Your Path To Salvation

Your Path To Salvation “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 God loves you and wants you to know him so he can fill you with peace and give you real life—forever. The Bible says: “Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God (Romans 5:1). God created us in his image so we can know him personally and have a joy-filled life. Since the beginning of time, we have chosen to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God and ends in misery. The Bible says: “All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s holiness (Romans 3:23). There is only one way to reach God, and this is through Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can bring us back to God. He died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the penalty for our sin. The Bible says: “There is only one God, and Christ Jesus is the only one who can bring us to God (1st Timothy 2:5). God has provided the way—we must make the choice. We must trust Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and be determined to obey him for the rest of our lives. That way we can know God and find peace again. There are three things you need to do to turn your life over to Christ. 1. Admit you are a sinner and need forgiveness. 2. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. 3. Ask Him to come into your heart today and that you will be obedient to him for the rest of your life. Through prayer, confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and commit to live for him. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 31

Our Prayer Life

Our Prayer Life “This then, is how you should pray: Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13 Most of us have grown up knowing that this is the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus is telling us in this scripture just how we should pray. Jesus places much emphasis on our prayer life throughout the Bible, and tells us when to pray and what to pray for. God wants us to reach out to him when we are having difficulties and troubles in our lives, but he also wants us to also go to Him and thank him for all the things that he provides us. We do not have to ask God for all things in our lives, as he tells us that he already knows them before we ask. When we have God in our hearts and go to him in prayer, he tells us that he will provide all our needs. They may not be what we think our needs are, but God promises us that he will provide all our true needs. God will lead us where we need to be, if we will let him direct our lives. We don’t have to worry about using fancy words to reach God, as if our hearts are right God will hear our prayers and will answer them in his time. We also must understand that our time is not God’s time, as we can become impatient in wanting our demands met. But God know when we are ready to undertake many of our demands, and in his time he will fulfill them and let them become realities. We must wait on God, and be patient. God knows our hearts and knows when we need things, and will provide them in his time. However, He expects us to go to Him in daily prayer, as this is our way of spending time and communicating with Him. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 30

Don't Be Greedy

Don't Be Greedy "For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods." Psalm 96:4 Before turning my life over to Christ, I would often strive for a position, a material possession, and do anything to achieve it. More often than not, once I had this position, or possession ... it didn't fulfill the need, it didn't fill that empty hole in my heart. Often half our problems come from wanting our own way and the other half comes from getting it. It is like the little boy who was riding a hobbyhorse together with his sister. The boy said, "If one of us would get off this horse, there would be more room for me." Often we find that we want what others have, rather than being content with what God has given us. We may work, scheme, maneuver, and do almost anything in order to have our way. Once we have our way, we wonder, "Was it worth the effort? Did I push too hard and use too much energy on something that I am not sure is right for me?" Maybe you are happy and satisfied for a moment, but your happiness is fleeting, if it is not in line with God's will. This can be very true when it comes to spiritual matters. If you act with your own gain and pleasure in mind, you actually end up denying the power of God in your life. When it comes to spiritual gifts, this also is true. We can become so focused on having a certain gift that we miss God's greater blessings. Therefore, make a commitment to stay balanced in your view of the spiritual gifts. Don't belittle or discredit the gifts that He has given someone else. Keep in mind that a spiritual gift should: build up the body of Christ. encourage other believers in the way they should go. Bring comfort and hope to those who are hurting and lonely and discouraged. Ask God to make you aware of your gift and how He wants you to use it. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 29

Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers "Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1 Over the years I have gotten hundreds of responses from my readers, telling me that they are praying constantly for someone, or some situation in their life, but God doesn't seem to be listening and answering their prayer. This is also something that I have struggled with from time to time, as I question why God isn't answering my prayers. Maybe you can relate. You ask God to rescue a friend from addiction, to grant salvation to a loved one, to heal a sick child, to mend a relationship, to help you with your financial situation. All these things you think must be God's will. For years you pray. But you hear nothing back from Him, and you see no results. You remind the Lord that He's powerful. That your request is a good thing. You plead. You wait. You doubt - maybe He doesn't hear you, or maybe He isn't so powerful after all. You quit asking - for days or months. You feel guilty about doubting. You remember that God wants you to take your needs to Him, and you tell Him your requests again. We may sometimes feel we're like the persistent widow in Jesus' parable recorded in Luke 18. She keeps coming to God, badgering him and trying to wear him down so he'll give in. But we know that God is kinder and more powerful than the judge in the parable. We trust Him, for He is good and wise and sovereign. We remember that Jesus said we "should always pray and not lose heart" So we ask Him, "Summon Your power, O God; show us Your strength, O God, as You have done before" (Psalm 68:28). And then we trust Him . . . and wait. We need to realize that God's time is not our time, that He hears us always when we pray, and we need to know He will answer in His time. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 28

What God Can Do

What God Can Do "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." Colossians 1:13 Our society doesn't really have answers for all the problems we are facing in our country today. Ironically, our society seems to do everything it can to undermine the only one who can help us, and that is Jesus Christ. There are people caught in our legal system as repeat offenders. There are judges who make the wrong decisions. There is the breakdown of the family. All of these elements combined produce a society that can do very little to change a person's heart, if anything at all. Rehabilitation efforts largely fail. In fact, the only real programs that seem to produce lasting change are faith-based, and more specifically, are being operated by Christians who are calling people to faith in Jesus Christ. Society doesn't have the answers. Jesus met two men whose lives had been controlled and ruined by Satan. Society didn't have the answers, but Jesus did. What did He do? He sought them out in their sins and offered them hope. In fact, Luke's account of the story tells us what happened to one of the men who was delivered: "Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid" (Luke 8:35). Why were people afraid? They didn't know what to make of it. He was so transformed it frightened them. They couldn't imagine a man could be changed in such a dramatic way. But only Jesus can transform you in this fashion that others won't recognize you, and provide you a changed life. That is what God can do, when you accept Him as your savior. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 27

Let God Refine You

Let God Refine You "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:7 So often in life when we are faced with troubles and trials we wonder if God is really listening to us. Sometimes when we are in the midst of trials we start to wonder - Lord, will it ever end? In case you haven't noticed, it doesn't. But the good news is that with each faith-testing experience, our ability to deal with these trials and tribulations becomes better, and our faith grows stronger! In the scripture above, God compares our faith to a most precious and beautiful metal - gold. But when mined, this precious metal doesn't look very precious! It's dirty looking and black. How does gold become beautiful? A refiner takes the gold and carefully melts it in a melting pot - slowly raising the temperature - but never to the point where it boils. As it melts, slowly the impurities rise to the surface, and is then scooped away. What is left is a beautiful pot of gold, ready to become your next ring or bracelet. Here's the amazing part. The refiner knows his job is done when he can look into the melting pot and see a reflection of himself. The only way gold will become more precious is when it's placed on the fire! In the same way, the impurities of our lives must be exposed to the fire so that the Lord can scoop up the filth that shows itself when we accept Jesus as our savior, and then accept His precious gift of salvation. God removes all the impurities of our life, and frees us from our sins and forgets about them. And then, when it's all said and done, He can look upon us and see the beauty of His reflection, and we are pure as Gold in His sight. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 26

Merry Christmas

Margaret and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Today as we honor and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, let us each give thanks for all the blessings that God has given us. I pray that God will bless each of you today and give you His peace and His comfort in all that you do. December 25 The Birth of Jesus “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 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 will 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.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in here heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:1-20

Be Transformed

Be Transformed “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 Can you imagine the transformation that Joseph must have had when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream? Joseph was just an ordinary man with ordinary dreams for his life. He was going to get married, start a family, raise his children, and build his carpentry business in a little town called Nazareth. There was nothing unusual in his plans, just a simple life. But when Joseph had first found out that Mary was going to have a baby, he had thought about divorcing her quietly, as he had wanted to be married to her, but being a righteous man did not want to expose her to public disgrace. But God had different plans for him and also for Mary. Most of us can look back at certain moments in our own lives, where we have encountered God, and He has changed everything. It may have been when you were baptized, or when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. I know there have been several encounters, in my own life, where God changed everything from what I had planned for myself. During this Christmas Season, don’t forget to do more than just open presents. Open your heart to Christ in a greater way than ever before, and worship Him and let Him transform your life. Your encounter with God can become the most important event that will ever happen to you. Remember that God has already given you the greatest gift possible, when He sent Jesus to earth, and then to die on the cross for your salvation. Take time this Christmas to remind yourself that the birth of Jesus can be your time to be transformed just as Joseph was. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 24

Are You Too Busy

Are You Too Busy “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, the most momentous occasion in 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, 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 didn't see. I would like to ask each of you if you are looking for God, or are you to busy? 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 again to earth, and are relegating Jesus again to a stable. During this Christmas season, don't become too busy with other things to thank God for sending Jesus to save us. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 23

Simplicity Of Christmas

Simplicity of Christmas “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 This Christmas, like most others, almost all of us will dress up, wrap our presents, and prepare our best meal of the year, to celebrate the greatest of all seasons. But what we miss so often, in the elaborate and glamorous celebration we are accustomed to, is the simplicity of Christmas. Just think of God, becoming flesh, and coming to earth, and living among mankind. When God got ready for Christmas, He undressed, stripped off His finery and apparel, and left His place in eternity, and laid down as a baby in a manager on Christmas. This is the simplicity of Christmas that I want to make you aware of. But if Jesus had not come to earth in this way, and become flesh with us, we would not be able to understand just how much of a sacrifice, He was making on our behalf. There are so many people who don't understand the significance of what God did for us during Christmas. Not everyone will understand its eternal significance in our lives. The commercialization, the presents, the food are just a few of the things, that have gotten us away from the real understanding of what God did during this precious time. We think of it as just another festive time, when we get time off from work and give and get presents. I would encourage each of you this Christmas, to read the story of the birth of Christ, and to think about the significance it has for us. We need to understand that without the birth of Jesus we will not have the promise of salvation. Christmas is a season of simplicity, but it is one of the most important days for all of us. Christmas is the time when God gave His only son to come to earth, and to die on the cross of Calvary, for our sins, to give us His gift of salvation. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 22

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. However, 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. Just as it was in the days of the first Christmas, even with all the signs, not many noticed and were 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. It is so important for us to get prepared today, as it could be today or tomorrow, and we need to be ready. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 21

Taking Root

Taking Root "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7 How can you allow the Word of God (seed) to take root in you? It is hard to get into a routine where you worship God the way you should. The following are only a few examples: STAY IN CHURCH! Attend a Spirit filled church services regularly so you can learn, grow, and fellowship with other believers. Go no matter what you have to sacrifice to get there. If you're sick the church can pray for you. Prayer works! (Acts 19:39; James 2:2) READ YOUR BIBLE! A few passages daily will help you grow tremendously. If you will take a few minutes in the morning to read a passage or two and then meditate on them throughout the day, you will be surprised what that does for you. It gives the Word a chance to take root in you! (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:22,23) MEDITATE ON THE WORD! Think about what you have heard, read, studied! Take notes for later reference to help you remember. By doing so this gives you something to refer back to at later time to study and meditate over. (Psalms. 1:2; 1 Timothy 4: 15). PRAY! This is communication between you and God. He wants to hear from you! You can't edify (feed) your spirit if you don't pray. God listens! (1 Kings 8:28; Psalm. 66:18; James 5:16) LISTEN! God will speak to you either through His Word (the bible), others, by the still voice inside, even audible as He wills. No matter how He speaks, He will speak, but you must be still long enough to listen. (1 John 1:1; Rev. 3:20) GET INVOLVED! You were called to do more than to be a benchwarmer on the pew! There is something you can do even if it is praying for others. Not doing anything gives the enemy ample opportunity to steal your seed. (Psalm. 8:6; Philippians. 1:6) Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 20

You Can't Hide

You Can't Hide “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.’ For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:16-17 I was reminded when I read this scripture of a story I saw several years ago and had kept in my files. It supposedly is a true story of a man in Pennsylvania who lived a life of sin and died in 1867. He thought up a plan to cheat the devil as he knew that he would be waiting for him at his death. His plan was to arrange his burial place where the devil could not get to him in the resurrection. There was a huge stone which leaned approximately 45 degrees and looked as if the slightest tremor would cause it to fall. His plan was to be buried under that rock, thinking that on Judgment Day when the earth trembled and mountains shook, the leaning stone would fall, completely burying and hiding him from the devil. His wishes were granted and with great effort he was buried under that rock. Since that time however the huge stone has moved. The stone did not move as it should have moved which was over toward his grave, but has moved the other way whereby it is now standing straight and maybe even leaning away from the grave. The story whether we believe it or not demonstrates the point that there is no way that anyone can hide from God or the devil. Nothing however will prevent us from one day standing before God and giving an account of our lives. We cannot take the chance that God may come tonight or tomorrow, but need to be prepared today in order to assure our place in heaven. Accept Jesus today as your savior, and be prepared for His coming again. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 19

The Road To Heaven

The Road to Heaven “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1st John 2:3-4 My friends, this is probably the most serious and critical devotional I have ever written, but it is so important for you to hear it's message. It is not going to be as easy as you think to get to heaven, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:14. The Bible is very clear when it talks about the importance of obeying God and His commands. The Ten Commandments were not just something that God told you about as an afterthought, and you have the liberty of obeying them or not obeying them. If you are going to find this narrow road to heaven you must begin to obey God’s commands, and not take them lightly. When you say you know God, as in the scripture above, you must do what He commands, and if not He calls you a liar. There is no room for anything else, and you must not go on fooling yourself and making excuses for not following the commands of God. Just look at God's greatest commandments and see how you are obeying these. He tells you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. How must time do you spend each day in prayer and reading His word. This is how you show God you love Him. When you love someone you make them number one in your life. You don't give them the crumbs from your table after you spend all your time on other things. His second greatest command is to love others as you love yourself. Is your life all about yourself or is it about others. The little white lies, the cheating, the lust, the pride, the hording of your wealth, the non use of your talents, not obeying the Sabbath, are all things that must cease if you really know Jesus as your savior. There is no room for them anymore in your daily life, if you really have accepted Jesus into your heart. There are even more drastic warnings from God that tells you how perfect your lives must be to reach heaven. Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." There would be very few American's who are not considered to be rich in the sight of God, so this scripture would apply to you. 1st John 3-9 "No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God." My friends, this is God's words not mine, and there are dozens of other scriptures, just as powerful that say the same thing. Our world needs to wake up and realize that the feel good preaching that we are hearing today, does not tell us this message. Don't be led astray by these false teachings that are leading you to Hell. There is only one way to heaven and that is to first ask Jesus to come into your heart, forgive you of your sins and then obey His commands. You must realize that Satan is alive and well and is roaming our world, and will entice and tempt you to compromise the word of God. There is no compromise allowed, however, as when Jesus died to save you he made the ultimate sacrifice for you. The Book of Hebrews has the most compelling scripture in the Bible that tells us the importance of living a Godly life and obeying God's commands, after you have been saved. "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." Hebrews 6:4-6 These are frightening words, my friends, and these cannot be discounted as being taken out of context or not applying to you. The Bible is filled with scriptures such as these that warn you that you cannot take your salvation lightly. When God's Word tells you over and over that you cannot sin anymore after you have been saved, you had better believe it. You can't continue to make excuses for your sins as God is not going to listen to you and is warning you over and over. You are just not hearing this in your churches today, because "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2nd Timothy 4:3 There is too much at stake in your life not to heed God's warning, as heaven is the reward, but hell is the punishment if you don't begin to obey God’s commands. Don't take my word for it, but read the Bible yourself and see what it says about living a sin free life. Find all the scriptures for yourself that talk about the penalties of sin. 1st John 3-6 " No-one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." My friends, there is no other way to interpret a scripture such as this one or the one below, and I challenge you to interpret it any other way. John 9:41 "Jesus said, If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." If God is really in your heart, you are not going to continue sinning as you are going to live the kind of life that Jesus led, as He tells you that you need to be an imitator of Him in everything you do. I realize that this message can be frightening, but spending your eternity in Hell is not what I want for you. When Jesus came to earth to die for your sins, he gave you the opportunity to be forgiven of all your sins, as He loved you so much and wants you to spend your eternity in Heaven. You have the choice as to where you want to spend your eternity, as no one but you can make it. No one knows the day when your life on this earth will be over, it could come today or tomorrow, but it most surely will come. Be ready for this day, don't put it off, as you are not promised tomorrow. I encourage you to ask Jesus to come into your heart today, and then you will have nothing to fear, as your eternal home will be waiting for you in Heaven. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven December 17

Don't Dwell In The Valley

Don't Dwell In The Valley "Because the Ararmeans think the Lord is a god of the hill and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord." 1st Kings 20:28-29 I grew up in the mountains of Kentucky, and spent much of my youth, exploring and enjoying mountain life. Much of my happy times were spent on top of the mountains, as it was peaceful, and there were no worries when I was on my mountain tops. Many Christians refer to mountains as being our good times, as they are above their worries and troubles. Most consider the valleys, as our bad times, as they cannot see their way out of the struggles and trials. Some people have this idea that God is the God of our good times, but He is not there when we are going through bad times. They think that He leaves us helpless in the valleys, especially when the troubles are of our own making. I want you to know that our God is the God of the mountains, but He is also the God of the valleys. God sent His son Jesus to earth to die on the cross of Calvary, as a sacrifice for our sins. He left His home in Heaven because He loved us so much, and wanted to save us. He came down to where we were for the sole purpose of dying on the cross for our sins, so that He could bring us freedom from our sins, and give us an eternal home in Heaven. Jesus came down to crown us with glory, to clothe us with robes of righteousness, sharing everything that He has with us. That is the grace of God. He came down to our valley. So whatever you are going through right now, know that God is right there in your valley with you. He is holding you in His arms and carrying you through the valley. Victory is already yours as He is with you and will lead you to your mountaintops. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 18

The Power Of Hugs

The Power Of Hugs "Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” Genesis 27:21 Over the years, everyone has always known me to be a hugger, as if I meet a good friend I usually hug them instead of just shaking their hands. I believe this is a much better way to let them know that I care about them. Let me tell you what a hug can do instead of a handshake. A hug is a wonderful thing. It's a marvelous gift to share. It's a grand way to say; "I care." A hug communicates support, security, affection, unity, and belonging. A hug shows compassion. A hug brings delight. A hug charms the senses. A hug touches the soul. Hugs are healthy. Hugs ease pain, reduce stress, cure depression, induce sleep, rejuvenates the heart, yet has no side effects... a true miracle medicine. A hug can say, "I love you." A hug can say, "I hate to see you go." A hug can say, "it's good to have you back." A hug can say, "It's great to see you." A hug can say, "I feel your pain." A hug can say, "let me share your burden." No matter whether you're the sender or receiver, hugs touch the inner being. From friends, to family, to loved ones, to those in need; a hug warms the heart. A hug is truly amazing. It gives conscience and purpose to sharing one's self. It brings generosity to the giver and happiness to the receiver. It brings blessings to those who give it, and joy to those who receive it. Hugs are one of the reasons God gave us arms. So, stretch out your arms to someone today. Reach out to those you love. It will warm the heart of the giver, and give light to the soul of the receiver. Reach out to your neighbor. Reach out to one in need. It will show that you are responsible. Reach out to the world and give them a big hug, it will do wonders for you and also for them. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 17

Reach Out To Others

Reach Out To Others “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 How well do you treat other people? Do others try to avoid you, or do they seek you out where ever you go? These are important questions to ask yourself, as you should know if people see you the way that God wants them to see you. The way to tell how mature you are in your Christian walk, is by the way you treat people, who can’t do anything in return for you. We can all be kind to the boss, as he may give us a promotion, or an increase in our salary. We can all be friendly to the popular person at school, as we can be considered to be in the "in crowd" if they like us, as everybody will then be our friend. These things are easy because we are getting something in return. But if we’re going to live the way God intends, we’ve got to learn to be good to everyone. Jesus said, “When you do good to the least of these, you’re doing it unto Me.” When you go out of your way to befriend the person that everyone shuns, Jesus said, “It’s like you’re doing it unto Me.” Instead of rushing by the parking lot attendant you see at work each day, why don’t you take time to see how they’re doing? That person at the office that others ignore, why don’t you reach out to them and share the love of Jesus? We build the kingdom of God one life at a time. Show love, show His goodness, tell people about salvation through Christ. As you reach out and help others, just like a boomerang, that help will come right back to you, and you’ll move forward into the blessing and destiny God has prepared for you. God's greatest commandment tells us to love others as we love ourselves, so reach out today and show someone you love them. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 16

Finding Your Spouse

Finding Your Spouse “But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:4 In today's society it seems that most of the young men and women are frantically searching for their future husband's or wife's, which is as it is supposed to be. However, many become discouraged and impatient trying to find the right "somebody" for them. In Abraham’s day a marriage affected not only the family but also the entire tribe, or patriarchal community. Therefore it was customary for the parents to select a mate for their children. In searching for a wife for his son Isaac, however, Abraham was faced with a dilemma. The ungodly ways of the local Canaanites made marriage to one of them out of the question. And while it was customary for a man to marry within his own tribe, Abraham’s relatives lived hundreds of miles away in northern Mesopotamia. He could not simply have Isaac relocate there, for God had promised Abraham: “Unto thy seed will I give this land,” the land of Canaan. (Genesis 24:7) So Abraham sent his friend Eliezer, to go back to their land and find a wife for Isaac. Eliezer returned later with Rebekah, who was led to him by God. In time, Rebekah became Isaac’s wife, and she had the privilege of becoming an ancestress of Jesus, as Isaac’s marriage was directly tied in with God’s purpose to produce a seed through Abraham. You too may find that conforming to God’s standards is not always easy. If you are searching for a mate, do not compromise God’s standards. Seek His direction and wisdom. When we don't follow God's directions, wrong decisions are made. Always seek Him and allow Him to guide your steps. If you do, a Rebekah may be waiting for you, just around the corner. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 15

Let God Calm Your Storm

Good Morning to all my friends. This is another day that God has given us, let us be glad and rejoice in it. My prayer for you is that God will bless each of you today and give you His peace and His comfort in all that you do. Today's Challenge ------------------- Let God Calm Your Storm "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17 If you are not saved today, and have not accepted Jesus as your savior, this devotional is for you. I just spent the last hour talking with one of my readers about the problems they were facing, and trying to help them make the right decisions in dealing with their issues. Everywhere you look in the world today, people are facing challenges like never before, as they are dealing with financial issues, health issues, relationship issues or a multitude of other trials and tribulations, and unfortunately most do not know where to turn for help, or where to find peace and comfort. If you are one of the people who don't have an answer for the problems you are facing today, the Bible tells us that Jesus came to earth for the specific purpose of helping you. He knows the kind of issues you are facing today, and just how broken your life is. He already knows how your heart is breaking, and the pain you are going through. God knows just how much you are hurting, and is offering you a chance to invite Him to come into your disaster zone, and give you peace, and comfort you during this time. I know that you think you have the ability to solve your problems yourself, and don't need God, and if you think like this, you are so wrong, as no matter what you do to solve your problems, it will not give you peace and comfort you like God can. Jesus came to earth to heal the brokenness of humanity, and is the only one that can heal and put you back together again. Today, I would encourage each of you to let God provide you with His healing, and the peace that only He can give. Turn your life over to Him, and let Him calm your storms. My Daily Devotional Volume Four October 17 Robert William Brock, Jr.

God Is Trustworthy

God Is Trustworthy "My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arm shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust." Isaiah 51:5 How much do you trust and have faith in God? Do you believe that He sent His son to die on the cross for your sins, and offer you a gift of an eternal home in Heaven? There are many that don't accept this free gift, either because they are having too much fun, living a life of sin, or they don't have enough trust and faith or that God is trustworthy. A few weeks ago a friend sent me a story. A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote regions of the Alps in search of new species of flowers. One day they noticed through binoculars a flower of such rarity and beauty that its value to science was incalculable. But it lay deep in a ravine with cliffs on both sides. To get the flower someone had to be lowered over the cliff on a rope. A curious young boy was watching nearby, and the scientists told him they would pay him well if he would agree to be lowered over the cliff to retrieve the flower below. The boy took one long look down the steep, dizzy depths and said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” A short time later he returned, followed by a gray-haired man. Approaching the botanist, the boy said, “I’ll go over that cliff and get that flower for you if this man holds the rope. He’s my dad.” His whole assurance was based on the fact that his father was trustworthy. I want to encourage you today, and let you know that Our Heavenly Father wants us to place our entire trust in Him and is pleased to show His faithfulness, and that he is trustworthy. We can trust Him always and depend on him to hold us even when it seems we are on the very edge! Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 13

My Special Son

My Special Son "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 Today is my youngest son, Christopher Thomas Brock's, birthday, and it brings back all the good memories and joy he has brought me, and I thank God for bringing him into my life. He is our third child, and was born about 12 years after our other two children. Margaret and I were worried at the time we found out we were going to have another baby, as she was 36 years old at the time, and we knew there were some risks associated with having a baby at this age. I want to thank God that there were not any problems, and his birth went as planned. Christopher has been my special son, as I have watched him mature and grow up to be a very special man. He and his wife Heather, have a daughter Emma Rose, and a son Christopher Thomas Brock Jr., our fifth and sixth grandchildren. I had the opportunity to work with Chris for several years, in one of my hospitals, and saw the talent and the ability he has working with other people, and how he influences them, which was such a special time for me. He gave his life to Jesus at an early age, and God has now called him into the ministry. It has thrilled my heart to get to hear him preach several times at our church, and to see how God is using him and his talents. He has always had such a kind, loving and caring heart, and loves to be around people, and has such a talent for encouraging others, and drawing people, who follow him. I am so honored and proud to be called his father, but most of all I am overjoyed to see him following God's calling for his life. I love you Chris, you are my special son. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 12

Hidden Sins

Hidden Sins "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man." John 2:24-25 I can remember my children as they were growing up, holding a pencil behind their backs, after they had written on the wall, trying to hide it from us. When we do something that we know we should not do, we try to hide it so that no one can see what we have done. We have a remarkable capacity to deny and cover up what we know is wrong, and try to hide it from others. Most people know when they sin, or do something that is not allowed, but often we do it anyway, and then try to cover it up. So often when we commit the initial sin, other sins follow. If we tell a lie, more than often we will tell another lie, to cover up the original lie, thus compounding sin. The thing to remember is that when we do sin, we know about it, and so does God. God knows every time you lie, and then tell another lie to cover it up, and you do too. When Jesus said in the scripture above "he knew what was in a man," he knows what is in you, he knows the good, the bad and the ugly. You might be able to hide your sin, and not let others find out about it, but God knows all about it. You need to realize also that any sin left hidden will always haunt you in your own personal relationship with God. The answer to sin is to confess it, to acknowledge it, to declare to God the truth about yourself, and to turn your behavior over to God, who will forgive you. If you are living with hidden sin today, that is weighing you down, remember that it is not hidden from God, but you can be free from this sin, by simply confessing it to God, who will forgive you. One day God will judge you, and any sins that Jesus' blood has not forgiven, you will be held accountable for. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 11

Dealing With Adddictions

Dealing With Addictions "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 There are many today that are dealing the problem of addiction, it could be alcohol, drugs, pornography, and many other types of addictions. Any addiction is difficult to deal with, whether physical or psychological. But there is hope. You are not the first to try to deal with an addiction, and the scriptures speak of others who have succeeded in overcoming one, as shown in the scripture above. Paul included drunkards in this list, but it could apply to any addiction. Paul points out that those who have been baptized (who have become Christians) have put to death the old life, and have been raised to walk in a new life. He says that we made the choice to die to sin, and live to Christ, so we can make the choice not to let sin rule us. This does not mean that it is an easy choice, but any addiction must be dealt with each day of your life. You have to wake up each morning, and say that today I choose not to participate in this activity. One excellent way to do that is to start off each day with prayer. Tell God you know you have a problem, and you want him to deal with it. Whatever your addiction, fill yourself with the Holy Spirit, as the more you have of it the less you will participate in your addiction. When you feel the urge to give in to your addiction, reach instead for your Bible. Fill yourself with it and your addiction will lose its control. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 10

Race To Win

Race To Win "Do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12 It is not the one who begins a race who is the winner, but rather the one who finishes the race. Many begin, but not all finish. Many ideas, projects and grandiose plans have been thwarted. Many ideas, given by God, died in the womb. They were never pursued. No one put power to the words; no one was willing to sacrifice and commit to the cause and follow it to its fulfillment. Other times ideas were initially pursued with enthusiasm, but then the flame grew weak, and finally the fire went out. Yet others continued a while longer, but eventually control was lost, enthusiasm waned, and the project died. What happened? Several things. Many times focus was lost. Jesus was no longer in the center; His Word and His voice were no longer followed. He was left out of the equation. Perhaps the answer to prayer was long-time coming. Some people are unwilling to sit for long in the “prayer answer waiting room.” It appears boring, and nothing seems to happen. They expects things now, not in God's time. Others become restless, impatient, irritated or disappointed. Things do not turn out like they thought, not in the way they wanted, nor with the people they wanted. God does not cater to our flesh, but He is the giver of every good gift. God is reliable and faithful. We, on the other hand, are often unreliable, and sometimes God tests the motives of our heart. He wants our hearts to be steadfast, devoted to Him. He is always committed to us. Time has meaning only for us. He is timeless. If we are patient, He will give us that which He promised. His faithfulness and generosity exceed everything else. If we trust in Him in all things, and have faith we can win. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 9

Boasting And Toasting

Boasting and Toasting "It is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8 I had an old friend at one of my hospitals who, used to say, “When we learn better, we do better.” However, I am also learning that some things are harder to learn especially when it comes to pride. I’m as guilty as anyone of succumbing to boastfulness, and all during my writing I constantly find that I am using the "I" word more than I should. I know that I cannot do anything myself, as God is directing my life, and I should give him credit for everything, but that "I" word keeps popping up. I will continue doing battle with it each day, but it doesn't go away. I like what the old radio comedian Fred Allen once said: “Some movie stars wear their sunglasses even in church. They’re afraid God might recognize them and ask for autographs.” Ouch! But, of course, it’s not just movie stars who get carried away with their own importance. The apostle Paul wants us to know that such pride has no place in the work of salvation. We can’t take any satisfaction in earning favor with God--because we can’t earn it at all! We can only “boast” in the work of Christ on our behalf, and “toast” the loving heart that went to the cross for us. So, is there nothing for us to do? Paul says it perfectly: “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, now that we are children of the king . . . let’s act like it. Give God credit for everything, don't take credit for anything yourself, keep your focus on God, and always thank him for all the blessings He bestows on you each day. Make Him first in all that you do, and give Him credit. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 8

God's Whispers

God's Whispers "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 All during my early married life, my wife set the example for me and my family, as to what a Christian should be like, and I let her lead our family, and be the Christian influence. I went through the motions and went to church, but did not feel the need to do anything else. However, for years before I accepted Christ; I felt "Him" tugging at my heart; I heard the whisper of "His" voice .. but I chose to ignore "Him." But then when I finally decided to accept Christ as my savior my world changed. I recall reading a story about a twelve-year-old boy who accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord during a weekend revival meeting. The next week, his school friends questioned him about the experience. "Did you hear God talk?" one asked. "No," the boy said. "Did you have a vision?" another asked ."No," the boy replied. "Well, how did you know it was God?" a third friend asked. The boy thought for a moment and then said, "It's like when you catch a fish. You can't see the fish or hear the fish; you just feel him tugging on your line. I felt God tugging on my heart." This is much like the experience I had. I then quickly learned that just going to Church wasn't enough for me, and that I needed to spend time with God each day, reading my Bible and spending time in prayer. Your world will change when you accept Jesus as your savior. It is our faith that compels us to believe, even when we cannot explain to others why or how. By our faith we know in Whom we trust which is sufficient, as when we accept Jesus as our Savior, that is all that matters. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 7

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing "Then He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men'" Matthew 4:19, As I was growing up, I loved to go fishing, and me and my grandfather would spend most of the summer days fishing in the Cumberland River, in my beautiful state of Kentucky. We were always successful in catching fish, as my grandfather was an expert fisherman, and always knew where to go, and what kind of bait to use to catch fish. Many of the Disciples of Jesus were also fishermen, and made their living by fishing, as they knew what they were doing also and probably were experts at it. But, there was one day that would change their lives forever! That was the day that Jesus came passing by. These men had already met Jesus (John 1:40-42), but now they received an invitation that was really too great to turn down. They left their occupations to follow Him. Yes, there would be difficult times, but the learning experience and the life-changing experiences they would encounter would be well worth it. They became some of the greatest "fishers of men" this world and the Kingdom of God has ever seen. They gave up what they enjoyed doing to follow Jesus, as He offered them much more than they had, He offered them salvation. In today's society what would happen if someone suddenly came by and asked you to give up your occupation and follow them? I am confident that most would not take heed and would stay where they were. I became one of those "fishers of men" many years ago, when Jesus called me also, and I love casting my "line" in the waters now and see the bountiful harvest of souls for the Lord. Believe me, it has been well worth it. Jesus is also calling you today and will also make you "fishers of men." Let Him give you this same salvation. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 6

Delight In The Lord

Delight In The Lord "The Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall." Psalm 37:23 God tells us in the scripture above that he wants to direct and establish your steps. If He is allowed to do this you will be in the right place at the right time. Without the Word of God you’ll be sliding all over the place, going in different directions, and never getting anywhere. If you want to let God lead and guide you, you need to follow God’s plan for your life. You must live in the Word, read and study your Bible and obey it. This means that whatever you find in it, as you gain God's wisdom, you are to act upon and do what it tells you to do. You are to stand strong and not waver. When you stand strong, when you are willing to fight the good fight of faith, you are giving God something to work with. He is ordering your steps. He’s making a way when there seems to be no way. He’s clearing a path for you, and He is delighting in you. That means He is pleased with your attitude of courage. He is pleased that you are taking a stand for what is right. He is pleased that you are putting Him in first place and relying completely on Him. Remember, God loves your passion for Him. He loves it when you come boldly to His throne of grace. He loves it when you spend time reading your Bible each day, praying and thanking Him for all the blessings He is sending you, and letting Him be part of your daily life. He is honored when you stand and fight the good fight of faith. If you are facing difficulty today and don't know where to turn, ask God to help you, and know that God wants to lift you up and give you His strength. Receive it by faith today. Dig your heels in knowing that He is ordering your steps; and when God is leading you, He’s always leading you in the path of victory! Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 5

The Miracles Of God

The Miracles Of God "And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat." Exodus 16:15 I am sure when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, several million people were wondering, "How am I going to be fed? How am I going to survive in this wilderness?" Imagine the logistical nightmare. An incalculable quantity of food and water were needed to survive in the desert. Where would it come from? Yet, in this seemingly impossible situation, God provided! But we know what happened as time passed…the people got used to this miraculous provision, began to take it for granted, and even be bored with it, and, of course…the wonder of God's supernatural provision evaporated. Another miracle had also taken place during this wilderness journey, as God has parted the Red Sea and allowed the Israelites to escape from the Egyptian army, but again the belief and doubt began to creep in, and this miracle was soon forgotten. Each and every day is a miracle from God. Each day of our lives we walk through a world filled with the wonders and glory of the Lord. But we, too, can become dull and lose the wonder of all that He has done and provided for us, even our very salvation. We need to awaken to the daily miracles of life, and to the never ending opportunities the Lord is opening, to pour His love into us, and through us. As we do, may we always be saying to ourselves, "Wow - what amazing love is this, that's been freely given to me!" Look around you today, and you too can experience the wonders of what God has done, everything you see before you is a miracle that God has created just for you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 4

Follow God's Call

Follow God's Call “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 29:9 I have always thought about the story I heard Billy Graham tell on one of his Television broadcasts many years ago. The story is about a very successful businessman who was called by the Lord to sell his business, and go to a remote island in the South Pacific and become a missionary, and use his money to help the poor in this remote and backward island. He followed his calling, and sold his business and everything he owned, and moved to this remote place of the world. After several years of ministering and preaching to the people in this remote part of the world, his money was gone and he had no choice but to return home. He had no money and no material wealth of any kind left, and lived in poverty for the remainder of his life, and could not understand why the Lord had called him, and now to be in the financial position he was in. It was only a few months before his death that he received a visit from a young man who he had met and ministered to on the island. This young man had accepted the Lord as his Savior, and had been saved after hearing the missionary. He had also become a minister himself and started a church, and now had one of the largest churches in the South Pacific. Thousands of people had been saved by this young minister, and the Word of God had spread throughout the entire area. All of this was due to this missionary following the commands of Jesus and obeying him. The missionary now fully understood what the Lord had blessed him with and had planned for his life. God has a plan for you as well, and when you follow it, you will please God, and will be blessed. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 3

Be Patient

Be Patient “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Job 2:7 We have all heard the story about the patience of Job, where Satan inflicted him with severe hardships to test his faith in God and try to turn him against God. Job is the perfect example in that Satan had inflicted him in such a way to get him to give up on God and give in to Satan. Job suffered in a way that would have caused almost anyone to give in and say “enough is enough”, I will do as you say and denounce God. Job however had enough faith in God to endure the pain and suffering and not give in. He lost everything but kept his faith in God, and did not waver even during his suffering. He had the patience to endure the hardships of life, as he had a promise that if he would keep his faith he would be rewarded many times over with God’s blessings. This is the way God wants each of us to be in dealing with the pain and suffering that we go through in our own lives. He even tells us to be content, even in the times we are having trials and struggles I believe that God allows many things in our lives to happen in order to test our faith. He knows ahead of time what impact many of these things will have on us, and tests our patience in trusting in Him. We must learn to be patient and many times not expect God to respond in our time frame, but in His time frame. This is hard for many as we want things now, and become impatient when our prayers are not met. But we must be patient, and if we live our lives in the way God wants us to, he will reward us as he did Job with more than we had before. God is patient with us as he wants us to receive His gift of salvation, and we need to be patient with Him in our times of suffering. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 2

Love Your Neighbor

Love Your Neighbor “The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14 In order to be a witness for Jesus we must learn how to love other people. The entire Bible is about Love and God’s love for us. He loved us enough to give his son for us, and to save us from our sins. The most important thing he wants us to do is learn to love others. As we set our daily goals and objectives we should always have this as one of our top priorities, our primary objective, and our greatest ambition. We must not let our schedules, our own personal agendas, our preoccupation with ourselves interfere with our relationships with other people. I have mentioned my grandfather many times in my writings, who left a legacy of loving his neighbors and spent much of his life thinking about people around him. He left a legacy of love, which I believe each of us needs to be striving for. We need to continually be evaluating ourselves to see how we are doing in this regard. Are we going out of our way to help other people, or are we shunning any opportunity to interact with people? Are we taking the time to listen, to find out about our friends and neighbors and to let them know we are there for them? A relationship with someone must be demonstrated by the time we spend with them. We must show them we care for them, not by just telling them, but must be demonstrated to them by our actions toward them. We must invest our time and talents in them to show them we care about them. If we are true Christians we must obey this command of God to love our neighbors as ourselves, as this is one of the main premises of his word. If you are not obeying this command, you need to seriously consider changing your behavior, as this is not the behavior and attitude you need to please God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six December 1

Show Compassion

Show Compassion “We are to continually walk in love being guided by love and following love.” 2 John 1:6 I have a good friend whom I have known for almost 24 years now who attends church with us each Sunday. I had noticed for about two weeks that something seemed to be bothering him, and asked him if everything was all right. After hesitating for a few minutes, which is not like him, he said that he was worried about some recent lab tests, and was afraid that it was cancer. He described his symptoms, and I spent several minutes talking with him. While I am not a Physician I have spent 45 plus years in health care, and attended most of the medical staff meetings where various diseases and symptoms are discussed, and the symptoms he was describing were very similar to the symptoms I have heard many physicians describe and talk about, and they were usually not associated with cancer. I related all of this information on to my friend and it seemed to make him feel much better about the problem. I called him later on during the week several times to find out if he had gotten the results which he said he had not gotten them yet. A couple of days later he called to tell me that his test results had come back negative. He was very happy and said I had been the only one that seemed to be concerned about him. This may seem like a very small thing, but I believe this is just one of the ways we can find to reach out to others and show them that we care about them. We all need someone from time to time to talk to about our little problems, and things that are bothering us. A little compassion shown to a friend, is something that we can provide. God wants us to be there for people who are hurting, and need some compassion or help during their times of trouble. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 30

Strive For Excellence

Strive For Excellence “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-25 God wants us to be people of integrity and excellence. We need to be honorable and trustworthy in all our dealings. A person of integrity is honest and open to all the people he meets. He does not have any ulterior motives or hidden agendas and treats everyone with respect. He keeps his word in all things he does, and is the same in public as he is in private. Each one of us is constantly put in situations where our integrity is tested. How do we react when a clerk mistakenly gives us too much change for something we purchased? Do we keep the money or immediately tell the clerk that she made a mistake, and give it back? No matter what we do we must always be fair. The way we conduct ourselves with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others we come into contact with reflects upon our character and our integrity. Most people are content to being average, but we need to be better than average and go the extra mile to help someone. I believe that God does not want us to just be average, and settle for mediocrity. He wants us to strive for excellence in all that we do. He does not want us to do just enough to barely get by, or to do what everybody else is doing. I believe God wants each of us to be the example and the frontrunner in whatever we do. He wants us to stand out in the crowd by showing people that we are a cut above, in our integrity, character, attitude, and the way we conduct our lives. God blesses excellence, character and integrity in your life, but he doesn’t bless mediocrity, He wants you to be special. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 29

Thank You God

Thank You God ”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. God has blessed me with a long life and so far pretty good health. From the time I can remember, 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, provided for 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. She is the most beautiful and precious person that God could ever have sent to me. I have had over forty eight years to spend with her, and these have been the happiest days of my life. We have three wonderful children and six precious grandchildren. God has blessed me tremendously during our life together. He has allowed me to earn a good living in health care administration, which I have enjoyed, and has allowed me to be able to serve others while raising my own family. But most of all I want to thank God for saving my soul, and giving me peace, joy and contentment in my life. He has been patient with me at times, 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 during 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 now thank God for blessing me and my family throughout the years, and give him praise for his kindness, patience, love and goodness that he has shown me over these seventy one years. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 28

Disappointments

Disappointments “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 Disappointment is something that each of us will be faced with at some time in our lives. We will find disappointment in our family life, business life and in our everyday associations with our friends, neighbors, and with most of the people we come into contact with. Living with disappointment is something that each of us must be equipped to do. No matter how much faith we have in people, each of us is going to encounter somebody or something that will question our faith. Our ability to deal with these disappointments is one of the cornerstones of our well being, and building of our self esteem and attitudes. Our friends, neighbors, family, business associates and all the people we come into contact with, will be watching us to see how we handle and conduct ourselves in dealing with these disappointments. Many of our disappointments have the potential to derail us and wreck our faith. It is vital that you recognize in advance that disappointments will come, and that you must learn how to stay on track and deal with them when they do. One of the key things we must realize is that God has a reason for many of the disappointments and things that happen in our lives. God has a plan for us, and all the things, which we call disappointments, is only one piece to a giant puzzle which we may or may not ever realize and see the end result. Our disappointments, pains, and hurts are only a tiny piece of this large puzzle. When our disappointments come this is the time that we must learn to trust him even more, and to rely on the knowledge that the tragedy or hurt was part of his great plan for us. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 27

You Must Forgive

You Must Forgive “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:15 The word forgiveness is one of the most used words in the Bible, and has several different connotations depending upon how it is used. These meanings are used by Jesus to describe the forgiveness of our sins, if we turn our lives over to him, and trust him for our salvation. Another meaning of forgiveness is where we are asked to forgive others who may have done wrong to us, or injured us in some way, and the process whereby we need to put this in our past and let go of the hurt and forgive them This is one of the more difficult things to overcome, but if we are not able to overcome this obstacle, it will be difficult for us to have the real peace and joy in our lives that we are looking for. It is so easy for all of us to make excuses and use the phrase “it’s not my fault” to describe our current situation. Forgiveness will relieve our hurts and pains of the past. It will bring back the happiness and joy in our lives. If we have bitterness in our hearts we cannot have the happiness and joy in our lives that we desire. Once we decide to release the bitterness we have stored and let it go, we will then be able to reap God’s blessings. Bitterness and pent up anger for something that has happened in our past will keep God from operating in our lives, and will keep our prayers from being answered. We must learn to forgive to be free. Forgiveness is a choice, but it is not an option if we want to live a happy life. In the above scripture Jesus promises us that if forgive others that sin against us, he will also forgive us. What better reason do we have to forgive others so that our sins will also be forgiven? If you have someone you need to forgive, do it today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 26

Show Respect To All

Show Respect To All “Show proper respect to everyone.” 1st Peter 2:17 Respect is one of the most important things that any of us can do to show people that we care about them. It does not take any effort or training to demonstrate respect for our fellow man. Just being courteous and polite to everyone is a simple form of being respectful to others, and is a rule we should all follow with people we meet. Jesus emphasizes that we must show respect in so many ways throughout the Bible that I feel it is one of the most important things we can do to make others feel that we care about them. As a parent this is one of the traits I have emphasized with our children, as much as any we have ever taught them, is that they need to be respectful of all people they come into contact with. Our goal in life needs to make sure we treat our fellow man with respect regardless of what we perceive their status in life is. We should not treat the rich man any better than we do the less fortunate man, as in God’s eyes the poor man would probably be the most worthy. How we treat other people can have a great impact on the degree of blessings, and the favor of God we are experiencing in our own lives. We need to ask ourselves several questions. Are we good to people? Are we kind and considerate? Do we listen to them when they ask for help or advice, or do we act uninterested and turn them off? Do we go out of our way to do a good deed for someone we see that needs a helping hand? We should never judge any person we meet as only God can judge them. What kind of Christian can we be, if we pick and choose who we want to make feel good about themselves, and leave others with the feeling that we do not care about them. Show proper respect to all you meet today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 25

Reach Out To Others

Reach Out To Others “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.” Hebrews 3:13 I believe one of the best things each of us can do when we are having problems of our own, is to help solve somebody else’s problem. No matter how bad we feel, or how bad we think our problems are, somebody else is in a much worse position, and has bigger problems than we have. Finding these people and helping them is going to make us feel much better, and will also give us joy that we have been able to help our fellow man. God wants us to be an encourager, to be a giver, to use our talent that he gave us. We can only do this is we get our eyes off ourselves, and focus on what we can do for others. We must become givers instead of takers. If we get our minds off our own problems, and begin to help others, we won’t have to worry about our own needs. God will take care of them for us. If we help and care for the needs of others God promises to watch over us and care for us also. What better way to get our own needs met? There is so much need in all our communities that most people just pass by on a daily basis. No one seems to care about their fellow man, as they are too busy with their careers, their sporting events and all the other things that occupy their time. With all the need that is around us, people do not have the time or desire to spend just a few hours a week looking for ways to help others less fortunate. We need to be aware of the needs in our communities, and should be the first ones to be there to assist others. There is nothing that will provide you with the kind of satisfaction that you will have after helping someone in this fashion, and providing their needs. Reach out today to others, and God will bless you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 24

You Can't Outgive God

You Can't Outgive God “You loved the world so much, you gave your only begotten Son to die for our sins so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 We all have grown up with the saying that “It is more blessed to give than receive.” There is probably not any more truer words than these to follow each and every day of our lives, and if each of us could follow this example we would be overflowing with blessings from God. God sets the standard for the ultimate gift, when he gave his son Jesus to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins. This was the ultimate gift that could be given to anyone. The majority of the Bible is based on the philosophy of giving. Christ commanded us to give, and give freely. To give freely is an invitation to a glorious and abundant life. If a person gets his attitude toward money right, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life. Do you realize just how much we are a slave to our money? Some people spend their entire lives serving their money, often without even realizing it. Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:24 that “You cannot serve both God and Money.” The chief motive of the selfish person is “Get.”, while the chief motive of the dedicated Christian should be “Give”. Jesus said to “Give, and it will be given to you”. The Bible also teaches us that blessings follow those who give liberally. I have heard numerous people state over the years that they were always afraid to put to the test God’s promise to bless those who are generous. Then when they decided to tithe (to give a tenth of their income) in accordance with the Bible’s standard, they began to prosper. They discovered what countless others have known for years, and that is that you cannot out give God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 23

Working Together

Working Together “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22: It is important for each of us to develop our ability to be able to work with others both in our families and in the business world. We cannot exist by ourselves, and it is essential that we be able to communicate with, and be able to work side by side with other individuals throughout our lives. Much of this ability is taught to us by our parents. If we have been given a good framework as to how we need to treat and respect our fellow man, it will be an easier task for all of us. The old saying “a family that plays together stays together” is probably one that we should never forget. If we learn to work together as a family on the family goals and objectives we will teach our children many lessons about working as a team. These lessons will help each of us relate better with our fellow employees later on in life during our careers, and with our friends and neighbors, and people we come into contact with each and every day. I believe that the way we treat our fellow man will have a great impact on the way God will favor us with his blessings throughout our lives. Our primary goal as parents should be to train our children in the way they should conduct their lives, and instill in them the moral values so that they will be prepared to manage and train their own children. If we provide a home that has a true faith in God, and demonstrate this to them by letting them see how we conduct our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, they will be well prepared to live their lives for God also. It is our responsibility as parents to provide this leadership to them, and we must do everything to give our children the best chance possible in order to survive in the world as it is today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 22

Sowing Our Seeds

Sowing Our Seeds “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” 2nd Corinthians 9:6 I have always wondered as I grew up, and have always been amazed at the thought of how something as large as a mighty oak tree could be produced by a small seed, the size of the end of my finger. This tiny seed planted in usually infertile ground by the wind and rain, has grown from this tiny seed to a magnificent huge oak tree. This has impressed me over the years, that many of the things we have accomplished during our lives, once started out as tiny seeds that were nurtured and tilled, and now are magnificent trees in their own rights. I have seen our children grow up from our tiny beautiful babies, to be wonderful mature human beings, and are now producing their blooms and starting their own families. I have thought of the seeds I have planted over my life. Have I been the Johnny Appleseed in my family, and business and planted many seeds, or have I been the one to sit back and watch others plant the seeds. Only the people who sow seeds will reap a harvest. All throughout the Bible, we find the principle of sowing and reaping, and just as a farmer must plant his seeds before he can reap a harvest, we too must plant some good seeds in the fields of our families, careers, businesses, and personal relationships with our friends, neighbors and others we come into contact with. If we want happiness and joy in our lives, and have a positive attitude we must sow our seeds in order to produce what we want to harvest. If we will always follow the will of God and let him direct our way, we will know the right seeds to plant and know the seeds that will produce the right harvest. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 21

Fellowship With God

Fellowship With God “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 Do you have the right fellowship with God in your daily life? Does God lead and direct you in the path you need to follow? These are important questions for you to ask yourself, as your future could depend on what your fellowship is with God. When you asked Jesus into your heart, your life changed, as you walked out of darkness into the light, out of a life filled with sin, to a life without sin. He expects you now to be perfected and holy in the sight of God. You need daily fellowship with God in order to live the life that He wants you to follow. Christian fellowship is more than attending Church — it is “assimilating” into the body of believers, becoming “one” in worshiping, loving, caring and sharing. According to the scripture above, fellowship is not an optional matter for believers. For the blood of Jesus Christ to have its continual cleansing effect over our sins, we must remain attached to Christ. If we sever fellowship with God, we risk cutting off the circulation of the cleansing blood! Keep in mind, salvation is based on “faith,” and is not earned by performing “works” such as attending Church (Eph. 2:8-9). But fellowship with Christ’s body, the church, is critical in helping to sustain your faith by providing ministry, encouragement, and an atmosphere of spiritual “cleansing” and growth. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is obviously the basis for the forgiveness of our sins, and the Bible indicates that we must have a proper relationship with Christ. Fellowship with the body of Christ is not just an option, but is critical to our continued survival as Christians. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 20

I Am Blessed

I Am Blessed “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 3:17 Almost 49 years ago on July 10, 1965 I became the luckiest man alive as this was the day that I became the husband to the most beautiful and precious woman I have ever met. This day was the beginning of a love that has grown day by day, and year by year. Margaret has been the most precious gift that God could ever have given me, as my life has been blessed with her presence. God made her especially for me, and knew that she was what I needed in my life. She had been there to encourage me, when I have been down; she has comforted me in times of sickness; she has been there to share my joy and happiness when times were good, but most of all she was so influential in bringing me to salvation. We all need someone who we would like to imitate and pattern our lives after. We need someone that is a model of what each of us should want to be like, and she has been my model. I always had a role model to follow, as she was the best example of what each person should strive for in their lives. My parents and grandparents gave me this example before we were married, and Margaret has been my example after we were married. Her actions and behavior during this time has never wavered and has been there as a constant reminder of what God could do for me. We have talked over the years about what we would do different if we could live our lives over again, and I have always said I would not want to change anything about my life, as I could not make my life any better than it has been. There has not been a day in these forty seven years that I have not thanked God for giving me this wonderful person to share my life with. I am blessed. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 19

Meeting God

Meeting God “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway” Proverbs 8:34 If we’re going to be effective in hearing God and successful in walking with God, we have to develop certain habits. Staying close to God requires that we develop the habit of spending quiet time with Him. Developing that habit is critical to our growth in Christ. If we are going to be effective in hearing God, we have to do certain things over and over again. That is something called our daily devotions. When you do this, God will begin speaking to you. Successful people develop habits that unsuccessful people are unwilling to commit to. Jesus made it a habit to spend time with the Father. You can celebrate God in a crowd, but you can only know God one-on-one. You need to develop a habit of coming to Him one-on-one. You need to decide when is the best time for you to spend time with him, by reading the Bible, and seeing what He is saying to you. God is speaking to you through the Bible. The best time to meet with God is: When You are at Your Best. If your best is in the evening, then meet with Him in the evening. If your best time is in the morning, you meet with Him in the morning. God deserves the best part of our day, not the leftovers when I’m tired and I say, “Oh, I have to read. I need to read chapter … oh, this is so boring.” Reading the Bible is not boring. It is because I’m so tired that it seems boring. God deserves the best part of our day, and not only the best of our day; He deserve our best every day. Develop the habit of meeting God every day, and spending time with Him, praying to Him and reading His Holy Word. God expects us to come to Him daily, and to hear him, as He will lead and guide us to fulfill the plan He has for us. Have a meeting with God every day. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 18

Math That Works

Math That Works "For the Grace of God that brings Salvation has appeared to all men" Titus 2:11 I was never really good at math in high school or college, but I managed to get by, but I was far from being a scholar of it. However, having said that, I want to give you a math problem, and if you answer it correctly it will save your life, give you peace, give you comfort, and give you a guide that will lead and direct your path for the rest of your life. There will never be an easier problem to solve, and all of you can solve it, even if you have never taken a math class. If you take the Grace of God, and you add it to Salvation, what is your answer? If any of you were stumped, I will give you the answer. The answer is an Eternal Life. There may be many who do not believe this, or they would be eager to do the math themselves. We only receive the answer by trusting In Christ and making Him our Lord and Savior. We can't buy it because it is free. Jesus paid the price on Calvary's Cross for you and me. It is a free Gift from God, and the greatest gift we will ever receive, better than any Christmas or Birthday present you ever got. This math makes sense, as there is nothing lost, but so much to be gained, as when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we not only receive God's Grace, we also receive His Salvation. Now when you put Grace and Salvation together, you receive Eternal Life. Now that is one math problem that is No problem. Have you accepted what Christ did at the Cross for your sins today, my friend? If not, bow your head, and say, "Dear Lord Jesus, Come into my heart and Save me today, at this very hour, and forgive me of all my sins." When you mean that prayer, you have just solved the greatest math equation of all time! Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 17

Peace Declared

Peace Declared "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 When France and England were at war, a French vessel had gone off on a long whaling voyage, but soon found they were short of water. They were near an English port, but were afraid that they would be taken captive if they docked there. They were spotted by sailors stationed there, who saw their distress signal, and sent word to them that they need not be afraid, that the war was over, and peace had been declared. But they hesitated for fear it was a trick, until they were near death, and finally were forced to dock. There they found that peace had actually been declared, and that the war was actually over. There are so many people today, like these sailors, who don't believe that peace was made for them, when Jesus died on the Cross. Jesus made peace, and now He wants us to enjoy it, and to believe in Him. There are no strings that keep us from accepting God's peace, and His salvation. But as long as we depend upon ourselves, and our own ability there are so many that feel they do not need God's gift. They fail to take into account that their current life is short, and will disappear as a mist in the wind. Death is just around the corner, and there is no promise that they will see tomorrow. It is the eternal life that they are missing out on, as unless they accept Jesus as their Savior, there is no hope and no future. Don't put off asking for, and accepting God's free gift of an eternal life, and also His peace and His comfort in your life. Your war will be over, your enemies defeated, and you will be at peace, as you will now have God on your side, who will lead and direct your life, to withstand the temptations of Satan. When Jesus arose from the grave, he said, "Peace be unto you." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 16

Don't Conform

Don't Conform “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11 I am sure that many of you are faced with situations today, where you are being influenced by the surroundings you are in. It could be your place of work, your school, your family, your friends, or the neighborhood where you live. You cannot change many of the influences in your life, but if you compare this to a field full of weeds, and in the middle of this field of weeds, there is a beautiful sunflower rising above the weeds. This sunflower has not stopped blooming, because of its surroundings, and this has not kept it from being as radiant and beautiful as it is. You need to use the same reasoning as this in your circumstances, as you can live among a bunch of weeds, but this must not let that stop you from blooming, or from being happy, and contented where you are. You cannot control the traffic on a busy highway, or all the shoppers in a large mall either. You cannot fix everything. Your positive attitude about your life and your circumstances and your own abilities, will keep you blooming wherever you may be. This attitude will be catching, and will rub off on the people you meet, and will be your way of helping influence the attitude of others. You are no better than the other complainers and grumblers, and people who are not happy, if you conform to their standards and have your own pity party. You must overcome the negativism that surrounds you, and be the sunflower that is blooming in the field of weeds. You must be the lighthouse that stands out above the rolling seas, and be the beacon for others to follow. God has commanded you to be an ambassador for Him in all you do, do your job, and stand out. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 15

Be Happy

Be Happy “God will give to each person according to what he has done, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good.” Romans 2:6 The right attitude we have about ourselves will enable us to choose the kind of life we will have. Our lives can be happy ones where we have a true joy and peace, or it can be one where we are constantly battling depression, worry and can only see trouble in our path. I have always felt that God’s plan for our lives is that we will be joyful, peaceful, and contented, and that he would let us have an abundant life. We must strive to get our attitude to the point where we feel good about ourselves, and finding the inner peace that will enable us to be the happy individuals we would like to be. This does not mean that we will not have obstacles in our path that will try to rob us of our happiness and joy, but by being able to harness the positive attitude, and focus our inner self and energies to a positive position, we will be able to avert these obstacles and bypass them, and ultimately have this inner happiness and peace. I believe happiness is a choice we make each day we live. When we get up in the morning we can choose to be happy and enjoy our day. It is our responsibility to choose to be happy, as it is only if we are happy that we will be able to fully do God’s will for our lives. It will be impossible to witness for God if we are grumbling, complaining, and unhappy with everything and everybody we meet. God is counting on us to be a positive influence on the people we encounter during our day. By speaking a word of encouragement, giving a warm smile, or having a positive attitude is the way all of us can let our lights shine, and have a positive influence on the people we come into contact with. God wants you to be happy. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 14

Be A Good Listener

Be A Good Listener “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5 All throughout the Bible we see scriptures that indicate that Jesus was a good listener. I have experienced the importance of being a good listener, throughout my business career, as I learned so much from my employees, as to what their needs were, and then I could react and make my hospital a better place. It is extremely important to be a good listener for your family members. If your children are made to feel that they can come to you, and have your undivided attention and tell you anything that is on their minds, or things that are troubling them, they will keep you informed as to their activities, and up to date with things in their lives. This time when they are communicating with you, should be the time when they feel you care about them, and are there and willing to listen and offer advice and help if it is asked of you. This is the time you have where you can offer reinforcement to your true values, and the values that the family is operating under. These times should always be positive times, and times where the children feel free and open to discuss any subject that is on their minds. You do not want to use this time to lecture, or to enforce other guidelines on them, as these times must be used for the purposes the children came to talk to you about. If you try to use this as the time to get other points across, they will quickly see this, and will not come to talk to you about the things that are going on in their lives. It is important to always make these times, "their times," and listen to them. Being a good listener is also especially important when dealing with your friends, neighbors and other people you meet on a daily basis. Being a good listener is a gift from God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 13

Think Positive

Think Positive "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Are you a positive thinker or a negative thinker? This is so important as this defines you in so many ways throughout your life, as to the effect you have on others. This is a story about a positive thinking farmer and a negative thinking farmer. When rain fell on the land, the positive farmer would say, “Thank you, Lord, for watering our crops.” The negative farmer would say, “Yeah, but if this rain keeps up, it’s going to rot the roots away, and we’re never going to have a harvest. The sun came out and the positive farmer said, “Thank you, Lord, for the sunshine. Our crops are getting the vitamins and minerals they need. We’re going to have a great harvest this year. ”The negative farmer said, “Yeah, but if it keeps this up, it’s going to scorch those plants. We’re never going to make a living. ”One day the two farmers went goose hunting together, and the positive farmer brought along his new bird dog. He was so proud of that dog, he couldn’t wait to show him off. They went out in a small boat and waited. Before long, a big goose flew overhead. Boom! The positive farmer brought the bird down in the middle of the lake. He turned to his friend and said, “Now watch what this dog can do.” The dog jumped out of the boat and ran on top of the water, picked up the goose, ran back all the way on top of the water, and put the goose down perfectly in the boat. The positive farmer was beaming from ear to ear. He turned to his friend, and said, “What did you think of that?”The negative farmer just shook his head in disgust. “Just what I thought,” he said. “That dog can’t even swim.” God's best for you is to have you be a positive influence on others, not a negative influence. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 12