Be Renewed

Be Renewed "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily." Hosea 14:5 I remember going out into the woods in the very early morning with my grandfather, and feeling the dew falling on the leaves, trees and grass and being wet almost like it had been raining. The dew is a source of freshness, as it is nature's provision for renewing the face of the earth. The grass, the leaves and everything it falls on is refreshed and renewed because of the dew and its regenerated value. It falls at night, and without it much of the vegetation would wither and die. It is this great value of the dew which is so often recognized in the Scriptures. It is used as the symbol of spiritual refreshing. Just as nature is bathed in dew, so can the Lord renew us. Titus 3:5 tells us of spiritual refreshing connected with "renewing of the Holy Ghost." Many Christian do not recognize the importance of the heavenly dew in their lives, and as a result they lack freshness and vigor. Their spirits are drooping for lack of dew, and something to refresh them each day. It is like a laboring man attempting to do his day's work without eating, or a servant of God attempting to minister without eating of the heavenly manna. It does no suffice to have spiritual nourishment occasionally, as every day you must receive the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You can feel your whole being renewed with the vigor and freshness of the presence of God. During the still and quietness of the night, when the grass and leaves are still, you are also ready to receive the refreshing and invigorating bath; as the spiritual dew comes from lingering in God's presence. Get still before Him, get in His presence, pray to Him and thank Him for all His blessings. Wait before God until you feel saturated with His presence; then go forth in the hours ahead with the conscious freshness and vigor of Christ. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 31

Say Yes To Jesus

Say Yes To Jesus "And this is what He promised us - even eternal life". 1 John 2:25 We get to keep our two grandchildren, ages 4 and 18 months old, a couple of times a week, when their parents go to meetings or need to have a time by themselves. When our children are small, it seems like we spend a lot of time saying "no" to them. "No, no! Don't touch that - it's hot." "No, you can't play with the television remote or the phone, or don't take the picture from the coffee table." "You can't throw your food on the floor and step on it." " No Way!" The Bible also is constantly telling us "no", as throughout all the scriptures and God's commands He is telling us "no", we can't do certain things. When we read the Ten Commandments, we see that nine of them contain some form of "Thou shalt not". Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount not to pray like the hypocrites, not to store up treasures on earth, and not to worry. Other times the Bible tells us not to worship our money and wealth. We are not to lie, to steal, to murder, to commit adultery. We continually struggle against sinful desires which Jesus tells us not to follow as they are bad and harmful. The Scriptures continually tell us, "No, no. Don't do it!". But also included in the words of God, there are so many times when He says "yes" to us. God delights in the many ways He can say, "Yes," to us through His Son Jesus Christ. "Yes, I will forgive your sins and cleanse you by the blood of the Lamb." "Yes, I will call you my child because you believe in His name." "You want to live forever in the presence of the Lord? Yes, you will." In Jesus Christ, all God's promises are "Yes." You can also say "yes" to Jesus today by accepting Him into your heart. Dear God, when I think of all the promises You have given and fulfilled through Your Son Jesus, my heart overflows with love and gratitude. Thank You for saying "Yes" to me. In Jesus' holy name, I come before you. Amen. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 30

Arise And Shine

Arise And Shine "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." Isaiah 60:1 Some of my fondest memories are of my grandfather, and the time we spent together camping out in the woods, either squirrel or rabbit hunting or training our beagle puppies. We would make a campfire and fry bacon or sausage and eggs, or other food which always tasted so good. The scent of the cooking food and the smell of the logs burning on the campfire is something that I will never forget. When you wake up after camping deep in the woods, the first sense to attract our attention each morning is smell. The aromatic whiffs of food cooked over an open flame are a wonderful treat to awakening senses. The savory aroma of bacon, sausage, and especially a fresh pot of coffee, gently moves through the forest and rests overhead just long enough to rouse any sleeping camper and produce a memory like no other. Each of us has moments like these, and these classic times of pleasure that provide a platform for memories of our past that are special to us still lingers in our minds. The first call of the morning brings us into a new day and helps to set the pace and tone for the tasks ahead. Could it be that as followers of Christ, we experience wake-up calls in our lives that are for more than just reminiscing? Our wake-up calls, lessons learned, and "deserts crossed" with God's help and presence, can turn these experiences into opportunities that allow God's loving plans for our lives to shine through us to a lost and depraved world. Isaiah shouted, "Arise, shine!" We need to get up each day and share the joy of knowing Christ with others. There are many who would otherwise never awaken to become a child of God unless you share the joy of knowing Christ with them. Become the aroma of Christ today with all you meet. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 29

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone "The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;" Deuteronomy 1:30 This scripture is an important one, that tells us that God is there with us each step of our way through life. I want you to realize that at one time or another in life you going to have battles you will have to fight, and mountains you will have to climb. The battles are not necessarily physical battles, as they may be battles with health, with a relationship that has gone bad, with financial issues, with a job loss, but these are battles none the less, and as you fight these battles there are times when you will feel like you are all alone in fighting them. When there are mountains and challenges before you it becomes difficult to try to navigate them on your own, and you may realize that you need help to get through what you are facing. It is then that you should remember all that the Lord has done in your life, and how He has always been there for you, keeping and blessing you even when you did not know how you were going to make it. Just remember that the Lord our God goes before us, and He will fight for us, just as He did for all His people in Egypt right before their eyes. I encourage you today to remember that no matter what it is you are facing, and how difficult it may be, the Lord who goes before you will fight for you. When you are facing battles and challenges of life, do not give up and become discouraged, but allow God to go with you to do battle. The Lord will make a way for you, even when it seems there is no way He will open doors for you, and lead you on the right paths. All you have to do is trust and have faith in Him to see you through. Just like the Lord did for His people in the desert He will do it again for you, and deliver you from your struggles and lead you to your promised land.. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 28

Trust God For Your Victory

Trust God for Your Victory “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.” Psalm 112:7-8 How often do we hear bad news, that someone has died, lost their jobs, developed a serious illness, a marriage has broken up, and many other instances where serious issues have developed in people's lives? Many times it is difficult to know how to respond to these problems, and know how to counsel someone. When tragedies face us, many times we do not know where to turn to, and what to do in these circumstances. The scripture above should give solace to us, as God tells us that if our heart is secure in him that we should have no fear. Even though we may not see how the situations will be resolved, we need to face these trying times with the assurance that God is in control, and lean on His everlasting arms for protection and guidance to get through these issues. We must always remember that God knows all things and is aware of what we are going through, and tells us that He will not place burdens on us too heavy for us to bear. God tells us that we will be tested throughout our lives in order to let us know that we are not in control, but that He is. During these rough times we need to be steadfast in our faith and trust in Him, as God will let us triumph over our problems. We must continue to thank Him and believe in Him for our deliverance. I can recall times when I have had issues in my life which I did not know how to handle at the time, but by being faithful and trusting in God for the answer He provided the solutions to my problems, many times with better results than before the problems began. I would encourage each of you, that when you face challenges in your life, to not give up on God, but continue to believe and trust in Him for your victory. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 27

Be Persistent

Be Persistent "Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming." Luke 18:4-5 We have a little dog named Teddy, that I found on the side of the road about 7 years ago. He has been an important part of our family and is our family greeter, and loves to meet people at the door and let them pet him. Teddy is rather impatient however, when it comes to getting his daily treats, or if he gets out of water, or wants to go outside. He will jump into our laps, or sit and stare at us until we get what he wants. He reminds me of the story of the persistent widow, who kept coming back to Jesus over and over asking Him for justice against her adversary. Jesus tells us in this parable that we must not give up if our prayers are not met, in the time frame that we want them to be answered. We need to continually be praying for things that we want Jesus to do in our lives, but so often we pray for things, and if they are not answered immediately we stop and resign ourselves that God has not heard them or is not answering them. This parable about the persistent widow, should give us the assurance that God really does hear us, and if whatever we are praying for doesn't happen immediately, we should not stop, but keep asking God. The things we pray for should be things that are aligned with God's plan for us, and things that are in His will, and if they are, we need to keep persisting that God will hear us and answer them. We must always remember that our time is not God's time, and that the timing when God may fulfill our prayers may not be what we want and expect, but if they are in God's will for us, they will be answered at the right time. "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." Luke 18:8. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 26

The Joy Of The Lord

The Joy Of The Lord "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 Today I want you to think about what your plans are for the rest of the day, and to consider if you have asked God to be part of them. Each day most people wake up with the expectation of doing the things they had planned the day before, it may be catching up on things you have been putting off, or maybe a project you have been wanting to tackle for some time, but have been putting it off. You may have your mind entirely focused on whatever it is you want to get done in the hours ahead. It only takes a moment when you wake, to ask God to be with you in doing whatever you want to do, but it is something that you should do each day. Taking God along with you will help you to stay calm, and not let the slightest interruption or problem cause you to become irritated or upset. God knows ahead of time what may cause you problems, as He is aware of all things, but being in His presence will keep you at peace, regardless of what unforeseen problems you may face. We think that we don't need God, but we do, even in the little things. It is so easy to let the first little thing that goes wrong in our day, rob us of our peace, as this is Satan at work in our life, but when we take God with us, He can help us keep our peace. When you face any trial or struggle, when things go wrong, when obstacles suddenly confront you, and you let them affect you and rob you of your peace, you are playing into Satan's hands. The Bible tells us to be content in all our circumstances, and in whatever struggle we may face. With God by your side, you can still stay calm, and be content with whatever issues you may face. Take just a moment each morning to make God part of all that you do and let His peace and joy be in your heart all throughout your day, and in all that you do. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 25

The Little Things

The Little Things "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 I want to share with you today a lesson I learned many years ago that literally transformed my daily life. It became the difference between me going through the day in my strength, feeling like there was a 200 pound weight on my back, and going through the day in the Lord's strength, effortlessly and free regardless of what the circumstances or problems that day brought. We have no problem praying to God about the "big things" in our life, but what about the "little things?" What I am talking about are those day-to-day issues that we face that may not seem life-changing, and in the big scheme of things are pretty trivial. Getting a parking place. A problem at the bank with your account. Your car needs to be serviced. An issue at your job or at school. You find ants in your house. They can't find two of your shirts at the dry cleaners. I am talking about literally thousands and thousands of daily issues that arise as you are simply living your life. These are the "little things" that we never pray about and try to handle on our own. The Bible says that God cares about you and loves you so much He even knows the number of hairs on your head. If God cares enough to number the hairs on your head, why would you think He doesn't care if your keys are lost or your sprinkler system is not working? Let me assure you that he does care. Start praying about the little things, and you will find it will literally transform your life and your relationship with God. Years ago, I realized that I was living my life not really depending on God, but myself. Then I began to pray about everything, no matter how insignificant it seemed. I would pray as I was looking for a parking spot. That didn't mean a spot up front magically became available, but it did mean I got the exact spot God wanted me to be in. I would pray when I took my car to be serviced. It didn't mean that there weren't things that needed to be repaired, but God made sure what needed to be fixed was, and it was in good working order. The point I want you to grasp is that thinking we are in control of anything is a myth. However, God is in control of everything at all times. He has given us the ability to communicate with Him at any time about anything. We are fools when we don't take full advantage of that opportunity. Trust me, there is nothing you can do better than God. You are only making your life more difficult when you live any part of your life apart from God. You are carrying unnecessary burdens when you don't take everything, even the little things to the Lord in prayer. God loves you and cares about everything in your life, even the little things. Have you ever gone to your parents, your boss, or a friend with a problem and they told you, "Don't bother me, I don't have time right now, figure it out yourself." God will never do that. The Bible doesn't say, "Call upon the Lord with the big problems in life, but handle the little things yourself." The Bible tells us to bring all of our petitions to the Lord. That means not just the big things in our life, but the little things as well. We are actually in rebellion to God when we are trying to deal with anything in our lives apart from Him. The scripture above tells us that without Him, we can do nothing. It doesn't say we can do the little things, it says nothing. When we pray about those little things we face each day, we are not only being obedient, we are not only acknowledging our dependence upon the Lord, we are taking the pressure off our ourselves. We are being foolish not to call upon the name of the Lord and let His Spirit guide us in everything we do in life. Simply take a moment and ask God to show you the way, help you through whatever the problem may be, guide you in your decisions. You will be amazed at how it will transform your daily life. Not only will you be living in the freedom of His strength, but you will start to live with great confidence, because when God is guiding you and directing your steps, you will be victorious in all your ways. Start praying about the big things and also about the little things. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 24

Above It All

Above It All "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 This morning as I was doing my Bible study, I heard the honking of geese outside, as they were flying south for the winter. The wind was blowing quite briskly, and it seemed like they were having difficulty flying against the wind. This reminds me that in this life so many people find themselves flying against the wind, as the troubles and trials of daily living, seem to drag them down, and keep them from moving forward the way they want. The relationship issues, health issues, financial issues, worry, stress, and just the pressures of daily living that are constantly pressing against them keep them from having the peace and joy in their lives that they long for. I am also reminded about the eagle, who flies above the wind currents, in the calm air above, and has little to slow its flight. It can soar above all the pressures of life and is free to soar and not be weary. If you find yourself struggling with your life, and all the pressures and resistance you are facing, and do not have any peace and joy in your life, you are not alone. But the good news is that you can rise above all this, and find a life filled with peace, joy and contentment, just by asking God to help you. God can be your comfort, and calm the fiercest winds. He can calm the waters, and let you rise above the struggles and trials of this life, and let you see what life is like on the mountain tops. You don't have to remain in the valleys, only seeing the sides of the mountains, and never experiencing victory over your struggles. You can be victorious over all of the things that are keeping you down, just by asking Jesus to come into your heart today. You can soar on wings like eagles, you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 23

I'll Fly Away

I'll Fly Away "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14 This morning I got up with an old song on my mind, "I'll Fly Away." The song is not heard very much in our modern day church services, but it has such a wonderful message. "Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away (I'll fly away)." The words of this beautiful song will someday be the hope of all of Christian's that want to make Heaven their home. It will be a glad day when this day arrives, as the struggles of this life will be over, there will be no more pain, no worry, no stress, no heartaches, as this will all be over. For the ones that will fly away to God's celestial shore there will be only peace and joy awaiting them, as all the things of this world will be done away with, as we will now walk in the paradise that God has prepared for us. However, in order to experience this wonderful day, we have work to do while we are still on this earth. We must prepare ourselves, and be deemed worthy of God letting us fly away to Heaven to be with Him. The demands are not hard, as they only require us to ask Jesus to come into our hearts, make Him first in all we do, and obey His commandments. Each one of you reading this devotional can look forward to flying away with God to Heaven just by following these easy steps. Time is critical however, as we do not know when this day will come, as we are not promised tomorrow. So many people get up each morning and find that this was the last chance they had to make the decision to accept Christ as their Savior. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, don't take the chance of being too late, but take a few minutes this morning to ask Him into your heart. He is waiting for you, and wants you to be ready to "Fly away to your eternal home in Heaven." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 22

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Don't Worry, Be Happy 'The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out." Proverbs 13:9 We have a relative whose life is a constant daily battle with worry about what the future holds. His life is filled with anxiety about every little decision, and the consequences that it may make in his future. In his mind he tries to predict all the consequences that may occur from his decisions, always looking to the bad side of what could happen. Naturally there is no joy in his daily life, as all he can see is bad things happening down the road, based on the smallest decisions he made today. This is not the kind of life God wants us to live, as life should be filled with happiness, joy, peace and tranquility. We can never be an ambassador for God when we are constantly battling worry, self doubt, tragedy, and failure in everything we do. God expects our life to show the happiness, the joy, the peace, the comfort of knowing that He is in control of all things. Worry can destroy anyone, as we never know what will happen tomorrow, and cannot predict what the future holds. When we give our hearts to God, we don't have to worry anymore, as He is now in control, and our future is secure. Our daily decisions don't have to consume all our thoughts, as God will provide us the wisdom to make the right decisions. When we seek God each day, and let Him take control of our lives, read His Holy Word, pray daily, make Him first in all that we do, we can depend on Him to provide all our needs. Worry will not be part of our daily life, but our days will be filled with peace and contentment. We will get up each day with a smile on our face, and our thoughts will be happy thoughts. Our days will be positive days, as we will expect God's blessings to be on all things that we do. If you are consumed with worry about what tomorrow may hold, ask God to come into your life and change you. Don't worry, be happy. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 21

Thank God

Thank God "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 There are some days that we just need to get up and begin to thank God for all the blessings, both seen and unseen that He bestows on us each day. It is so easy to get up and start our day, and not thank God for allowing us to even be alive to enjoy the day, let alone thank Him for our home, the bed we slept in last night, our morning coffee, our family, the food we will eat today, and a multitude of other things that we take for granted. These are just some of the things that we take for granted, and expect that they will be there waiting for us, but we need to realize that we only have them because they are God's gifts to us. God can take these away in an instant, as a fire, a tornado, a hurricane, an earthquake or other disasters could destroy everything we treasure in an instant. We can never thank God enough for all the blessings we receive daily. God promises us that He will provide all that we need, and He lives up to this promise each day of our lives. We may want other things, a bigger house, better clothes, better food, a bigger car, and so many other things, but God knows what we need, and He provides them. We should never worry about tomorrow and having our needs met, as He tells us that he provides for the birds, and we are more valuable than they are. We should get up happy each day, which is our way of letting God know that we trust Him and depend on Him to provide for us. We need to realize that God loves us so much that He even sent his Son to die for us. This is true love, and we need to realize and accept this great gift. I would encourage each of you begin today to get up each morning and thank God for all your blessings. Get a smile on your face each morning and be happy. Thank Him for being a God that loves you and provides for you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 20

You Can Change

You Can Change "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Matthew 7:19 Ever watch a dog chasing its tail? My Grandfather and I had a little beagle dog that would growl viciously and knock over anything and anyone too close to her during her frenzied pursuit. When she finally would catch her tail in her mouth, her face would show surprise and confusion. You could almost hear her thinking, “What do I do with it now?” This particular little dog had many more productive attributes, other than this. She was a good hunter, protector, and companion to my grandfather. Yet, she would spend a great amount of time daily going in circles to chase a tail most often out of reach, in an activity that always served no purpose. Recently, I was reminded of this little dog, when I counseled one of my readers, about getting his life under control from drugs. He had gone from one rehabilitation center to another, and they had him running in circles trying to find ways to help him. I asked him to consider changing his lifestyle, and get a new circle of friends, as his excuse was that he was always around people who were always tempting him to take drugs. Sometimes it is simply a matter of getting out of the thorn thicket, if you don't want to continue to be stuck. If someone keeps residing in an atmosphere where evil is the prevailing way of life, it is difficult to avoid it. The Bible tells us when we are tempted to tell Satan to "get behind me Satan", I want no part of you. If you continue to stay in an environment where evil exists, and you participate, it is like the proverbial snowball as it starts a downhill journey, gathering speed and building to enormous proportions, and begins to plow over anything and anyone in its path, and eventually takes over your life. This is exactly what Satan is all about, as you are playing into his hands. Tell Satan that you are no longer his child, but God's. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 19

Needs And Wants

Needs And Wants "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:7-8 Are you in need of things today as you read this devotional? I would hasten to add that there are not many people who feel that they do not need something. But today I want you to concentrate on whether it is a need, or a want. There is a difference as God promises to provide all our needs. He demonstrated this to the people of Israel during their 40 years in the desert, as they were leaving a life of slavery and journeying to their promised land. He provided manna from Heaven to feed them, he parted the waters of the Red Sea to protect them and gave them water to quench their thirst from the dry desert floor. God promises that He will provide all our needs in whatever situations we find ourselves in today. God knows our hearts, our lives, our likes, our dislikes, as nothing is hidden from Him, or is a mystery to Him. He created each one of us, the good and the bad. He lets the sun shine on each, and lets the rain fall on both. The thing that gets in the way of getting our desires met, is that we are selfish; we want what we see, what we hear, what we taste, what we feel, and all our earthly senses fulfilled. What would be pleasing to God is when that all our wants and desires were just not for ourselves, but were for others as well. To want and desire prosperity for the destitute, hope for the desolate, forgiveness for the sinner, and salvation for the lost. These are the divine prayers that Christian's should pray for, that others would obtain the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior, instead of praying only for our own selfish wants and desires, as so often these are things of the world, and not the things God desires for us. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 18

God's Plan Revealed

God's Plan Revealed "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 I was reminded of this scripture this morning, while reading the accounts of a homeless man, whose story was in our local newspaper. His family had moved around from place to place during his childhood, and had very little, mostly depending on charitable organizations to take care of them. He was now in his mid 30's, and had continued to follow the lifestyle that his family had followed. However, there was one thing different that he had discovered, and that was that he had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He had purchased a small house, and was opening it up to all the other homeless people in the area, and teaching them about God, and had started a ministry to provide for their needs. He had experienced homelessness himself, and God had moved in his heart and led him to this calling. God had shown him how he had taken care of him all during his life, in all the deplorable situations he was under, and was now showing him how he could be productive and render services back to his community. We are all not born with a silver spoon in our mouth, however God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, and when His time is right His plan will be fulfilled. You may feel that you have not been dealt a good hand in life, but God knew what you have faced, and He has also taken care of you during your bad times. However, now is the time for your transformation to begin, as your life can be changed, and you can become the person God wants you to be. Let God lead and guide you today to fulfill His plan for you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 17

Be An Encourager

Be an Encourager "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 During my career I witnessed many people who were discouragers. They are easy to recognize and you don't want to spend much time in their presence. They’re like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room simply by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed, and feeling worthless. However, an encourager leaves you full and refreshed, with the feeling that you could conquer the world. God has cornered the market on encouragement, as His encouragement is the best you will ever receive, and if you accept it, it will last for all eternity. You can make your own choice to either be an encourager, or you can choose to be a discourager. You’re never more like God than when you’re encouraging people, and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people. It is your job to find a needy person and enrich them; a lonely person and include them; a misunderstood person and affirm them; an undiscovered person and develop them; a failing person and restore them. If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you have been sent to act as a representative for Him in this world. Just as nations send ambassadors to represent their interests in other countries, you’ve been sent here to look after the interests of the Kingdom of God. Think about that. Everywhere you go you are representing God, and He has equipped you to do it. He’s given you His wisdom, and the power of His Word. He’s even put His very own Holy Spirit within you, and given you the ability to hear and obey the directions of that Spirit. Be God's encourager. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 16

Pride Humbled

Pride Humbled “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble” Daniel 4:37 Are you troubled with being prideful? If you are, you are not alone, as I have always had problems with pride. However, there is a solution to pride, and that is that pride will eventually give way to humility. It may not happen overnight, and it may be a painful process, because pride can be very, very stubborn. It is like an embedded splinter deep in the flesh of your foot, and is hard to remove. You cannot remove it alone, and there is constant throbbing and pain until it is extracted. If you are prideful, it is only a matter of time until you will fall, as pride will catch up with you, and you will realize that you cannot do all things on your own. We are all insecure to some degree, but humility builds security, and pride tears it down. The humble have nothing to hide. When you root out pride, and replace it with humility, you will find that life is much easier and simpler. The process of pride’s removal begins with submission to Christ. It is acknowledging His lordship and ownership over your life, and knowing that He is in control. . He can be trusted, as He holds your life, family, health, and career in His hand. You start by humbly bowing to God, and depending on Him to supply all your needs. When you realize that it is not by your own hands that you have what you have, but it is by God's hands that allowed you to have it, you have then conquered pride When you walk with God, you walk in humility. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:5–6). Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 15

Check Your Attitude

Check Your Attitude “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-23 As I was growing up I can remember my grandmother telling me, when I got-out-of-line, to check my attitude. Our attitude is usually the first sign that we are upset about something, and is often a reflection of how we feel inside. There are so many things that go on all around us that can give us a bad attitude about how we view our circumstances. Our finances, our jobs, our neighbors, our relationships with others are just some of the things that can cause our attitudes to become sour and affect our lives. We go around with a chip on our shoulders, and are ready to pounce on anyone that we think is out to take advantage of us. We honk our horns at people in traffic; we are rude to waitresses and our fellow employees. We are no different from the children of Israel, as after they were delivered from Egyptian bondage, their hard hearts and attitudes got in the way of their progress. As a result, they repeatedly expressed their displeasure with God’s handling of their lives. Eventually, God refused to allow them to enter the promise land. We need to reconcile our feelings, our attitude and begin to let God take charge of our lives, and then our attitudes will begin to change. Just like the people of Israel’s wilderness experience, many Christians are going through great tests of their faith. When you embrace God’s perspective and adopt the proper heart attitude toward Him in your times of trial, you will have an attitude of peace and joy. You will have an attitude that will be pleasing to God, and one that will be the influence on others that God wants. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 14

Honor Your Mother

Honor Your Mother "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long, and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Deuteronomy 5:16 This morning my mother fell getting out of bed, she will soon be 96 years old. She was not hurt, but this incident made me think just how much we should appreciate our mothers, and all the love they give us, and all the things they do for us. The Bible tells us to honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you. I found this short story about mothers and want to share it with you. A teacher gave her class of second-graders a lesson about the magnet and what it does. The next day, in a written test, she included this question: "My name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?" When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50% of the students answered the question with the word mother. Yes, mothers do pick up things. But they are much more than "magnets," gathering up clothes and picking up toys around the house. As willing as many mothers are to do such chores, they have a much higher calling than that. A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when her children need a listening ear, a comforting word , a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. And for the Christian mother, her greatest joy is in teaching her children to trust and to love Jesus as their Savior. That kind of mother deserves to be honored ~ not just on one special day a year but every day, and that recognition should involve more than words; it ought to be shown in respect, thoughtfulness, and loving deeds. Godly mothers not only bring you up, they bring you to God, and His gift of salvation. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 13

Don't Be Afraid

Don’t Be Afraid “Yet not one of them (sparrows) will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 I find it very uplifting and exciting to see the number of times that Jesus said throughout the Bible, “don’t be afraid”, as seen in the scripture above. This indicates to me that God doesn’t want us to go through life concerned about the worries of the world, but is telling us that we need to have a positive attitude about our life. He is telling us through these scriptures to not give in to Satan, who wants us to be afraid, as we are weak and uncertain about how to deal with situations that we are confronted with, when we are fearful. God wants us to be able to confront our difficulties, to be positive about all their outcomes, but most of all is telling us to trust and have faith in Him, and that He will provide and protect us. Jesus loves us, and places an immense value on us, and does not want us to go through life afraid of what might happen. When the disciples were in the boat and a terrible storm came and threatened to capsize the boat, Jesus awoke and told them to not be afraid, and He calmed the storm. Jesus is here with us during our storms, and will calm the wind and the seas that threaten to wash us under. When we go through our valleys, and do not see how we can ever get back to our mountain tops, Jesus is with us, and tells us to not be afraid, but to be positive, continue to have hope, and continue to have faith and trust in Him. Nothing is impossible with God, as none of our problems are too great for God to handle. Just as He calmed the storm for the disciples He can handle any trial that Satan sends our way. So the next time that you face a trial, look up, and see Jesus and “don’t be afraid.” Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 12

My Trouble Tree

My Trouble Tree “Come to me, all you are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Early on in my career I read a story that helped me deal with my pressure at the office and keep it from affecting my family. It was a story about a plumber who was hired to help a man restore an old farmhouse. The plumber needed the money desperately to provide for his family. When the plumber arrived at the farmhouse the first day, he noticed his tire was flat, which made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit working, the parts he had purchased were the wrong size, and when he started home his ancient one ton truck refused to start. The homeowner had to drive him home, and the plumber sat in total silence during the trip as he had a terrible day and had earned very little money. On arriving, he invited the homeowner in to meet his family. As they walked towards the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Later he walked the homeowner out to his car and as they passed the small tree the homeowner asked him why he had rubbed the tree. “Oh, that’s my trouble tree, I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home, and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is, he smiled, when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.” We all need a trouble tree to hang our troubles on, and that tree is God. He will handle our troubles for us, and share our burdens when we ask. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 11

Ask And You Will Receive

Ask And You Will Receive "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them." Mark 11:24 Before our prayers can mean anything to God, they must first mean something to us. Mindlessly repeating a prayer we memorized in childhood, or vaguely asking God to bless everyone, everywhere--that isn't authentic prayer. Prayer is speaking to God about the deepest concerns of our heart. We don't have to speak our prayers out loud, and use our most perfect English, as God does not care what our words are, but they need to express our innermost thoughts, our prayers must come from our heart. Communicating with God through our prayers is a one on one relationship. God listens to us when we seek Him through prayer, with our heart open wide for Him to see. When we are serious about our prayer time, we need to seek Him and not be bashful to let our minds and our thoughts talk to Him about the things that are going on in our lives, even the little things. God cares about the big things and choices we make that affect us, but He is also interested in the mundane, the little choices, the irritations, the temptations, the stress we feel, the busyness of our daily life, and all our struggles, even the small ones. The source of true prayer is a heart attuned to God. It is a life lived in loving obedience to the Father. God delights in the prayer of His children--prayers that express our love for Him, prayers that share our deepest burdens and struggles with Him. Don't pray casually or thoughtlessly, but "come boldly to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16. I would encourage each of you to spend time with God each morning when you wake up. Thank Him for all your blessings, and then share your burdens with Him. God will hear you and give you peace, and lighten your load. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 10

Is Your Heart White As Snow

Is Your Heart White As Snow "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 This morning as I looked out my window, I saw the presence of God surrounding my home, as during the night the first snowfall of the year had graced my yard,, and the trees, grass, and house tops were covered with one of God's magnificent creations. The whiteness of the snow reminds me of my life after Jesus entered my heart and forgave me of all my sins. I was washed as white as this beautiful snowfall, as all the dirt and filth I had accumulated during my life was washed away and I became white as this snow. As I gaze out my window there are no tracks in the snow, no footsteps, no disruptions of any kind to this beautiful landscape that God has given me. Nothing has marred its beauty. I want to keep my heart clean as this snow, as I want nothing to contaminate it and let the dirt and filth begin to accumulate again. I realize just how much Jesus did for me to make my heart clean again, as He died for me, and I do not want His sacrifice to be in vain. I know that Satan is out there wanting to tempt me, to make it easy for me to sin, to make me want to think only about myself, instead of making God first in my life, and also thinking about others around me. The Bible tells me that if I make God first in my life, and stop thinking about myself, but begin to think about others, that He will help me keep my heart clean. He tells me that He will give me the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me daily, to do His will and lead me on the right path. He tells me that He will help me resist the temptations that Satan will set before me, and will also give me His peace and His comfort when I face the struggles and trials during my daily life. He tells me that if I do this that He has a room prepared for me in His home in Heaven, which is my greatest goal in life. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 9

Getting To Heaven

Getting To Heaven "For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance." Psalm 94:14 Getting to Heaven should be the goal of every living person, as this means that when this life is over, our eternal life is just beginning. There are several things you must do to get on the right path and reach your destination. This path to Heaven will take a daily relationship with God, praying to Him and reading His word, making Him first in your life, which will lead to greater wisdom and understanding, as He will reveal more and more of His plan for you, and will lead and direct your paths to a more fulfilling life. This includes giving us peace and comfort even during our struggles. But there will be a cost to get to Heaven, a penalty you will have to pay, in your daily lifestyle, as you cannot continue to lead a life of sin. Your life will be changed, transformed, renewed, cleansed, washed white as snow, as your sins will be forgotten, forgiven, never to be remembered, by a loving and forgiving God, when you ask Jesus into your heart. You start all over with a clean slate as your past life is forgotten, but you now begin a new journey to reach your final destination which is your eternal home in Heaven. According to the Bible this journey will mean that there will be enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to be run, temptations to be overcome, as Satan will be constantly wanting to get you off the path, and lead you down the road to destruction. Conversion is not putting you in an arm-chair and taking you easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory, but oh how much the victory will be worth is unimaginable. I encourage each of you today to begin your journey to your own eternal life in Heaven. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 8

God's Peace

God's Peace “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 As I look out my window this morning I can see the beautiful red and yellow leaves cascading down from the trees and fluttering in the wind before falling gently onto the ground below. Autumn is such a wonderful season, and I now enjoy it better than any other time of the year. The presence of God is so evident in the vivid splendor of the trees as the mountains become a portrait of beautiful colors everywhere we look. Autumn reminds me of the beauty that God surrounds us with each day, and the magnificent majesty of his creations, if we will just take the time to look around us. I remember going hunting with my grandfather when I was young, during the fall, when the leaves were turning and seeing the beauty of the mountains as we would climb them, and he would always comment that this was his favorite time of the year, as he felt this was a time of peace and a time of reflection for him. As I have gotten older I have thought about this, and realize that this is a good time also to reflect back on the good things that God provides us each day, that many times we do not give him thanks for. We often become so wrapped up in our day to day life that we don’t take the time to see the presence of God around us. Thinking back about my grandfather, he saw the beauty of God’s creation during the autumn, and it gave him peace and was a time where he was able to take time and give God thanks for all the blessings he had given him. He always seemed at peace with everything in his life, and was always content with everything. My memory of my grandfather and the beauty of autumn, also reminds me to give thanks to God for everything he has given me; my health, my family, my friends and most of all my salvation. We do not have to wait until New Years day to make our resolutions, but should do these throughout the year as the beautiful season of autumn should remind us that God is present in our lives every day. His beauty and his presence is all around us, and we should sing and give thanks to him every day for all the blessings he bestows on us and our families. When we begin to see God around us every day, we can be at peace with ourselves as my grandfather was, as I believe he knew there was nothing to be concerned about as God was watching him and was in control. When we feel the presence of God in our lives, we will be at peace as he tells us not to worry, but to be content as He is there to protect and provide our needs, as He will make our paths straight. Look for the presence of God around you today and find the peace He will give you. Don't get caught up in the busyness of the world, and forget to see the presence of God all around you. So many do not take the time, due to their busy schedules, going from one place to the other, to see God's presence around them. The presence of God is all around you, if you will just look. God's presence is there when you look at the blue sky, with the puffy clouds, it is there when you feel the warm sun on your face, it is there when you feel the wind blow gently through your hair, it is there when you see the trees, the grass, the beautiful flowers. Just look around you as you go to your job, your school, and in your own neighborhood, and see and feel the presence of God. When you look out your window each morning realize that what God has created just for you, and thank Him for all the beauty that surrounds you. This is God's creation, his wonderful world that He has created just for you. God also wants to be part of your life each day, He wants to walk with you, talk with you, guide you, encourage you, make you happy, content, and make you at peace with all things. He will provide all your needs, so you need not worry, but be at peace with your life. Just as my grandfather was at peace with the beauty of God's creations, you can be at peace and content where ever you are. Let God be first in all you do, and you can also experience this peace. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 7

Beware Of Satan

Beware Of Satan "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 In the book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit moving mightily, poured out in great power. Thousands of people believed. miracles were taking place. And then what happened? The apostles were threatened (see Acts 4). To say the least, the devil was not happy. He always fights the church when the church is on the move. As the great British preacher C. H. Spurgeon said, Satan never kicks a dead horse. The person who wants to serve God, the one who is serious about his or her faith, is trouble as far as the devil is concerned. We need to remember that Satan's single ambition is to turn you and me away from God and all that is good. His ultimate agenda is summed up in the scripture above. The two primary ways the devil will attack us is outwardly and inwardly. First he comes with outward attacks, like a lion. We read in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." This attack could be in the form of someone harassing you, mocking you, or even threatening you. But then he changes his strategy and comes with an inward attack, slithering in like a snake. If he can't win by persecution on the outside, then he will try pollution on the inside. An inward attack will be more subtle, often coming in the form of temptation. So if you find yourself being attacked, if you find yourself being tempted, if you find yourself facing opposition as a follower of Jesus, congratulations. These things would be an indication that you are on the right track. I would encourage each of you to begin your day with God, praying and reading your Bible, and put on the full armor of God to help you withstand Satan's attacks. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 6

Sinning Against The Spirit

Sinning Against The Spirit "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 Have you ever said something to someone that brought tears to their eyes—and then felt terrible for saying it? In the same way, we can make the Holy Spirit sad by things that we do and say. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:30 above, not to "grieve the Holy Spirit." Literally, this means to make Him sad or sorrowful. And what makes Him sad or sorrowful? We find the answer in verse 31: "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Are you harboring a grudge, against someone right now? This grieves the Holy Spirit. We all have people who have hurt us, and I am sure we could somehow justify any reaction, when we are hurt, but the Bible tells that us if you are harboring a grudge in your heart, then it is a root of bitterness, and it actually brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit. How about slander? To slander someone means to talk about a person behind his or her back. It is saying in their absence what you would never say in their presence. In some cases, it may be a little truth with a little spin. In other cases, it may be an outright lie to defame and hurt someone. That brings sorrow and grieves the Holy Spirit. We can also quench the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul exhorted the Thessalonians: "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The word used for "quench" suggests extinguishing a fire, like when you are camping and you extinguish the campfire. We can actually quench the work of the Holy Spirit by unbelief. Grieving the Spirit and quenching the Spirit are sin's that believers can commit. In other words any sin that we commit after accepting Jesus into our hearts, grieves the Holy Spirit that lives within us. Be careful each day to not sin, resist temptation and let your life be holy and pleasing to God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 5

Are You Welcome

Are You Welcome "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn-out old hat and an equally worn, dog-eared Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and fine jewelry. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship in this church." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church." "I did," replied the old cowboy. "And what was his reply?" asked the preacher. "Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear. He said he'd never been in this church." I am sure many of you have experienced situations where you felt you did not meet the expectations of others, and felt out of place. You are always welcome to experience the fellowship with God, just by asking Jesus into your heart, as He accepts you as you are. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 4

God's Secrets

God's Secrets "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." Proverbs 25:2 In the United States government, there are over 50 million files classified as “top-secret.” In many cases, these files remain classified to protect people who were informants, and others to safeguard things that citizens do not need to know about our national defense, and military powers. However, there is someone who knows the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and He has secrets too, as described in the scripture above. “God delights in "concealing things", while scientists delight in "discovering things." Human beings are naturally curious, physicists have worked entire lifetimes, only to uncover only small bits and pieces behind the secrets of what makes the universe work. It seems the more that is discovered; the more we find there is to learn. It is humbling to know that in spite of tremendous advances in knowledge, we still know very little about the universe. It's quite possible that how it all works may always remain a secret until God Himself reveals it to us someday. All of us have done things or thought things that we wouldn't want anyone else to know about. We even live in denial, often refusing to admit our faults, even to ourselves. However, while we may be successful in hiding our sins from others, and even from ourselves, no amount of denial can hide them from God. He tells us that he “knows our heart’s secrets. One day we will stand before the throne of judgments, and all our secrets will be revealed, there will be no denial, and no longer a chance for redemption, or forgiveness. Our choices will have been made, and our final destination will have been determined, as we will spend all eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. However, it is not too late for you to choose your eternal home, but you are not promised tomorrow, so do it today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 3

Be Content Where You Are

Be Content Where You Are “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” Joshua 1:3 Today, I want each of you to think about why you are where you are today, as God has you where you are for a reason. During our almost 48 years of marriage, my wife and children and I have traveled many places, and lived in several different states. We have moved to different hospitals to further my career, however we have now been living in our present city for almost 33 years, and now call this our home. I’m sure most of us have heard the saying, “We are pilgrims just passing through”, and I know that during the early part of our marriage we felt like this, as we did not stay very long in any place. The above scripture, however, tells me that wherever we are, we are to take possession of those places for God’s kingdom. I believe God took us to all the places we have been for a reason, as He was getting us prepared to do His work where He now has us. I know that there are things I have learned in all the hospitals I have been, and have had the opportunity to influence people in a positive way in all of these hospitals. I also know that I have been influenced by the people I have met at these hospitals. In this life, we are on a pathway, a narrow road, a journey that will lead us to where God wants us to be. I believe God wanted us to be in the city where we are today for a reason, as it is part of His plan for our lives. I know that God is working through me, and also my children, to minister to the people in this area, and we are responding to His call. He put us here at this place, and at this time for a reason, and the pathway we have followed has let us mature and grow in Him, and now we are ready to fulfill His plan for our lives. God also has you where you are today for a reason and to fulfill the plan He has for your life. Be content where God has you, do His will, and fulfill His plans for you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 2

What Is Your Goal

What Is Your Goal "You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." 2nd Peter 2:12 Throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, we see prophesies telling us what the future holds. These prophesies have proven to be 100% accurate in all situations, as more and more of them are coming to pass. I have always liked to know what the future holds for me, and I have studied and read the Bible through many times, and have found time and time again the things I wanted to know. There is only one future that any of us should be concerned with however, and that is where we will spend our eternity. This life is only temporary, a fleeting shadow, and will soon pass away. However, our eternal life will be forever, and will have no end. I know that throughout my life, I always have liked to have goals and objectives that kept me on track, and focused on what I needed to work on, as without a plan I would wander aimlessly from one thing to another, and never get anything accomplished. This always worked for me for most of my life, but the most important thing I now realize, is that I only need to have one goal and objective in mind, and that is to know for certain where I will spend my eternity. Nothing else matters in this life, as if I do not meet this one goal and objective, my whole existence in life will have been meaningless. This is the thing that King Solomon said, that our life is meaningless, if we don't know where we will spend eternity. I am constantly asking God each day if I am still on target with my goal, and asking him to help me make any change that I need to make. My goal in life is to make sure that I am living the kind of life that God wants me to live, and becoming the person He wants me to be. I know that my future is in God's hands, and with Him by my side, I know that my future is secure, and my goal will be met. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven January 1