enemies

Day 12/31 – Fools for Christ

December 31, 2019 By Lyle Brennan Leave a Comment

His Strength – Philippians 4:13 (ESV) “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

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“Repentance is the door to the gift of life; without it no one enters. The Bible knows nothing of salvation apart from repentance. …The failure to repent carries with it judgment. …repentance must produce fruit.” Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt H”)

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: https://lylebrennan.com. “If you want to STOP these Daily Devotional emails, reply to this email and type “STOP” in Subject box.”

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Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man

by Walter Henrichsen

Fools for Christ

Day Three Hundred Sixty-five

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.” 1 Corinthians 4:10

As Paul begins his epistle to the Corinthians he notes, “For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.”469 “Look among yourselves; the

Corinthian church is not comprised of people the world esteems.” The path to Jesus includes a sense of lostness, and these Corinthians qualified.

Now Paul says that they are the opposite of what they were when converted: “wise, strong, honorable.” ”You Corinthians at one time were willing to be fools, weaklings and outcasts in order to demonstrate your dependence upon Christ. Now you have used your relationship with Him to provide the power to compete with the world on its terms.” This is a stinging rebuke.

The Corinthians thought Paul foolish, for in preaching the gospel he intentionally walked in harm’s way. “Paul, why can’t you settle down like a normal man, keep your mouth shut, marry and have a family, and make tents for a living like the rest of the world?” Paul responded, “For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.”470

The argument continues: Who are you going to emulate, Paul or the Corinthians? You cannot have it both ways.

469 1 Corinthians 1:26

470 I Corinthians 4:

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Malachi 1-4 Revelation 22 (New King James Version)

Malachi 1-4

Polluted Offerings to God

1 The [a]burden of the word of the Lord to Israel [b]by Malachi.

Israel Beloved of God

“I have loved you,” says the Lord.

“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’

Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?”

Says the Lord.

“Yet Jacob I have loved;

But Esau I have hated,

And laid waste his mountains and his heritage

For the jackals of the wilderness.”

Even though Edom has said,

“We have been impoverished,

But we will return and build the desolate places,”

Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“They may build, but I will throw down;

They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness,

And the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever.

Your eyes shall see,

And you shall say,

‘The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’

Polluted Offerings

“A son honors his father,

And a servant his master.

If then I am the Father,

Where is My honor?

And if I am a Master,

Where is My reverence?

Says the Lord of hosts

To you priests who despise My name.

Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’

“You offer defiled food on My altar,

But say,

‘In what way have we defiled You?’

By saying,

‘The table of the Lord is [c]contemptible.’

And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice,

Is it not evil?

And when you offer the lame and sick,

Is it not evil?

Offer it then to your governor!

Would he be pleased with you?

Would he accept[d] you favorably?”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“But now entreat God’s favor,

That He may be gracious to us.

While this is being done by your hands,

Will He accept you favorably?”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“Who is there even among you who would shut the doors,

So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?

I have no pleasure in you,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.

For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down,

My name shall be great among the Gentiles;

In every place incense shall be offered to My name,

And a pure offering;

For My name shall be great among the nations,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“But you profane it,

In that you say,

‘The table of the [e]Lord is defiled;

And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’

You also say,

‘Oh, what a weariness!’

And you sneer at it,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;

Thus you bring an offering!

Should I accept this from your hand?”

Says the Lord.

“But cursed be the deceiver

Who has in his flock a male,

And takes a vow,

But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—

For I am a great King,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“And My name is to be feared among the nations.

Corrupt Priests

“And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.

If you will not hear,

And if you will not take it to heart,

To give glory to My name,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“I will send a curse upon you,

And I will curse your blessings.

Yes, I have cursed them already,

Because you do not take it to heart.

“Behold, I will rebuke your descendants

And spread refuse on your faces,

The refuse of your solemn feasts;

And one will take you away [f]with it.

Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you,

That My covenant with Levi may continue,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“My covenant was with him, one of life and peace,

And I gave them to him that he might fear Me;

So he feared Me

And was reverent before My name.

The[g] law of truth was in his mouth,

And [h]injustice was not found on his lips.

He walked with Me in peace and equity,

And turned many away from iniquity.

“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,

And people should seek the law from his mouth;

For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

But you have departed from the way;

You have caused many to stumble at the law.

You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base

Before all the people,

Because you have not kept My ways

But have shown partiality in the law.”

Treachery of Infidelity

Have we not all one Father?

Has not one God created us?

Why do we deal treacherously with one another

By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

Judah has dealt treacherously,

And an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem,

For Judah has profaned

The Lord’s holy institution which He loves:

He has married the daughter of a foreign god.

May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob

The man who does this, being [i]awake and aware,

Yet who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts!

And this is the second thing you do:

You cover the altar of the Lord with tears,

With weeping and crying;

So He does not regard the offering anymore,

Nor receive it with goodwill from your hands.

Yet you say, “For what reason?”

Because the Lord has been witness

Between you and the wife of your youth,

With whom you have dealt treacherously;

Yet she is your companion

And your wife by covenant.

But did He not make them one,

Having a remnant of the Spirit?

And why one?

He seeks godly offspring.

Therefore take heed to your spirit,

And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.

“For the Lord God of Israel says

That He hates divorce,

For it covers one’s garment with violence,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“Therefore take heed to your spirit,

That you do not deal treacherously.”

You have wearied the Lord with your words;

Yet you say,

“In what way have we wearied Him?”

In that you say,

“Everyone who does evil

Is good in the sight of the Lord,

And He delights in them,”

Or, “Where is the God of justice?”

The Coming Messenger

“Behold, I send My messenger,

And he will prepare the way before Me.

And the Lord, whom you seek,

Will suddenly come to His temple,

Even the Messenger of the covenant,

In whom you delight.

Behold, He is coming,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“But who can endure the day of His coming?

And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire

And like launderers’ soap.

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi,

And [j]purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the Lord

An offering in righteousness.

“Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem

Will be [k]pleasant to the Lord,

As in the days of old,

As in former years.

And I will come near you for judgment;

I will be a swift witness

Against sorcerers,

Against adulterers,

Against perjurers,

Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,

And against those who turn away an alien—

Because they do not fear Me,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“For I am the Lord, I do not change;

Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

Yet from the days of your fathers

You have gone away from My ordinances

And have not kept them.

Return to Me, and I will return to you,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“But you said,

‘In what way shall we return?’

Do Not Rob God

“Will a man rob God?

Yet you have robbed Me!

But you say,

‘In what way have we robbed You?’

In tithes and offerings.

You are cursed with a curse,

For you have robbed Me,

Even this whole nation.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,

So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,

Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”

Says the Lord of hosts;

“And all nations will call you blessed,

For you will be a delightful land,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

The People Complain Harshly

“Your words have been [l]harsh against Me,”

Says the Lord,

“Yet you say,

‘What have we spoken against You?’

You have said,

‘It is useless to serve God;

What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance,

And that we have walked as mourners

Before the Lord of hosts?

So now we call the proud blessed,

For those who do wickedness are [m]raised up;

They even tempt God and go free.’ ”

A Book of Remembrance

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,

And the Lord listened and heard them;

So a book of remembrance was written before Him

For those who fear the Lord

And who [n]meditate on His name.

“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,

“On the day that I make them My jewels.[o]

And I will spare them

As a man spares his own son who serves him.”

Then you shall again discern

Between the righteous and the wicked,

Between one who serves God

And one who does not serve Him.

The Great Day of God

“For behold, the day is coming,

Burning like an oven,

And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.

And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”

Says the Lord of hosts,

“That will leave them neither root nor branch.

But to you who fear My name

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

With healing in His wings;

And you shall go out

And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

You shall trample the wicked,

For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet

On the day that I do this,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

“Remember the Law of Moses, My servant,

Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel,

With the statutes and judgments.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet

Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

And he will turn

The hearts of the fathers to the children,

And the hearts of the children to their fathers,

Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Footnotes:

Malachi 1:1 oracle, prophecy
Malachi 1:1 Lit. by the hand of
Malachi 1:7 Or to be despised
Malachi 1:8 Lit. lift up your face
Malachi 1:12 So with Bg.; MT Lord
Malachi 2:3 Lit. to it
Malachi 2:6 Or True instruction
Malachi 2:6 Or unrighteousness
Malachi 2:12 Talmud, Vg. teacher and student
Malachi 3:3 Or refine
Malachi 3:4 pleasing
Malachi 3:13 Lit. strong
Malachi 3:15 Lit. built
Malachi 3:16 Or esteem
Malachi 3:17 Lit. special treasure

Revelation 22

The River of Life

22 And he showed me a [a]pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the [b]holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 Now I, John, [c]saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. [d]For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [e]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Jesus Testifies to the Churches

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the[f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

14 Blessed are those who [g]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 [h]But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

A Warning

18 [i]For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, [j]God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God[k] shall take away his part from the [l]Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I Am Coming Quickly

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be [m]with you all. Amen.

Footnotes:

Revelation 22:1 NU, M omit pure
Revelation 22:6 NU, M spirits of the prophets
Revelation 22:8 NU, M am the one who heard and saw
Revelation 22:9 NU, M omit For
Revelation 22:11 NU, M do right
Revelation 22:13 NU, M First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:14 NU wash their robes,
Revelation 22:15 NU, M omit But
Revelation 22:18 NU, M omit For
Revelation 22:18 M may God add
Revelation 22:19 M may God take away
Revelation 22:19 NU, M tree of life
Revelation 22:21 NU with all; M with all the saints

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please Pray for:

Our deal Sister Sandra. It appears she had a heart attack Friday night or early Saturday morning. She is currently at Desert Springs hospital in Las Vegas. She is not lucid and on dialysis.

Conor, a college student, who is experiencing deep depression. Pray Conor would trust God and know He is in control. When we worry, the Bible calls it sin; and this sin, snowballs into depression. We have to give all of our concerns over to Him and trust that He wants what’s best for us. (Do you really believe what you say you believe is real?)

God to reveal any lukewarmness that may exist within us that we might repent and “be all-in with Him”.

Revelation‬ ‭3:14-16 “…These things says the‬ ‭ Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.””

Tyler Martin, Rod Martin’s son, who had a terrible freak accident … he went through a plate glass window and suffered multiple severe injuries.

Brother Walt’s granddaughter, Kale’a, and his prodigal son, Elijah.

Sister Kristen and her 2 young daughters.

God to wakeup Rodel who says he is a Christian, but has left his wife and 2 children to move in with another woman.

Miguel’s salvation, a confessed murderer and drug dealer, who lives in Mexico.

A Las Vegas woman that currently is working in an abortion clinic who is very discouraged with what she is doing and seeking counseling as to what to do. Pray God opens her eyes and saves her. Also, regarding the same abortion clinic, Pray God sends Godly women to that clinic daily to be available to minister to the women going in and out of that clinic daily.

The salvation of Brother David Frear’s parents.

Brad and Regena Mitton and their family. Regina has been diagnosed with cancer and Brad has put his landscape business on hold to be with his wife. Pray God will move in the Mittons lives and that He will be glorified.

Jeff from Oregon that has cirrhosis of the liver and has been given only five months to live. He is unsure of his faith and trying to fill in his remaining days traveling. Please Pray God awakens Jeff’s spirit to His Salvation. (Like Jeff, we are all terminal…“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬)

Larry who has leukemia. Pray God would bring Larry and his love ones closer to Him and His Blessed Hope of Glory.

Lisa Long and her family. Lisa has had for eye surgeries that have failed and she remains blind. Pray for God to direct her path for His glory.

Darrell Blalock who has Parkinson’s disease. Pray for Darrell to have a meaningful and closer walk with the Lord.

John LaPorte and other Brothers and Sisters who are doing ministry at UNLV. (Although they are off for the holidays, pray that they would stay in touch with the UNLV students that they have kindled relationships with. )

A UNLV student named Tyler who is propaganda machine for the enemy. Pray God will radically save Tyler and that our God will use Tyler to bring many to Christ.

Remington, another UNLV student, says he is a new catholic… not a Believer, yet, but says he is a seeker. Pray God reveals His Truth, His Salvation to Remington.

That our families and Brothers and Sisters in Christ will gather together to Pray… Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) “… For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Our unSaved family members and those around us that we have relationships with. Or, is that you? … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098.

Family members and those relationships around you who say they are Saved, but their lives don’t show it. And, if that’s happens to be you, the Holy Spirit can change you into a New Creation, Christ in you… but, you must totally surrender everything to Him. (As long as you think you can do it on your own, He’ll let you; and, you will fail.) … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098.

Our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sins that are drowning us. Lukewarmness, abortion, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, rebellion, covetousness, etc. Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

… AND YET, God is Sovereign and has called us to live in such a time as this and to be His Light in the darkness… to give Hope to some. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico in our Prayers. This Sister and her family, in a short time period, have been hit with a more tragedies (persecutions) than most of us have in our entire life time… the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children. And, recently, her modest home (a shack by any American standard) was burnt to the ground. …Her neighbor’s house caught fire and due to the closeness of her home, it caught fire, too. Brothers & Sisters, please Pray for God’s Holy touch on Fabiola and her family.

Geo, a banker, who was deployed by the military to the Mideast. Pray God would keep him safe and that God would bring Geo closer to Him; and, that Geo would share God with all his company and those who come in contact with him.

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I’ve been told by one Geo’s co-workers, Lorraine Flores, who says she considers Geo a son, that the day Geo was deployed to the Mideast, his girlfriend delivered his new baby. Please Pray Geo would Walk in God’s Light and be a Godly husband and father. And, please Pray for Geo’s family. (Also, please Pray for both Lorraine Flores and her biological son that was deployed the same day as Geo, but to Africa.)

Brother Mark Pedder, a missionary in the Philippines. Please Pray for Mark, Mark’s wife for strength in their trials, tribulations and persecution.

Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior.

Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters. Both parents has stayed single all this time of separation… Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning their reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months. Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm.

Scott’s salvation and healing. Scott is a commercial real estate broker.

Our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to God’s Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation. Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will.

Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan. Please Pray Frank will be bold in his sharing Christ in his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers.

AND, let each of us use Frank’s example and share the Love and Salvation of Jesus to our coworkers, employees, family, friends and acquaintances … Invest in the Eternal!

Women’s Pro-Life ministries in Las Vegas and throughout the world …that they would lead women to the Lord and continue to assist in saving babies’ lives.

Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by ISIS – Pray for their protection and their ministry. For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!

Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr.

Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS.

Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.

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Please stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Biblical “headship” in families.

All the children.

That there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD. Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico and heads up Touch Baja.)

Touch Baja ministry. Touch Baja is a Christian ministry based in Mexico touching the saved and unsaved lives of the Mexican people focused on real discipleship; truly changing lives through Christ. From church planting discipleship ministries to half-way houses for the Mexican youth, Touch Baja needs our Prayers, support and physical involvement. One person can make a difference… whether an individual or a group, if you are interested in seeking an international missionary opportunity that’s not that far from home, here it is… you are needed and welcome. Please check out Touch Baja and consider becoming a real partner and getting involved: http://www.touchbaja.com. (I am personally available to share with you about the ministry… I have 20+ years of stories and history.)

Makers Way ministry feeds poor families in NLV. Check it out and if you are lead to help or give, contact Mike at (702) 596-9103 or give online at:

http://ccmeadowmesa.com

As it’s that time again when candidates for Congress and other government offices are making their rounds drumming up support to make a run to get elected. Please Pray for God to position Real Deal Christian men and women in those races that would honor Him above anyone or anything else. If those elected honor Him, they will honor us. (If you or someone you know is running for an office, please let us know so we can Pray for you or them. As the upcoming elections come closer, please Pray for the CANDIDATES:

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Please Pray for Dan Rodimer who is running for the US Congress in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District. Dan is a conservative. He is married with 5 children. Dan says he is a catholic. Please Pray for his salvation and that God would would be made known in Dan’s life in such a way that those that encounter Dan would see Jesus in his life. (https://danrodimer.com)

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Please Pray for FL Congressman Ross Spano. Brother Ed Taney’s daughter Cameron is going to be interning for him starting in January. Pray for wisdom and clear direction from God for him and his staff, and for him to pursue and honor God.

Day 12/23 – Humility

December 23, 2019 By Lyle Brennan Leave a Comment

Titus 3:5 (ESV) “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5

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“As a follower of Christ you know that self-reformation is futile. Having declared spiritual bankruptcy, you came to God asking Him to live His life through you. He is your life; you live day-by-day in dependence upon His strength and presence… If people conclude that they can solve their own problems, or at least learn to accommodate them in their lives, they lose their incentive to turn to Christ for help, and that is a short path to hell.” Walter A. Henrichsen (“Walt H”)

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: https://lylebrennan.com.

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Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man

by Walter Henrichsen

Humility

Day Three Hundred Fifty-seven

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own lips; a stranger and not thine own tongue.” Proverbs 27:2

Humility is an essential environment for virtues such as meekness, forbearance, and longsuffering to thrive. Without humility you cannot respond biblically to the many slights, rude remarks, and other irritants in life. One indicator of whether you have humility is how you present yourself to others. Are you quick to call attention to yourself, your accomplishments, and your opinions? An insidious expressing of this is when parents brag on their children, inferring that their greatness is in no small measure the result of their own gene pool.

The Apostle Paul commended himself to the Corinthians, but felt compelled to do it because of problems in the church with people calling into question his authority. He succumbed to self-commendation saying, “I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these superlative apostles, even though I am nothing. 454

If someone inquires regarding a particular aspect of your life, you do not express humility by evading the question or falsely understating your achievement. Humility usually expresses itself in an interest of others. Let this interest in others guide your conversation. To call to the attention of others praise bestowed upon you shows a clear lack of humility. So too, if you don’t think you are great, you will not be offended when others agree with you. “Let another man praise you…”

454 II Corinthians 12:11

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Nahum 1-3 Revelation 14 (New King James Version)

Nahum 1-3

God’s Mercy and Judgment

1 The [a]burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

God’s Wrath on His Enemies

God is jealous, and the Lord avenges;

The Lord avenges and is furious.

The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries,

And He reserves wrath for His enemies;

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,

And will not at all acquit the wicked.

The Lord has His way

In the whirlwind and in the storm,

And the clouds are the dust of His feet.

He rebukes the sea and makes it dry,

And dries up all the rivers.

Bashan and Carmel wither,

And the flower of Lebanon wilts.

The mountains quake before Him,

The hills melt,

And the earth [b]heaves at His presence,

Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

Who can stand before His indignation?

And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?

His fury is poured out like fire,

And the rocks are thrown down by Him.

The Lord is good,

A stronghold in the day of trouble;

And He knows those who trust in Him.

But with an overflowing flood

He will make an utter end of its place,

And darkness will pursue His enemies.

What do you [c]conspire against the Lord?

He will make an utter end of it.

Affliction will not rise up a second time.

For while tangled like thorns,

And while drunken like drunkards,

They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.

From you comes forth one

Who plots evil against the Lord,

A [d]wicked counselor.

12 Thus says the Lord:

“Though they are [e]safe, and likewise many,

Yet in this manner they will be cut down

When he passes through.

Though I have afflicted you,

I will afflict you no more;

For now I will break off his yoke from you,

And burst your bonds apart.”

The Lord has given a command concerning you:

[f]“Your name shall be perpetuated no longer.

Out of the house of your gods

I will cut off the carved image and the molded image.

I will dig your grave,

For you are vile.”[g]

Behold, on the mountains

The feet of him who brings good tidings,

Who proclaims peace!

O Judah, keep your appointed feasts,

Perform your vows.

For the [h]wicked one shall no more pass through you;

He is utterly cut off.

The Destruction of Nineveh

He[i] who scatters has come up before your face.

Man the fort!

Watch the road!

Strengthen your flanks!

Fortify your power mightily.

For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob

Like the excellence of Israel,

For the emptiers have emptied them out

And ruined their vine branches.

The shields of his mighty men are made red,

The valiant men are in scarlet.

The chariots come with flaming torches

In the day of his preparation,

And [j]the spears are brandished.

The chariots rage in the streets,

They jostle one another in the broad roads;

They seem like torches,

They run like lightning.

He remembers his nobles;

They stumble in their walk;

They make haste to her walls,

And the defense is prepared.

The gates of the rivers are opened,

And the palace is dissolved.

[k]It is decreed:

She shall be led away captive,

She shall be brought up;

And her maidservants shall lead her as with the voice of doves,

Beating their breasts.

Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water,

Now they flee away.

[l]“Halt! Halt!” they cry;

But no one turns back.

[m]Take spoil of silver!

Take spoil of gold!

There is no end of treasure,

Or wealth of every desirable prize.

She is empty, desolate, and waste!

The heart melts, and the knees shake;

Much pain is in every side,

And all their faces [n]are drained of color.

Where is the dwelling of the lions,

And the feeding place of the young lions,

Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion’s cub,

And no one made them afraid?

The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs,

[o]Killed for his lionesses,

Filled his caves with prey,

And his dens with [p]flesh.

13 “Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts, “I will burn [q]your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.”

The Woe of Nineveh

Woe to the bloody city!

It is all full of lies and robbery.

Its [r]victim never departs.

The noise of a whip

And the noise of rattling wheels,

Of galloping horses,

Of [s]clattering chariots!

Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear.

There is a multitude of slain,

A great number of bodies,

Countless corpses—

They stumble over the corpses—

Because of the multitude of [t]harlotries of the [u]seductive harlot,

The mistress of sorceries,

Who sells nations through her harlotries,

And families through her sorceries.

“Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts;

“I will lift your skirts over your face,

I will show the nations your nakedness,

And the kingdoms your shame.

I will cast abominable filth upon you,

Make you vile,[v]

And make you a spectacle.

It shall come to pass that all who look upon you

Will flee from you, and say,

‘Nineveh is laid waste!

Who will bemoan her?’

Where shall I seek comforters for you?”

Are you better than No[w] Amon

That was situated by the [x]River,

That had the waters around her,

Whose rampart was the sea,

Whose wall was the sea?

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,

And it was boundless;

Put and Lubim were [y]your helpers.

Yet she was carried away,

She went into captivity;

Her young children also were dashed to pieces

At the head of every street;

They cast lots for her honorable men,

And all her great men were bound in chains.

You also will be drunk;

You will be hidden;

You also will seek refuge from the enemy.

All your strongholds are fig trees with ripened figs:

If they are shaken,

They fall into the mouth of the eater.

Surely, your people in your midst are women!

The gates of your land are wide open for your enemies;

Fire shall devour the bars of your gates.

Draw your water for the siege!

Fortify your strongholds!

Go into the clay and tread the mortar!

Make strong the brick kiln!

There the fire will devour you,

The sword will cut you off;

It will eat you up like a locust.

Make yourself many—like the locust!

Make yourself many—like the swarming locusts!

You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of heaven.

The locust plunders and flies away.

Your commanders are like swarming locusts,

And your generals like great grasshoppers,

Which camp in the hedges on a cold day;

When the sun rises they flee away,

And the place where they are is not known.

Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria;

Your nobles rest in the dust.

Your people are scattered on the mountains,

And no one gathers them.

Your injury has no healing,

Your wound is severe.

All who hear news of you

Will clap their hands over you,

For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?

Footnotes:

Nahum 1:1 oracle, prophecy
Nahum 1:5 Tg. burns
Nahum 1:9 Or devise
Nahum 1:11 Lit. counselor of Belial
Nahum 1:12 Or at peace or complete
Nahum 1:14 Lit. No more of your name shall be fruitful
Nahum 1:14 Or contemptible
Nahum 1:15 Lit. one of Belial
Nahum 2:1 Vg. He who destroys
Nahum 2:3 Lit. the cypresses are shaken; LXX, Syr. the horses rush about; Vg. the drivers are stupefied
Nahum 2:7 Heb. Huzzab
Nahum 2:8 Lit. Stand
Nahum 2:9 Plunder
Nahum 2:10 LXX, Tg., Vg. gather blackness; Joel 2:6
Nahum 2:12 Lit. Strangled
Nahum 2:12 Torn flesh
Nahum 2:13 Lit. her
Nahum 3:1 Lit. prey
Nahum 3:2 bounding or jolting
Nahum 3:4 Spiritual unfaithfulness
Nahum 3:4 Lit. goodly charm, in a bad sense
Nahum 3:6 despicable
Nahum 3:8 Ancient Thebes; Tg., Vg. populous Alexandria
Nahum 3:8 Lit. rivers, the Nile and the surrounding canals
Nahum 3:9 LXX her

Revelation 14

The Lamb and the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and behold, [a]a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, [b]having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were [c]redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no [d]deceit, for they are without fault [e]before the throne of God.

The Proclamations of Three Angels

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon[f] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

12 Here is the [g]patience of the saints; here[h] are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying [i]to me, “Write: ‘Blessed arethe dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come [j]for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Reaping the Grapes of Wrath

17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred [k]furlongs.

Footnotes:

Revelation 14:1 NU, M the
Revelation 14:1 NU, M add His name and
Revelation 14:4 M adds by Jesus
Revelation 14:5 NU, M falsehood
Revelation 14:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5.
Revelation 14:8 NU Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, which has made; M Babylon the great is fallen. She has made
Revelation 14:12 steadfastness, perseverance
Revelation 14:12 NU, M omit here are those
Revelation 14:13 NU, M omit to me
Revelation 14:15 NU, M omit for You
Revelation 14:20 Lit. stadia, about 184 miles in all

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please Pray for:

Tyler Martin, Rod Martin’s son who had a terrible freak accident … he went through a plate glass window and suffered multiple severe injuries.

Please Pray for Brother Walt’s granddaughter, Kale’a, and his prodigal son, Elijah.

Please Pray for Tavia’s family. Tavia received a call fro

Her mom letting her know her uncle didnt survive a heart attack in Wisconsin. Please keep her family in your Prayers. Her uncle’s name was Tony Nelson, his wife is Kerri, and his kids are Tera, Kerissa and Alex.

Sister Kristen and husband for God to intervene and heal their marriage. Additionally, please Pray for their 2 young daughters.

Miguel’s salvation, a confessed murderer and drug dealer, who lives in Mexico.

The salvation of Brother David Frear’s parents.

Larry who has leukemia. Pray God would bring Larry and his love ones closer to Him and His Blessed Hope of Glory.

Lisa Long and her family. Lisa has had for eye surgeries that have failed and she remains blind. Pray for God to direct her path for His glory.

Darrell Blalock who has Parkinson’s disease. Pray for Darrell to have a meaningful and closer walk with the Lord.

John LaPorte and other Brothers and Sisters who are doing ministry at UNLV.

A UNLV student named Tyler who is propaganda machine for the enemy. Pray God will radically save Tyler and that our God will use Tyler to bring many to Christ.

Remington, another UNLV student, says he is a new catholic… not a Believer, yet, but says he is a seeker. Pray God reveals His Truth, His Salvation to Remington.

Our unSaved family members and those around us that we have relationships with. Or, is that you? … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098.

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

+++

Brother Mark Pedder, a missionary in the Philippines. Please Pray for Mark, Mark’s wife for strength in their trials, tribulations and persecution.

Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior.

Scott’s salvation and healing. Scott is a commercial real estate broker.

AND, let each of us use Frank’s example and share the Love and Salvation of Jesus to our coworkers, employees, family, friends and acquaintances … Invest in the Eternal!

Women’s Pro-Life ministries in Las Vegas and throughout the world …that they would lead women to the Lord and continue to assist in saving babies’ lives.

Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr.

Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS.

Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.

+++

Please stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Biblical “headship” in families.

All the children.

That there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Makers Way ministry feeds poor families in NLV. Check it out and if you are lead to help or give, contact Mike at (702) 596-9103 or give online at:

http://ccmeadowmesa.com

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Day 10/7 – Self-Justification

October 7, 2019 By Lyle Brennan Leave a Comment

His Peace – Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

“An understanding of the grace of God results in works. But the works are a response to God — not a means of getting God to respond to them. ‘I labor more abundantly than everyone,’ Paul says. ‘Because God has been so good to me, I can’t help it.’ So too, if you are one who truly embraces and enjoys the grace of God, you will be more engaged in His service than you were a year ago. You just won’t be able to do otherwise.” Jon Courson

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: https://lylebrennan.com.

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Self-Justification

Day Two Hundred Eighty

“But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” Luke 10:29

You must distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate self-justification. If you are falsely accused of a crime, justifying your behavior is an appropriate response. “It is true that I have Mr. Jones’ wallet full of money, but I did not steal it; I found it on the street.” Illegitimate self-justification takes place when you know you are guilty and seek to hide the fact. Few sins carry the profound ramifications that self-justification does.

Self-justification destroys all ability to reconcile. This is true in every relationship of life, especially your relationship with God. When the Holy Spirit convicts and you justify yourself, you call into question the Spirit’s right to convict. When you are guilty and refuse to admit it, how can you be reconciled to God?

The insidious thing about self-justification is, as you seek to show your innocence when you know you are guilty, you can easily cross the line into truly believing in your innocence. The longer and harder you argue the more convincing you sound to yourself, and the more difficulty you have maintaining your ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Repentance is the key to reconciliation, and the key to repentance is an admission of wrong.

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Isaiah 28-29 Philippians 3 (New King James Version)

Isaiah 28-29

Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim,

Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower

Which is at the head of the [a]verdant valleys,

To those who are overcome with wine!

Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one,

Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm,

Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing,

Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim,

Will be trampled underfoot;

And the glorious beauty is a fading flower

Which is at the head of the [b]verdant valley,

Like the first fruit before the summer,

Which an observer sees;

He eats it up while it is still in his hand.

In that day the Lord of hosts will be

For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty

To the remnant of His people,

For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,

And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

But they also have erred through wine,

And through intoxicating drink are out of the way;

The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink,

They are swallowed up by wine,

They are out of the way through intoxicating drink;

They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

For all tables are full of vomit and filth;

No place is clean.

“Whom will he teach knowledge?

And whom will he make to understand the message?

Those just weaned from milk?

Those just drawn from the breasts?

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,

Line upon line, line upon line,

Here a little, there a little.”

For with stammering lips and another tongue

He will speak to this people,

To whom He said, “This is the rest with which

You may cause the weary to rest,”

And, “This is the refreshing”;

Yet they would not hear.

But the word of the Lord was to them,

“Precept upon precept, precept upon precept,

Line upon line, line upon line,

Here a little, there a little,”

That they might go and fall backward, and be broken

And snared and caught.

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men,

Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem,

Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,

And with Sheol we are in agreement.

When the overflowing scourge passes through,

It will not come to us,

For we have made lies our refuge,

And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

A Cornerstone in Zion

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,

A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Also I will make justice the measuring line,

And righteousness the plummet;

The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,

And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

Your covenant with death will be annulled,

And your agreement with Sheol will not stand;

When the overflowing scourge passes through,

Then you will be trampled down by it.

As often as it goes out it will take you;

For morning by morning it will pass over,

And by day and by night;

It will be a terror just to understand the report.”

For the bed is too short to stretch out on,

And the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it.

For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim,

He will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon—

That He may do His work, His awesome work,

And bring to pass His act, His [c]unusual act.

Now therefore, do not be mockers,

Lest your bonds be made strong;

For I have heard from the Lord God of hosts,

A [d]destruction determined even upon the whole earth.

Listen to the Teaching of God

Give ear and hear my voice,

Listen and hear my speech.

Does the plowman keep plowing all day to sow?

Does he keep turning his soil and breaking the clods?

When he has leveled its surface,

Does he not sow the black cummin

And scatter the cummin,

Plant the wheat in rows,

The barley in the appointed place,

And the [e]spelt in its place?

For He instructs him in right judgment,

His God teaches him.

For the black cummin is not threshed with a threshing sledge,

Nor is a cartwheel rolled over the cummin;

But the black cummin is beaten out with a stick,

And the cummin with a rod.

Bread flour must be ground;

Therefore he does not thresh it forever,

Break it with his cartwheel,

Or crush it with his horsemen.

This also comes from the Lord of hosts,

Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in [f]guidance.

Woe to Jerusalem

“Woe to [g]Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt!

Add year to year;

Let feasts come around.

Yet I will distress Ariel;

There shall be heaviness and sorrow,

And it shall be to Me as Ariel.

I will encamp against you all around,

I will lay siege against you with a mound,

And I will raise siegeworks against you.

You shall be brought down,

You shall speak out of the ground;

Your speech shall be low, out of the dust;

Your voice shall be like a medium’s, out of the ground;

And your speech shall whisper out of the dust.

“Moreover the multitude of your foes

Shall be like fine dust,

And the multitude of the terrible ones

Like chaff that passes away;

Yes, it shall be in an instant, suddenly.

You will be punished by the Lord of hosts

With thunder and earthquake and great noise,

With storm and tempest

And the flame of devouring fire.

The multitude of all the nations who fight against [h]Ariel,

Even all who fight against her and her fortress,

And distress her,

Shall be as a dream of a night vision.

It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams,

And look—he eats;

But he awakes, and his soul is still empty;

Or as when a thirsty man dreams,

And look—he drinks;

But he awakes, and indeed he is faint,

And his soul still craves:

So the multitude of all the nations shall be,

Who fight against Mount Zion.”

The Blindness of Disobedience

Pause and wonder!

Blind yourselves and be blind!

They are drunk, but not with wine;

They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.

For the Lord has poured out on you

The spirit of deep sleep,

And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets;

And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.

11 The whole vision has become to you like the words of a [i]book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.”

And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.”

12 Then the book is delivered to one who [j]is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please.”

And he says, “I am not literate.”

13 Therefore the Lord said:

“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths

And honor Me with their lips,

But have removed their hearts far from Me,

And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work

Among this people,

A marvelous work and a wonder;

For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,

And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”

Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord,

And their works are in the dark;

They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?”

Surely you have things turned around!

Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay;

For shall the thing made say of him who made it,

“He did not make me”?

Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it,

“He has no understanding”?

Future Recovery of Wisdom

Is it not yet a very little while

Till Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field,

And the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest?

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book,

And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord,

And the poor among men shall rejoice

In the Holy One of Israel.

For the [k]terrible one is brought to nothing,

The scornful one is consumed,

And all who watch for iniquity are cut off—

Who make a man an offender by a word,

And lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate,

And turn aside the just by empty words.

22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:

“Jacob shall not now be ashamed,

Nor shall his face now grow pale;

But when he sees his children,

The work of My hands, in his midst,

They will hallow My name,

And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,

And fear the God of Israel.

These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding,

And those who complained will learn doctrine.”

Footnotes:

Isaiah 28:1 Lit. valleys of fatness
Isaiah 28:4 Lit. valley of fatness
Isaiah 28:21 Lit. foreign
Isaiah 28:22 Lit. complete end
Isaiah 28:25 rye
Isaiah 28:29 sound wisdom
Isaiah 29:1 Jerusalem, lit. Lion of God
Isaiah 29:7 Jerusalem
Isaiah 29:11 scroll
Isaiah 29:12 Lit. does not know books
Isaiah 29:20 terrifying

Philippians 3

All for Christ

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship [a]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Footnotes:

Philippians 3:3 NU, M in the Spirit of God
Philippians 3:11 Lit. arrive at
Philippians 3:12 obtained it
Philippians 3:13 laid hold of it
Philippians 3:16 arrived
Philippians 3:16 NU omits rule and the rest of v. 16.

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PRAYER REQUESTS

Please Pray for Jeff from Oregon that has cirrhosis of the liver and has been given only six months to live. He is unsure of his faith and trying to fill in his remaining days traveling. Please Pray God awakens Jeff’s spirit to His Salvation. (Like Jeff, we are all terminal…“So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬)

Please Pray for Larry who has been diagnosed to have leukemia. Pray God would bring Larry and his love ones closer to Him and His Blessed Hope of Glory.

Brother David Porter requests: “My stepdaughter Brittany and her husband Jose are raising support to go on a Mission trip to Mumbai, India in early November. The focus will be to encourage church planters and share the gospel. They need $2800 each and are about 40% of the way there.” There link is: https://hopechurchonline.focusmissions.com/!/#/12416/south-asia-november-2019/participants/134351/donate

Please continue to Pray for Lisa Long and her family … UPDATE: as you know, Lisa was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday, September 18, on her eyes… awaiting an update as to the results of that surgery, we found out she did not have the surgery. Prior to the scheduled surgery, she fell out of bed resulting in dislocating her shoulder, and because of the bleeding and swelling, the doctor postponed the surgery. We continue to Pray for His Miraculous Holy Touch on Lisa and those surrounding her.

Please continue to Pray for Darrell Blalock who has Parkinson’s disease. Pray for Darrell to become closer to the Lord.

Please continue to Pray for John LaPorte whose doing ministry at UNLV … a student named Tyler is propaganda machine for the enemy… he continuously interrupts their ministry. Pray God will intervene and radically save Tyler and that our God will use Tyler to bring many to Christ. (Please continue to Pray for God’s supernatural strength of the witnessing group members as several are weakening.)

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Brother JohnLaPorte reports… Bryce, a UNLV student who recently received the Lord and came from occult background is engaging Tyler and defending the Faith. Recently, Bryce has come under intense attacks and heckling from unbelievers on campus. Please Pray for God to Grow and Strengthen Bryce and use him in a Holy Mighty Way.

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Remington, another UNLV student, says he is a new catholic… not a Believer, yet, but says he is a seeker. Pray God reveals His Truth, His Salvation to Remington.

Please Pray that our families and Brothers and Sisters in Christ will gather together to Pray… Jesus says in Matthew 18:20 (NKJV) “… For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Please pray for Lisa Greene who is having both her hips replaced… Pray for her surgeon and her quickly for coverage and that God will be seen in her.

Please continue to Pray for Brother Lance going through perilous times. Pray he would let God’s strength and peace show through his weakness and his testimony be a Blessing to many.

Please continue to Pray for our unSaved family members and those around us that we have relationships with. Or, is that you? … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098.

Please continue to Pray for family members and those relationships around you who say they are Saved, but their lives don’t show it. And, if that’s happens to be you, the Holy Spirit can change you into a New Creation, Christ in you… but, you must totally surrender everything to Him. (As long as you think you can do it on your own, He’ll let you; and, you will fail.) … Have questions &/or need Prayer?… If yes, please reply or call (702) 592-4098.

Please continue to Pray for our nation that God would open all our eyes to the sins that are drowning us. Lukewarmness, abortion, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, hatred & divisiveness, greed, pride, rebellion, covetousness, etc. Please Pray and Fast for our nation to turn from this evil that is enveloping us.

II Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Please Pray for Brother Robert traveling to preach in several churches in several states.

Please continue to keep Sister Fabiola and her children in Mexico in our Prayers. This Sister and her family, in a short time period, have been hit with a more tragedies (persecutions) than most of us have in our entire life time… the murder of her husband, x-husband and one of her children. And, recently, her modest home (a shack by any American standard) was burnt to the ground. …Her neighbor’s house caught fire and due to the closeness of her home, it caught fire, too. Brothers & Sisters, please Pray for God’s Holy touch on Fabiola and her family.

Please continue to Pray for Geo, a banker, who was deployed by the military to the Mideast. Pray God would keep him safe and that God would bring Geo closer to Him; and, that Geo would share God with all his company and those who come in contact with him.

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Please continue to Pray for Brother Mark Pedder, a missionary in the Philippines. Please Pray for Mark, Mark’s wife for strength in their trials, tribulations and persecution.

Please continue to Pray for Gemma that she be delivered from evil and receive Jesus as her Savior.

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt to be reconciled with his son and his son’s family.

Please continue to Pray for Brother John LaPorte’s roommate, Brother Freddy, whose commitment to Christ caused his wife to separate from him for 6 years. The couple have 2 daughters. Both parents has stayed single all this time of separation… Within the recent past, it appears his wife, Arlene, has been Saved and the couple are beginning their reconciliation process. They are planning to reunite the family again under one roof in the next few months. Please Pray for their total reconciliation with God at their helm.

Please continue to Pray for a group of well-known Southern Nevada commercial real estate brokers and associates recently in a one-car accident. The occupants had all been drinking alcohol. One passenger died leaving 3 young daughters, one suffered serious head trauma, two had mild trauma, and the driver has been charged. Please Pray for the driver and all those effected by this tragedy …that God would direct their eyes to Him, The King of Mercy, Grace and Salvation.

Please continue Pray for our President and ALL our government leaders of both parties. Pray they would submit their authority to His Authority and ask for His Wisdom in directing the affairs of our nation. Please Pray that God would open their eyes and they would be obedient to His Will.

Please continue to Pray for Brother Frank Sun, a Taiwanese, that owns several businesses in China and Taiwan. Please Pray Frank will be bold in his sharing Christ in his companies and that he will be faithful to disciple the new Believers.

AND, let each of us use Frank’s example and share the Love and Salvation of Jesus to our coworkers, employees, family, friends and acquaintances … Invest in the Eternal!

Please continue to Pray for Brother Walt and His Friday Bible Study.

Please continue to Pray for the Women’s Pro-Life ministries in Las Vegas that they would lead women to the Lord and continue to assist in saving babies’ lives.

Please continue to Pray for Jim Nelson and family ministering in China.

Please continue to Pray for Dave Ubank and his family. They are ministering and rescuing children and families in Syria directly affected by ISIS – Pray for their protection and their ministry. For a short 2 minute video about Ubanks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_htIgIvgDM[/embedyt

Please continue to Pray for our Brothers’ and Sisters’ struggling with various addictions. Pray that God would reveal Himself to them that all things are possible through Him… He can Cure any addiction … He is our Great Creator, He is our Savior, He is our Healer …He is our All and All!

Please continue to Pray for Alejandro Corral, his son Alejandro Jr.

Please continue to Pray for Brother Steve Venable dealing with ALS.

Please continue to Pray for our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters and their families that are suffering and giving their lives for our Faith.

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Please stand with your Brothers and Sisters in Prayer and Support. (See: The Voice of the Martyrs: https://www.persecution.com)

Please continue to pray for Biblical “headship” in families.

Please continue to Pray for all our children.

Please continue to Pray that there would be a resurgence of Biblical “Fear of the Lord” in the church and in each of us… “to fear the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.”

Please continue to Pray for Brother Ron Brink’s son who had 3+ military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and who is now suffering brain damage and PTSD. Pray for God’s Healing Power to fall upon Johnathon. (Ron is a 20 plus year missionary in Mexico with Touch Baja… for info on Touch Baja and how to touch the Mexican people for Christ, see http://www.touchbaja.com.)

Day 10/6 – A Clean Conscience (Part Two)

October 6, 2019 By Lyle Brennan Leave a Comment

His Faithfulness – Numbers 23:19 (ESV) “God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19

Jesus says in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

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A history of these Daily Devotions along with other valuable Resources can be found at: https://lylebrennan.com.

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A Clean Conscience (Part Two)

Day Two Hundred Seventy-nine

“According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper.” Hebrews 9:9

A clean conscience differs from a clear conscience in that with the former you can know that you are guilty and still be clean. Our Lord’s propitious death makes this possible. You can have a clear conscience without being clean in that you may be guilty while “searing your conscience with a hot iron.”357 Just because you talked your conscience into excusing you does not mean that you are innocent. To have a clean conscience you need the satisfaction of justice.

There is a second ingredient in obtaining a clean conscience, however, and that is, you must realize that you cannot shape another’s destiny. When people sin they participate in God’s eternal plan negatively; they do not alter His plan. When King David murdered Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba, Uriah arrived in the presence of God on time. Uriah did not die early. David elected to participate in God’s plan negatively by having Uriah killed, and God held David accountable for his sin. Thus David realized that “against Thee and Thee only have I sinned.”358

Let’s say you go hunting with your best friend and accidentally kill him, leaving a widow with five children. How do you forgive yourself and make amends? You can try to be a surrogate father, set up a trust fund for the education of the children, etc., but how much is enough? If you conclude that you must cleanse your own conscience, you will never be able to answer that question. You must realize that you did not alter the destiny of your friend, even though you killed him. God may want you to make restitution, but it cannot be according to your conscience or the will of the offended party. It must be according to the will of God. Never use restitution to alleviate guilt. Only the blood of Christ can remove

your guilt.

357 I Timothy 4:2

358 Psalm 51:4

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Isaiah 26-27 Philippians 2 (New King James Version)

Isaiah 26-27

A Song of Salvation

26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

“We have a strong city;

Godwill appoint salvation forwalls and bulwarks.

Open the gates,

That the righteous nation which [a]keeps the truth may enter in.

You will keep himin perfect peace,

Whosemind isstayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

Trust in the Lord forever,

For in Yah, the Lord, is[b]everlasting strength.

For He brings [c]down those who dwell on high,

The lofty city;

He lays it low,

He lays it low to the ground,

He brings it down to the dust.

The foot shall [d]tread it down—

The feet of the poor

Andthe steps of the needy.”

The way of the just isuprightness;

O Most Upright,

You [e]weigh the path of the just.

Yes, in the way of Your judgments,

O Lord, we have waited for You;

The desire of oursoul isfor Your name

And for the remembrance of You.

With my soul I have desired You in the night,

Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;

For when Your judgments arein the earth,

The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Let grace be shown to the wicked,

Yethe will not learn righteousness;

In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly,

And will not behold the majesty of the Lord.

Lord, whenYour hand is lifted up, they will not see.

But they will see and be ashamed

For [f]theirenvy of people;

Yes, the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.

Lord, You will establish peace for us,

For You have also done all our works [g]in us.

O Lord our God, masters besides You

Have had dominion over us;

Butby You only we make mention of Your name.

They aredead, they will not live;

They aredeceased, they will not rise.

Therefore You have punished and destroyed them,

And made all their memory to perish.

You have increased the nation, O Lord,

You have increased the nation;

You are glorified;

You have expanded all the [h]borders of the land.

Lord, in trouble they have visited You,

They poured out a prayer whenYour chastening wasupon them.

As a woman with child

Is in pain and cries out in her [i]pangs,

Whenshe draws near the time of her delivery,

So have we been in Your sight, O Lord.

We have been with child, we have been in pain;

We have, as it were, [j]brought forth wind;

We have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth,

Nor have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

Your dead shall live;

Together with[k]my dead body they shall arise.

Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;

For your dew is likethe dew of herbs,

And the earth shall cast out the dead.

Take Refuge from the Coming Judgment

Come, my people, enter your chambers,

And shut your doors behind you;

Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,

Until the indignation is past.

For behold, the Lord comes out of His place

To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;

The earth will also disclose her [l]blood,

And will no more cover her slain.

Israel Will Be Restored

In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong,

Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent,

Leviathan that twisted serpent;

And He will slay the reptile that isin the sea.

The Restoration of Israel

In that day sing to her,

“A vineyard of [m]red wine!

I, the Lord, keep it,

I water it every moment;

Lest any hurt it,

I keep it night and day.

Fury isnot in Me.

Who would set briers andthorns

Against Me in battle?

I would go through them,

I would burn them together.

Or let him take hold of My strength,

Thathe may make peace with Me;

Andhe shall make peace with Me.”

Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob;

Israel shall blossom and bud,

And fill the face of the world with fruit.

Has He struck [n]Israel as He struck those who struck him?

Or has He been slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by Him?

In measure, by sending it away,

You contended with it.

He removes itby His rough wind

In the day of the east wind.

Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be covered;

And this isall the fruit of taking away his sin:

When he makes all the stones of the altar

Like chalkstones that are beaten to dust,

[o]Wooden images and incense altars shall not stand.

Yet the fortified city will bedesolate,

The habitation forsaken and left like a wilderness;

There the calf will feed, and there it will lie down

And consume its branches.

When its boughs are withered, they will be broken off;

The women come andset them on fire.

For it isa people of no understanding;

Therefore He who made them will not have mercy on them,

And He who formed them will show them no favor.

And it shall come to pass in that day

Thatthe Lord will thresh,

From the channel of [p]the River to the Brook of Egypt;

And you will be gathered one by one,

O you children of Israel.

So it shall be in that day:

The great trumpet will be blown;

They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria,

And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt,

And shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Footnotes:

Isaiah 26:2 Or remains faithful
Isaiah 26:4 Or Rock of Ages
Isaiah 26:5 low
Isaiah 26:6 trample
Isaiah 26:7 Or make level
Isaiah 26:11 Or Your zeal for the people
Isaiah 26:12 Or for us
Isaiah 26:15 Or ends
Isaiah 26:17 sharp pains
Isaiah 26:18 given birth to
Isaiah 26:19 So with MT, Vg.; Syr., Tg. their dead bodies;LXX those in the tombs
Isaiah 26:21 Or bloodshed
Isaiah 27:2 So with MT (Kittel’s Biblia Hebraica), Bg., Vg.; MT (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia), some Heb. mss., LXX delight;Tg. choice vineyard
Isaiah 27:7 Lit. him
Isaiah 27:9 Heb. Asherim,Canaanite deities
Isaiah 27:12 The Euphrates

Philippians 2

Unity Through Humility

2 Therefore if there isany [a]consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, beingof one accord, of one mind. 3 Letnothing be donethrough selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, andcoming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point ofdeath, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and thatevery tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.

Light Bearers

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for Hisgood pleasure.

14 Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15 that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offeringon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy Commended

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your [g]state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with hisfather he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Epaphroditus Praised

25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, [h]not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Footnotes:

Philippians 2:1 Or encouragement
Philippians 2:6 Or something to be held onto to be equal
Philippians 2:7 emptied Himselfof His privileges
Philippians 2:14 grumbling
Philippians 2:14 arguing
Philippians 2:15 innocent
Philippians 2:19 condition
Philippians 2:30 risking