Are You Obeying God

Are You Obeying God

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."
Ephesians 1:4

Today, I want you to realize that God is concerned about what you do in your life. He is concerned about the fruit that your life can produce for His kingdom, from all your efforts. He is concerned about your obedience, in following His commands in all aspects of your life. Today, as you go out into the world, you will have temptations all around you, and only you will make the choice to obey God or not. This very day you will make many choices to obey or rebel against God. When we look at the life of King Saul, we can see a man that was anointed by God, but chose to rebel against God. King Saul lived with the same free will that God has given each of you. Sadly, King Saul chose to rebel against God. He made the choice, and suffered the consequences of his rebellion. You also have to make the choice, whether you obey or rebel against God. You also will face the consequences if you make the wrong choices. Today, I just want you to realize and be aware of the choices you will make in the hours ahead, as you can obey, or rebel against God. Jesus promises you a life of abundance, which comes from living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. God is concerned about you, and loves you and only wants the best for you. When God asks you to obey Him, it is not for His good, but for your good. We see in the Old Testament, that many people were quick to offer up sacrifices to God, yet their hearts were not obeying Him. When you obey God out of your heart and your love for Him, you demonstrate your obedience. As you go through the rest of this day, I want you to remember these words, "to obey is better than sacrifice", so make the right choices today, and obey God.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 9
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Are You Worry Free

Are You Worry Free

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6

Today, I want to encourage you not to worry, but in every situation, let God know what you need in prayers and requests, while giving thanks. When you look at the meaning of worry in the dictionary, it literally means "to be pulled in different directions." Another definition means to "strangle". Worry can literally destroy your peace, and weaken your faith. It can destroy your health, wastes your energy, control you, and make any problem seem bigger than it really is. The Bible talks much about worry, and the damage it can do. I can only imagine what worry does in the heart of God, when he sees His children caught in the trap of their negative attitudes, while His plan provides for a peaceful mind, free from worry. God's plan for you provides a life free from worry, one of freedom and dependency on Him for all your needs. When you don't depend on God for everything, and rather begin depending upon your own strength and ability, that is when worry will creep into your life. When you take life into your own hands, worry will always be the result. In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul gives you the formula for eliminating worry, and establishing peace in your life. When you begin to pray to God with a thankful heart, asking Him for anything, this is the perfect picture of showing Him your dependence on Him. If you are struggling with situations in your life, and desperate for the power and strength to deal with them, now is the time to turn to God, who can give you His peace and His comfort, during your storms. God can calm the waters, give you peace in any circumstance, and make you worry free.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 8
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Don't Be A Roamer

Don't Be A Roamer

"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
Isaiah 48:17

Three years ago, I got a new black lab puppy, which I named Annie. She was only 3 months old when we brought her home. I had just lost my best friend, Trajan, which I had for almost 10 years, and wanted another companion. Annie, was a roamer, not anything like Trajan, who was an inside dog, and one who always wanted to be in the house, by my side. Annie, however, wanted to be outside, where she could roam in our yard and in our neighborhood. Annie reminded me of the scripture above, in that, as Christians we belong to God, and have access to all of His wisdom and knowledge. We live under His protection and authority, and the Holy Spirit is there to lead and guide us in our life. We have it made, living in the presence of God, but like Annie, we are prone to roam and get out of the presence of safety, and God. As long as we read our Bibles, pray and stay in His presence, our lives can be filled with peace, joy and security. So often, however, the pressure and busyness of life, begins to take over, and we don't take time each day to spend with God. When this occurs, it becomes easier and easier to roam, and let the world take over, and begin to control our life. Our speech, our actions, and our thoughts, can start to roam from the things that please God, and soon we are out roaming Satan's neighborhood. If you find yourself roaming away from the presence of God in your life, you can make the choice today, to return to the fold. Don't let the busyness of daily life control you any longer. Begin today, to spend time with God, renew your relationship with Him, and let Him again direct your path.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 7
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Passion For God

A Passion For God

“Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.”
Psalm 12:1

The above scripture was a psalm written by David when he was down and depressed, as he saw his people and their actions. We can see this same attitude prevalent in today’s society, as it appears that so many people have abandoned God, and are going their own ways, without regard to obeying God and His commands. God is being taken out of our schools, our government, our justice system, and even any mention of God in a public forum is being questioned by someone. One of the most important holidays of the year, Christmas, is now glorified by not worshipping the birth of Jesus, as our public displays about his nativity are being questioned, and being replaced with a holiday spirit, that has no mention of Jesus. God must be so disappointed with what is happening in our society today, as our thoughts have turned from Him to our own materialistic ways. We need to get our passion back for God, in the manner our forefathers had during the time our great nation was founded. The first congress spent the first part of every session in prayer, and all their decisions were based upon God and His teachings. What can you do? As a Christian you must have a passion for God, and make Him number one in your life. You must get your mind off yourself, your wants and desires, and get your focus on God, and make your number one goal, to do His will. Your daily life must center around God, and obeying His commands and doing what is right. God wants you to prosper in everything you do, but your passion for Him must be your number one goal each day. Spend time with God each day, and allow Him to direct your life, and fulfill His plan for you, and get your passion back for God.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 6
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Stick To The Fundamentals

Stick To The Fundamentals

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

I can still remember my basketball coach in college telling me to stick to the fundamentals, during one of our championship games. It was a close game, and I was expecting the coach to come up with a new play that would give us a quick score, but he said to simply stick to the fundamentals. We did as he said and won the game, as this was always his philosophy. The same philosophy, I have found is true, in our walk with God. When the pressures, and stresses of everyday life, begin to build up in our lives, we need to keep to the fundamentals of our faith. I have learned during my own life, that one of the fundamentals in keeping my faith fresh and alive, is keeping my relationship with God first in my life. The scripture above is my reinforcement to keeping God first in my life, as He tells me that these other things will be given to me as well, if I make Him first. He even gave me His greatest commandment, which says to make Him first. The ways of the world, and all the temptations that Satan throws at us daily, can cause us to get away from the fundamentals of our faith, if we don't have God walking beside us, keeping us on track. We can't let the issues, problems, and trials of daily living, come between us and God. It is easy to get sidetracked, have our schedules so full of things to do, and become caught up in the busyness of the world that we don't spend time with God. The fundamentals of your faith is that you spend time with God each day, therefore, before each day begins, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Then by faith, allow Him to guide your life daily, and stick to the fundamentals, and win.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 5
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Are You Trusting God

Are You Trusting God

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God."
Psalm 25:1

In our modern day world, so often people are facing difficult situations. Life can seem so confusing, as people don't know where to turn when they face the trials and troubles of life. When Satan unleashes his fury against people, they feel helpless, with no hope, and do not see a way out of their miseries. If you are feeling alone, hopeless, and don't see a way out of your trials, look at the scripture above, and read all the other scriptures in your Bible, where God gives you His Word as a reliable compass to point the way in dealing with difficult situations. He tells you over and over, to trust in Him for your deliverance, and effectively use His guidance, obeying His instructions, and you will have victory over all your problems. Even though Satan will continue to come at you with all his forces, God will give you the armor to withstand all of Satan's evil attacks. Just remember, that your God is trustworthy. He is the one that sent His son to die in your place, and forgive all your sins. God loves you, and wants you to be part of His family. You can always trust God to keep all of His promises in the Bible, and this is the reason that you can always depend on Him. All God wants from you is to make Him number one in your life, and gave you His greatest commandment; to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is all that He wants from you. You need to realize that God is deeply interested in your affairs, and wants you to trust Him for guidance in all things. Don't do as most people do, in times of trouble, and depend upon yourself, but turn to God, get closer to Him, put your confidence in Him, and trust Him for your victory. Remember, God can be trusted in all situations.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 4
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Merry Christmas

Margaret and I wish all of you
a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. We pray that God will bless all of you this new year and give you His peace and His comfort in all that you do.

Christmas Day
The Birth of Jesus
Luke Chapter 2

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
This is the day of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who came into this world to suffer and die on the cross for us, and forgive us from our sins.

You Are The Salt Of The Earth

You Are The Salt Of The Earth

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses it saltiness. how can it be made salty again? You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:13-14

Over the years, I have seen many Christians, just after they have accepted Jesus as their savior, be on fire for God. They are active in their churches, attend weekly Bible study, and get involved in their church ministries. However, over time they begin to become more reclusive, and want to isolate themselves into their own small group. They try to submerge themselves into a Christian subculture of their own making, and quit becoming involved in the world. When Jesus made the statement above, the disciples understood the significance of what He was saying. They knew that they were to reach out to the world, and be the light on the hill, which would bring others to know Jesus. In the days of Christ, salt was considered to be very valuable. In fact, the Romans considered salt as one of their most important treasures, and some soldiers would even be paid with salt. So when Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth", He was saying you were valuable, important, and significant, and could make a difference. Just stop and think about salt, and how it can change things. Have you had someone put salt in your water, when you weren't looking? You immediately noticed its change. A little pinch of salt can alter the flavor of something, just as one Christian making his belief in God known to others, can affect change. One believer who lets his or her light shine in the world can really make a difference. God wants you to be the salt to the lost and lonely world, around you. Today, let your light shine brightly and tell others about your God and His grace.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 3
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Fishing With God

Fishing With God

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
Proverbs 15:22

As I was growing up, I spent many wonderful days with my grandfather fishing on the Cumberland River. My grandfather loved to fish, and was an accomplished fisherman, as he rarely went fishing when he didn't catch fish. Peter was also a fisherman, and as I read the story of the disciples who went fishing, after Jesus had risen from the dead, I think about my grandfather. I can recall several times where we would be in the boat fishing, and my grandfather would be catching fish, but I would not even be getting a nibble. He would finally tell me, as I would be getting discouraged, where to cast my hook, and soon I would be catching fish. After Peter had fished all night, and had not caught anything, Jesus appeared on the beach and told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. When they obeyed Jesus and cast their nets as He commanded, they caught so many fish that their nets were breaking. So often in life we fish outside the will of God, which is equivalent to fishing on the wrong side of the boat. We often struggle, strive, work, and strain, trying to make something great happen. We try to change things, and oftentimes try to change ourselves. We try to get a better job, and think that having more money will make things better. We try to make ourselves healthier by going on many different diets. We may even try to change our spouse in the hope that things will improve. However, the answer to most of our problems is that we don't listen to God. When you don't walk with God in your life, and try to do things yourself, you will most likely fail. When you begin to listen to God, spend time with Him, make Him first in your life, He will tell you where to cast your nets.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
April 1
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Facing Difficulties

Facing Difficulties

"When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.'
Proverbs 14:32

Each morning I get dozens of e-mails from people who are facing very difficult circumstances in their life. As I respond to these people, I almost always tell them that God does not want them to be facing these difficult situations, and that He wants to help them change their circumstances. I always tell them to pray, as this needs to be the first thing that they need to do, and will be a key part in helping them out of their situations. I also tell them to look at their relationship with God, and that they need to make Him number one in their lives. The problems may not magically disappear when you wake up in the morning, as God knows what you are going through, but He will provide you peace and comfort as you battle your problems. Many times, our problems can be traced to sin, and rebellion. Doing things our way, instead of God's way. Once you turn your life over to God, He will help you work your way out of the problems over a period of time. It may not be easy, as you didn't get into the problems you are facing overnight, and rarely will God deliver you from them overnight. However, once you begin to depend on God each day, and trust Him and have faith, you will begin to see things begin to change in your life, for the better. The Bible tells us that we are not to have a spirit of fear. If you are serious about seeing your situation change, you must get serious about trusting God to help you make those changes. I pray today, that any of you who are dealing with difficulties in your life that need to be changed, will heed this special word, and begin to let God take control of your situation. Just remember that the same God that led the children of Israel out of bondage will also deliver you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 31
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Father's Role

A Father's Role

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4

There is not a day that passes that I do not think about my father. Even though he was killed in World War II, when I was only 2 years old, I have missed sharing my life with him. It was difficult growing up without my father, as there were many things that I would like to have been able to talk to him about. After praying about today's devotional, the Lord has put on my heart to use it as a special encouragement to all the fathers. There are so many Godly fathers who are the spiritual heads of their homes. They work hard to provide for their families. They love and honor their wives. They realize that their children are gifts from God, and help nurture and mold their lives. These fathers realize that serving God is their most important responsibility as head of their homes. For all the fathers that I just described, I want you to know that you are in my prayers. I want to encourage you to spend a special time each day alone with God. Let Him encourage you, prepare you, and make you a special father, training and teaching your children in the ways of the Lord. If you spend a quiet time with God each day, and make Him number one in your life, you are on the path that God wants you to be on, which is to make your wife and your children your priorities. Getting the right balance in your life is the biggest hurdle you will face each day, as getting that perfect balance between work, home, serving God, and finding time to relax. The other hurdle you will face is being able to give God control, and trusting Him in all things. If you are not doing these things, this is the perfect day to start, just surrender your life and your family to God.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
March 30
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Finding Perfect Peace

Do You Have Perfect Peace

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3

Do you enjoy perfect peace in your life? If not, God will provide a peace and joy in your life like you have never experienced before. The scripture above is my favorite verse in the Bible, and until I put my entire trust in God, and turned over all my life to Him, I had never experienced the peace and joy in my own life, like I have had these last 20 years. As I was writing my first book “God’s Plan For a Joy Filled Life” I kept coming back to this verse, as I wrote the many chapters. I began to realize more and more that as I had begun trusting God for everything during these years, and as He was showing me how He was fulfilling my every need, I became even more at peace with myself. I had spent the first 48 years of my life making the majority of decisions for me and my family, without asking God for guidance, and therefore had never had the peace in myself that was right there before me. I have changed my attitude about myself, and the way I now look at life, and now put my complete trust in God, and ask Him for guidance in all things. As I began to trust God for all my needs, I have discovered the true meaning of the above scripture. I regret not having found this wonderful peace, that I could have enjoyed all throughout the years by not putting my trust in God. My plan for my remaining days is to direct all my energies to fulfilling God’s plan for my life, and as I am following His guidance, He is leading me to fulfill things that I never thought possible. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished when we put our trust in God. God can give you this same peace I am experiencing, if you will let Him into your heart, and accept the many blessings that He has waiting for you. Ask God for your perfect peace.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 29
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Looking For God

Are You Looking For God

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn.”
Luke 2:7

In just two more days we are going to celebrate Christmas, and the birth of Jesus Christ, which I believe is the most momentous occasion in human history. The night Jesus was born is also the greatest night in human history. But, why, on this most important night, were the majority of people like the innkeeper, unaware of what was going on. Angels had appeared to proclaim His arrival. Wise men came from afar to acknowledge His birth. Shepherds were visited by an angel who announced where the Son of God was born. But, with all the open proclamation, how did the majority of people miss the birth of Jesus. Why did the innkeeper not know that Jesus was to be born that night? I believe the reason is that they were not looking for Him, because they were too busy. This is how people still are today, as we become too busy with the demands and struggles of daily living that we lose sight of God and neglect to spend any time getting to know anything about Him. We become too involved in our own pleasures and don’t try to adjust our time and schedules to make room for God. Even though the shepherds were busy, keeping watch over their flocks, they took time to adjust their busyness and make room for Him. The innkeeper however put his priorities ahead of God and did not see. I would like to ask each of you if you are looking for God in your own lives, or are you to busy with all the other things that are going on. For those that are looking for God, the heavens are open, the angels are singing and God is giving you signs. For those who are not looking for God, you are like the innkeeper as you will not have any room for Him when He comes back to earth, and are relegating Jesus again to a stable.
My Daily Devotional Volume III
December 23
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Signs Of The Times

Signs of the Times

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14

As we approach the Christmas season we need to be mindful that for hundreds of years before Christ was born, prophecies were given of the Messiah’s conception, birth and promise of salvation for mankind. The scripture above from the Prophet Isaiah gave us this account, and the sign when Jesus would be born. When Jesus was born, the sign from God that the prophets had declared should have been obvious to all the world. But, many people of that day missed the prophesy, as they were not paying attention, or did not believe. Not everyone saw the Star that the Magi saw, nor did everyone see the angels appear and hear them, when they announced the birth of Jesus. There were few that paid any attention, when a young virgin girl named Mary was found with child. Nor did anyone listen when Joseph told his story of the angel who appeared before him, and spoke to him about Mary’s baby. I am afraid that it is much like that today, as God is moving all around us, with signs of Jesus coming again, and we are still not paying attention or believing. Even with the Christmas season almost upon us we are still not paying attention. Just as it was in the days of the first Christmas, even with all the signs not many noticed and ready for the first coming of Jesus. Today, we have the Bible giving us all the signs of the second coming of Jesus, and we are still not paying attention or heeding them. This time will be the last coming of Jesus, and is the critical one that we must make sure we are prepared for, as this time we are going to be judged by God, to see if we have been paying attention. There will not be a next time to get prepared for, as this will be the last.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
December 21 Volume III
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Rejoice In Your Trials

Rejoice In Your Trials

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4

God tells you many times throughout the Bible, and especially in the above scripture, that you will face trials in your daily lives. You will have days that everything will go wrong, and you will face adversities from many different directions. During these times, you must have faith in God that these trials are the times when you are being tested in how strong your faith is in Him. You must trust in His word during these times, and not become discouraged, but believe that you are being tested for a reason. It is how you come through, and handle these trials, that will demonstrate your true faith in God, and His promised assurance that He will watch over you. The testing of your faith helps you develop perseverance, which enables you to become better equipped to handle future adversities. By not getting upset and reacting negatively every time things do not go right, remember that God is judging you, and is watching to see how you react to your situations. If you handle situations the way He directs you to, you will become stronger in dealing with situations and trials in the future. As you think back at the end of the day and see how you reacted to your problems in a positive manner, you will feel better about yourself, and will help to instill a positive attitude when future problems arise. So if you face problems today, deal with them in a positive manner and do what is right in all situations. When you persevere in your trials, with God's help, you will then be rewarded with His blessings.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 28
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Be An Overcomer

Be An Overcomer

"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."
Revelation 21:7

I have spent much of my life being an "overcomer". I had a difficult time during my early years, with my speech, as I inherited a stuttering problem from my father. This has haunted me throughout my life, although I have been able to overcome much of it as I have gotten older. I had to overcome being the youngest person in my school, which caused many social problems as I was growing up. I was often the youngest person in administration in my jobs throughout the years, which caused some credibility issues, as people normally don't like taking orders from someone much younger than they are. Life is full of areas where we have to be overcomer's to survive. I know it would be nice to ride through life on a pink cloud with harps playing in the background, but this is not what life is like. We are not in kindergarten as we progress through life; we are in a battle. Satan is attacking us wherever we go, and in whatever we do, and if he can make us feel insecure, worthless, and with no sense of self worth, he has won the battle. But, you have someone that will help you fight your battles, as God does not want you to face your struggles alone. He will be with you each step of the way, to give you strength, comfort and His peace, as you do battle with Satan. You will all face your own giants, whatever they might be, and you must learn to overcome and defeat them. Don't let Satan get the victory, and cause you not to be the person God wants you to be. Don't walk around as defeated Christians, but become victorious Christians. You can become a conqueror, as there is nothing that can keep you from being victorious, when you have Jesus with you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 27
Robert William Brock, Jr.

My Mentors

My Mentors

"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death."
Proverbs 13:14

As I have written my daily devotionals for the past 10 years, I am constantly reminded of all the wise and Godly mentors that have been part of my life. Both my grandfathers, and my grandmother, and my mother have all played such an important role in making me the person I am today, and influenced so much of what I try to replicate in my life each day. My father was killed in World War II, and I missed not having him as a mentor, but my life has been blessed with the others who raised me, and always taught me so much of what a Godly man should be. These precious people, by their wise counsel, have helped me grow in faith, in family life, in work, and in life in general. As I write my devotionals I am always constantly reminded, just how much these people have meant, in helping me grow in an understanding of the Christian life. The Bible is filled with wonderful mentoring relationships, such as Jethro to Moses, Elijah to Elisha, Barnabas to the Apostle Paul, Jesus to the Twelve Disciple, and Pricilla and Aquila to Apollos. As I write my devotionals each day, I am always aware of the many contributions my mentors have made in my life, and almost always think about how they would address the situations I face each day as I write. I am so grateful to have had them in my life, and would not be the person I am today without their influence. Today, I want you to think about the mentors that have touched your life. Think about what they have taught you, how they were positioned in your life, at the right time, and think about all the wisdom you learned from their teaching. Be grateful to them, and honor them by passing on to others what the Spirit has passed to you, through them.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 26
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Making The Right Choices

Making The Right Choices

"From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him."
Proverbs 12:14

Have you ever been torn between making a choice which you know is wrong and evil, and making a choice which you know is right and good? All throughout the day you are making choices, and each choice is critical because they all carry consequences. Good choices bring forth good consequences, and bad choices bring forth bad consequences. In my devotionals I am constantly reminding you just how important your daily walk with God really is, as just a few minutes alone with God each morning, reading your Bible and praying, can help you avoid the temptation to make a bad choice. The closer you are to the Lord, the more you will take on the mind of Christ. The more you think like God, the more Godly your choices will be. So much of the pain and heartache you face in this life stems from your own poor choices. As you make those choices in your life throughout the day based on what God would want you to do, what would please Him, what would honor Him, after a while making the right choices becomes easier and natural. The more you practice making Godly choices, the easier it becomes to make Godly choices. Today, I want to encourage you to consciously think about the choices you are making, and ask yourself if this is a choice that honors God, and is this a choice that a follower of Jesus would make. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. To not take advantage of asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and help you make the right choices is foolish. It is God who gives you the ability to make choices, and it is God who will guide you, if you let him.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 25
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Just Say No

Just Say No

"A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a crafty man."
Proverbs 12:2

Back in the Ronald Reagan Presidency, there was a campaign against drugs with the buzz words "Just Say No". It was a simple but powerful statement, since it zeroed in on the fact that we all have the ability to say "No". God created us with the free will to make our own choices, and throughout each day, we are confronted with hundreds of choices. Every time we make a choice we are making the decision to do the right thing, or the wrong thing. If you are tempted to do the wrong thing, you can "Just Say No." You will be tempted daily by Satan to go along with the crowd, to do things that will bring satisfaction to yourself at the expense of others, to always put yourself first, or just to do evil and follow Satan. We live in a world that tells us to never say "No". The world teaches that you only live once, so don't ever deny yourself whatever pleasure comes your way. Don't forget that Satan's stated goals is to "kill, steal, and destroy." Satan wants you to say "yes" to all things evil, that will show your rebellion to God. But just remember that you have a choice, and can "Just Say No". To withstand the temptations of this world and Satan, I would encourage you to begin your day with prayer, and spending a few minutes alone with God. He will equip you with the strength and wisdom to make the correct choices during your day. Just remember that God loves you, and only wants the best for you. When you say "No" to sin, and follow God, you are not only honoring God, but also honoring yourself, since our blessings follow our obedience. When you are confronted with sin, I pray that you will have the courage and strength to say "No".
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 24
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Loving The Unlovely

Loving The Unlovely

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Proverbs 11:25

Over the past ten years I have been actively involved in a food distribution program, where we distribute food at a community resource center to the needy. During this time I have had the opportunity to minister to many people, and tell them about God. During this time, I have always invited these people to come to church with me, and many have taken me up on this opportunity. Unfortunately, many do not come, and will openly tell me that they do not feel accepted by the local churches, because of the way they dress. Most of these people do not have new clothes, and feel out of place in the churches, where many people come to church dressed in their finest attire, and someone who is shabbily dressed is often avoided, and not accepted. The churches that do not openly accept the poor, need to remember the ministry of Jesus, as He spent much of his time with the poor, unappealing people of His day. He talked with them, ate with them and genuinely cared for them, and He expects as much from us. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45 Most Christians go to their big churches, and attend their Bible Study meetings, and hear their preachers talk about the churches outreach ministry, but do very little in reaching out even in their own churches to the needy people in their midst. These are the people the church should be reaching out to, and take time to listen, to encourage, and to see how they could meet an immediate need. A smile, a kind word, a listening ear, will show these people the love of God, and demonstrate your concern about them. Be God's ambassador, and reach out to these people today.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 23
Robert William Brock, Jr.

God's Gentle Whispers

God's Gentle Whispers

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
1st Kings 19:11-12

This scripture means a great deal to me, as it describes the way God has spoken to me throughout the years. He did not tear mountains apart, or cause earthquakes, or fire to get my attention. There were no sudden sounds of thunder or lightening when He spoke to me, as He spoke to me in gentle whispers. All through the years God has been speaking to me, as He spoke to me through my wife, my children, and numerous other people I encountered. God has spoken to me when I had difficulties and trials in my life, as He put these in front of me to change the direction I was going. These were not thunderous words where the earth trembled, but were the words of a gentle whisper. These gentle whispers eventually got my attention, and I began to ask myself the question: What is God’s purpose and will for my life? When I began concentrating on knowing what God’s plan was for me, the gentle whispers became more and more clear, and I began to understand what God was saying to me. These gentle whispers became all that I wanted to hear, as they began to direct me and control my life. They became the things that I yearned for, and wanted to commit myself to following and obeying. My life finally began to be meaningful as I began to understand more and got closer to God. Those gentle whispers from God changed my life.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 21
Robert William Brock, Jr.

My Mountaintop

My Mountaintop

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."
Psalm 36:5

As I was growing up, I spent a lot of my time hunting in the mountains with my grandfather. We would climb the mountains to the very top, where we could overlook the valleys below. Many times, early in the morning, we could look down and see the fog in the valleys below, that seemed like clouds, floating in the air, with the brilliant rays of sunlight shining above them. These were beautiful scenes, and they have been etched and engrained in my mind all these years. On my mountaintop it seemed like we were on top of the world, as we couldn't get any higher, but could see everything around us. When I was on these mountain tops with my grandfather, all the cares of the world were forgotten, and everything seemed at peace. This is what I envision heaven to be like, as I will be above all the cares, the hurts, the worries, the struggles, the trials, the pain and all the other things that weigh me down on this earth. They will lay at my feet, and be below me, and cannot get to me, and destroy my peace and my joy. So often people live deep in the valleys, where the worry, trials and struggles of life keep them mired down, and they see very little hope for the future. They are constantly looking up at their problems, which seem like mountains, with cliffs too steep to climb. When you are in the valleys, often you only see the sides of the hills, but can't see the view from the mountaintops. On top of the mountain there is hope, peace, joy and contentment. So if you are down in the valleys today, there is a mountaintop experience just waiting for you. Ask God to help you climb to your mountaintop, and experience His love, peace and joy in your life.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 20
Robert William Brock, Jr.

God Is In Control

God Is In Control

"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you."
Psalm 73:21

When I read the scripture above, I pictured someone who was very troubled, having problems, and not knowing where to turn for help. I am sure many of you are going through situations in your life today where you could relate to this scripture, as you do not see any way out of your dilemma, and don't know where to turn to for help. If you are in this situation, there is an answer which was found in the very next scripture. "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory" Psalm 73:22-24. This is so comforting as no matter what situation you may find yourself in at the present time, no matter how down you may be, no matter how threatened you may feel, no matter how fearful you may be of what lies ahead, God is telling you that He is always with you, loving you, guiding you, and leading you. You may wonder why these things are happening to you right now, but God knows, and He also knows what you are feeling inside, and just how insecure, and how afraid you may be. He is feeling your pain, and knows that you cannot do this alone. In fact, in the midst of all the concerns the psalmist had in the scripture above, the scriptures goes on to say. "Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:25-26. So even though you may feel depressed, afraid, and don't know where to turn, God has told you that He loves you, cares about you, and will let you overcome any of your troubles, and give you victory.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 19
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Healthy Marriage

A Healthy Marriage

"However, each one of you also must love his wife, as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."
Ephesians 5:33

Almost on a daily basis, I hear from my readers about problems they are having in their marriages. Statistics show that almost half of all marriages today will end in divorce. This is alarming, as there is much advice in the Bible as to what a healthy marriage should be like. Many times people jump into relationships outside of God's timing, and end up paying a big price. In most failed marriages there is not a spiritual base. I realize that money, communication, and other issues can be the cause of many problems in a marriage, but if there is no spiritual base there is little foundation to build on, and most marriages will end in failure. This is why God placed such an emphasis on having a strong spiritual base, and gave us scriptures like the one above. This base starts with the personal walk each person has with God, and is solidified by both people bringing their faith together as one. The Bible tells us the man needs to be the spiritual head of his home, and he must take this job seriously. When two people lay a solid foundation, the everyday issues that arise will never become major problems in their relationship. Other than God, your spouse must become the most important person in your life, and you must learn to sacrifice your wants and desires, and fulfill your spouse's needs. You must be patient with each other, and show your love and respect in all situations. Both of you will make mistakes, but you must learn to forgive, and not let these continue and turn into major issues. A healthy marriage is something that God blesses, and will bear much fruit, but without God being present most will fail.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 18
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:13

When you go out into the world today, you are going to do battle with the evil forces of Satan. Satan will do everything in his power to rob you of your peace. There will be things that will go wrong, and in most instances these will be things that will irritate you and cause you to be tempted to sin. You may get cut off in traffic, or you might be late for an appointment. The waitress in the coffee shop might be rude and upset you. Regardless of what the problem might be, Satan will be there to create havoc in your normal routine, just enough to get you off track in your daily walk with God. The scripture above warns you that you need to go out prepared to do battle against all evil forces, and need to put on the full armor of God, so that you can withstand these evil forces of Satan. You must start your day with God, and be committed to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you to withstand these evil forces. You must be willing to get your mind off yourself, and let the Holy Spirit be in control of your life. You must be strong, and committed to forget self, and do it God's way. It will not be easy, but if you want victory in your life, you must not compromise any aspect of what is right, even though you will be tempted. Don't live in fear, but live in faith, and trust in God in all the trials you will face. Fear can defeat you, but God will never fail you. You can fail when you try to do things your way, but when you are following the Holy Spirit, you can never fail, as Christ is always victorious. Just remember to put God first in all things, put on His armor and you will prevail in all things.

Giving Your All

Giving Your All

"But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny."
Mark 12:42

This is the account of a poor widow giving her last two mites, which teaches us that God looks not to the quantity of the gift but to the quality of the giver. Jesus set the example of how we are to give, as he gave his all. How can we see the needs of those around us and do nothing? Most people do well in giving to the Church, but our giving should not end there, as there are many outside the Church walls that are suffering, and Jesus does not want their cries to go unheard and unanswered. When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we see that He ministered out in the public where the people were. He went to them, and they came to Him. Most people who need help do not come to church on Sunday, and it is our call to search them out, to find them, to minister to them, and just show them that we love them. The command that Jesus gives us is found in 1st John 3:17 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." When you begin to reach out to people in this manner, this is what Jesus commands of you. When you begin going to the people outside the walls of the church, this is putting the real principle of giving in the proper perspective, and fulfilling God's command of "It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35. Just remember that all that you have is not due to your ability to have accumulated it, but is due to God allowing you to have it. God owns all that you have, and expects you to give back part of what He has given you, as He loves a cheerful giver. The poor widow gave everything.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
March 16
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Love Never Fails

Love Never Fails

"For mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
James 1:20

This morning my wife and I spent almost two hours talking to a young man whose father, in anger, had said some very nasty things to his son. The son has been rebelling and not obeying his mother and father, and I am sure this moment of anger was sparked by another rebellious act. Parents often become frustrated because their children don't follow their directions and orders, and this kind of anger grows out of frustration and the effort to force compliance. However, this young man was more upset by his father's anger than he was by him not following his father's orders. Instead of helping, anger had hindered the situation. In a moment, it may seem like a raised voice would help achieve desired results, but in the end a raised voice will only create a more defensive position, and will hinder the resolution of any problem. Any outburst of anger will damage respect and the desire to please will be damaged and diminished. Even though some people may accomplish conformity and compliance by a burst of anger, it will undermine the other desired results, and many times can destroy relationships. Acts of anger can tear down the relationships we work so hard to build, especially if they occur frequently. The Bible tells us in the scripture above that a "man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires". The Bible does tell us in 1st Corinthians 13:6 "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Don't let anger rule your life; replace it with love. Love is patient, love is kind, and love will never fail you. Replace your anger with love and change your life.
My DailY Devotional Volume Six
March 15
Robert William Brock, Jr.

The Sabbath Day

The Sabbath Day

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."
Exodus 20:8

Over the years, I have noticed a very disturbing trend in our culture that is having a dramatic effect on the values of our Christian lifestyle. During the era I grew up, Sunday was always a time of rest, and a day where people went to church and worshipped God. It was a day where people took the day off from their busy schedules and strengthened their relationship with God. The day was focused on God, the family and building family relationships. There were no activities that kept people from attending church, and then coming back home and being with their family and friends. In today's culture, the focus of honoring the Sabbath day has been replaced by using Sunday as a day to get caught up on the things that were not done during the week. Instead of spending the day going to church, and worshipping God most people get their shopping done, or go to sporting events with their children. The secular world has invaded the Sabbath day, as Sunday is now becoming the big day each week to have numerous sporting events that children participate in. This keeps the family from going to church together, and does not give them any time to rest and to spend quality time together. The hustle and bustle of getting prepared and travel to attend the sporting events, and getting caught up on all the odd jobs and projects, has made Sunday a hectic day, instead of a day of rest. When we look at the life of Jesus, He always took time to rest, and one of the commandments tell us to take one day each week as our Sabbath. If you find this to be your weekly routine, I would encourage you to make a change, and again make Sunday the day to go to church and spend worshipping God.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 14
Robert Wiliam Brock, Jr.

Expect Big Things

Expect Big Things
"I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."
Acts 13:22
Do you expect big things from God? I believe many Christians do not live up to their expectations because they think too small. They accept being average, blending in with their environment, being like everyone else, or just doing enough to get by. I don't believe a Christian should accept just being average, as I believe they should stand out from the crowd. We can see the story of David and see how someone can rise above the average and make a difference. David was just a teenager when he faced the giant Goliath, but he trusted God and had enough faith to kill this mighty warrior. He expected big things and they happened. Even before the battle with Goliath, David, as a mere young boy, had killed several large wild animals who were attacking his flock of sheep. Again he rose to the occasion and expected big things, and they happened. David also became King of Israel when only a young man, a great responsibility, because he expected big things and they happened. David expected big things to happen and they did, because of his faith and trust in God. Today, in our society, we are content to just get by, accept the average, and don't expect big things to happen. God is the same today as He was in David's time, and I believe if we expect big things, and have the same kind of faith and trust that David had, big things can also happen today. I know that David was God's appointed but we also must believe in God for God sized tasks. We must live by faith, have no fear, and trust God for all things. We can't do anything on our own, but when we step out in faith, and put our entire trust in God, we can accomplish big things in our lives when we are doing the will of God and can have victory.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 13
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Travel God's Path

Travel God's Path
"Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance."
Romans 5:3
I counsel a lot of people who are suffering from a multitude of problems. I know that many people see their suffering as a punishment from God for all the sins they have committed, but so many times I find people who are suffering not from some sin they have committed, but rather from the path they are traveling. God is always aware of all the problems people face in their lives, and will close a door to get them to go in another direction. How many times have you heard people say that I had my goals planned from the time I was young. I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and worked very hard to make my dreams come true, but nothing is working out the way I wanted them to. So often when I hear people say this, I remind them that God may have a different purpose for your life. In the book of Psalm, the Bible tells us that all our days are destined to be, even while we are in our mother's womb. You may be going in the wrong direction with all your plans, and you may be suffering because God wants to get you back on the right path. We see from the story of Jonah, how God got his attention, when He did not do what God wanted. Jonah suffered in the belly of a fish for three days, while God got his attention and set him on the right path. I would encourage each of you, if you find yourself in a situation where you are suffering because you want to travel a certain path in your life, it may be God telling you that He does not want you to go that way. He may be closing the door, but there will always be other doors that He will open. Pray and seek God's wisdom and let Him lead you in the path you are to follow.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 12
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Is Your Future Secure

Is Your Future Secure

"No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."
1st John 3:6

Are you living a sin free life? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Do you feel comfortable in your daily walk with God, and know for sure where you will spend your eternity? These are important questions I want you to consider and spend time thinking about. We live in a world that is filled with sin. There are temptations that each of you face in your daily life. The newspapers, the television, the music, the lifestyles, the culture, and even the government all have succumbed to the temptations of Satan and evil, and are gradually creating an environment that is enticing you to compromise your Godly values, which is drawing you further and further away from Biblical teachings. I want you to think about the scripture above, which tells you that you have to live in this sin filled world, with all its temptations, but tells you plainly that you have to live a sin free life. When you are bombarded daily with issues like abortion, same sex marriages, prayer in school and public places, which go against all the teachings of the Bible, it is difficult. However, the Bible does not give you any justification to continue to sin. When you accept Jesus as your savior, and ask Him into your heart, the Bible is clear that you cannot go on sinning. When Jesus comes into your heart, the Holy Spirit also comes into you, and it will lead and guide you in leading a sin free life. You must listen to the Holy Spirit, read your Bible daily, pray daily and keep in the presence of God daily. This is the only way to resist the temptations of this world, and lead the kind of life that God wants you to live. This is the only way to know for sure where you will spend your eternity.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 11
Robert William Brock, Jr.

I Am Truly Blessed

I Am Truly Blessed

”Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:15

Today is my birthday, and is a day I want to give thanks to God for allowing me to have the life He has given me. God has blessed me with 69 years and so far pretty good health. From the time I can remember anything I was raised in a wonderful Christian family by a mother, and grandparents who loved me very much. They were the kind of parents that watched over me with great care, protected me and most of all gave me love. I could not have asked for a more wonderful family than I was raised up in. Then one day I met the most wonderful person in the world, my wife, Margaret. She was the most beautiful and precious person that God could ever have sent to me. I have had over forty six years to spend with her, and these have been the happiest days of my life. We have three wonderful children and six grandchildren. God has blessed me tremendously during our life together. He has allowed me to earn a good living in health care, which I have enjoyed, and being able to serve others while also raising my own family. But most of all I want to thank God for saving my soul, and giving me the peace, joy and contentment in my life that he has provided. He has been patient with me at times in my life, and has been there in my times of trouble. He has been there to pick me up when I was down, and was there also at my times of joy. He has been with my family and protected them over the years, and now they are all born again Christians. I cannot express enough, the thanks I give to God for blessing me and my family throughout the years.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
November 28
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Pray For Our Nation

Pray For Our Nation

"How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations!"
Lamentations 1:1

The scripture above describes the city of Jerusalem after the Babylonians had destroyed it. Jerusalem was once a great city that had been blessed by God throughout the years, but now was reduced to rubble, the Holy Temple destroyed, and with its people killed and scattered throughout the land. God had invoked his divine judgment on Jerusalem because they had rejected Him, turned from His commands and were living wicked lives. Biblical history has shown us how God had blessed the people of Israel when they obeyed His laws and continued to worship Him. He let them prosper like no nation had prospered. He gave them miraculous power to defeat all their enemies, even though many times they were outnumbered. History also shows us what happened to them when they turned their backs on God, as many times he allowed them to be plundered and their lands taken. God has blessed our nation, because since it was founded we have followed God, much like He had blessed Israel when they followed God's laws and commandments. However, our great nation is slowly following in Israel's footsteps and turning our back on God. We are getting away from His laws, and becoming more like Sodom and Gomorrah. We have allowed abortion, same sex marriages, taken prayer out of our schools, all which go against Biblical teaching. If we don't turn from our wicked ways, it is not going to be long before God turns His wrath on our nation and reduce it to rubble, like He did Jerusalem. I would encourage each of you to pray that we will turn back to God before it is too late.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 10
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Guard Your Tongue

Guard Your Tongue
"The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment."
Proverbs 10"21
I have written many devotionals over the years about the power of the tongue. The words that come out of our mouths can harm, damage and even ruin reputations. The Bible tells us over and over that whatever comes out of our mouth, comes from the heart. Words spoken that damage someone's character or reputation can never be taken back no matter how much you tell them that you are sorry, as there is always damage that can never be repaired. I remember my grandmother once saying that the tongue is an "unruly member" and if we let it loose it can destroy people. She gave me an example, and said that it is like throwing up a bucket of feathers into the wind, which scatters everywhere. No matter how much we try to retrieve the feathers we will never recover all of them. Our words are like the feathers, and we will never be able to recover or make right all the damage that can be done. Once they are out there, we have no idea where they will go, and it is impossible to recover all of them. Even though we wish we hadn't spoken them, and can apologize there will always be a trace that will remain. If there is a lesson I can pass on to you today, it is on controlling your tongue. Take time to think before you speak, and always remember, are the words you speak ones that will "edify, encourage, and build others up", or are they words that will "do harm, tear down and discourage" others. We need to be reminded each day by the many scriptures in the Bible, about the power of the tongue, and the damage it can do. Make it a point today to choose your words wisely, as they can do great harm and turn people away, but they can also be used to let others see the presence of God in your life.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 9
Robert William Brock, Jr.

My God Is An Awesome God

Got up with this chorus on my mind, even dreamed about it, sing it with me this morning and keep it in your thoughts for me today. "My God is an Awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above, My God is an Awesome God. My God is an Awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above, My God is an Awesome God." Sing or hum this with me today as you read this and throughout your day. Make Him your God today. "My God is an Awesome God."

The Joy Of The Lord

The Joy Of The Lord
"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."
Matthew 5:12
Did you know that if you don't have the joy of the Lord in your life today, it is your fault. When you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have the assurance that you will spend all your eternity in heaven with God. This should be enough to always give you joy in your life. I know that many of you may be going through tough times in your life today, but this is no reason to not have the joy of the Lord in your life. I know some of you may be facing health issues, financial issues, relationship issues, family problems and many other problems, but this is no reason to let any of these circumstances steal your joy. Just before Jesus died on the cross, he told His disciples that they would have trials and tribulations, but he also told them to be of good cheer, for He had overcome the world. When you have Jesus in your heart, no matter what is going on in your life, you have the promise of His strength to see you through the fiercest storms. Because you have Jesus in your heart, you have the Holy Spirit which will supply you with God's power. Because you know Jesus you have the peace that surpasses all human understanding, and you will always have joy in your heart. If you find yourself in this situation today, dealing with trials and troubles, that have taken away your joy, but you want your joy back, you can find it simply by turning your life over to Christ. You know deep down that something is missing, and that there has to be more to this life than you are experiencing. Jesus can give you joy. If you don't have the joy of the Lord in your life today, it is your fault. Ask Him to come into your heart, and be your Lord and Savior, and you too can experience His Joy.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 8
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Husband's Role

A Husband's Role

"This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."
Genesis 2:23

In today's world, we see the decline of the family, as over half of all marriages now end in divorce. This is not the way God planned the family, as when God made Adam, he gave him Eve as a helpmate. When the devil came in the form of a serpent, he tempted Eve, because she was the weaker of the two, not because of her gender or age, but because of her failure to know or fully understand the consequences for not obeying the commandments of God. Adam was the head of the household, and was to teach Eve what God had commanded, and what would happen if she disobeyed. We don't know if Adam taught her, as the Bible is silent, but we do know that Adam was not deceived, as he sinned knowingly and willingly. The Bible speaks much about the importance of the husband being the head of the household, and the responsibility of the family rests upon his shoulders, to keep and maintain holiness and unity with God and the others within his home. The decline in the family today is largely due to the husband not fulfilling his role as head of the household. The husband must be the spiritual leader of his home, and lead and direct his wife and children in the ways of the Lord. When God is present in the family, and the husband is the head of the family, teaching his wife and children the commandments of God, and using the Bible as the guideline for all family life, families will grow and prosper. The children will know family values, and right from wrong, and future generations will be influenced by these Godly values. Husband's, step up to the plate, and be the man God wants you to be, and take your position as spiritual leader of your family.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 7
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Quiet Times With Jesus

Quiet Times With Jesus

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues."
Matthew 4:23

We live in a culture today, where everybody is on the move. We are constantly in our cars, as we always have somewhere to go, and errands to run. We travel to work, to school, to the grocery store, and most people spend considerable time alone in their cars, just getting from place to place. When I think about Jesus wanting to go to another village to preach, it took Him several days on foot to go from place to place, as His travel was on foot, and was usually with His disciples. I can imagine that they spent much of this time talking to each other, and also spent much time alone with their own thoughts. I am confident that each of the disciples had their own quiet time alone with Jesus, sharing their thoughts and listening to Jesus ministering to them. Can you imagine walking alongside Jesus, and letting Him talk to you and give you His wisdom? In whatever journey of life you find yourself in today, Jesus is still there and will listen to you, and will share all His knowledge and wisdom with you. In the time you are in your auto, in this quiet time, do you take advantage to let Jesus minister to you? Do you take this time to thank Him for all the things He blesses you with? Do you tell Him the problems you have, and ask Him for help in dealing with them? All the time you spend getting from one place to another are opportunities to spend with Jesus. He can walk with you, and impart His wisdom and knowledge to you, during these times if you will only let Him. These are times where you can spend alone with Jesus, and let Him minister to you. So use these quiet times alone with Jesus to thank Him, ask Him for help, guidance, and wisdom, and to seek His will for your life.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 6
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Growing Pains

Growing Pains

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding."
Proverbs 3:13

As I have grown in my faith as a Christian, I have thought will I ever get to be where I need to be. I know that when I first got saved and asked Jesus into my heart, there was much I needed to learn and thought that by reading my Bible and praying that someday I would reach that point where I would know all that God wanted me to know. During these past 30 years, after having read my Bible each day and praying to God for wisdom and knowledge, I still find that there is so much that I still do not understand. However, the more I read my Bible the more wisdom and knowledge God gives me about how to live my life each day. There are many days that scriptures I have read in the past just leap off the page, and I truly understand and know what these scriptures say to me. The fruits of the spirit that God promises us are being revealed more and more to me, as I seek the word of God in my life and apply it to my daily living. If you also want to grow in your spiritual walk with God, be faithful, diligent, and steadfast in building a closer relationship with God and let Him minister to you on a daily basis. When you allow God to minister to you daily, your life will be changed as you will feel the Holy Spirit begin to lead and guide you to live the kind of life God wants you to live. All the problems and trials you encounter, will not seem as overwhelming as God will provide you His peace and His comfort, even in the darkest moments. It is like going from kindergarten, to grade school, to high school and then to college, as you will graduate in each step to a better understanding of what God's plan is for your life. If you seek God's wisdom you will find it, and can live your life in a way that pleases God.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
March 5
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Homesick For Heaven

Homesick For Heaven

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
2nd Corinthians 5:1

I have a dear friend, who has spent the past several years in terrible pain, due to cancer, which has spread throughout her body, and the radiation treatments leave her weak and exhausted. Her husband passed away several years ago, and she is struggling and just getting by each day. She recently sent me an e-mail asking me to pray for her, and stated that she was homesick for Heaven. Our life on earth is so often filled with trials and troubles, and often reaches the point that we just want it to end, and rid ourselves of the pain and struggles we face in our daily lives. We should all be homesick for Heaven, and long to be there, as there will be no more pain and suffering to bear. I know that during the past several years as my age is catching up with me, and the pains throughout my body seem to be more frequent, I also am getting more homesick for Heaven. It is a wonderful feeling to know that there is something better waiting for me, when this life is over. Physical death does not bother me any longer, as it only holds the promise of a new perfect body in Heaven where I will live eternally with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have always thought that each of us has a hole in our heart that only God can fill. That hole can never be filled completely until we are in our eternal home with the Lord. When I look at scriptures such as the one above, I am encouraged knowing that what lies ahead for me, and the great reunions I will have with my loved ones that have gone ahead. I believe God has designed us to be homesick for Heaven, and we will never be at peace until we share Heaven with Him.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 4
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Secure Your Future

Secure Your Future

"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."
1st Corinthians 10:13

The world we live in today is much different than the days of our ancestors, as there is so much more evil that is paraded in front of us, through our televisions, our music, and the overall lack of morality that is prevailing in our culture today. The breakdown of the family is a prime example, of what has occurred in our society. It is reported that almost half of all marriages now end in divorce. Homosexual lifestyles are becoming the norm, and abortions are common practice in the world today. Temptations are everywhere we look, and is causing people to turn from God, and seek the ways of the world and the devil. The godly lifestyle and Christian values that our forefathers held so dearly, has been replaced with one that does not value life any longer, and has been compromised so much that there is hardly any resemblance to the values of yesteryear. Our nation is slowly, but surely resembling the cities of Sodom and Gomorra, that God destroyed because of the evil and wickedness that was prevalent in them. The Bible tells us that in the last days that nations will turn from God, and that this will be a sign that Jesus will return before the whole world is lost. The scripture above and others like it, tell us that we do not have to conform to the patterns of the world, but to rise above them, and follow the commands and the Word of God. Our God is faithful, and even though we will be tempted, He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Even as the world is decaying around us, don't succumb to the temptations of Satan and his evil, but seek first the power of God, who will let you have victory over the evil, and secure your eternal future.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 3
Robert William Brock, Jr.

The End Times

The End Times

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires."
2nd Peter 3:3

There has been much media coverage recently about people saying that the end of the world will happen in 2012, and even a book was written giving the exact date. The ancient Mayan calendar even told about the last days, and predicted the end of the world. It is common to see people on street corners today holding signs saying the end is near. During the turn of the 20th century many believed the end was coming, to the point that they stockpiled supplies to wait out the Apocalypse. Back in 1844 a Baptist preacher named William Miller used the prophecies in the Book of Daniel to calculate that the Lord would return in 1844. As a result thousands gave away all their possessions and stood looking into the sky. Some of the earliest predictions can be traced back to 60 AD, and since then over 100 other such predictions have failed. Many are saying that the recent earthquakes, tsunamis, solar flares, the corrupt governments, the rise in power of cults, and the overall state of the world are signs that Christ will be coming soon. No one knows when Jesus will return again, but it is true that most of the prophesies given in the Bible are now being fulfilled, and that the end times are now upon us. Although we do not know the time or the hour that Jesus will return, I would encourage each of you to be ready when He does return to claim His children. Once God does descend down from Heaven, it will be too late to change your ways, and too late to ask Him into your heart, and accept Him as your Savior. Don't put off any longer asking Jesus into your heart. It's not too late, today, but tomorrow it may be.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
March 2
Robert William Brock, Jr.

What Is Your Goal

What Is Your Goal

"You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."
2nd Peter 2:12

Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we see prophesies telling us what the future holds. These prophesies have proven to be 100% accurate in all situations, as more and more of them are coming to pass. I have always liked to know what the future holds for me, and I have studied and read the Bible through many times, and have found time and time again the things I wanted to know. There is only one future that any of us should be concerned with however, and that is where we will spend our eternity. This life is only temporary, a fleeting shadow, and will soon pass away. However, our eternal life will be forever, and will have no end. I know that throughout my life, I always have liked to have goals and objectives that kept me on track, and focused on what I needed to work on, as without a plan I would wander aimlessly from one thing to another, and never get anything accomplished. This always worked for me for most of my life, but the most important thing I now realize, is that I only need to have one goal and objective in mind, and that is to know for certain where I will spend my eternity. Nothing else matters in this life, as if I do not meet this one goal and objective, my whole existence in life will have been meaningless. I am constantly asking God each day if I am still on target with my goal, and asking him to help me make any change that I need to make. My goal in life is to make sure that I am living the kind of life that God wants me to live, and becoming the person He wants me to be. I know that my future is in God's hands, and with Him by my side, I know that my future is secure, and my goal will be met.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
March 1
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Let God Transform You

Let God Transform You

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Romans 12:2

Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the first step to the beginning of your new life, and securing your eternal home in Heaven. The transformation of your mind is the next important step in this process, and is one that will change your life to one that God requires you to live. Being transformed, means that you will give up your sin filled life, as it can no longer control you, as you will have the Holy Spirit inside you to make you a new creation, a new person with Jesus in your heart. The Bible gives us the blueprint to the life that God expects us to live, as He gives us His commandments to follow daily in our life. The Holy Spirit will convict you when Satan tempts you to sin and do wrong, and you can be certain that Satan will attack you with all his power. There will be daily battles between the forces of good and evil that you will encounter, as Satan will tempt you on every front, to regain control of your soul, but God will be with you and will help you withstand these temptations. The transformation and the renewing of your mind must be a complete one as you must now make God first in your life, and turn from the selfish lifestyle you lived in the past, and not conform any longer to the pattern of this world. Sin must disappear from your daily life, and be replaced with the fruits of the spirit, as God must now control all aspects of your daily life. Through your daily prayer, Bible study, and personal discipleship, you develop a close relationship with God, and now give your life completely over to Him. You give yourself to God completely and let Him control everything and be transformed into the person He wants you to be.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 28
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Be Prepared

Be Prepared

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10

As I was reading the newspaper this morning I saw where a local high school student was killed tragically in an automobile accident last night. He was only 18 years old and will not experience a life that so many people take for granted. So many around us, die each day, and I am sure that many of them are lost, and have not accepted Jesus as their Savior. It is wonderful when people live to be an old age, and have had so many more opportunities to accept Jesus, but none of us are promised a long life, as only God knows what He has destined for us. This is why it is so important to get our life in order and be prepared for whatever our fate will be. We are not promised tomorrow or even the rest of today, as we do not know what the future will hold. We all will die someday, and will end up in either Heaven or Hell, as there is no other options available. I have discussed many times in my devotionals what Hell will be like, as it is a place that has been feared since the beginning of time, and is a dark place of endless night, and a dreary place with no hope. Most people think about Hell more and more the older they get, but for many there may not be an option as their days are cut short. The only thing we know from all the verses throughout the Bible is that Hell is a place where we don't want to go. Heaven is the only other option, and is a place where everyone should long to go, as it is a place of peace, contentment, joy and abundant hope. There is no worry, no trouble or trials, no sickness, only happiness. I encourage you to think today about your eternal future home, and be prepared while you still have time.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 27
Robert William Brock, Jr.

God Can Calm The Storm

God Can Calm The Storm

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
Isaiah 40:29

I just received a request from an old friend, asking me to pray for her, as she was going through some tough times in her life. So often in life we experience trials and tribulations, because Satan is attacking us to get our thoughts and minds off worshipping God. If we are constantly in turmoil in our life, we often forget about God and concentrate only on our troubles. This is exactly what Satan would like us to concentrate on and spend our time worrying and trying to just do damage control on our situations. When we spend our time worrying about just trying to get by the seemingly insurmountable problems of everyday life, there is little time left to spend with God and building a closer relationship with Him. This is why the Bible tells us that we are going to have times of trials and troubles during this life, but this is the time we need to be calling out to God to be with us during these times. Even though our problems still may be there, God can make them lighter and easier to bear. When God is by your side, you will be more at peace as He will provide comfort to you, even in your darkest hours. We see example after example in our Bible's where men such as David, Moses, Joseph, Jacob and the disciples ran to Jesus during their troubles, instead of running away from Him. They knew that God would be with them during these times and would provide peace and comfort. If you find yourself dealing with what may seem like a situation that doesn't have an answer, don't turn from God, but run toward Him. Ask Him to walk with you through your storm, and calm the winds and the waves. God is there for you, and will provide all you need to lead you to victory over the worst situation.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 26
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Journey With God

A Journey With God

"They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

Have you ever had a "Journey With God"? A journey with God could be when you have just gotten married, and starting out your new life with your spouse. It could also be when you are moving away and leaving your family and friends behind. It could be when you are working on a relationship issue with a family member or friend. It could be when you are suddenly facing a life threatening illness. A journey with God could be all of the above and many other journey's that you might face in life. A journey with God will take you into the unknown, where you might face pain, loss, fear, doubt, and a future which is uncertain. The reason you need to have God along on your journey is that whatever circumstances you encounter on your journey's you will need a sense of His presence with you. We see in the life of Joseph, a journey with God. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was wrongly accused by the wife of his employer. He was thrown into jail for something he didn't do. This journey took 13 years, but during this time Joseph did not complain, or lose his faith in God. During his journey Joseph learned patience and humility and that God would not leave him or abandon him. All of your journey's may not be as dramatic as Joseph's was, but you will certainly have trials and troubles during your journey's, and you need to have God by your side. God will see you through all your trials and troubles, and will give you His peace and His comfort during these times. God will lift you above all your trials, "you will run and not grow weary" and He will carry you through all your journey's. Don't start any journey in life without taking God along with you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 25
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Fruit Of The Spirit

Fruit Of The Spirit

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."
Galatians 5:22

In a back yard there once lived an apple tree and an old thorn bush. The apple tree produced nice juicy apples. Kids would climb up the tree and eat the apples. Worms would eat the ones that fell on the ground. Birds would peck away at the apples on the tree. The owner would prune and spray the tree to make sure it produced good apples. About 50 feet away from the apple tree stood an old thorn bush. Nobody ever messed with the thorn bush, as kids would shun it, birds would not light on its branches. Everybody did their best to avoid it and leave it alone. At first the apple tree liked all the attention, however as time went along, it started becoming envious of the thorn bush, and wished that everybody would leave it alone, so it could get some peace. The thorn bush, meanwhile was envious of the apple tree, as no one ever came near it or paid any attention to it. Both trees were envious of the other and wanted something different. As Christians, we are sometimes like the apple tree and the thorn bush. Like the apple tree we are taken advantage of by the world. People are always asking for our fruit and then walk away without saying thanks. People climb over us, abuse us and do all kinds of things to us, and we are expected to just sit back and take it. However we don't realize that God has removed our thorns and planted us where we are today so that we can bear fruit for others to see and be a witness for Him where ever we are. When we are like the thorn bush, however, we bear no fruit and only take up space along a fence line, having no meaning and purpose. As you read this think about your life, and decide if you are bearing fruit.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
May 24
Robert William Brock, Jr.

God's Will Not My Will

God's Will Not My Will

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Psalm 139:16

When I think back on my life I can see many things that I would have done differently. I have made decisions that I should not have made, and did things I should not have done. I am sure I am not alone, as I suspect that many of you could relate to this. The unfortunate reality is that we can never go back and relive our past, and erase all the mistakes we have made. I know that most of the mistakes I made were ones where I was selfishly looking at things with my own self interest in mind. I can remember praying for things that were the desires of my heart at the time, and would question why God did not grant them. So often I would pray, and want an instantaneous answer from God granting my prayers. I now realize that God always answers our prayers, but what we don't realize is that it sometimes is not what we want to hear. God could, if He chose, grant us everything we desire, but so often we ask for things that would not be good for us, and we should be grateful that He didn't answer our prayers. Just imagine if God granted everything we wanted and desired, we would never have any trouble or trials in our lives. Everything would always be perfect as we would live in a perfect world if we got everything we asked for and wanted. The thing that I have come to realize is that my prayers are no longer what I want and desire to happen, but is that God's will be done in my life. When I am down in my valleys and the mountains seem too steep to climb, I now pray that God will deliver me, but in His time frame and that His will be done in all situations. God knows what is best for me, and knows what is best for you, in all the situations you face. My prayers are that "God's will" and not "my will" be done.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 23
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Are You Changed

Are You Changed

"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 3:3

Over the years I have heard many people say they are Christians, but do not live the life of a Christian. Today, I would like to discuss what a true Christian should be like. When you make the decision to accept Christ into your heart and life by faith, you are surrendering your life to Him. From that moment on, your life no longer belongs to you, it belongs to Jesus. That is the critical part of what salvation means, and what I am afraid many people who claim to be Christians don't get. When you accept Jesus, you are a new person, a "new person in Christ." You have been forgiven of all your previous sins, and must start a new beginning. This means that when you wake up the next day, your life must be different. It is true, you are going to the same job, the same school, will have the same friends, but whatever was causing you to sin prior to you being saved must be changed. There may be situations in your job, your school, with your friends that caused you to sin yesterday, but today must be changed, as you cannot go on sinning after God has given you His salvation. Yesterday, your job, your school, your friends were the most important thing in your life, but today God has to be the most important thing. You now have to set aside time for Him, and make Him your first priority. All the other things that took up your time, your talents, your priorities have to now be changed to allow God to be first in your life. If your life doesn't change and you continue to allow all the other things in your life, which caused you to sin, are still your priority, I would question if you have truly been saved. Today, I want you to consider if you are placing God first in your life, and if you have truly been changed.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
May 22
Robert William Brock, Jr.

A Man's Responsibility

A Man's Responsibility

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
1st Timothy 2:8

Each day as I send out my daily devotionals, I try to encourage you and give you Godly guidance and advice, which you can put into practice in your daily family life. Today's message is directed at one of the core areas that is so critical to the spiritual life of a family, and that is the role of the man in the family. Men, you must assume the spiritual leadership in your home, and make God part of your daily life and your families daily life. This means that you need to spend time reading your Bible, praying for your wife and children every day, without fail. This is your God given role to be the leader of your household, and you cannot neglect this role. If your wife or children do not see you in this light, you are robbing them of the most important gift you can ever give them. There is no better lesson for your children than to see God in your life, and seeing how you are depending upon Him during all the situations that confront the family today. Seeing how God answers prayers, helps prepare them for the real world they are living in, and helps them to learn to be dependent upon God in their own lives. If you are not the spiritual leader you need to be, let me challenge you to start today and become this leader. Take the next 4 weeks, and take 10 minutes each day to pray with your wife alone, and another 5 minutes each day at mealtime to pray with your children. Spend 15 minutes each day with your family reading the Bible and discussing what you have read together. Spend just a few minutes each day at the dinner table just sharing each other's thoughts and needs. Trust me this 4 weeks and this 30 minutes each day will change your life, and your relationship with your wife and children.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
February 21
Robert William Brock, Jr.

God's Comfort

God's Comfort

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
2nd Corinthians 1:5

I get many e-mails each day, from my readers, telling me about all the trials and troubles they are dealing with. The people that are going through these situations call them their times of trouble, but God calls them times of trials and testing. I know that many of you are going through your tough times, whether it be a time of sickness, a family issue, a financial issue or a relationship issue, just to name a few, and don't know where to turn. You need to remember that God is not setting in Heaven planning these trials and troubles for you to deal with, but is wanting you to turn to Him as He is the only way of escape, as He is your Deliverer. The answer to any problem you may be facing is through prayer, reading God's Word, and establishing a closer relationship with Him. God can give you peace and contentment, even in the fiercest storm when you put your trust in Him. God doesn't want you to cope with your troubles all by yourself, but wants you to give them to Him, as the scripture above states, as He will comfort you. If you try to handle your problems yourself, you will hang on to them, but if you give them to God you will let them go. So if you are dealing with a situation in your life today, and don't know where to turn, ask God to help you, as He will comfort you and give you peace. There is no problem too great, or one too small for God to handle, but until you seek God, and ask Him to intercede for you, you are all alone. When you ask God to help you, He is more than able to provide all that is needed to give you the victory over any trouble or trial you will ever face, as "through Christ our comfort overflows."
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 20
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Keep Moving Ahead

Keep Moving Ahead

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1st John 1:9

When I was a young boy about 6 years old, I was playing in our yard underneath an old tree, when it suddenly uprooted and fell on me. My grandmother was working in her garden and saw it fall, and rushed immediately and pulled the tree off me. If it had not been for her immediate action I probably would have been killed. I can remember many times when I was with my grandfather, hunting in the mountains, I would think that a tree was going to fall on me again, and still have thoughts of this even today. Sadly, many Christians still do the same thing in regard to our daily struggle with sin. We still hang on to the past and are reluctant to let it go. God only asks when we fail is that we humble ourselves to Him, confess our sins, accept His forgiveness, and move forward. We never get victory standing still or dwelling in the past. Our victory is won by moving forward. There will always be times in our lives when we will fall short, when we will fail, but don't accept failure and let anything that has happened in your past prevent you from moving forward and strengthening your relationship with God. God has forgiven you from all your past, and when you accept Him as your savior, you are a new creation, and one that should focus on what lies ahead. We live in a world that is full of sin and evil, and as Jesus told us, we will have trials and tribulations in this life, but we will be able to overcome any of these by trusting in God, as Jesus told His disciples to "be of good cheer" because He has overcome this world. So whatever you are battling in your life, never give up, as the old hymn says, "There Is Victory In Jesus."
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 19
Robert William Brock, Jr.