Taking Time For Jesus

Taking Time For Jesus “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 In our society today we see the deterioration of the family, as divorce rates are climbing and families are being torn apart. Parents are being bombarded with financial pressures, time issues, peer pressures imposed on their children, and the overall moral decay of our society. However, even with all of these pressures it is still the duty and responsibility of parents to keep their family intact. The Word of God tells us that the proper upbringing of our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have before us. In the previous devotional I discussed the innocence of our children, and that they do not understand right from wrong when they are babies. They can be taught this, however, by godly parents, who have God in their lives and in their homes. But I am afraid that many parents don’t have time for God, and this is having the wrong affect on their children. This reminds me of a story about a mother who was running furiously from store to store on Christmas Eve trying to get those last minute gifts. Suddenly, she realized that her little three year old son was missing. She looked around and saw him standing with his little nose pressed against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. “Look mommy, its Baby Jesus in the hay.” The mom grabbed his arm and jerked him away snapping, “We don’t have time for all that. Can’t you see that Mommy’s trying to get ready for Christmas.” We must begin to take time for Jesus and teach our children about Him. We must not permit the pressure of life to cause any of our precious children to sin, because of our neglect. Take just a little time each day to talk about Jesus to your children. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 30

We Have A Choice

We Have a Choice “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17 Throughout the Bible we find scriptures such as the one above where God is telling us that we need to be as innocent as a little child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. God also tells us that the path to His kingdom is a narrow one and that few will find it. He also tells us that it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than it will be for a rich man to get to heaven. God is warning us through these many scriptures that we must be prepared to lead a godly life while on this earth, one that is obedient to His commands, and one that is pleasing to God. Little children, are examples where God tells us that we must be willing to imitate them if we are to experience an eternal life. Even though all people are born in sin, even little children, they have not been subjected to Satan and evil, where they have to make a choice between doing what is good or bad. Most adults, on the other hand, have had the laws of God taught to them, and have also experienced the temptations of Satan, and know what is good and what is evil. We have made our own choices, based on this knowledge, to follow either God or Satan. The paths we have chosen to follow will either lead us to temporary pleasures or to eternal pleasures. It is so important to consider all these warnings that God is giving us, which tells us just how difficult it will be to follow Him throughout our lives. Satan will forever be there with his temptations, and excuses that we do not have the time to follow God, and that we need to look out for ourselves first. This kind of reasoning will sound good to many people, and will lead them astray, as this makes us think only about tomorrow, and not about where we will spend all eternity. The choice is yours and yours alone, one path leads to death and the other to life. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 29

Denying Self

Denying Self "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it." Matthew 16:25 Is your life centered around yourself? If you are like most people, it certainly is. Deny myself?? Before I accepted Christ into my life, I felt I was the center of the universe. How could I ever deny myself?? It was all about me and no one else .. Me, Me, Me, .. I, I, I, with a capital "I" We have to look at the example of Jesus, to learn how to live. We have to ask Him to unlock the meaning of life, by surrendering our life to His control. After Jesus explained to the disciples that He would die, He told them that they, too, must die. And we can assume that they did not understand how they were to take up their own cross, as Jesus gave them this scripture. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Deny myself, they probably asked? Self is at the center of every decision most people make. They choose their job because they like the work, or because they need to survive. They choose their spouse because they seem special when they are with this person. They choose their friends because they make them feel needed and worthwhile. When most people made a decision it is usually with a purely selfish motive, as they are thinking only about themselves, and what will make them happy and contented. Yet Jesus calmly listens to this blustering and reminds us that the essence of life will never be found in any of that. He alone is the source of meaning. Only by living for Him will we discover how to really live. When we begin to get our minds off ourselves and love God and others as we love ourselves this is when life really begins. As we look at the example of Jesus, we learn how to live. We all need to seek and find God to unlock the meaning of life by surrendering our life to His control. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 28

Financial Blessings

Financial Blessings "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it." Proverbs 10:22 God promises to “supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” when we love and serve Him. Philippians 4:19. The important word is "need", not our wants and desires.. Sometimes God uses financial need to test us, train us, or teach us, if we are using what He has gives us in the wrong way. Sometimes, He wants us to obey Him by giving more. Proverbs 28:27. He can get our attention if we are holding back, in giving back to Him or to others and hoarding our wealth for ourselves. Sometimes, He wants us to seek Him and trust Him for all our financial blessings, Luke 12:29-31. We may get to the point that we think we have accumulated our wealth by ourselves. Other times He is leading us to do something different in our lives, and this is the way He gets our attention so we will follow Him. God always wants us to seek Him first before anything else, because when we do that we will receive all we need. When you pray for financial blessings, ask God to show you whatever you need to see about your finances. Are you experiencing a financial shortfall? Is one about to happen? Do you need to cut expenses? Live a simpler and less expensive lifestyle? Sell something? Change your job? Be wiser in your financial decisions? Give more to Him and to others? Or simply seek Him first for everything and learn to depend on Him for all you need? David said that he had never seen “the righteous forsaken, nor his descendents begging bread” Psalm 37:25. He said that “those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing”. Psalm 34:10. Let those words be a great encouragement to you. Live God’s way, seek Him for wisdom to guide you in all financial matters, and pray that His financial blessings will bring no sorrow with them. Robert William Brock, Jr. My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 26

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 Are you envious of what others have and want these for yourself? 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 Seven April 25

Pray To Be Heard

Pray to Be Heard “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners to be seen by men." Matthew 6:5 One time a young, up and coming businessman, was waiting for a meeting when he heard someone walking down the hallway. Thinking that this might be a potential client for him, he picked up his telephone and pretended to be having a high-powered conversation. Soon the footsteps stopped at his desk. He continued talking on the phone, as if he was giving an eloquent presentation to a potential client. After several minutes of this impressive speech, he said "could you hold for just a moment, I need to take another important call." Looking up he asked the man who was standing at his desk, “What may I do for you?” The man standing before him replied, “I’m from the telephone company, I’ve come to hook up your phones.” This humorous story reminds me that our prayer life is the same way. The prayer that gets God's attention comes from the heart and not from the eloquent words we speak. Prayers to impress people are one-way conversations, as God is not interested in them, and will not hear them. God knows what is on our hearts, even before we utter or think about the words we say. He knows all about us, He knew us while we were in our mother's womb, and even knows the number of hairs on our head. We don't have to impress God with our eloquent words, as He only wants to hear from us from our hearts. This is why the Bible tells us when we pray, to find a quiet place where we can be alone with God, for a special time of communion with Him. This is the time to thank God for all His blessings, and also to ask our petitions of Him. You can't impress God by what you say, as He already knows what is in your heart. Find your quiet place today and talk to God, he is waiting and wants to hear from you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 24

A Prayer Of Forgiveness

A Prayer Of Forgiveness "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12 Have you been judged unfairly and struggling with resentment? Has someone taken advantage of you, and hurt you in some way? Have they told lies about you that has damaged your reputation? Do you feel like striking back? So many people struggle with these feelings and emotions and don't know how to handle these situations. They are not able to forgive and to forget. Read this prayer, and make it yours today: "Lord, I am tired of being misrepresented; of dodging verbal bullets and ducking insults. You know I'm not guilty of the things they say I've done. Clearly they're out to get me, to make me the brunt of their jokes. How could they be so cruel? And, when I think of what You endured while You walked on this earth. They made jokes about You too. You were despised, and rejected, and even crucified. They even dared You to prove Yourself while You were hanging on a cross taking Your dying breath - for them, and for me! That's when You said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing." Lord, forgive me for my pity party; help me to deal with this - Your way. Give me compassion in the face of criticism, and grace in the face of contempt. Above all, help me to turn it over to You, knowing that You are my Defender and my Provider. Send the Spirit of Truth into every aspect of this situation. Make me strong in You. Keep me focused on the path You've set before me. Make my heart big enough to forgive, as You've forgiven me. Thank You Father, that what others meant for evil - You will use for my good. Amen. Forgive others, just as God forgave you. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 23

Seek God's Wisdom

Seek God's Wisdom "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul." Proverbs 2:10 A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane. Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble. In spite of the best efforts of the pilot, the plane started to go down. Finally, the pilot grabbed a parachute, yelled to the passengers that they had better jump, and bailed out. Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes remaining. The doctor grabbed one and said "I'm a doctor, I save lives, so I must live," and jumped out. The lawyer then said, "I'm a lawyer and lawyers are the smartest people in the world. I deserve to live." He also grabbed a parachute and jumped. The priest looked at the little boy and said, "My son, I've lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace." The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said, "Don't worry, Father. The 'smartest man in the world' just took off with my back pack." This humorous story reminds us just how little regard most people have for others. They are looking out for themselves and their best interest, and not having much concern for their fellow man. Society has pressured people to strive to be first in all they do, to have the biggest house, the biggest car, belong to the finest clubs, and to have more wealth than their friends and neighbors. However, just as the attorney in the story above they can soon find out that their wealth and material possessions don't mean anything, as the wisdom of God, is something that they lack, as unless their values and priorities are in the proper perspective and in the right order, they have nothing. God's greatest commandment is to love Him and also to love others as we love ourselves, and unless our values have this as our priority, there is little else that matters. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 22

Forgiveness Sets You Free

Forgiveness Sets You Free "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." Jonah 1:2 It is sad to think how much sin is committed in our great cities. Their wickedness, as that of Nineveh, is a bold and open affront to God. God told Jonah that he must go at once to Nineveh, and there, on the spot, cry against the wickedness of it. Jonah would not go. The reason for Jonah not wanting to go was because he wanted them to get what they had coming to them. He wanted them to suffer from the wrath of God, because he felt they deserved it. But the Lord wanted to give Nineveh a chance to get its act together. Throughout our lives, the Lord is warning us, that we are sinners, just like the people of Nineveh, but so many have not listened. However, God is patient just as he was with Nineveh, and is wanting to give us one more chance to also get our act together. He may be calling you today to be the Jonah of this day, and has placed on your heart to go out and witness to someone and tell them about Christ and His plan of salvation. It may be someone that may have harmed you in the past, possibly a friend, a co-worker, a schoolmate, or even a family member. You may be as Jonah was, and haven't gone to warn them about the penalties of their sins, because of the unjustifiable things they did to you. You want them to pay for their sins against you, and you are holding a grudge. If you find yourself in this position, a grudge is something that can swallow you up like the great fish that swallowed Jonah. If you are not able to forgive, it will eat you alive...literally. Therefore if God is calling you to go out and tell someone about the saving grace of Jesus, you must let nothing stand in your way. Forgiveness spits us out of the fish's belly and back onshore to dry land and daylight. Forgiveness in liberating and sets you free. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 21

Faith Is Built On Trust

Faith Is Built On Trust "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 Today I was led to this message about how faith is built upon trust. The main message of this devotional is believing in God's promises. He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfill His promises, even those we don't see how they will materialize yet, we demonstrate true faith. In order to experience the power of God, we have to be willing to step out in faith, even when it seems there is no way, and no solution to the problem at hand. God will strengthen us as we go. Every problem contains a concentrated opportunity, and offers the option of stepping out in faith. The highest truths God has to offer are rarely wrapped in a beautifully wrapped or elegantly presented package, and handed to us on a silver platter. I am convinced that God takes heaven-sent treasures, buries them at the heart of a huge problem, then watches and applauds when we have what it takes to break that problem apart, finding the wealth hidden there in the darkness. The words of Isaiah say it well. “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name” (Isaiah 45:3). The greatest treasures are often buried in the deepest pits, and require a step of faith to discover. Faith is built upon trust. God wants us to trust Him - even when we do not understand what is happening or can explain the circumstances. Even when nothing makes sense and everything seems wrong,. It is easy to trust Him when the seas are calm and the skies are clear, but the strength of our faith is measured in the midst of a raging storm. A crisis always reveals what is really inside. Faith is a deliberate choice to believe God, to walk through our fear, knowing we can trust Him every step of the way. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 20

Don't Delay God Is Waiting

Don't Delay God Is Waiting “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:59-60 Psalm 119 is one of the longest Psalm’s in the Bible and is a devotional on the word of God. All throughout the 176 verses, mostly of which are addressed to God from King David, it gives us instruction in the word of God, which is the dominant theme. Most of the verses deal with God’s directives for life, and the pleasures and comfort that God can bring to us during our journey through life, and also God’s promises to us if we follow his commands. I know all throughout my life I was given God’s directives, as I got them from my mother and my grandparents, and I have especially gotten them from my wife, and also from all the pastors of the churches I have attended. All of these directives have continually been a reminder to mr of what I was supposed to do, and not to do, but most of all they reminded me what God commanded me to do. God has been patient with me, as through all of these constant reminders, it took me 50 plus years to finally get this through my thick skull that God was the only way to have the peace and joy in my life that I dreamed of. I have now considered my ways and have turned my steps to God’s statutes; however I did not hasten to obey His commands, as the writer of the above scripture did, but God was still there waiting for me. He waited patiently for me, and did not give up on me, and although I feel that I have missed so much by not coming to Jesus earlier in my life, and experiencing the joy and peace that He is now blessing me with, I am so thankful that He has permitted me to come even when I did. The entire 176 verses of this Psalm should inspire everyone to come to Christ. God is also waiting on you patiently, and will welcome you with open arms, so hasten to him and don't delay. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 19

The Pain Of Death

The Pain Of Death "My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!" 2nd Samuel 18:33 This was the cry of David for his dead son. It may be that you too have had a similar feeling when you have lost someone. When the cold hand of death reaches into a person’s family and snatches away their mate, child or parent, or some other loved one, the shock of loss can be the severest emotional blow of their life. Many have found grief so difficult to endure that they have suffered sleepless nights, empty days and a feeling of not knowing how to go on, especially if the one lost is a spouse or a child. This is a time when it is essential to know how to endure grief. It is not necessary to keep grief bottled up inside, hiding it behind a stoic exterior. The emotional pressure this builds up may greatly increase the difficulty of enduring it. There is nothing wrong with releasing that pressure by expressing sorrow and the feeling of loss. By permitting a natural outflow of emotion, but not to the extent of losing self-control, a person often feels better. When Abraham lost his beloved wife Sarah he did not bottle up his grief. He released it by weeping. (Gen. 23:2) David did not grieve indefinitely. He knew that the living cannot bring the dead back to life, so they must adjust their life to continue without their dead loved ones. Although David cherished the memories of his son, his grief would have been more difficult to bear if he had closed out the world around him. Many people have come to realize that they keep the emotional wound open, if they try to live in a world of memories. Some people do this by keeping a house for years looking just as it was when their loved one was living. Those who prolong their grief in this manner vainly attempt to live in the past, instead of realizing that much happiness can be theirs, if they will live for the future. The loved one a person has lost would have wanted the survivor to make the necessary adjustments so as to have a happy and productive life. The bereaved person is certain to be keenly aware of the gap left by the loss of a loved one, but the painful feeling of loss can be lessened by trying to fill that gap with constructive activities. Unselfishly doing helpful things for other distressed people has proved successful with many people who have lost their mates, or close family members. It has helped them get their minds off themselves. Perhaps the greatest barrier to enduring grief is the tendency of a person to dwell upon what he personally lost by the death of his loved one. Thinking about how lonely he or she now is, and the things they must now do that their loved one had done for them, makes their grief much more difficult to bear. But, getting their mind off themselves and on what they can do for other people, will help them find their emotional wound can heal much more quickly, and the gap in their life can gradually fill in. There is much a person can do to make their life worthwhile, if they will think of others, having love for them as they would like them to have love for oneself. The truths of God’s written Word are a great source of comfort for a bereaved person, giving them a purpose in life. They can remove the apprehension they might feel from not knowing what has become of their loved one. Through the Bible the words of God tells them what happens to a person after death, and tells them what the hope is for that person to have life once again. Because of that wonderful hope, we don't need to have the bitter sorrow, experienced by those who do not know what the Bible has said about, or who lack faith in Him because of unbelief. This dependable information does much to lessen the pains of grief. It will keep their minds occupied with unselfish and up-building activity. It will give them a reason for carrying on. Those who grieve can find strength in God by turning to Him in prayer. No matter what anyone might say, God should not be blamed for the loss of a loved one. So despite the pain of grief, never give up! Let it be your resolve to continue serving God faithfully and loyally, with the hope that you, one day will be reunited with your loved ones. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 18

Recall Notice

Recall Notice "But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning," 1st John 3:5 There are now countless recall notices from companies that have sold defective products, and now are faced with the process of repairing or replacing the products. Man is a defective product, and what if God sent out a recall notice. Would it look like this? The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been identified as "Sin", and some of the symptoms include, loss of direction, foul vocal emissions, amnesia of origin, lack of peace and joy, selfish or violent behavior, depression or confusion, fearfulness, idolatry, and rebellion. The manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The repair technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required, as He has already paid the cost. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being scrapped in the furnace. Thank you for your attention. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 17

Use Your Time Wisely

Use Your Time Wisely “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” 1st Timothy 3:5 Do you have plans for today? You know every morning when we awake we determine what we are going to do for the day ahead. It may be that we are going to make it a day of leisure and do nothing but read a good book, or relax and just spend a quiet day doing nothing. However, in today's culture most people have a full agenda planned for themselves and have very little time that is not planned. Many people have every minute accounted for, and their daily calendars are filled to the brim with their commitments. We make our own schedule and usually do the things that we either have to do, or want to do. The thing that most of us leave out in making our schedule is to find out what God would want us to do, and just as important what he doesn’t want us to do. If we don’t do what God is telling us to do, we may let people control and manipulate us to do what they want us to do. God wants us to be productive in our lives, and wants us to work, but our time is limited and we must make the best use of it as we can. We should all make it a point to use our time wisely. It is important to keep our own house in order, so that our life is not cluttered by all the personal desires that will consume all our time. If we spend all our time taking care of our material possessions, our homes, our cars, our boats, and all of our other hobbies we will not have time for anything else. I believe ministering to others should occupy some of our time each day. The role of the church is to prepare us to evangelize, and some time out of each day should be set aside to do the work of God. Ministry is fulfilling work and nothing will provide you with more joy, peace and contentment than to minister to someone. I would encourage you to look at your time, and use it to help further the kingdom of God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 16

Make Your LIfe Meaningful

Make Your Life Meaningful "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." 1st Timothy 1:16 I live very near the Ohio River and almost on a daily basis I see different size boats and barges pass by. The bigger boats produce a larger wake as they pass and the smaller ones produce a smaller wake. This reminds me that our lives are much like the wakes left by these boats, and the success or failure that we leave behind during our journey through life. We all make choices during life that either produces a good legacy or a bad legacy of our accomplishments. In the eyes of God our legacy does not consist of the money or material wealth we leave behind, but rather the character, the integrity, the righteous behavior, and the way we followed God and obeyed His commandments, but most of all whether we accepted Jesus as our savior. Boats don't have a choice of how big or small they become, but we do, and because we do, we need to understand that the size of the wake that we leave behind us depends very much on the amount of growth we are willing to undergo each day. Like the wake, if our success is solid and real and becomes part of us during our life, it will inevitably impact, affect, and be noticed by others as we travel along. This is because real success doesn't just bless and affect us, it in fact blesses and adds value to many other people's lives, much the same as the impact the wake of a big vessel has on others, compared to that of a smaller one that is seldom felt. Always remember that when we die no one remembers what we did for ourselves…but many remember what we did for others and this is the direct consequence of real lasting success. Make your life meaningful and lasting and be an example for others. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 15

Who's Right

Who's Right "Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning." Proverbs 9:9 Each day I receive dozens of e-mails from people wanting to debate certain scriptures as to what they mean. I try not to get into any debate on a particular scripture, as God may speak to people differently about the wisdom they need to hear. This is a personal matter between God and them. We can see from the Bible that Paul and Barnabas had a dispute, and each went their own way for a time. This is the same with man today, with their differing views and attitudes, and troubles with pride and their interpretation of how God speaks to them. I hear both sides of disputes from my readers, and often both are right, and both are wrong in one thing or another. I also find myself torn many times in the way I interpret a certain scripture, and the way others may interpret them. Many times I have been embraced for the way I interpret a scripture, and present them in my devotionals, and many times others may disagree. I have no answer for this or for man's stubbornness, to admit the times when others prove their case, and the reluctance for others not to accept it. This has been the way of man from the beginning, and will be until the end. Man is frail of mind, corrupt of heart, and the only thing perfect in man is the Spirit of God in those He chose to enlighten. But by His grace, He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. It is our reflection of that light that reaches out in the darkness of this world. When we focus on our differences we lose. When we focus on Jesus and His love for us, and His love for those in darkness, we win. Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons of God. That is our task, to be led by the Spirit and to forsake the flesh. When we do that consistently we will better learn how to love others, and be seen by the lost as having something desirable that they do not have. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 14

The Fritter Factor

The Fritter Factor "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." Proverbs 10:4 The verb “to fritter” means to reduce, waste or squander little by little. “She frittered away the afternoon.” “He frittered away his inheritance.” Think about the many ways contemporary life intrudes on whatever you are doing, and the many ways you do things that fritter your time away. Do you find yourself checking email every few minutes, or constantly checking your phone for messages from your family and friends. Do you find yourself checking Facebook “just briefly” several times a day? Are you a texter involved in many mini-conversations that have no real meaning, and that may extend well past the time you should be in bed, and produce nothing meaningful? While you may not personally engage in any of these particular behaviors, it is worth asking to what degree the “Fritter Factor” controls your life, as there are so many other things where you could be "frittering" your time away. One of my professors said, “What gets your attention gets you!” So what is getting your attention? Many studies of time management and its efficiency and effectiveness would show we can be much more efficient in how we us our time, if we choose to do so. God gives each of us the same amount of time each day, and how we use this time is up to us. How much of your time do you devote to God? Do you try to fit Him in between all the other things you have going on in your life, or do you give Him the first fruits of your time. God needs to come first, as this is your way to show Him that you love Him. The first commandments tells us to love God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength, and making Him first is the way you show Him that you love Him. Give God time each morning to pray, read His Word and draw close to Him. Don't allow the "Fritter Factor" to control your life? Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 13

The Breakdown Of The Family

The Breakdown Of The Family "The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18 In today's society we hear much about equal rights, and the feminist movement, stating that women are not equal with men, and are deprived of their rights. The Bible clearly teaches that God made men and women equal with separate roles to play. Paul, in teaching equality between men and women, was a pioneer for women's rights in a day when women were viewed as little more than property. One of the roles God has called men to play is that of a leader, a role many men have failed to live up to, leading to a perversion and blending of God's intended roles for men and women. If you read and study God's Word, you realize that according to God a woman is already equal to a man, they simply have different roles to play. However, in today's society both men and women are living totally outside of the roles God intended. Men are failing to lead in their marriage. They fail to lead in their homes. They fail to lead in their careers. They are not the leaders God has called them to be, they are simply followers. Worst of all, they are not the priests of their homes, having failed in this most important role God has called them to play. To fill the void left by men failing to perform their God-ordained roles, women have had to take on roles God never intended them to have. One of those roles is a woman working outside of the home to provide for the family. The lie of the world is that women have to go out and work. To all the men, YOU, NOT YOUR WIFE, ARE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY! This is not demeaning women or their abilities in any way. It is not a matter whether a woman can do the same job as a man, but the fact that God never intended for them to do the same job as a man. God gave a woman the most important job of all, and that is raising your children in the admonition of the Lord. No matter what else you may do in your life, that is the number one job and ministry a woman will ever have. I am well aware of the argument that both spouses have to work. The reality is, economics have not changed since the days when most women did not work. It is our desires for the things of this world that have changed. God's plan is for men to work and support their family, and women to raise the children with the help and support of their husbands. If you don't have children, there is nothing wrong with working, but the husband is still supposed to be the primary source of support in the home. Obviously, single moms, single women, those whose husbands are unable to work, are in special situations where you have no other choice but to work. Know that God will give you the favor, strength, and ability to provide for your family. Women, let me give you a quick word of counsel. This is why I share so often that marriage is not something to enter into lightly. Please don't rush into marriage. It is a lifetime commitment. Heed God's warning about being unequally yoked. Take the time to build a spiritual foundation together. Make sure that the man you are praying about spending the rest of your life with, is a man of God who is following God's Word and willing to perform the roles God has called him to play. Like I say so often, our way doesn't work and only brings consequences, God's way works and brings blessings. Let me ask you a question. Why should a man make the lifetime commitment to marry you, when you are already living together? If you have sinned and have had sex outside of marriage and have a child or children, that is still no excuse to compound your sin by living together outside of the bonds of marriage. A man following the Lord, living for the Lord, is NOT going to lead you into sin by living with you. The biggest problem we have in our world today is the breakdown of the family. When the family works, society works. When the family breaks down, society breaks down. The blame for the breakdown of the family has to start with men for failing to be the leaders God has called them to be. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 12

Crossing The Generation Gap

Crossing The Generation Gap "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4 Last week I received two e-mail messages from friends who are each ninety-six years old. My mother is currently 95 years old, and a few months ago I turned 70. I enjoy texting and talking with friends who are in the winter season of their life, as they are always ready to impart their wisdom and share their experiences. We learn from people who have faced experiences in life and are willing to share their wisdom. I also enjoy sharing with others that are younger than me, as often they see things from a different perspective than I do, and I find their wisdom helpful as well. These e-mail made me think how many people do I know who are at least twenty-five years older than I am, and how many people do I know who are at least twenty-five years younger than I am? Typically we hang out with people near our own ages. Perhaps that’s a carryover from our years in school where most of our friends were classmates and our own age. Perhaps it's because we associate with people who are going through similar life situations, with kids in school, or empty nesters, or fellow employees, or perhaps with people who are in their retirement years as we are. It is always nice having friends who are our own ages and with whom we share much in common. At the same time I have been immeasurably encouraged by friendships that cross the generations. Those older than us offer their wisdom, spirit, and love, and those younger also offer their wisdom, spirit, and love. Ask yourself if you are in groups and activities that will allow you to meet and to grow real friendships with people across the spectrum of age, and if not what are you going to do about it? Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold. Jesus met with all ages, and expects us to do the same. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 11

God Provides A Way

God Provides A Way "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 For many people this is a tough scripture to embrace. How can they consider it pure joy, when they are going through a divorce? Or in the aftermath of the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job? Or when they are told that they have just been diagnosed with cancer? What will it take to see the joy through all the difficulties and problems that they face during life? We should always realize that God knows what is happening when the storm clouds begin to roll in, and when our mountains become difficult for us to climb. Only God can give us this joy and change our perspective. Testing develops perseverance. In order to learn how to persevere, we have to go through some trying times. Think back on the trials in your life. What were the results? Did you make changes in your life? Did God help you get through them? Remember that as you continue to serve him you are growing in faith, and trusting Him more. These times of testing is God's way of showing you that you are not in control, but He is Perseverance must finish its work. We can’t go from diapers to dungarees in the snap of our fingers. Living takes time, and there are “pains” that go with it. Sure, it hurts sometimes, but know that the uncomfortable seasons mean that you’re growing, and becoming mature and complete. When you were a child, you didn’t have the answers to all of life's experiences to draw from. Now that you’re older, hopefully you can see how you have grown closer to the Lord, and how he has changed you, and provided for you during these times. God knows the plans He has for you, and will see you through. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 10

Come Follow Me

Come Follow Me "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24 Have you ever thought about the sacrifice all the Apostles made when they gave up their businesses, their families, their possessions to follow Jesus. Some of them were wealthy but they gave it all up when Jesus spoke to them. There are many missionaries today that give up their fame and fortune to go to other countries and live very meagerly on hardly any money to sustain themselves. They live day by day trusting God to provide their needs. This is the way the Apostles were, as they depended on God, and trusted Him that He would provide for them. When Moses led the people out of Egypt he trusted God that He would provide, and God did. All of these people sacrificed and gave up all they had, but they had the promise that there was better things waiting for them. Discipleship is always costly. No, it may not cost us our lives, but it will cost us. It will cost us our plans, our wills, our selfish desires, as the standards Jesus had for the Apostles has not changed, as the scripture above still applies to you and me. Instead of controlling our lives, we turn them over to Jesus. Your salvation is the thing that Jesus is interested in, and He gave His life because He loved you so much that He died on the cross for your sins. Your salvation was not cheap as He died for you. It cost Jesus His life, and it will cost you as well. You will also have to sacrifice your selfish desires, maybe even your wealth and material possessions, as Jesus wants you to worship Him, not the things of this earth. But could there be anything greater than your salvation, and the promise of an eternal home in Heaven that will await you? Could anything be more fulfilling? When you follow Christ, and at life's end you will have no regrets, you will be glad you followed Jesus. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 9

The Brevity Of Life

The Brevity Of Life "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 It seems like only yesterday that I was young and just beginning my life, but now I find that these days are gone, and as the twilight of my days are rapidly approaching, I am amazed at how swiftly the years have flown by. I can remember my grandmother saying that she could not comprehend how swiftly the years had passed. "The brevity of life", catches each of us by surprise, as almost before we know it, the years have passed and life is almost over. On one hand, life's brevity should challenge us. If ever we are to live for Christ and share Him with others, it must be now. Jesus said, "The night is coming when no one can work" John 9:4. But life's brevity should also comfort us. We know that life is short, but we have the promise that our eternity will last forever, it will be never ending. When the trials and struggles of this life is over, we have the promise of God that we will live on forever, if we have asked Jesus to come into our hearts. God has prepared us, and even our days on this earth go fleetingly by, our eternity in Heaven should give us peace and comfort us, that better times are ahead. The apostle Paul wrote, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, for the things which are seen are temporary." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Even though we know this life will soon be over, we can be at peace knowing that God has prepared a place that will fulfill all our dreams and meet all our needs. However, while we are on this earth we still have work that needs to be done, as we can tell others about the eternal life that also awaits them, when they ask Jesus into their hears. So keep busy spreading the good news. Don't live as if this life will last forever. It won't. Live instead with eternity in view. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 8

Put God In Control

Put God In Control "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Today, I want to encourage you to put God in control of your life and in all you do. I don't know what problems you may be facing in your life this morning, but I do know that many of you are going through something that is troubling you. Whatever your situation is, I want you to know that God already knows all about it, and gives you scriptures like the one above that tells you that He works all things for the good of those who love Him. I cannot promise you that all your problems will be solved by the time you fall asleep tonight, or that they will work out exactly the way you want them to. But, I can tell you that God knows all about them, and according to His will they will work out for the good. The thing I want you to remember is, to not give up trusting and having faith that God is in control. If your trials and struggles seem overwhelming today, pray about them, read your Bible and seek God's wisdom, draw closer to Him, and then turn all your problems over to Him and let Him take control. When you turn your problems over to God, even in the midst of them, He will give you peace. Look at the life of Peter, as he spent much time in prison, was persecuted, beaten and threatened daily, but He had perfect peace, because the presence of God was with Him. God will also be present with you during your struggles, as He will also give you His peace and provide you comfort. He has not abandoned you, or forsaken you. Don't try to handle your problems by yourself, without trusting and having faith that God is bigger than your problems, and that He will work things out for the good of those who love Him. Jesus promised you that "he will never leave you nor forsake you." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 7

Ambassadors For Jesus

Ambassadors For Jesus "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11 Let me ask you a simple question today, "Are you being the ambassador for Christ that you need to be? I was reminded of this yesterday, when Margaret and I were trying to find a program on television to watch. As we turned from channel to channel trying to find a decent program, each one seemed to be more evil than the last one, there was foul language, improper clothing, sexual overtones, and many other things that were not appropriate to watch. The reason for my question is that if most of the time our children spend is in front of the television, seeing this garbage, who are the ambassadors for Christ that they see. The people who are watching these programs are never going to church, never going to read the Bible, and are living their lives void of God's Truth. I have written much about the church getting outside the four walls of the church, as this is where the vast majority of people in this nation and around the world live their lives. The fact is, everyone has a family member, friend, or co-worker like this. Because they have rejected God's Word they also have rejected Jesus Christ and whether they understand it or not, are going to die one day and spend eternity in hell, unless ambassadors of Christ step forward and give them the opportunity to know Jesus. We must get out of the comfort zone of our churches, quit doing nothing but preaching to ourselves, and get bold and aggressive in taking the message of Christ's love to these lost and hurting masses. The television and media takes this message of debauchery and rebellion to God to the masses every day. If the media can lead the masses to hell, why can't those of us who serve God lead those same masses to an everlasting relationship with Jesus. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 6

Taming Your Tongue

Taming Your Tongue "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26 Today, I want to talk to you about the tongue, which is so difficult to control, as anyone who controls it perfectly gains control of himself in all other areas of life as well. We must understand that what we say is born in our heart, then moves to our head, and then is manifested in our conversation. We can never talk about taming our tongue, until we talk about taming our heart. You don't commit the act of adultery until it starts in your heart, moves to your head, and finally is performed by your body. Having your heart right is the key to how you live your life, and the actions you perform day in and day out. We can accomplish so much with our conversation, while we can also destroy so much. I believe it is critical to use our conversation to build others up. We should always take the opportunity, when speaking to people, to lift them up, and be an encouragement to them. I also believe at the same time, that we have to use conversation to be honest with people. Even if it is uncomfortable and painful, it is better to get it out in the open, and deal with a problem before it becomes even a larger problem. I would encourage you to take inventory of your conversation. Be aware of the things you say, how you say it, and the impact it has on others. You can always use God's gift of communication to build someone up, and to encourage them. Be aware that if you are not happy with the things that come out of your mouth, then you need to pray for the Lord to show you what is really in your heart. What you say is not an accident, it starts in your heart. Look at the scripture above, apply it to your life today, and don't let the Devil into your heart, but ask God to help you tame your tongue and your heart. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 5

Are You Prepared

Are You Prepared By: Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock "You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:3 What would you do if Jesus came today? Would you be prepared to stand before Him at His judgment throne and be judged? I want to encourage each of you to prepare yourselves for this day, which certainly will come to all of us. We do not know the year, the month, the day or the hour when this day will come, or when our life may suddenly end. The Bible tells us that our life is like a mist, it appears for just a little while, then it's gone as suddenly as it appeared. I don't mean to sound so downbeat, but this is the way life is, and each of you need to live your life as if this was your last day on this earth. You must be prepared to stand before God's judgment throne and be judged. I would encourage each of you to always, pray when you wake up in the morning and before you close your eyes at night, and always thanking God for all the blessing He has bestowed on you. You do not know what each day will hold for you, as statistics tell us that there are over 40,000 people who die suddenly each day in accidents, one of these could be you. The thing you need to remember is to always live your life with Jesus in your heart, doing His perfect will, then you will have no need to fear, and be afraid of what the future may hold. You can live in perfect peace, content and always happy, when you place God first in your life, believing and trusting that He will provide all you need, and will protect and give you His peace and comfort in all that you do. The future does not need to be something that you fear, and are afraid to face, as when you live each day for Jesus, you are prepared to meet and stand before Him, knowing that He is going to say "Welcome good and faithful servant, In you I am well pleased." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 4

A Tree And Its Fruit

A Tree And Its Fruit "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:19-20 If you died today how would God judge you? Has your life been fruitful, or has your fruit swiveled up on the vine? In the Bible, the scripture above comes under the heading, "A Tree and Its Fruit". The message it tells us is that during our time on earth, we must make our life meaningful in the sight of God. My devotional today is about making a change in your life, a change to be the kind of person God wants you to be. A change that will make your life meaningful to God. God knows what is in your heart. You may put on a good outward appearance to the outside world, but He knows what you are really like on the inside. The question you need to answer, "would God be pleased with you as you are"? Would He be pleased with all the secret sin you have committed, with all the unforgivness, with all the pride you have about yourself, with all the anger and bitterness you may have stored up inside you? Could you stand before God today with a clean heart, and be comfortable with His judgment? If you are not sure where you stand; today could be the day that you need to let God transform you, and change you into the person you need to be. When you allow God to make this transformation in your life, and in your heart, you will stand before Him, at His judgment throne, and be 100% sure that God would be pleased with you, both on the inside and on the outside. Making sure that God is pleased with you, is the only thing that really matters during your life. Making Him first in all you do, and obeying and following His commands is the only way you can be sure that He will find your life meaningful. Asking Jesus into your heart and receiving His gift of salvation is the only way for your life to bear fruit. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven April 2