The Intentional Life

The Intentional Life 

by David Brenneman 

"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalms 34:11-19.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. " Colossians 3:2-3.

Was considering the notes of the various study Bibles last night concerning John 12 talking about Mary (Martha's sister).  

How often do we shut out the world and sit at the feet of Jesus? 

What are we being intentional about to further the Gospel in our hearts and minds?

How important is it to each of us that we finish well the life in Christ that we've been given to live for Jesus?

Are we taking the time to listen to Jesus when He speaks to us? 

Because He very much is speaking to each and every single Believer. The onus is on all to pay attention in class. 

Right now is a generation of the most intellectually laziest high school and college students ever. Both seeking ways to use AI, artificial intelligence, to get out of the most mentally beneficial aspects of learning. There's a lucrative business in providing cheats that disguise the use of AI.

People who will someday really need to have that information they didn't make an effort to learn. 

Now apply that to your Spiritual life. What are you being lazy about? What aren't you doing that you know you should be doing?

Indeed we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them...but...we must be intentional on walking in them. 

Our world, as Satan's schemes have proven, is all about getting people to stop any form of critical thinking. Go with the flow. Do what feels good. Don't think, just do. Make your own way that gets you all that you want without regard to the consequences. 

Setting your mind on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world isn't a suggestion. It's a survival trait.

You can't begin to understand the things of God unless you are intentionally in the Word of God. You can't truly get beyond providing a grocery list to God in prayer unless you start making it personal. Personal to you and to your desire to be like Jesus. 

Cheaters never win and winners never cheat. 

We rob ourselves when cheating becomes a viable choice. We rob ourselves when we don't embrace our relationship with Jesus in the way He desires to have with each of us. 

What are you doing that you really know you shouldn't be doing? What thoughts do you entertain that you aren't even attempting to stop having? These are negatively impacting your relationship with Jesus. This should bother you!

What of this world are you elevating above your relationship with Jesus? These things in this world are going to fade away. You're going to either watch them fade away or you'll suddenly find yourself facing eternity and everything and everyone will be behind you. Only Jesus will be before you. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. This too wasn't a suggestion. This is very much a part of what the Disciples were to teach all new Disciples. This was part of "everything that I commanded you".

You're never going to realize the rewards of being intentional in your walk with Jesus until you just do it. 

You're not going to realize how much you've been trapped inside worldly thinking and desires until you intentionally set things aside in favor of enriching your life in Christ. 

You will never know the benefits of being intentional until you do it. 

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

The Accounting to Come

The Accounting to Come

by David Brenneman 

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.

What do you think of concerning your choices and decisions in your life? Are you aware of what we just read that is going to come upon everyone?

A Christian can only build upon the foundation of those firm standing Believer's who came before them. We have that as our starting point and it's our obedience to God's Word that increases to our account. 

The Gospels contain various parables of the talents. The King entrusting talents to various people and on the day of his return exacts an accounting of what they did with what they were given.  

This passage here works with those parables. 

We can choose the selfish road or the selfless road. We can choose to rightly pursue a life in Christ or we can pursue our own goals.  

While it says plainly that we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them, it's our obedience to God's Word that brings these things to light. 

Our world inundates humanity with thoughts of how to live for self. It's everywhere. How you neeeed this or need that if you are going to be the best you that you can be. 

This world also teaches that there's more than one way to Heaven. That it's ok if you're good enough by your own standards, by your own estimation.  

The world teaches that sin is too harsh of a word, that its best to just call those things mistakes.  

These types of things are all a part of Satan's schemes.  

Realize that this world is at odds with the Creator of all things. Satan's against God in everything and uses his influence wherever he can to keep people from following Jesus Christ. If he loses that battle and those people do find salvation in Christ Jesus, he then switches tactics to get them to not take it seriously.  

A quote that I saw again the other day says "Everyone thinks that I am crazy. That I take this Jesus thing too seriously. I don't know, but I do know He took me pretty seriously when He died on the cross.".

Seriously. That's the idea. That's what those in Christ Jesus should be taking life. We should be recognizable as followers of Jesus Christ. We shouldn't be blended in so well with the world that we have no distinction as being a Christian. 

We should take time to be in the Word of God daily. We shouldn't solely take someone else's word as to what it says and should be investigating it ourselves. We should be working on our relationship with Jesus, on how we interact with Him. Our prayer life shouldn't be stunted. When we pray it shouldn't be as if we're simply contacting Customer Service. It shouldn't be that we treat talking to Jesus as if He were our butler either nor some genie to do our bidding. 

The seriousness of the Apostle Paul is everywhere in the books he wrote about living out the Christian life in such a way that honors God in Christ Jesus.  

Will the content of your life go up in flames or will something come of it that can be given back to Jesus for all He's done for you?

Paul describes it as running the race with the thought in mind to win the race. Running with endurance. Running with persistence. With intentionality. For the right reasons. 

We are all given the same amount of seconds per day. The same amount of minutes. What are you going to be doing with your allotment? 

What will you do for Jesus today that you didn't yesterday?  

The choice is yours and the consequences are real. If we aren't being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus we face a world that's more than eager to conform it to their way of living. 

When your life's reviewed before Jesus what will it show? Commitment or compliance?

That's for you to decide. 

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

What We Don't Want, He Sees

What We Don't Want, He Sees

by David Brenneman 

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

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

John 3:16-21.

We really do appreciate it when life certainly looks like God is watching over us and if we're being honest, we really don't like some of those times. 

We sin, and in spite of our best efforts to call it something else, it's still sin and inevitably gnaws at us.  

The reality of life is that there are indeed those around us every day who love the darkness rather than the Light of Jesus Christ. There's even Believers who love aspects of the darkness rather than the Light. Scripture say that it's a daily battle to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. When Believers don't see the fight for what it is then they're willing participants of these things. They might even do as the world does and begin to redefine words in order to feel better about the sins that so easily entangle them. 

Satan's schemes include redefining whatever he can of any and every single thing possible to weaken those in the faith as well as keep the rest from finding salvation in Christ Jesus. 

We either are fighting the good fight as Paul wrote of or we aren't. In all cases, The Lord Jesus Christ sees it all, knows it all, and nothing escapes His notice. 

He knows when we choose to do something else rather than spending time with Him. 

He knows why we chose to do something else rather than spend time with Him. 

Nothing escapes His notice.  

We read the other day of a chief reason why the world hates Jesus is that He testifies that their deeds are evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

My Dear Reader you always have it before you to do right by God's word or to go your own way. Scripture says of itself that the Word of God is able to know your reasoning. 

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

Before you rush out and jump into whatever is crossing your mind...stop.  

We shouldn't just rush into thoughts and intentions without considering the consequences. There's a whole world out there that isn't and refuses to believe it's necessary.  

To take every thought captive requires intentionality on our part.

Praying for help in this before we step out of bed, let alone before we get dressed, for the day. Until we get to Heavens gates, we shouldn't trust ourselves because we are at war with our inner man(or woman). As one put it, war is Hell. In physical war you cannot afford to let your guard down.  

When we aren't focusing on our Great Shepherd's voice then we aren't listening for His instruction. 

What are you avoiding by choosing your ways first? Might you be avoiding the truth that you're holding onto sins that the Spirit is really trying to get you to acknowledge and repent of?  

Might you actually be taking what passions you have that belong to your relationship with Jesus and are in fact giving them to other people or things?

Are you wasting your money, time and energy on what is useless instead of investing in your new life in Christ?

The choices we make in this here this now, we will give an account of some day before Jesus and there will be no hiding from the truths of our intentions. He was with you throughout all your life and will already know why you did your own thing rather than what you could have done with Him. He will know why you did, at times, truly follow Him. 

Look at the Gospels. Look at what the Disciples submitted to in following Jesus. 

Jesus, at the Great Commission, told them to go, make more disciples, teaching them all that He commanded them. Teach them to be and to live as He taught them to be and had lived with Him. 

In doing this they would indeed be lights in this world. They would indeed expose them.

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. " Ephesians 5:6-17.

We should really be considering that we do not walk this world alone. Those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ always have Him with them. We shouldn't remain in the sins we have been forgiven of. We should seek out what the will of God is for us, which we read the other day as being our sanctification.  

Ask Jesus what you need to change in your life. Ask Him where you're not truly living life in a God honoring way. Ask Him for help in becoming the Disciple of Christ that you're supposed to be. Give yourself less of a reason to be embarrassed, mortified, before Jesus on that day you stand before Jesus to give an account of your life. 

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

He Knows All About You

He Knows All About You 

by David Brenneman 

"and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." John 2:25.

"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:10-11.

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27.

"O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. 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. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!" Psalms 139:1-17.

So many people have chosen to believe that "if God only knew about my past, He wouldn't want anything to do with me!".

Did you not read everything through a moment ago? My Dear Reader there's nothing in your life that Jesus hasn't been intimately aware of. Every thought, every single individual intention. He knows and yet...and yet...in spite of everything...He still wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He still wants to save you. 

Jesus wants to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life. It doesn't matter what your eyes see or your heart and mind feel. Salvation is in Christ Jesus alone. He did everything necessary to make a way where there was no way in order to save the likes of everyone. 

There's no door of anyone's heart ever created that Jesus won't come knocking at, asking to be let in.

It's Jesus's job to clean up people. It's what He does after we say yes to His free gift of salvation. It's not based on whatever works we do or try to do. When Jesus said "It is FINISHED!" on the cross He meant it. Everything required by God to save you was accomplished and completely acceptable to God. Done and Done.   

Quite often Jesus does find us at our worst. He does not care about that. It doesn't matter to Him. It's saving us that matters to Him. 

The whole reason that He hasn't returned yet is because there are yet still people whom haven't said yes to His free gift of salvation.

Jesus doesn't look at all you see. Jesus looks at what's possible inside of you.  

"The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jeremiah 31:3.

And as if that weren't enough...just so you know...even after people come to Christ for salvation...they still don't get it right all the time. 

People still sin after coming to Christ. Yet we aren't defined by our sin anymore. We are those saved in Christ Jesus who have forgiveness of our sins possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. We can be forgiven, washed clean again, just by asking for Him to forgive. It's then on us to live better, turning away from those things that brought about that sin.

Jesus could be waiting for you before coming back to gather up every Believer among the dead and the living.   

Jesus isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved through Him. But, my Dear Reader, He isn't going to force you...you have free choice. The alternative isn't what the world would have you believe. Eternal separation from God is the result of rejecting God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Coming to Christ, He takes all the punishment of your sins upon Himself. That's what happened back over 2,000 years ago on the cross. We put our faith and trust in His finished work on the cross. Any who say no to this will spend eternity paying the price for all of their own sins in extremely painful torment and misery in a place that originally was for Satan and his demons. 

While anyone yet breathes, there's hope unto salvation in Jesus Christ.   

You may not escape the consequences of your choices in your physical life after coming to Christ for salvation, or He may rescue you from some or all of that. We who come to Christ for salvation are a new creation, old things have passed away and new things have come. That's a promise from God the Father in Christ Jesus through His Spirit to everyone who Believes.

There's coming a time when Jesus is coming back. He kept His promise to come the first time and He will keep His promise to come again. 

Please stop and think about this. Your eternity is your choice to make. Nobody escapes that decision. When a person dies the choice is sealed in blood. Either their own blood or the blood of Jesus Christ. The unbelieving die with sin tainted blood. The believing die with the holy blood of Jesus Christ that is free of all sin.

The Bible says that blessed is he whom the Lord takes away their sins and remembers them no more.

(Paraphrased).

More specifically...

"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!" Psalms 32:1-2.

The Angels in Heaven are always rejoicing with great joy when someone down here says yes to His free gift of salvation.  

Think about it. Jesus is waiting for you to ask Him to come into your life to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life.  

There's a line from a song that's very appropriate. "While He was on the cross, I was on His mind.".

Truer words probably were never spoken. 

What do you do?  

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.

It really is that simple.  

It really is that easy. 

Really.

Everyone will stand before Jesus one day.  

They either stand before Jesus as someone who put their faith and trust in His finished work on the cross, pure and holy, sin free or they stand before Jesus condemned for their own sins. 

He knew you before you were born and knows everything about your entire life...and still wants to save you. When He was on the cross He looked into the future to your life and mine. All your sins were yet future to the cross. You were on His mind. 

There's room at the cross for you. 

If you want to know more...text the word JESUS to (330) 264-9459. That's the number of the Church we go to. There will be someone to respond to you and show you how you too can be saved. 

The offer is free. Salvation is free to all who would receive it. 

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

A Day in the Lord

A Day in the Lord 

by David Brenneman 

"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: Let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O LORD; Teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: For thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:1-5.

Many years ago we were taught a song based on Psalm 25. The version I used today is the King James version due to the wording used in the chorus. 

Unto thee oh Lord, do I lift up my voice. 

Unto thee oh Lord, do I lift up my voice. 

Oh my God, I trust in thee

Oh my God, I trust in thee

Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.

We would repeat that another time through. What was interesting to me years later was my problems with memorizing the Scriptures didn't crossover to music versions of Scriptures. It was because of songs such as this that I sought out other Scriptures set to music. There's several praise and worship CD's available that the whole album was Scriptures set to music.  

Suffice to say God made a way where I needed a way. Not that I can arrive at where a passage is but once I hear parts I have at least a general idea of where to look.

Then there's Google. I often look up phrases there whereas I use the search function of my Bible app for specifics. 

God does make a way when we rely on Him. 

Our lives need a daily intake of the Word of God. We need to trust in Jesus. Have I enemies? Oh more than likely. Have I had ones in my past? Most assuredly. What became of them? Oh my Dear Reader God took care of these in ways that I could never imagine. 

It's on us to trust and obey its on Jesus to keep His promises when we do. 

What is your day like? How much of it do you include Jesus in?  

My morning's begin with coffee, catching up on a few things then time in a Bible plan on my phone in my Bible app. For me, I give up some sleep to be here with Jesus to write what you read. This is when and where He wants to meet me. Daily at around 5 to 10 til 5 AM the writing stops. Then I post, and finish getting ready for work. On my ride to work I talk with Jesus all the way there. We go into work together. Sometimes during the day I send up Nehemiah prayers. Short and to the point. After work on the way home I thank Him for the day. After dinner I am now up to just over an hour of Bible study. I challenged myself to two Study Bibles and all the commentaries on both each evening and the Spirit challenged me to double that. So I did. Plus I read 2 short devotionals.

Truth be known I don't miss television or movies. I, like an old gospel song, would rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

A few Disciples, after the resurrection, were taught by Jesus of every place in the Old Testament that mentioned Him. So I look for these when I read.  

Since the beginning of the year I have read from Daniel to now the book of John. Daniel and the book that followed I read only 2 study Bibles worth, but after that it's been all 4. Two of the NASB, one of the Christian Standard, one of the New King James. All by Godly men of my lifetime.  

You can't afford to spend no time in the Lord. Your days will not be fulfilling. Your mind will be pushed towards conformity to the world. Your mind and heart will not experience the transforming power of the Word of God. You will cave to temptations. You will inevitably have a life of practiced sin that we are warned about in the book of Romans. You will be quite deceived by your own sin nature as well as the world. You will redefine words to appease your conscience. You will see nothing wrong with the things that the Word of God says are in fact sin. When you hear God's truth you won't recognize it as that so you will dismiss it. Then the inevitable will fall upon you as is promised to everyone. You will stand before Jesus one day to give an account of your life. What will you say? You were too busy? You think that's going to hold up in the Courts of God Almighty?

My encouragement today is to get down and dirty with some serious Spring cleaning of your soul.  

If your days aren't spent honoring the One who saved you then you aren't honoring the One who saved you. Nothing in this world in which you live is more important than the life you could be living with a right relationship with Jesus. 

What you read of my routine...I had been praying about learning how to study. I am not saying that I am a genius or anything, depending on the testing my IQ is around 140. School work most of the time wasn't challenging. One of my hobbies are instructional videos. Sometimes physical books. I love troubleshooting problems. God's given me that ability. I like figuring things out. I am looking to the Scriptures to figure out some things in there as well. My list of questions to ask Jesus when I get to His Heaven grows. 

If you are honest with yourself do you think that Jesus would be happy with the amount of time you spend with Him daily?   

We just went through a celebration of the last week He had on Earth. The brutal beatings, scourging, being nailed to the cross to save us. 

Doesn't that warrant more than "God is great, God is good, thank you for this food. Amen."?  

Doesn't that warrant doubling down on getting to know the One who took your place on calvary?

What will you change today to honor His sacrifice to save you?

KJV is public domain. 

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

The True Reality

The True Reality 

by David Brenneman 

"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil." John 7:7.

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17.

"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." Romans 12:1-2.

If the deeds of the world are evil...why are we trying so hard to fit into it?

Why should those who follow Jesus look like everyone else in the world in our thoughts and actions?  

The reality is that we are to be lights in this world. The light in any physical place illuminates everything it touches, whether good or bad. 

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:6-17.

We will never show ourselves different to the world if we continue to try to fit into a way of life we were to depart from. How will people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven if we don't stand out in a way that we look differently in our words and deeds?

We can make good spiritual use of the things that this world has. We must still take great care that these things we do grab ahold of aren't hurting our witness to the world. 

A sober question is: Should Christ-followers ever mention that they love this or that that the world provides? Isn't that how the world describes such things?  

If the Scriptures say that the man of God should be free of the love of money, shouldn't that go beyond that as well to other things that the world battles and wars to own?  

Satan's schemes are sculpted to each person in order to trap them. 

To keep them from achieving their potential in Christ. 

You, my Dear Reader, are in the midst of a world that absolutely does not have its best in mind for you. This world wants you to leave any and all parts of your walk with Jesus behind. Even if it's in some small thing. 

Jesus testifies that the deeds of this world are evil. If indeed we are followers of Jesus Christ then the world is going to hate us just as it hated Him. Jesus follows up this by encouraging us that we should be of good courage that He has overcome the world. 

When the world doesn't get us not participating and ridicules us we are to be of good courage. 

When the world points a finger at us because we don't compromise and wants to punish us we are to be of good courage. 

When the world refuses anything to do with Jesus and their need for Him as their personal Lord and Savior we are to be of good courage. 

Our lives...are not ours...

"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:17-20.

It's not about us getting what we want or think we deserve. It's us being a disciple of Christ and showing a lost and dying world that there's room at the cross for them. 

It's living a life so different from the world that people want to know the reason for the hope we have. 

This is a transformed life not a conformed life.  

A conformed life is absolutely no different than a person who never came to Christ in the first place. 

The world will be relentless in trying to get a Believer to conform. To water-down what love's meaning is. Love not the world nor the things of the world.  

They are at odds in our lives until the day we die.  

Love this, love that. Love this team love that food. Love this car, love that place. Take the meaning of love and make it mean something else and be accepting of it.

That's a scheme of Satan. 

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

Love your neighbor as yourself. 

“You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you," Leviticus 22:32.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; " 1 Thessalonians 4:3a.

Sanctification: the action of making or declaring something holy.

To be holy is to be set apart.  

Take a look at all the compromises you have allowed in your life. 

Take a look at what you do, say or think that isn't holy. 

Take a look and my Dear Reader...turn away from such things. 

We should be living examples of Christ to a lost world. The world may hate you for it. You may take a financial hit for stopping something you've paid into. You may lose some relationships born of these compromises. You may lose your status among people.  

Jesus did too.

Be holy as He is holy. 

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

Walking Worthy

Walking Worthy 

by David Brenneman 

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

"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. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" Romans 8:28-31.

What we do...matters. 

What we think...matters. 

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

What we do...matters. 

What we think...matters. 

So many, oh so many, people don't think there is or should be consequences to their actions. These days you do not have to look far to know that that is true. 

As Christ-followers we should be recognizable as such. We should be different from the world. We read of all that the Disciples did and should see and understand that their lives were not their own. Jesus lead, commanded, they did.  

Chosen of God the Father they followed Jesus while He taught them.

They indeed gave up everything to follow Jesus. Which included what they did and what they thought. 

What degree of seriousness do you have concerning your walk with Jesus?   

You should be taking time to be with Jesus every day. Not just a couple minutes but serious time. 

How else do you plan on living a life approved by God? How else will you show Jesus appreciation for all that He did for you to save you?

The day after His crucifixion, several thousand years ago, Jesus was down in the heart of the Earth with all the saints who had died. He finally arrived, their joy and jubilation was off the charts. King David, Moses, Adam, Daniel, all who had gone on before. Their salvation had arrived.

I believe that there was also those who'd recently died who saw Jesus and lamented their rejection of Jesus. The other thief was one such person. 

Those saints we read of in Hebrews 11 all gathered around Jesus. By faith they lived lives worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus. 

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:1-7.

Are your thoughts worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are your interests worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are your deeds worthy of your calling in Christ?

Are you living an approved life worthy of your calling in Christ?

If you indeed are saved in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins, you my Dear Reader, have a divine calling in Christ Jesus. 

You are to live your life in Christ in such a way that people see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 

If your life mirrors the world what could the world possibly see in you that's different?

Do you really want to scrape by in entering into Heaven? Having done only the minimum for He who died the death you deserved for your sins?

We can do more and should be doing more to show our appreciation for all that Jesus did for us.  

We should be walking worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. 

We should be different from the world and should be a light not hidden under a basket.  

"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.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit." 

Matthew 22:37.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

Being different in the Lord is what we are to be. We have been saved in Christ. We are approved for entry into His Heaven based on the finished work of God in Christ. We have work to be done for the Kingdom of God while we are yet still here breathing the air of this world.

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved."

1 Corinthians 10:31-33.

Do you live a life that really shows Jesus that He means everything to you?  

Are you going to be one of those who's works are burned up?

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:10-18.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

You, in how you live your life, show Jesus just how important what He did to save you, really means to you. 

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17.

There's probably not a worldly sales person out there who wants to hear people getting told to turn away from those things that grab the eye or tug at the heart, that pull people away from a life approved in Christ.

Satan's schemes are formulated for you. He doesn't sleep. His minions are as aware of everything about you as your Guardian Angel is.  

His schemes are designed to do anything he is approved of to disrupt your walk with Jesus. To ruin your calling in Christ. To get you to get you out of the game.

If all of your posts are about things then that's all people will see is important to you. 

If all you talk about is anything but what God's doing in your life then that's all you are showing anyone that is truly important to you. 

If what you do, say or think gets more of your passion and love than Jesus does then you are showing yourself and others just who is more important in your life. 

Walk worthy of your calling isn't just words on a page. 

The Words of God jump off the page to turn lives around and beyond. 

When was the last time you really had a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus since coming to Christ for salvation?

Are you walking worthy of your calling in Christ or are you walking in an unworthy manner?  

The calling of God is revealed in your obedience. The gifts and calling of God in Christ Jesus is irrevocable. You ARE imbued with gifts from on high in Christ and you WILL give an account some day as to what you did with them.  

Walk worthy of your calling in Christ. 

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

Do You?

Do You?

by David Brenneman 

A sermon by S. M. Lockridge on describing Jesus: 

"“He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s preeminent. He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest idea in philosophy. He’s the fundamental truth in theology. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick, He cleans the lepers. He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He serves the unfortunate, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent, He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?

Well, my king is the king of knowledge, He’s the well-spring of wisdom, He’s the doorway of deliverance, He’s the pathway of peace, He’s the roadway of righteousness, He’s the highway of holiness He’s the gateway of glory, He’s the master of the mighty, He’s the captain of the conquerors, He’s the head of the heroes, He’s the leader of the legislators, He’s the overseer of the overcomers, He’s the governor of governors, He’s the prince of princes, He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Well. I wish I could describe Him to you. But He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, He’s irresistible. I’m trying to tell you, the Heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. Well. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my king!

He always has been, and He always will be. I’m talking about He [who] had no predecessor and He [who] has no successor. There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. We try to get prestige and honor and glory to ourselves, but the glory is all His. Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and when you get through with all of the forevers, then ‘Amen’.”

“Oh I wish I could describe him to you.”

This Good Friday, stop and think about what happened several thousand years ago just for you and I and all mankind, whether accepted or not, the Truth, did what He came to do. 

Jesus indeed came and lived a sinless life. He healed the sick. 

Cast out many demons. Loved those who thought they were long forgotten and rejected by friends and family. Showed the world that the Creator of all things wasn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved if they would just believe in the one and only Son of God. 

Jesus willingly bore our stripes in being beaten on this day so long ago. By His stripes we are healed. Herod thought by doing this it would appease the Jews but no they were stirred up to be out for blood, Jesus's blood. Darkness was reigning at an all time high. 

Jesus was lead away to be crucified. Simon of Cyrene forced to help get His cross to Golgotha.  

But no this wasn't the end. Lifted high as the serpent was in Moses's day, so the Son of Man was lifted up. 

Darkness formed over the Earth covering the bright of day. The Savior of all mankind would cry out "It is FINISHED!". The Earth would quake, the voice of God's only Son echoing across the land. In the Temple, the veil would rip from top to bottom. Pulled open wide for all to see that the way to God through the Lord’s Christ had been accomplished. 

Satan was now a defeated foe.

Jesus took back the title deed of the Earth. Jesus defeated sin, death and the grave.  

That's my Jesus. I wonder, do you know Him?  

Today you should take time to seriously consider the path Jesus took to provide salvation to you and I. This isn't some holiday as all the the others in this world. While equalled only with Christmas, this one is the beginning of the end of Satan's dominion.  

Soon and very soon we are going to be with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ the triumphant. Take it to heart...Jesus DID do everything He came to do 2,000 plus years ago...He will return to finish it out. Consider it well that all that remains of human history is that distance between now and His return and 1,007 years. That's it. 

Living for Jesus a life that is true. Striving to please Him in all that I do. That hymn never grows old.  

What are you doing to intentionally get to know this Savior and Lord of yours? What are you doing to learn to be like Jesus? What are you avoiding doing?  

Are you living out your faith in Jesus or are you hiding it?  

Are you not saved yet at all? 

It takes but a decision, a choice, to choose the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Asking Him to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life takes but a moment. The rewards are eternal.  

"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13.

Do you know Him?  

How you answer that question will determine your eternal destination. 

To many Jesus will say to come into His Heaven because He had a real relationship with them.

To countless billions He will say to "depart from Me for I never knew you!".

Which will it be for you? Eternal pain and suffering paying for your sins or eternal life in Christ in His Heaven with Him?

Jesus Christ is my God, my Lord and Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That's my King. 

I wonder...do you know Him?

"In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:20-21.

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

Neither Affirm nor Condemn

Neither Affirm nor Condemn 

by David Brenneman 

"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48.

"You shouldn't judge!"...a very very miss understood statement. Not at all what was meant by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We shouldn't ever put ourselves in a position to decide who isn't worthy of salvation in Christ Jesus...that's what is meant by not judging.  

As to those in the body of Christ yes we are to deal with sins of the apparently unrepentant. Matthew 18 speaks to this. Jesus Himself is doing the teaching on this. In context He taught us to know people by their fruits. You have to have righteous discernment to properly evaluate, judge, those whom cross your path in life. 

Yesterday I had an unexpected experience with someone that caused me to immediately pray for the situation that I found myself in. Words were misunderstood that were spoken and the individual in question speaking to me was not showing any signs that they were being rational, anger was in their words even if they weren't aware of this.  

It was because of this situation that I learned of a breach of trust concerning someone else. Again, these are situations of knowing people by their fruits. Asking God for help in these situations reveals what we need to know in dealing with such things. It's on me to forgive even if the subject isn't spoken of again. It's not about judging them. To look at the fruits of both involved...I don't believe either is saved. As we read, so shall it be, God will judge those outside the Church. It's on me to pray for those who persecute me.  

Months ago we had an incident that hit very close to home. I was ready to mount a defense with one of the two parties it involved. Jesus spoke to me and said not to. That He knows the truth and He will deal with them. Little did I realize He was referring to this passage in 1 Corinthians 5.  

It's not easy stepping out of the way and praying for those meaning to do us harm, be it verbally or otherwise. This isn't to say that we shouldn't defend ourselves from personal physical attacks. Push comes to shove, I likely will introduce such a one to Jesus in a very personal way. 

We often do not realize that our demeanor and actions are our self-righteous desire to condemn someone to Hell rather than to see them saved. That's what our judging outsiders is doing. We don't have the authority to decide who is or is not fit for the kingdom of God. Regardless of what kind of human beings they are, what does the Scriptures say? Jesus came that all might find salvation in Him. Including the likes of Hitler, Stalin, every single mass murder in human history. People whom the world even would condemn to go to Hell, Christ died for. 

Jesus prayed for those who put Him on the cross. Yet people today won't pray for those who have done them wrong in word or deed. 

People readily become Pharisees in deciding who isn't being a Christian without looking to the truth of the Scriptures to see if things are so with regards to what's going on. 

We aren't to affirm nor condemn people who are decidedly living in sin. Praying for them will do everything our words and actions could ever accomplish. 

Nobody can stop the effectual work of the Spirit of God in their lives. Either by way of making them see and understand their need to be saved in Christ Jesus or to show them their utter sinfulness that is leading them to Hell. Nobody in Hell was sent there by Jesus. Those in Hell chose to reject Jesus Christ and sent themselves there.  

We should be mindful of praying for those who persecute us. I have seen the Spirit go places that I could not.  

Taking a stand for what the Bible says can and often does get you into a heap of trouble. Having had a coworker intent on a blatant life in sin trying to require people to use their personal pronouns, this got to me in a personal way. It certainly was the Spirit of God who'd protected my speech to keep me from troubles in this. It wasn't my place to condemn him. He was outside the Church, obviously, so it's on Jesus to deal with him. It is on me to still pray for him regardless.  

Many feel the need to try the eye for an eye approach to dealing with anyone. Reading what Jesus said...that's not how to do life.  

Many want to self isolate. Shun such people. Guess what. That's what the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, many Levites, priests, did. Look at the parable of the Good Samaritan.  

My Dear Reader, if you decide in the heat of the moment, who is or isn't worthy of the love of God, you are sitting in judgment, you are trying to take God's place in deciding their eternal future. 

We are to be lights in the world. We aren't responsible for how that light is received. We aren't to hide it.  

Jesus said that we are blessed when people are persecuting us for obeying God. 

Another point is a favorite of mine. 

I would rather stand with Jesus and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God. 

You have a daily choice to make.  

You can pray for those who persecute you or you can sin yourself and try to decide their fate. 

Jesus said what He said to guide us into His righteousness. To develop His character in our lives. Jesus didn't condemn the woman caught in adultery. He didn't chase off or rage against the Samaritan woman. He didn't run off those with leprosy. He didn't do what most feel the need to do today.  

Jesus prayed. 

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

Why Do You Do What You Do?

Why Do You Do What You Do?

by David Brenneman 

"For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10.

"For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

"not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free." Ephesians 6:6-8.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

"There's no way that you can keep from being conformed to the world unless you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind." Ray Stedman

Why DO you pursue what you do? 

Why ARE you excited about the things that you are excited about?

How much of those things are going to make you learn more of what it means to be more like Christ? Some of it? Parts of it? All of it? None of it?

Where you are intentionally taking our mind to tells whether you are being conformed to the world or transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That quote really tells the story of our thoughts and intentions. Interestingly enough...where have we read about thoughts and intentions?

"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13.

These very Scriptures, the very Word of God, that this passage refers to says exactly what kind of accountability we will be taken to in standing before Jesus one day. 

Long ago people made a joke of the attention span of a dog. In less than a second many dogs can go from docile, calm, well behaved to running after a squirrel. Throwing everything into instant chaos. 

In this war of the mind of man, we have the exact same problem between our wants and desires and being intentional on living the life in Christ that He desires for us.  

We may indeed need to sacrifice our wants and desires in order to be in training in righteousness for the work of God in Christ Jesus that He's planned out for us to be doing for Him. 

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21.

The Christian life is an intentional life. We have 4 Gospels to describe this intentional life. We have a set of books after them that expound upon those Gospels and provide both examples and instructions on living life in Christ that He desires for us.  

So what are you doing about it? Are you at all attempting to take up your own cross to follow Jesus?

Are you one of those who are pursuing life as God wants of you or are you only giving God your leftover few minutes here and there? Not remotely putting your heart into what He's desiring for you, not considering that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that you might walk in them. 

Considering what all the whole armor of God is to do and protect, doesn't that imply there's a special specific plan to go with that for the bearer of that armor? People easily recognize that a man or woman in a space suit is going to be doing something in space. Someone dressed in overalls and on a working farm is probably going to be doing farm work. Someone wearing a chef's garment is probably going to be creating meals.   

So look at how you are dressed for the day. Are you dressed for, both spiritually and mentally, for the environment that He is taking you to? Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Accurately handling the Word of God. Being transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ. Not being conformed to this world. 

I will readily admit that some of my Bible studies maxes out my brain. But that's not a bad thing. Anyone can veg out doing nothing beneficial. There's times when I do that too. Atypically it can be a path to future troubles. Planting seeds of doubt or seeds of sinful opportunities. As that quote said...we are either being conformed or transformed.  

Realize that your sin nature as well as whatever has been permitted by God, the sinful suggestions by Satan and his companions...these are not going to leave you alone.

We are going to face such things every day. Being intentional on being transformed helps mitigate whatever is trying to dig into our hearts and minds. 

You have before you the path of life in Christ and the path of the world. 

You can't pursue both at the same time. In the Gospels we read of the intentionality of Jesus to set aside His desires to live out life in a way that showed full obedience to His Father in Heaven.

Literally lives are at stake.  

Literally our obedience in living life in Christ hastens His return. 

We don't know who that last person is who will say yes to salvation in Christ will be. But whomever it is will only know of that free gift of salvation because of the obedience of someone to live life in Christ in such a way that they saw their good works and glorified our Father in Heaven.

What you do, what you go after in life, should absolutely include your transformation into the person in Christ that He's making you to be.

If you're one who struggles with understanding, ask Him for help. The Bible says that if anyone lacks wisdom they are to ask of God who gives it freely to all who ask. 

Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave in order to provide salvation to all who would believe.  

Take stock of what is driving you to do what you are doing.  

Temporary sacrifices now yield eternal rewards later. Keep your eyes on the prize.  

Are you not realizing that you're not going to hear "Well done!" from Jesus if you're only trying to get by in life by doing the bare minimum?

Think long and hard about your why's that are your life.  

Why do you do what all it is you are doing?

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

Conformed or Transformed

Conformed or Transformed 

by David Brenneman 

"There's no way that you can keep from being conformed to the world unless you are being transformed by the renewing of your mind." Ray Stedman.

I know not whom this person is other than he was quoted by Dr. David Jeremiah in his devotional book that I am going through. However the point is spot on. 

You both influence others and are being influenced by others every single day. What you allow yourself to be influenced by is mostly in your hands and by your decisions that you make. 

You choose to go this place or that place or to stay where you are. Within these decisions you make or follow a train of thought. While you are awake you have a hand in the direction of your life by your words, thoughts and actions. Sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. However, Biblically speaking, nothing is beyond the control of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

It's a very singular rarity that a mind isn't either being influenced by the world or isn't being renewed day by day in the Lord. 

Medical reasons are among those. 

Part of the woes of many Believer's are in their not taking their walk with Jesus seriously. They don't realize that you can't grow spiritual muscles by only praying over food, when they remember to, and going to Church one or twice a week.  

No athlete would ever be considered an athlete if they talked to their coach only under certain conditions and only attempted to work out for a few hours on a single day of the week. 

That's what many have done to their walk with Jesus.  

They strive not to take every thought captive in any sense of the word. 

They look not at the value of spending time daily in the Word of God and in prayers that go beyond that of food and shelter. 

These people are some of the best that Satan's not needing to even mess with because they think they're doing ok as a Christian.  

But then again...we need to understand what the will of God for us is. 'What would Jesus do?' was a very much over used catch phrase several decades ago.  

Yet in these things about living lives daily, Jesus DID say something about it in the book of Revelation. 

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” Revelation 3:14-22.

Jesus isn't anything less than the Creator, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Savior of the world. Yet many professing Christians relegate Him to the lowly status of a butler, a bodyguard, someone to call 911 to when the desires of their hearts get them in trouble. 

In Romans 12:1,2 we read: "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."

Further we read "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:24-27.

When we come to Christ we don't just get saved from the wrath to come. We don't just go to Heaven rather than Hell. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are adopted into the family of God. We are Ambassadors for Christ in this world. We are to grow in respect to the salvation we have in Christ Jesus. We are to take any and every avenue that works for us to grow in Christ and to learn however we can from the Spirit of God who will teach us all things. 

It has been a hard thing to watch organizations and people coming after Alistair Begg, some even calling for him to repent of his advice to a Grandmother. Attempting to silence him until he does. That's where an earlier post got its title of modern day Pharisees. People claiming to be Christians who have certain lost their way and whom are not living in the light of Jesus Christ nor do they know His Word. 

I have written about and posted a picture of the materials that I go through each evening. I choose the renewing of the mind route in Christ. I have had to discover how I learn. I had to teach myself how to study because I couldn't find anyone to teach me how to. For me. I heavily use the search function of an Bible app to fill in the gaps of parts of verses that I remember or call to mind. Sometimes it's Google. Decades ago I cried out to God in my frustration over not being able to memorize the Scriptures like others do. His answer said that He did give me Google lol.

I had to decide what was going to feed my mind or leach my mind. All of us must choose what we are going to do with regards to the rest of our lives in Christ. 

My Dear Reader if you call yourself a Christian...live out your life in Christ to the fullest measure.  

You must choose who you too will serve. As the Scriptures say as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.  

Philippians 4:8-9 says "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." 

You choose but your choice has consequences. You will stand before Jesus one day to give an account of your life before Him. 

What will your life show?

You will either show conformity to the world or transformation in Christ Jesus. 

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

What Should We Be Doing?

What Should We Be Doing?

by David Brenneman 

"Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

"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." Romans 12:1-2.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8.

"Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”" Luke 3:8-14.

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Romans 13:11-14.

It's easy to be a glutton and without restraint discipline will never come. 

It's extremely easy to go along with the world in whatever is offered today. We have whole psychology courses on the subject. How to manipulate people and get what you want. It's all in how you ask the question. It's oh so easy to take the easy road and not the more difficult, more beneficial, harder road.

People don't see what manipulation by the masses is about until its maybe too late. Not even seeing that what has transpired never had God's blessings on it.  

The Scriptures say not to be wise in your own estimation but to understand what the will of God for you is to be in Christ Jesus. 

Extremists exist in various so-called churches. Only use this Bible and nothing else. Only dress this way. Only sit where you're told. Only sing particular songs. Only pray this way. Don't associate with these people. Don't this and don't that. 

This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus: your sanctification. 2 Thessalonians 4:3a.

We are to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to this world. Not hide it under a basket. Not to decide who gets that light and who doesn't deserve that light. We aren't to sit in the judgment seat and decide the fates of mankind. We are not God. 

We aren't to shun those in the world. As it was written: "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

Any legitimate version of the Bible that you understand and pray over is ok to use. You should at least do your homework and choose a version that is accurate and hasn't been added to nor has had things taken away. 

Jesus cares about the souls of people and how they dress matters not.  

Jesus once told the Pharisees to go and learn what this means: I desire obedience not sacrifice.  

We are in such a saturated culture everywhere that proposes that anything is game. Do what you want, when you want, no accountability.  

Being truthful with you, how seriously are you taking the life in Christ that He's desiring to have with you? Have you fallen into any of the traps of the world that you read earlier in this post? They are traps and fall under legalism. The Pharisees realistically taught legalism. They had more rules added to the Law than the Law itself was long.  

Charles Stanley's Life Principle: obey God and leave the consequences to Him is founded in Christ's teaching to the Disciples.  

You can't expect to fight the good fight as Paul wrote of his own life if you aren't working out spiritually. One hour a week isn't a workout in anybody's circle for anything.  

We pour way too much of our time, energy and effort into the world's thoughts concerning our successes and failures than a single thought from God on the subject. 

There's always an excuse. A well rehearsed reason for not walking in Christ as we ought to be. We easily choose the cynical route. Choose to accept defeat rather than to fight because we're spiritually unfit to fight.  

How do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit, how do you love your neighbor as yourself, if you aren't learning what that means and are practicing it?

Jesus came to seek and save the lost...He went all over Israel to do so. Post resurrection stories tell of Jesus visiting various Indian tribes and other cultures before ascending to Heaven. 

When Jesus does reach out to you, do you withdraw or do you reach back out to Him? When He speaks do you listen or are you quick to change the subject?  

Hopefully you have believed to the point of salvation through Jesus Christ. Having believed in Jesus, do you strive to live an approved life unto God because of all He did to save you? Jesus told a truthful parable on the things people were given that they would be giving an account of some day. What have you done with what you have been given? If you believed unto salvation then you should believe that there is a day we will stand before Jesus to give an account of our lives before Him. The thoughts, intentions and deeds we had all tried by fire.

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Sheltered lives we aren't to lead. Going where sent, speaking as directed by the Spirit, obeying in all that we do, learning to walk in the character of Christ.  

Pray about your spiritual eyes. Ask for you to see things, understand things, as Jesus sees them concerning your life. Make whatever changes you know you need to be doing to grow spiritually stronger. Make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts, its desires. Walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. Don't expect most to understand.  

What are you to be doing? I think you already have an idea. 

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

Modern Day Pharisees

Dangers of Modern Pharisees 

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." Romans 12:1-2.

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Romans 12:6-8.

Your life is the sum of the responses you have made toward God. Once God makes Himself known to you, what you do next is your decision. Your reaction reflects what you believe about Him - Blackaby on Matthew 19:22. 'The rich young ruler'.

Seems as though we're not done with our consideration of that thought from Blackaby. 

"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.

"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29.

Do you see where all this leads? A life in Christ is to be lived to the best of our abilities with whatever Spiritual gifts we have had bestowed upon us not to our glory but to the glory of Him who saved us who is Christ the Lord. 

We are to remind ourselves daily by being in the Word of God of our need to honor everything that Jesus did for us.  

Since our lives are a sum of our responses to God in our lives, should not we strive to listen and obey? Shouldn't we do more to take our will and set it aside?

It's really sad to consider that flavors are in the world today of the Pharisees and Sadducees...within the professing Church. The Great Commission brooks no exclusions. In other words there are no exceptions. Jesus said to go to all the world. We don't decide where we will or won't go. 

In our intentional interactions with the Spirit of God and growing in Christ we are to develop the character of Christ in us. Jesus went wherever the Father bid Him to go. Even to a Samaritan woman. Even to lepers. Even to tax collectors. Even to the demon possessed. Even to politicians. We know only a sampling of all who's lives He changed or attempted to change. Ecclesiates says there's nothing new under the sun. He probably ran across even homosexuals and all other types of people. Sin had perverted mankind since before the Genesis Flood. 

The "you shouldn't judge" crowd of Pharisees these days should realize that it's not our place to decide who should or shouldn't be saved. That's what kind of judgment we aren't to partake of. We don't decide who is or isn't worthy of hearing or seeing the Gospel message.  

Our life is to be a wonderful witness before mankind of the manifold grace of God unto salvation in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 

Our reactions to our interactions with God reflects our hearts not just before mankind but before Christ Jesus Himself. 

People who say they just can't forgive someone of something...must realize the Scriptures say you must if you expect Christ to forgive you. If you don't then you won't be forgiven. 

People wonder why Believers are put in some of the most horrible of situations. In the case of a man wrongfully imprisoned under horrific circumstances and conditions...he said he prayed to God asking why he was going through such things. Twice, he says, God replied with "because you can handle it".

People in the Church aren't to avoid those in the world. We are to be lights in the world. Taking the Light of Jesus Christ wherever He sends us. Even if it's to a homosexual wedding or a prison or a neighbor you have just never gotten along with.  

Consider this...once a light source is illuminated it never discriminates where it goes and what the light lands on. It's not responsible for the reaction for that which is revealed by it. 

In the renewing of our minds before the Lord we are to take on His attributes, His character, displaying His unconditional love for all mankind.  

You who pick n choose based on whatever is biasing you...do you not realize that THAT person you are avoiding, maybe even hating, could be the last person who will be saved before the Rapture of the Church takes place? There is GOING to be a Believer who obeys God and shares the gospel to that last person.  

We aren't to affirm nor condemn those in this world who are deliberately practicing lawlessness. We are to be lights in the world that reflect Christ and it is Christ through the work of the Spirit of God who changes lives. We don't save anyone. Jesus saves.  

You, if indeed you are saved in Christ Jesus, have a wonderful purpose assigned to you by the Spirit of God. Scripture says that the Spirit sets people in the body of Christ as He sees fit. You have what you need to be that particular part of the body of Christ to the glory of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ through the work of the Spirit of God within us. 

Modern day Pharisees have everything in common with the Pharisees of old. Do not touch do not eat do not do this do not do that. Don't associate with the lowly. Avoid the sinners of the world.  

So look at your life and first be sure of your salvation in Christ Jesus. Then be sure you are indeed obeying your calling and your purpose in Christ. Let go of whatever is taking your attention away from the righteous life that God desires for you. Throw your prejudices to the feet of the cross of Jesus Christ. Nail them there. 

As workers in His fields we are to do as instructed, we aren't to choose what we will or won't do. 

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

Listen to Jesus. 

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:44-48.

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