 

My weaknesses are there and probably will continue to be there until I am called home or the Rapture of the Church happens.  

The important thing is His grace is sufficient for you and I. His unmeritted favor is sufficient for you and I. His mercies limit what He considers to be too much for us.

Our training is ongoing in righteousness. Our walk with Jesus isn't on a lovely peaceful walkway. It's not a walk in the park. Paul's life certainly wasn't a walk in the park. 

So I pray on, pray over and pray through whatever is on that path of righteousness set before me.  

I encourage you to do the same.

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

Wherever You Are, Wherever You Go

Wherever You Are, Wherever You Go 

by David Brenneman 

"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18.

Panic comes easily in light of the unexpected. Where uncertainty reveals itself we can zero in on the situation rather than who is with us.

Whereas we can have people around us with harm as their intent, Jesus isn't going to allow anything or anyone to come near to us without His consent.

"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." John 10:27-29.

"For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face," Jeremiah 16:17a.

Has anything in history happened that God stopped being God?

Has anyone been able to take the sovereignty of Jesus from Him?

Has a situation ever occurred among all creation that overpowered the Creator of all things?

All who come to Christ for salvation are now aliens in this world. Tourists if you will, visitors, who await the appointed time of their return to their adopted home in Heaven with Jesus.  

Situations will occur that can be explained and or expected. 

Many more will occur that cannot be explained.  

This doesn't mean that God at all stopped being God. It DOES provide a path for Believers to help other Believers. It IS why some Believers are more well off than others...in order for the blessings of God to happen in the lives of His people. 

In the opening chapters of the book of Acts we read of how people sold off many things in order to provide freedom and help to others in Christ. 

In many times in my life we have experienced great situations that at the time appeared overwhelming. Looking back at them they were overwhelming. Were they to occur in today's world we live in...probably not so overwhelming at all. Why, what changed? Growing in Christ. 

When we look at the examples often used by Paul he wrote of soldiers in training. He wrote of putting on the whole armor of God. 

Now today I caught something in the book of 1 Samuel 17.

"Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off." 1 Samuel 17:38-39.

We are told in Ephesians 6 to put on this Spiritual Armor of God. We often are taking parts off because they are either uncomfortable or because we think it's safe to do so. 

A soldier in training is given what to wear and is put through many grueling tasks in order to become conformed to them and to get experienced in doing life with them on...why? Because their life depends on it. 

We are to suit up every moment of every day. To walk with Jesus requires it. He promises to walk with you and you in turn are situated, ready, to walk with Jesus. 

You may indeed feel overwhelmed. May feel like you're defeated. May feel hopeless. Did Jesus stop being Jesus?  

Have seen many a meme that says to the effect that I tried to throw in the towel and God threw it back at me, told me to wipe off my face and keep going. We're almost there.

We are only going to face whatever adversity in life we're facing for only as long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.  

The Spirit is to be our Helper. Most have seen the series of movies surrounding "Rocky". Most people focused on Rocky, Adrian, Mickie, Pauly, Apollo Creed, or whomever Rocky was fighting. Go back and watch them again to look more intently at Mickie and Apollo's trainer. Look at the wisdom of what they put into Rocky and Apollo. Look at how they helped them achieve.  

The Spirit of God is to teach us all things. This my Dear Reader means many a trial and many a painful moment to endure until the lesson is learned. Until we become more and more confident and comfortable in the whole armor of God.  

Saul, at first, saw the potential of having a man with whom the Spirit of God rested staying by his side. Saw what experience can do. 

We are often drawn to Godly men because of how they've lived life with Jesus.  

Trainers aren't forever here on Earth. Sometimes we learn from one instructor or professor for a time then are given others to learn from for the next phase of our learning. 

Same goes with learned men of God. The important thing is to stay in pace with Jesus. While others will come and go, He isn't going anywhere.  

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

What to Dwell On?

What to Dwell On?

by David Brenneman 

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:12-17.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth." 2 Corinthians 13:5-8.

In this time we have to spend upon the Earth...we can read here that it's not to be wasted.  

There's a timetable that the Spirit is on. Jesus showed in His life as well that His priorities began and ended with whatever His Father wanted of Him. 

What we dwell on will either help us or harm us. Our thoughts, some day, will either confirm us or betray us with regards to how we spent life living for Jesus. 

We are often taught to look into worldly offerings to find peace and contentment.  

While it is possible to find temporary, even fleeting, ways to find peace and comfort it never lasts.

We have all done something, gone somewhere, and bought a souvenir. This morning I am drinking coffee from a Christmas themed mug that I found at a thrift store that at some point in time someone bought to commemorate their visit someplace. Evidently their desire to be rid of it surpassed their desire to keep it. The memories surrounding it either waned or were too powerful to allow it to remain in their possession. 

In either case this mug is possibly going to pass from the memories of the original purchaser.  

A thriving industry is antiquities. A plethora of channels on YouTube, an endless number of Facebook pages and groups exist, to draw attention to reclaiming things that spur on reliving memories. To get people to dwell on those things to the point of making a purchase. 

Then comes the inevitable. At some point people always pass on from this world. Then those who are left behind are figuring out what to do with what these people owned. Some just donate everything some sift through for valuables to keep or sell.  

But you know what? What you own will never really define you in the eyes of mankind more that what you did with what God gave you. 

The best obituaries are those who speak to what people did in service to God and others.  

Some think that their best legacy is their children or what they did for themselves or others. My Dear Reader your best legacy is how you lived for Jesus.  

You can find countless places in the Old Testament where Jesus is taking the children of Israel through things to show them that He is Lord. So that they know His Name. In the New Testament we read of living a life that points people to Jesus as Lord and Savior and living life in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. 

What you dwell on showcases what's going on in your heart. 

When all that comes out of your mouth is to do with cars, sports, fantasy things, what is that saying about the state of your heart?  

Does it show anyone, especially yourself, that you're walking with Jesus?

People, millions of people, use rivalries as a means of justified hatred for someone else.  

How can a heart that dwells on Christ, that loves God with their everything and loves people, rage at others over something as a rivalry and say it's acceptable?

This is but one example. The Spirit, through the Bible, teaches others.  

How often do you dwell on those things we read earlier? How much effort do you put into listening to the Spirit?  

How much effort do you put into keeping the whole armor of God on you?

How much effort do you put into setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world?

Here's the game changer: Would you in all honesty think that Jesus would approve of your efforts if He were physically with you and you were His Disciple as the 12 were?

What are you dwelling on?

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

Caught off guard? Not Jesus.

Caught off guard? Not Jesus. 

by David Brenneman 

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6.

There's times where we are in situations that appear to be safe to talk about things, spiritual things, when in fact it is not. We don't discover until a measure of time passes that indeed our concerns, our prayers, our observations, spoken of before who had appeared to be Believers ended up causing us great personal harm. 

Satan's schemes aren't exactly all out there in book format to be fully comprehended. While yes we know the more popular ones we are often caught off guard by those seldom used situations. 

In recent days this scenario has happened to me. Whereas someone spoke as one whom sounded as though they were a Christian...the fruits that were revealed later on were definitely not good fruit. 

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. “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 7:15-23.

We won't stop praying for those whom did us much harm. There's those who cross your path in life are there for no other reason than for their deeds and name to be known and for you to keep bringing before Jesus. 

While we suffered a little in the eyes of family we press on as Paul encouraged to the upward call for us in Christ Jesus. We still have a life in Christ to live no matter what lies were construed concerning us.

What people think means extremely little in light of the truth that Jesus knows.  

We would probably speak as we have with regards to spiritual matters in much the same way as we had. The truth cannot change when it's God's truth. When we know that which the Lord Jesus Christ has said is...then...my Dear Reader...it is. End of story.  

God can and does use people to reach people. He does often use great tragedy to get to the heart of the matter in saving people. He does often take people out of this world in order to finally get a soul saved. These are truths of life. While we don't understand them they are truths. Look at all the situations that the chosen people of God went through. The depths of the horrible things they experienced and endured. The Lord said those things would happen and they did happen. The Lord’s motivation was to get His chosen people to return to Him...with a whole heart.  

Jesus went to the cross to die for all mankind...all of which are guilty of sin...to make a way to save them. He knows all who will receive Him as their Lord and Savior, and all who will reject Him. He knows every special significant thing that will be the turning point in order for salvation to come to those who will be saved.

While our words were twisted and manipulated to sound like something heinous God knows the truth. Our concerns are to share Christ and for family and friends to know the love of God in Christ Jesus.  

Jesus went through beatings, scourging, being nailed to a cross. Verbal lashings. Mocked. Humiliated in public.  

What we as modern Believers go through in standing firm in Christ extremely pails in comparison in most cases. There are people dying a martyrs death even today for the cause of Christ Jesus.  

We will continue to live the life that God has put before us. We will continue to pray because we cannot be silenced with regards to the things of God that we are to pray for while people yet breathe the breath of life. Hate us while they may, we cannot stop obeying God.

Love God with your everything, love people as He's loved us. Pray without ceasing. Lift up holy hands unto the Lord.  

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

In Conclusion...Therefore...Because of What was said...

In Conclusion...Therefore...Because of What was said...

by David Brenneman 

"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." Romans 12:1-3.

"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. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord." Romans 12:9-19.

Someone once taught that when you see a "therefore" in your Bible reading, back up and see what that therefore is there for. 

Paul is talking about the daily life we are to be living in Christ Jesus. 

Contrary to popular belief you do not take a time-out from your life in Christ. 

You do not put it on pause. 

You do not set it aside to do what you consider more 'fun' things.

After His resurrection Jesus instructed His Disciples to go and make more disciples teaching them all that He commanded them. 

Rewind to the beginning of all four Gospel accounts to see what that entails. Do you see happening in any account that is taught as acceptable in much of the professing Church today?  

We came to Christ to be saved, were indeed saved, forgiven, washed clean, made new in Christ Jesus. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them.  

Doesn't say that we're fitting in the Christian life into our own whenever it suits us.  

Doesn't say that we're making room for 'improvements' that are like accessories on a car dashboard to be used when situations warrant it. 

"present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" A sacrifice was to be holy, without spot or blemish. No defects allowed. That's what you go back to the Old Testament to find out before that "Therefore". 

"and do not be conformed to this world" All the world teaches everyone to do and be is whatever feels right and that's in conflict with the Word of God.  

Notice quite clearly that the implication is 24/7 365 days a year. 

Not thinking more highly of himself than he ought to think...don't get puffed up, proud, so self-confident, that you aren't dwelling on your life in Christ...that you set it aside for wanton pleasures.  

To be a disciple of Christ is to devote your energy, and your time, towards learning all that can be learned of a life in Christ, pretty much just as we read that the Disciples did. 

It obviously means sacrifices in not doing what the world does. Finding the peace of God that passes all understanding that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

What the world tries to offer everyone is the synthetic peace that never truly lasts or fits our lives. 

A really bad fakery of satisfaction. It is a blanket that never fits, never covers us completely and never really does what we think it ought to. 

Paul talks about how to train our minds to be thinking. We have a Godly purpose under Heaven to be fulfilled until we are called to leave this world or the Rapture of the Church, whichever comes first. 

We have at the end of our everything a face-to-face encounter with Jesus coming that is for everyone. For Believers we will find out whether or not our lives were lived in such a way that Christ was glorified or we were. 

What does some of this look like?

"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."

What is evil? 

"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 3:2-5.

What do you see in the list that you might be doing or flirting with doing?  

"Do not be wise in your own estimation." We do ourselves much harm in saying we got this...that we are good and don't need to be doing life ENTIRELY like the Bible really says to be like. 

We also get ourselves in much trouble by getting ahead of God. When we think we know when, how, and where to mete out what we decide is justice towards others. Sadly many professing Christians try doing this in the name of Jesus Christ...more often than not without ever asking God before acting. 

In the book of 1 Samuel right away the newly King Saul messed up and it cost him the kingship he was just given because he was more concerned about what man thought than obeying the Word of God. 

We can cost ourselves a lot in life by doing that same thing. 

The world wants to goad us by chiding us, mocking us, about all that we've missed out on.

We live in a world of immense poverty yet globally spend trillions on entertainment and sports. Disasters strike and nobody has money to cover it or to help with it. 

Governments are living out of a deficit yet aren't doing nearly enough to care for people.  

When the 7 year Great Tribulation is ended Jesus will physically rule from Earth. There will be no deficit spending. There will be a whole lot of what this world has accepted as normal happening for that thousand year that He leads the world. 

What you read here in Romans will probably be the basis of life for that time frame. The Word of God will be followed and will be what a daily life looks like.

What have you compromised in your life that isn't ever going to glorify God?

What are you wasting that has no place in the Christian life?

What are you driven to do that God will never see good spiritual fruit from?

What are you not doing that the Spirit has been telling you to be doing?

Consider this...

"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. 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 4:1-8.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11.

One of the greatest temptations is to think we're ok and to take off this piece or that piece of the armor of God. I have been praying of late that Jesus would put the helmet of salvation back on my head if I take it off. To put back the breastplate of righteousness if I remove it. 

Our lives, much more than our words, tell the world who's Disciples we are.

Therefore what manner of Christian ought we to be?

In Conclusion what manner of Christian ought you to be?

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

Don't Be Afraid or Surprised

Don't Be Afraid or Surprised 

by David Brenneman 

"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. You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe." John 14:27-29.

John 14:6, 16-17, 25-26 NASB1995

[6] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6.

"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." John 14:16-17.

“These things I have spoken to you while abiding with 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." John 14:25.

This morning the world awaits results of a national vote. God has said in His Word that it is He who sets up rulers and it is He who removes them. Satan's tried since time began to establish his own kingdom...yet he never will be able to thwart the Will of God. Jesus is the rightful King and Lord of all Creation. It has been and always will be His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. 

He made a promise to one day return again and it will be kept. He told His Disciples in this passage that which was about to happen and it did happen exactly so. In a short while they did behold Him again and this time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Triumphant over sin, death and the grave. Forever defeating Satan's schemes. Opening the door for all who would come in to be saved. 

My Dear Reader...Jesus IS. 

All other religions are based in people who WERE.  

Every single person who has ever set themselves up as any kind of religious leader in opposition to Jesus Christ is in torment in Hell.  

Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father but through Him. Comes to the Father means to get to where the Father is...which is Heaven. 

Jesus comforted His followers and He comforts us even today. He has not returned as of yet not because of battles with Satan's forces. Nor has it been because of anyone or anything else other than one key reason: waiting for the Father’s time to come back. He and the Father are one...as He said to the Pharisees and Sadducees. He will return when the last person who is to be harvested before the Great Tribulation finds salvation in Jesus Christ. Not a person beforehand. It's not about time.  

The plan and purpose of God in Christ Jesus always was and always will be about the Harvest of people. Jesus implored His Disciples to beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Jesus said to lay up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust do not destroy. The only immeasurably valuable item to enter into Heaven are people. Gold is the material of the sidewalks there. It's pavement. People are the only reason Jesus stayed on the cross when those people crucified Him. Jesus endured the emotional, spiritual and physical horrors of the cross to save people. To satisfy the full wrath of God. 

I am among those who expectantly await the return of Jesus Christ in my lifetime. It's absolutely going to happen. In spite of all the fantasies of Hollywood there's no man derived utopia possible for the future of mankind.  

Oh what I would love to have had been there in those moments where Jesus showed the Disciples from Moses until His resurrection everything that the Bible said about Him. 

I am not afraid of the return of Jesus Christ. I know He is a promise keeper. What He has said He always does.  

Soon there will be a moment where millions if not billions of people will vanish. Men, women and a whole lot of children gone in an instant because Jesus will have returned and take us all to be with Him. Jesus promised that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We have passed from death into life. We won't be punished along with the world for the proceeding 7 years of judgment upon the world.  

While the world goes through that, all who are saved in Christ Jesus will be having the celebration of all celebrations. At the end of the 7 years Jesus will physically set foot on the Earth to be the Ruler of all for a thousand years. Satan having been locked up and locked out of meddling with mankind for that time. At the end of the thousand years he will be released and as incredulous as it will be, mankind will try to side with him against Jesus. Jesus will speak a word and the battle will be over.  

See? There's the rest of the story.  

I have nothing to fear because I know who wins and I have salvation in Jesus Christ. I have His promises. In am an introvert yet am never alone because of His promise that I never would be.  

Of course you could try to say that I made this up. Go read it in the Bible, the book of John then go right straight to the last book, Revelation.  

If you don't know Jesus, and you aren't saved yet...you have plenty of reasons to be afraid. If Jesus isn't the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life, you absolutely will not be going to Heaven.  

The Father made salvation in His Son Jesus Christ so simple that a child could understand what it means and receive the free gift that it is.  

My prayer for all is that people would finally come to Christ for salvation who haven't yet and for those who have wandered away to come back to Jesus. 

Jesus is awaiting both with open arms. Nothing to fear or be ashamed of...He did all the work for everyone. He already took all your sins upon Himself and dealt with all the punishment you deserved. 

Hey...you might just be that last person who will be saved before Jesus returns. 

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

Forgiveness is Essential

Forgiveness is Essential 

by David Brenneman 

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. 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. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar." Psalms 51:1-19.

Peace of mind doesn't come to the guilty. Oh many try to drown out that still small voice that's reminding them of what needs to be addressed.  

Yesterday was something of that with me. I was so sure of where something was damaged at work that I became proud of finding it. Told several people of what my conclusion was. Turns out the real culprit probably had been me when others looked into it. I can't be absolutely sure but they have a case for being right and I do not. 

I admitted to them that as it looks then it probably is on me. That somehow my actions caused the issue. I can't understand how but the only other person possible is me.  

But that wasn't enough for God. Because He wanted to talk about it before I went to bed last night. My heart n mind wasn't finding peace at all.  

Then this passage comes up this morning in my daily reading. A reminder that regardless of my ways of justification God knows everything.  

I probably need to mention it to a few other people this morning that I am no longer sure of what happened because it does look like somehow I had a hand in the damaged parts. It's owning up to things as they really are. 

It's something that I need to do. Forgiveness isn't just between two or more people. Reading what David wrote we all see just how much more it really is between us and God. 

"Nobody's perfect" has been used way too many times to justify dismissing the guilt of sin. Not that that was on my mind but you can easily see the sentiment was there.

Sin is why Jesus came, lead a sinless life, was horrifically beaten and crucified. Was separated from the Father for a time with all the sins of humanity blotting out Jesus from His Father. Then coming back from the dead 3 days later overcoming sin, death and the grave.  

Sin, as we read in David's confession, is what we are born in. It's why we need a perfect sacrifice, acceptable to God, to remove it.

I had no peace last night before talking to Jesus. I knew that sleep was going to elude me until we talked. Until we settled it. 

Read that one verse over and over. "it is against you and you alone have I sinned".  

Do we sin against others in our lives? Yes. But first and foremost our sin is found out before our Holy God. 

People wonder why they think God's not listening to their prayers. Read again this passage. Read in the Bible of the truth that our unconfessed sins put a barrier between us and God.  

We may be desperately praying about something really important but the first thing that comes to mind is what He wants to address first is our unconfessed sins.

He didn't let King David off the hook nor anyone else...why should we expect any special considerations?

Sin is sin is sin in the eyes of God. There appears to be grades of sin based on the Gospel accounts regarding Judas and others in their hand in turning Jesus over to be crucified.  

But it is a part of us until we die.  

For those saved in Christ Jesus, after we die sin is forever separated from us. For those who don't their sins are forever condemning them and their punishment endures forever. 

While a few seem to believe that I write about them in some of these posts not a single person has been named...the circumstances surrounding my interactions with people has been a part of posts only when I know that God wants it written. Life happens and life that happens is hardly unique to anyone. God uses all kinds of things and ways to reach people. Including people like me. Paul considered himself foremost of all sinners because he once persecuted the Church of God.  

Forgiveness lifts an indescribable weight off of the human heart. 

We can in countless ways offend people by our actions and words...but it's our sinning against God that hurts us the most...does the most damage to our lives. 

We lose sleep, lose focus, impact our health. Precious time is wasted. King David tried to cover up murdering someone and from a worldly standpoint he completely succeeded. Think about that and take it to heart. King David got away with murder in the eyes of the world. It was his relationship with Jesus that was broken and he was called out by Nathan the prophet.  

Then what he already knew was true had to be dealt with. The consequences were severe in David's case. When he died he met that son of his that God took from him. He probably first asked him to forgive him.  

Sin is a burden to great for anyone to bear. Sin is what separates people as well as people from God. 

For those who are saved, when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That's His promise to all who are Believer's. The sins of all who reject Jesus Christ remain forever. 

So if indeed you are breathing, maybe it's time for you to do a self-check and ask Him if there is any unconfessed sins that you need to address. 

I know that had I not admitted and confessed last night, you wouldn't be reading anything this morning. 

David's sin concerning Bathsheba stopped the Kingdom of David in its tracks. A nation was hurt by his actions. The ramifications were extensive. People died because of what David had done in secret.  

There's an old hymn that says "I'm gonna have a little talk with Jesus. Gonna tell Him all about my troubles. He will hear my faintest cry, He will answer by and by". He will...but first confess what needs confessed.  

A way to think about prayer is ACTS.

Adoration - Worship God for who He is. He is holy, we are not.

Confession - This comes before asking for anything. Remove the barriers. 

Thanksgiving - Be thankful! In everything we are to give thanks. Including dealing with our sin.

Supplication - now ask what's on your heart. 

Jesus, and our Father in Heaven, wants a right relationship between us and them through the Spirit of God within us. When we ask for forgiveness, Jesus casts our sins as far away as the east is from the west, remembering them no more. 

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