Be Transformed

Be Transformed "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 I grew up on a farm, and when I read this scripture I am reminded of some of the pigs we raised. You can scrub a pig, sprinkle perfume on them, put a ribbon around their necks, and take them into your living room. But the moment you turn them loose, they will jump into the first mud puddle they see, because their nature has never been changed. They are still a pig. This is not so with people, as we are constantly trying to change and reform ourselves. Stores are filled with self-help books claiming to be the fountain of youth and promising to make us become the people we want to be. But even if there were books to transform us they would only be temporary fixes. A deeper transformation is needed, a transformation of the heart. The amazing fact is that this is really possible. The Bible tells us that when we ask Jesus into our hearts, we are transformed on the inside, we are spiritually born again. God's Spirit comes to live within us and change and transform us. Our motives change, our objectives change, our goals change, our attitudes and dispositions change, but most of all our eternal destiny changes. This transformation doesn't take place all at once, as we will then need to study the Bible, seek it's wisdom, and then apply what we learn to drawing closer to being the person God wants us to be. We will spend the rest of our life learning what it means to follow Christ. I would encourage each of you reading this devotional to ask Jesus to transform you, let Him change you to be the person He wants you to be. Open your heart to Jesus and let Him set you free from the sin that is keeping you from the peace and joy you have been missing. Do it today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 30

God's Grace Is Sufficient

God's Grace Is Sufficient "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8 To me this is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible, as we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying to God. In it our Lord asked that the cup of crucifixion, which was about to be thrust upon Him, to be taken away. But then, in the very next breath, He said, "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39. What a powerful prayer? What strength. What Power. Jesus knew that He was going to die, but through all the anguish he was going through, He still trusted in God. We also see the Apostle Paul, asking God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but God did not remove it, saying instead, "My grace is sufficient for you." We find Paul also joyfully submitting to God's will and being content in his situation. He discovered that God's grace truly was sufficient, even in the midst of pain. So often in life when we have trials and troubles come upon us, we complain and sometimes become angry, not trusting and having faith that God will remove our mountains and give us relief. We need to have the same faith that both Jesus and Paul had, and praying that God's will be done in our situations and not ours. We always need to realize that Christ desires to be with us in whatever crisis we may find ourselves in, and that we must trust Him and have faith that He will carry us through. When we find ourselves in these situations, we need to call upon God, and then trust Him to do as He promised, and believe that "His grace is sufficient." We need to also realize that our problems may not go away, but that God will give us the strength to withstand them, and will give us peace even in our struggles. God cares about you and will give you all the strength to deal with anything in life, and to overcome them by His grace."His grace is sufficient for you." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 29

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 September 28

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 September 27

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."

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 September 23

Crying Out To God

Crying Out To God "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:2 We have a new grandson named Christopher Thomas Brock, Jr, our sixth, and recently when he was visiting us he fell and hurt his leg. He immediately began screaming and crying at the top of his lungs, however in just a moment he was back up running around the room, laughing and having a big time. This reminded me of some of our children when they cried out at night, wanting their bottles or when they had fallen and hurt themselves. I thought of all the babies throughout the world and that they also cry out when they are hurt. There are many children who are born in mud huts and have no clothes and no food, while other children are born with wealth and want for nothing. However in every place the babies' cries are similar. Rich or poor, Eastern or Western, the babies all called out the same way to their parents. These children will grow up speaking a different language and eating different food, going to school or remaining illiterate, working in an office building or hacking plants with a machete, living under a tile roof or straw thatch, riding a car, a train, or a donkey. Each one of these children may connect with God, turn away, or never truly know him. However, each one of these children will one day die, and the cry at death is like the newborn child's cry to their father or mother, "Carry me." "Save me." Or that cry may be an anxious call into an unknown void. Our lives are so different as we live them. But at the end of life, we become more similar again, the way we were as babies. How we cry out at the end of life will depend on how much we desired our Heavenly Father all the years in between. He knows every voice and feels the beat of every heart. He longs to hear us cry out to Him and never stop crying out to Him until our dying day. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 22

Let Your Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine “We are to continually walk in love being guided by love and following love.” 2 John 1:6 When God puts love and compassion in your heart toward someone, he’s offering you an opportunity to make a difference in that person’s life. He placed in each of us the potential to have a kind, caring, gentle and loving heart. We each have the ability to feel compassion and to feel the hurt that other people are feeling, but too often because of our selfishness, we choose to close our hearts to these people and not try to help them. We need to ask ourselves if we are really concerned about other people, or are only concerned about ourselves. If we can answer this question we can quickly determine if our hearts are right. If we really want to do what is right in the sight of God, we will open our hearts, and be on the lookout for people we can bless. Matthew 5:16 tells us “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Throughout the Bible we see that Jesus always took time for people. He was never too busy or preoccupied with himself to turn anybody away. Are we too busy in our lives looking after ourselves to help the people around us who are in need? We need to examine our own hearts, and if we find we are indulged in our own self interests, we need to change our attitude and lives to devote more of our efforts to help others. In Galatians 6:9 it says “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Take time today to look around you, at your job, in your school, in your neighborhood, anywhere you are, and reach out to others. Let them see the light of Jesus through you, and let them know the love of Jesus. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 21

Finding God's Peace

Finding God's Peace "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 As I am writing this devotional this morning, I am reflecting back on the eight months that have passed, and how God has blessed me and my family. Yes, we have had our share of sickness, there have been unexpected expenses that have taken us by surprise, there have been unexpected deaths in our extended family that have devastated us, and broken our hearts. However, through all the uncertainty and stresses God has been there to comfort us and help us bear our burdens. When unexpected things happen in our lives we can become the ultimate pity party planner if we let it. We can fall apart just thinking about what lies ahead and how things will work out, all the time thinking about the worst case scenario. However, as I think how blessed I am to be here this morning, being able to write my devotionals, and worship God by reading His Holy Word, and praying to Him, I want to thank Him for all that He has done for me. He has provided me with all that I need, and I am content just knowing that my future is secure, and that my eternal home is just waiting for me when this life is over. It is easy to look at the storm clouds that confront us during this life, however, just knowing that there is something better waiting, that there is always a beautiful rainbow just waiting after the storm is over, is enough to comfort me and give me peace. Life on this earth can be wonderful when we have Jesus in our heart, as the peace and joy that comes with Him walking with us each day, can overshadow any trials and struggles this world can bring. If you do not have this peace and comfort that I have today, all you have to do is ask Him to be your Savior and He will give you His peace and His comfort in all that you do. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 20

A Positive Attitude

A Positive Attitude "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Are you a positive thinking person or a negative thinking person? Do you consider the glass to be half full or half empty? Do you bring sunshine or gloom into the room? I believe God wants us to be positive in all of life's situations, because this is the way that we can demonstrate to others that we have faith and trust in God to let us be victorious over all things that can come against us. God wants us to think positively, always looking for things and ways to encourage others. A negative attitude indicates that you do not trust God, and that you are worried about what the future holds for you. If you have Jesus in your heart you will not be afraid of what the future holds, as you will look forward to your eternal life in Heaven. The Bible tells us to be content in all circumstances, as God will be with us. He will not leave us or forsake us, but will help us carry our burdens. If you are a negative person, don't say, "I'm just a worrier. I was born that way." Or, "It’s my nature to be depressed." God is in the personality-changing business. He wants you to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). You can change. You can become known for your encouraging words. Ask God to help you develop a positive thought life. Immerse yourself in his Word. Pray. Over time, you will discover that you can control the way you think, choosing to focus on some thoughts and to reject others. The scripture above can be life changing. Write it out and post it where you will see it regularly, on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car. Choose to meditate on the positive. Bring sunshine into the world by being positive. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 19

Be Truthful Always

Be Truthful Always "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Ephesians 4:25 So often in life it is easy to stretch the truth, and not be completely honest to protect ourselves and not take the blame for something we knew about. I can remember one night as I was driving back home from a board meeting, when I realized one of my headlights was out. I was hoping I wouldn't get stopped, but it was not long until a highway patrolman pulled out behind me, turned on his flashing lights and pulled me over. He said, "Son, did you know one of your headlights is out?" I replied, "One of my headlights is out?" He said, "Son, you'd better get that fixed." I said, "Yes, sir." When I pulled out I was convicted by the Holy Spirit which said, "Bob, you lied, you did not admit that you knew your headlight was out." I said, "No, I didn't lie, I just didn't tell the whole truth." It is so easy to sin, as even in this so called innocent act, even a white lie such as this is still a sin in the sight of God. The Bible tells us to always be aware of the schemes and temptations of Satan in our lives, as there will always be situations where we don't tell the truth, and we might try to whitewash it with the justification it is only a white lie. White lies are sins just as stealing, using foul language, murder, or even adultery are sins. If there is any area in your heart that is not based on truth, you've made the devil a home in your heart, where one sin can lead to a multitude of other sins. During each day of your life you will make many choices, each choice is one that you can follow God or follow Satan. I would encourage you to be aware of each choice you make today, and make the ones that would be pleasing to God. Don't give Satan a foothold in your heart, by compromising the truth. Always be truthful in all things. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 18

Keep Dreaming

Keep Dreaming "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8 I remember one of my college professors telling our class that we could be whatever we want to be in life, and that we should always keep our dreams alive. I was reminded of this the other day when I got behind a young man on his bicycle. He was wearing a T-shirt which had this message. "I am going to be president when I grow up." On his bike he had this message. "I am going to be a Mercedes someday." This young man certainly had lofty dreams, but without dreams we will never reach the pinnacle of life that we want to reach. To keep your dream alive and find fulfillment in the pursuit of it, you must allow yourself to keep dreaming. God gave Joseph two dreams: in the first, other sheaves of wheat bowed down to his; in the second, other stars bowed down to his. Note, he dreamed progressively higher, from sheaves to stars. Most creative people intuitively understand the importance of dreaming as a process for inspiration, motivation and fulfillment. If you are not a naturally creative person, then you have to learn how to keep dreaming. Also a sense of humor doesn't hurt either, as many of our dreams are sometimes greater than we can imagine, and are beyond the sphere of what others might think of what we expect out of life. I recently ran across an article about Andrew Carnegie, who was a Christian philanthropist during the early 1900's, who said, "If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." Our dreams should always be aligned with God's will for us, and if they are meshed with God's plans for us, these dreams can become realities. When David said, "I delight to do Your will, O my God," he simply meant you'll find your highest fulfillment in doing what God put you on this earth to do. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 17

Be Transformed

Be Transformed “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 Are you where you need to be in your walk with God? If you find you are not at the place you need to be, this devotional is for you, as I want you to think about how and what you need to do to change your life. Today, I was reminded of this scripture, as I watched a caterpillar emerge from the ground, and attach itself to one of my peach tree leaves. A caterpillar is an ugly little creature, and is not the most pleasant thing to look at, but this is its sole function in life, as it is necessary in order to reach the next level, which is to hide itself inside a cocoon, and wait for its next transformation. A few weeks later the cocoon bursts open, and a beautiful butterfly springs forth. This beautiful example of the wonders of God’s nature, reminds me of what happens to us, when we ask Jesus into our hearts. Before we receive God in our hearts, we exist with very little function in our lives, as we live day to day with little direction. We are full of wickedness, ugly in our sin, but as we hear and accept God’s call, and begin to hide ourselves in God’s word, accepting His saving grace, a great transformation takes place in our lives. We suddenly are transformed, our mind is renewed, and our life has a new meaning. We turn away from the old things; things that were ugly, and go to the next level, one that now has meaning and purpose. Do you want to become a new person and accept Jesus into your heart, becoming a new being with joy on your face, and the peace of God in your heart, and experience your own transformation? Each one of you has this same opportunity to be transformed and renewed, as Jesus wants you to have the peace and joy that only He can bring to your life. Just ask Jesus into your heart today and experience this wonderful transformation. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 16

Make A Difference

Make A Difference "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" James 2:14 Can you make a difference in the lives of others? The answer is, "Yes you can." Never disregard your sphere of influence as being too small and insignificant to make any difference in the grand scheme of life. Everyday encounters with the cashier at your favorite grocery store, the guy behind the counter at your gas station, the clerk at the coffee shop, the employees you work with at your job, or a classmate at your school and next door neighbors, are all opportunities for you to minister to others. A simple smile or an attempt at small talk every day can lead to opportunities to minister if you are observant. A gentle question or word of encouragement literally can save a life down the road. Unless you grew up as a recluse, locked away in a darkened room, never once leaving your home, you will have brushed against thousands of people’s lives by the time your life on earth ends. Keep your eyes and heart open and allow the Lord to lead you to ‘the one’ God would have your life brush up against in a positive way today. Perhaps that ‘one’ is a member of your immediate family, or it could be someone you meet in your daily walk through life. There are countless opportunities where you can touch someone's life. In our modern day culture you can touch a life through an email, a Facebook message or, even better yet – a phone call. Mother Teresa, who touched thousands of lives in India, encouraged those who would follow her footsteps. She said “Never worry about numbers, but help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” The Bible gives us many examples such as the man who stopped to help the person on the side of the road, while others looked the other way and passed them by. Look around you and touch someone today. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 15

Perseverance

Perseverance “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” James 1:2-3 I have always loved to play golf, and began playing when I was in college, and played on the golf team. I have been fortunate to have played on many of the best known golf courses in the country, even getting to play at the Augusta Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia where the Master's championship is played each April. When I play I like to be on the fairway but unfortunately we find ourselves sometimes in the sand trap. There are things, that can get us off course such as an illness, loss of a job, a bad relationship, financial difficulties, the list could go on. But the important thing is how do we recover from the pitfalls of life. Getting out of the sand takes perseverance, and many times it is difficult to recover from some of the tragic circumstances we find ourselves in. I can remember my grandmother who, experienced several difficult times, such as breaking her leg while working in her garden. My grandmother was a very tough lady and simply reset the leg herself, and continued about her work. She didn't let things slow her down, but persevered. Perseverance means steadily persisting to reach your goal despite how you feel, despite the obstacles that get in the way. The apostle Peter, admonishes us to diligently add perseverance to our faith. That is accomplished through fighting the battles with God’s help, confident that he will do what he promised he would do. My grandmother persevered, and I learned from her example. When you find yourself in the sand trap, remember God is with you through your troubles. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His strength to help is readily available. Ask and he will provide. Keep your focus on God, persevere and you will reach the green. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 14

Difficult Times

Difficult Times "Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!" Daniel 3:28 I spent over 45 years in health care, and personally witnessed the diseases that took the life of so many of my friends and co-workers. However, since I retired it seems that more and more people are being diagnosed with debilitating or life-threatening illnesses. In the last year, I’ve had close friends diagnosed with breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, serious heart attacks and strokes. Some have survived extreme medical treatments and are recovering; some are still battling for their lives; however some have been healed. Most of these friends struggle to keep their families intact and their lives balanced. They strive to maintain dignity and hope in circumstances that try to rob them of both. Many of them write to me asking me to pray for them, and many ask this question, "Why is this happening to me? It is sometimes difficult to find the right words to tell them, as God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His Word tells us that His plans give us a hope and a future. Sometimes we are not able to control our circumstances or our future. We know that this world and its troubles are only temporary for us, but we also know that an eternal home in Heaven is waiting for those that trust and have faith in God. We know that nothing will happen to us that God won’t give us grace to walk through. We know that when we are too tired to go on, He will personally carry us with tender strength. O God, we know that You are able to save us and rescue us. We are asking You to heal us for Your glory. But even if You don’t we will serve You and You alone. As we walk through this fire, conform us to You. Strengthen our bodies and our spirits and stay close to us in the darkness. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 13

Encouragement

Encouragement "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 I have always been a big sports fan, and spend a lot of my time following my favorite basketball and baseball teams. I am also an encourager at heart, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to celebrate the determination and hard work that lead to victories in my friends' lives. I have always liked to see my employees do well in their jobs, and always was there to encourage them and make them the best they could be. I have always liked to celebrate a victory with them, regardless of how small that victory may seem to be. I believe that speaking a true word of encouragement into someone's life is like helping them mine for gold. Sometimes, we have to shovel past a lot of dirt before we find the first shiny nuggets, but if we persist we will find the real treasure. Did you know that gold-miners don't keep a record of the amount of dirt they have to dig through to find the gold. I love that analogy. While others see a lot of dirt, I like to look beyond the dirt, and find the riches that lie beneath. I love to speak truth-infused, life-giving encouragement to my brothers and sisters in Christ, which is the reason that I write so many encouraging devotionals. I am careful not to mislead them through speaking kind words that are born from an earthly compassion that has no basis in truth. I would not tell a tone-deaf friend they have a voice of an angel, but I have told tone-deaf friends that they make their heavenly Father's heart swell with delight as they enter into effusive praise and worship. I have learned the wisdom of speaking a right word in the right season, often waiting on the Lord's direction as when to speak the word and when to withhold it until 'just the right time'. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 12

My Daughter's Birthday

My Daughter's Birthday “When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful.” Genesis 6:1 Today is Pamela’s birthday, my precious daughter, and my first born child. I will never forget the instant love that I had for her when I first held her in my arms. I know this was the happiest moment in my life, and one that I will never forget. There is something that happens when you see and hold your firstborn child that cannot be put into words. Your life and your world are instantly changed, and the love that you have for this little baby cannot be described in mere words. It is a love that you have never experienced before, and a time in your life when nothing else is as important as protecting and taking care of your new precious baby. I believe this is how God feels about all of us, as he is proud of all His little children when they are born, and tells us throughout the Bible just how precious little children are to Him. He tells us to become as humble as little children in scriptures throughout the Bible, as they are God’s precious little ones. It is so important for parents to love their children and want the best for them. God wants the best for them as well, and has given parents much instruction and wisdom throughout the Bible in how to instruct and guide our children during the time we have them. We must remember that our children are God’s children, and we have them for only a season and then we turn them over to God. While we have them we need to teach them about God and show them the way they need to live their lives. We need to be their examples and live a life that is pleasing to God, obeying and following His commands. God tells us that if we bring up our children in the way of the Lord they will not depart from it. I am so proud to be Pamela's father, and she will always be my little Princess. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 11

God Is Faithful

God is Faithful “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4 William Penn, the founder of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was well liked by the Indians. Once they told him he could have as much of their land as he could walk on foot in a single day. So, early the next morning he started out and walked until late that night. When he finally went to claim his land, the Indians were greatly surprised for they really didn’t think he would take them seriously. But they kept their promise and gave him a large area which today is part of the city of Philadelphia. William Penn simply believed what they said, and found the Indians to be faithful to their words. I can certainly count on God to be faithful to His words in my life. There are many times during each of our lives when we are disappointed with others, as they have let us down and not lived up to their promises to us. These disappointments can color our outlook on life, and can even change the way we see God. I know several family members that have turned their backs on God because of disappointments in their lives and now they blame God for these disappointments. They are missing so much as God was not to blame for any of these disappointments, but their hearts have been hardened to the point that they have forsaken God. Each of us is going to be faced with disappointments throughout our lives, and when these disappointments come we must not allow them to cause us to doubt God, as He continues to be faithful to those who believe in Him. When times of trouble face us, we need to turn to God even more, and depend upon Him to let us endure and be victorious. We can depend upon God, who is faithful to those who believe and trust in Him. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 10

Fear Not

Fear Not By: Elena Bailey Ford, my Precious Granddaughter “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2nd Timothy 1:7 Today is my granddaughter's birthday, and she wrote this devotional several years ago, as she is now 22 years old. I have struggled with fear much in my 14 years of life. I always feared dying, family and close friends dying, pets dying, Satan, etc. But one thing I’ve learned about fear: “FEAR IS NOT OF THE LORD”. Satan is behind fear, and Satan is the father of all lies. Fear is of Satan, not of God, and I know everyone deals with fear. I know many people who fear things, but the Lord our God has not given us a spirit of fear, but the power to conquer our fear. Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Satan has been defeated, rebuke his lies. Remember that God is with us, and that there is no reason to be afraid. He is our light and our salvation. He is the stronghold of our lives as He is there for us and never leaves us. Isaiah 35:4 “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Have faith in the Lord; do not be afraid of anything. He is there any time we fear, just call on His name. If you take God’s hand and let Him take control over you, who do you have to fear? With God at your side nothing in this world can hurt you. Make God your dwelling; receive Him in your heart as He wants to hold you in His arms when you are afraid. He wants to take your hand and guide you when you fear. He will give you rest and peace and comfort you. God loves you and He wants to be there for you always. Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word; In God I have put my trust. I will not fear what flesh can do to me.” Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 9

God's Plan Fulfilled

God's Plan Fulfilled “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 Jesus gives each of us trials and troubles in our lives, and many times we do not understand why we are faced with them. It is difficult to understand why God allows the death of a young child, or disasters such as the recent hurricanes or tornadoes that kill hundreds of people and wreck lives. To understand the scripture above we need to look at Psalm 139:16 “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” God knew about the death of the young child and knew about the hurricanes and tornadoes before they happened. I know that throughout my life I did not understand why my father was taken from me before I ever knew him. I struggled with this throughout my life, until about twenty years ago, when I surrendered my life completely to God, and then he began to reveal to me, how my father’s death has affected my life and the life of my children. My life would have been changed completely as well as the lives of my children, had things been different. God has a plan for each of us, and his plan is revealed only when we begin to open our hearts, and begin to let him take control of our lives. The trials and struggles we face during our lives, are all part of his plan for us. If things had been different in my life I am confident I would not be doing what God has me doing today. God has molded me and shaped my life to have me at this place and time. His plan and his will for our lives will be fulfilled after our trials and struggles, and when we persevere, we will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 8

Do Not Fear

Do Not Fear “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10 As we look at our daily newspapers and our television we see more and more trouble all around us, as the spirit of fear seems to be working overtime. With the terror threats, violence in our streets, the threats of war and the crime that is prevalent in almost every community, we have reason to be fearful. This fear is not coming from God but from Satan. The devil wants us to be afraid and on the defensive. He wants us to be so consumed by fear, and so afraid that our thoughts and minds will be so overwhelmed with fear that we will not be able to accomplish the things we need to do. The scriptures, such as the one above can give us strength to stand up and hold fast to the promises of God, that He will not forsake us and leave us alone. He will protect us from our enemies and our fear. We cannot get caught up in the day to day troubles that face our society, and become despondent and begin to have doubts about what the future holds for us. We must realize that the word of God tells us that we must refuse to worry about what “may” happen, as God is going to see us through. He tells us that there will be a brighter tomorrow, even though we sometimes cannot see through the dark clouds that surrounds us. I believe God has angels all around us that are there to protect the ones that believe and trust in Him. We also have our Christian brothers and sisters to aid and comfort us during our times of trouble. When the attacks of the devil begin to drag you down, and fear begins to overwhelm you, you can reach out to your friends, but just remember that God is always there for you and will not let anyone attack you or harm you, as He is always there to watch over you. Do not be afraid. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 7

Don't Compromise

Don't Compromise "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2nd Timothy 4:3 Are you living the kind of life that God wants you to live, or are you letting the world control your life and influence you in your behavior? I believe we are living in perilous times today, as I continue to hear so called pastors on television, preaching messages that go against Biblical teaching. As the scripture above states, we have to be careful and listen to what we hear from these preachers, as when their message goes against what the Bible tells us, we need to be able to discern what the truth really is. Our society today has gradually compromised their values, and many of our preachers are also compromising their values as well, and preaching "feel good" messages, that go along with our compromised values. The Bible, and God's word has not changed throughout the centuries, and still apply to today's society, as they did when they were written. I have heard many say that we live in a different time now, and that we need to be understanding of the culture of today. When we begin to compromise, and change right from wrong, to suit our own standards, we are on a slippery slope that will lead to our destruction. When we begin to compromise our values on issues such as marriage, abortion and our freedom of prayer, we are getting away from the Word of God. This is the time to stand firm on what the Bible teaches us about these issues, and not compromise our values and beliefs. The Word of God has not changed, and never will. The Bible must continue to be what we base our faith on, and continue to live by. God's real word is all that matters, and we must never compromise it in any way. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 6

Move Your Mountain

Move Your Mountain "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20-21 During our lives, we will all face major life-changing situations. The loss of a job, financial issues, the death of a loved one, a problem with our health, and possible relationship issues with family members, or even with our spouses. There are few people that at some time in their life that will not face a mountain that they do not know how to overcome. I know that many of you are facing a mountain today, that just seems to high, and you don't know how to get over it. The message I want to give you today, is how you can respond to these life changing mountains. You can either allow the mountain in your life to keep you from fulfilling your purpose of serving God, and robbing you of your peace, joy and the abundance of this life, or you can move forward in God's strength, putting your trust and faith in Him to remove your mountain, and live in victory. In the scripture above Jesus tells you that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to your mountain "Be gone, and it will be gone." Having grown up on a farm, a mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds, so it doesn't take a lot of faith, but the question is, "do you trust God enough to put your complete faith in Him." Let me encourage you today, that there is not a mountain that you are facing that cannot be moved. You may not understand why God has placed this mountain in your life, but He has not placed it there, without giving you the strength to overcome it. I want you to know that God will give you whatever strength you need to overcome, but you need to draw closer to Him, pray to Him, read His words, and then trust and have the faith that He will move your mountain. Just remember that with God all things are possible. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 5

God Is Always There

God Is Always There "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 We recently had a terrible storm that came through our area where the skies became dark, the wind began to blow, and tree limbs were broken from the trees and covered our yard. Fortunately this did not last long as I was beginning to get worried that our house would be damaged. It is during these times that we feel helpless as we can only trust God to watch over and protect us. After the blast of the wind came the hard rain, however this did not last long, and when it was over, the skies began to brighten and traces of the sun appeared, and a beautiful rainbow suddenly appeared. As I opened the door I was greeted by a wonderful fragrance as I looked at the beautiful signal God had placed in the sky indicating that the storm was over. The air smelled fresh and clean. It was like the heavens had opened and rained flowers on the land. But isn’t this a lot like life? In the midst of our scariest times, frustrating moments, and absolute downpours of too much of a good thing, there are gifts from God. This gift was for anyone who took the time to open their doors and see the rainbow in the sky, and breathe in the fresh air. God allows us to go through the hard times but He has certainly promised us the great times too. Out of what seems like the storms of life, we can find Him and know that He cares for us. He was there in the storm and the rain. But He was also there to protect us. Maybe we were all being tested to trust in Him. I am so glad that I know God in such a personal way that when the storms in life hit me with their best shots, I can know that I will make it. He is there for us and longs to refresh us when we need it, protect us from harm and danger, and provide the wisdom we need when we don’t understand the “whys” in life. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 4

Who Controls You

Who Controls You "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways." Proverbs 8:32 Have you thought about what controls your life, is it God or is it the world around you? One of the most incredible challenges we have each day in our Christian journey, is what controls us. The ultimate goal of every believer is to be controlled at all times by the Spirit of God, instead of the spirit of this world. It is when we are controlled by the Lord that we are able to fulfill our purpose in life, enjoy the peace, joy, and abundance of this life, and know God's richest blessings. When we allow ourselves to be controlled by the things of this world, we distance ourselves from the Lord. What controls our lives becomes the ultimate battle we fight each day. Before we became Christians, it was never an issue. There was no choice. We simply lived our life the way the world lived. Our lives were totally controlled by the spirit of the world. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are now confronted with a choice each day. Continue to live the way the world lives, the way we are used to living, or live under the control of our new Master, Jesus Christ. We must learn how to let the Holy Spirit control us. It starts with our daily relationship with the Lord by praying and reading the Word each day. As this becomes our daily life and focus, we are more in touch with God, as we get used to the Holy Spirit controlling our life as opposed to the things of this world. The critical key is to be consistent, day after day. When we stop praying each day; stop reading the Word each day; stop going to church; stop finding ways to serve God, that is when we become open to having the things of this world take control over our lives. Our daily challenge is to do the things that please God and not the world, and to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide us in the ways of God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 3

Put Your Burdens Down

Put Your Burdens Down "My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver." Proverbs 8:19 I remember my teacher in college who walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to us with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?' She fooled us all by asking "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. To 20 oz. She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "and that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on." "As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again." This lesson is so true. Don't carry your burdens through the evening and into the night, but pick them up tomorrow. The Bible tells us to be happy and content with whatever the circumstances we are facing. We will all have trials and troubles during life, but when we have Jesus in our hearts, we will never have more than we can bear. Don't let the worries of this life get you down, but learn to be happy and contented in whatever comes your way. God does not want you to go through live just getting by, but wants you to be a beacon of light for others to see. When you go around with a frown on your face, nobody wants to be like you, but when they see the big smile, even when you are going through a struggle, you are being an example for them. Let God help you share your burdens as He can lighten your load. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 2

Laugh And Smile

Laugh And Smile "The path of the righteous is like the first glean of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day." Proverbs 4:18 Would anyone you meet know that you have Jesus in your heart by the expression on your face. A smile can mean so much to others you meet in your daily life, however so many go around with a frown on their face, looking like they have lost their best friend. However a smile and laughing is what we have been given to open up our soul and allow light to shine on it. What oil is to an engine, laughter is to the inner man. It lubricates our insides so that we are able to function without burning out from the friction of life. There is an old saying that, "we don't stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop laughing." In today's world many of us have stopped laughing. The pressures of life and the dire circumstances some of us face in our lives has meant that we have allowed our smiles to be wiped off our faces permanently. Laughter like most things, the less you do it, the harder it is to get it going next time you have the chance. When we don't laugh our insides become stiff and our emotions paralyzed and so does our experience of life. We let the trials and troubles of life weigh us down and don't let the peace and contentment we should have show through. This is because laughter and a smile has the power to change your circumstances and even those around you. Today one of the biggest momentum changers at your disposal is your ability to smile and laugh. Yes there is a time to be serious, yet having a serious face outside does not mean that you can't keep smiling inside. Happy people live longer and prosper more. This is because laughing is far less taxing on our being and our journey. It has the power to strengthen us and help us to face whatever may come, with that wonderful curve that straightens all things out called a smile. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven September 1