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

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. My Daily Devotional Volume Seven Robert William Brock 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 me 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 It has only been 2 months now since my beloved mother went home to rest, and is now reunited with her departed family members, and they are all now rejoicing around the throne of Jesus. There are many of my readers who have also lost loved ones recently and this message is for you. The scripture above 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 William 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

Believe And You Will Receive

Believe And You Will Receive "They replied, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Acts 16:31 Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad, he didn’t understand why his request was not granted. Then he thought, "Oh well, God has too many other people to care for, and too many other requests to be answered, and that his request was not important enough". Sometime later he thought about his request again, and looked in his living room at the cactus and the caterpillar, and to his surprise, from the thorny & ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown. And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly. GOD always does things right. His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong. If you asked God for one thing & received another, TRUST. You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want is not always what you need. God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going to Him without doubting or murmuring. Today’s THORN is tomorrow’s FLOWER. God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him. If you are dealing with troubles and trials in your life today, go to God in prayer with them, asking Him to help you deal with your problems. God will hear your prayers, as He hears all our petitions. No matter how small or how large your problems may seem, God is always interested, in hearing from you. Many people do not ask God for help, as they depend upon themselves, and their ability to handle the situations of life, however most find that they are not able to withstand and conquer their problems alone, and when they finally turn to God for their answer, He is there to provide peace and comfort. Just remember when you believe you will receive.

The Tenth Commandment

The Tenth Commandment “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17 Of all the commandments, the tenth refers most specifically to man’s relation to man. Throughout our lives we are rushing to make more money. We are in a hurry to have a good time, to get everything we can out of life. On every front we are taught to compete and compare ourselves with our neighbors in every regard, thus the phrase “keeping up with the Joneses'. Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Your real happiness and success in life cannot truly be measured by how new or powerful a car you drive, the kind of home you live in, the clothes you wear, the job you have and the titles behind your name, or even the food you eat. The love, joy and peace that Jesus exemplified came from giving and serving—not from any material thing Jesus was able to get. When you begin to covet your neighbor's money, possessions, and all their material wealth, you are breaking God's command.. In such a situation, you have neither time nor energy to really study the Bible, or to spend in earnest prayer to God. Covetousness is a terrible thing—for it cuts you off from your fellowship with God, and the blessings He could shower you with, but most of all if distances you from the love of God. God wants you to serve Him and devote your time, energy and talents to do His will; but if your primary goal in life is to acquire material wealth like your neighbor, your focus will be on worldly things, and your own personal wants and desires, and not on Him. Thank God for all the blessings He gives your neighbors, and you will be blessed.

The Ninth Commandment

The Ninth Commandment “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 No matter what other faults and weaknesses a person may have, if he is willing to speak the truth, he will at least be respected as a person of truth. This commandment protects every upright and decent person, in that it helps guard reputations. Perhaps there is not a more despicable sin than that of slander, the lie invented and spread with intent to harm another human being. A thief takes only material goods, which may usually be replaced, but a false witness who slanders, may rob one of esteem and reputation in the eyes of others—and chances are slim that a lost reputation will ever be fully regained. In Matthew 5:11 Jesus says, “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.” We should never forget that it was through the sin of false testimony and lying, that Jesus Christ was murdered as stated in Mark 14:56 “Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.” In our own personal lives we need to learn the importance of telling the truth, believing the truth and living the truth. We need to be careful not to base our whole life on a series of lies, or any distortions of the truth. Remember, it is the truth that will make you free John 8:32. Starting a lie about someone, is one of the most destructive things you can do to them, and even though you may apologize, your words can never repair the damage. It is much like tossing feathers into the wind, and trying to recover all of them, your lie will be out in the world and can never be fully recovered. In your personal speech, guard your words carefully, always remembering that what is in your heart is broadcast from your mouth. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 9

The Eighth Commandment

The Eighth Commandment “You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15 According to God’s word and His law, there are only right ways by which you can come into possession of anything. The first is by a free gift—or an inheritance—from another person, or from God Himself. The second is by honest labor, which earns something as a legitimate return. Any other way is theft—which is the taking from another that which does not belong to him. We usually think of stealing, where we are taking something that has a price associated with it, and where we do not pay for it. Shoplifting, breaking into a business establishment, or a home and taking someone’s property are prime examples of this kind of theft. God however defines theft also as much more than the mere taking of something we did not pay for. We can steal by not giving a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. We can steal by false advertising, by cheating on exams at school, using false weights and measures, or even a poor quality of workmanship. God also warns us of stealing from Him, by not giving Him our tithes and offerings. In Malachi 3:8-9 He says “But you ask, how do we rob you? In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.” God also tells us that we must stop taking from others, as in Ephesians it states, ”He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." This is one commandment, that everyone must be aware of at all times, as it is common practice for so many to not think twice about playing computer games on company time, or leaving early from work, taking extra time at lunch. In God's eyes this is still theft. God gave us this command for a reason, and we must truly learn to live by those words, and fulfill the spirit of this important commandment. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 8

The Seventh Commandment

The Seventh Commandment “You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 Marriage is in God’s sight such a precious, righteous, holy thing that it must not be defiled. The meaning of marriage, and its great purpose in God’s plan needs desperately to be understood in this age of unhappy marriages and broken homes. God gives us this law to safeguard this highest earthly relationship. In Matthew 19:5-6 Jesus says “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” It is very clear why Jesus Christ taught the enduring quality of the marriage vow, as he said in Matthew 19:9 “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Jesus also went further in explaining the importance of the marriage as in Matthew 5:27 he says “Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Sex is not a toy to be played with and experimented with. It should be regarded as a God given blessing in the holy and sacred marriage union that God himself has ordained. It should always be one of reverence, and the expression of unselfish love between a man and his wife. Our generation needs desperately to learn the lesson of lasting faithfulness in marriage and in the home. Unfortunately this commandment, is little more than a whim, as almost half of all marriages now end in divorce, many times because of infidelity in the marriage. Most marriage vows, which state that they will be faithful to their spouse, are broken many times during the life of the couple. This commandment is one that must be followed to have a family that God approves of. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 7

The Sixth Commandment

The Sixth Commandment “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13 This obviously is a commandment that is prohibited both by God, and also in our society today. There is nothing that could ever justify taking the life of another person, as a life in God’s eyes is too important. There are numerous scriptures that God has given us throughout the Bible that tell us the penalty for taking someone else’s life. In Matthew 5:21 it states “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” Numbers 35:16 says “If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death.” There is severe penalties put on murder both by God and our society today, for taking someone’s life as well as there should be. There is no excuse for murder, and God does not allow it, and through this commandment makes it one of His laws. God values life too much to have it taken away. In Leviticus 24:17 he says “If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death.” God sent his son Jesus to earth to suffer and die on the cross to save us from our sins. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and gave his life for our life, and for us to take someone’s life is an unpardonable sin in the sight of God. The laws of man has taken this commandment and made a mockery of it today, as it condones the murder of innocent babies, still in their mother's womb, as 1.3 million babies are murdered each day in our abortion mills. God tells us that He knows us even in our mother's wombs, and even knows the number of hairs on our heads. We must be careful to keep God's laws and mans laws separate, as God will judge those that break His laws, even though under man's laws we are held blameless. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 6

The Fifth Commandment

The Fifth Commandment “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 This is the first of God’s commandments with a promise as in Ephesians 6:1-3 it states “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Respect for our parents is an essential ingredient in the family structure, and is so important that God made it one of His commandments. Children must respect their parents before they can learn from them. Parents must set the example for their children, and if the children do not respect their parents they will not learn Godly values from them. If parents are doing their job, and taking the responsibility, they need to be taking, to bring up their children in the way God wants them to, the children will have respect for their parents, and will be taught right from wrong. They will grow up with the family values that God wants them to have, and ones that can be passed down from generation to generation. Parents have the responsibility to teach their children good family values, and the children have the responsibility of respecting their parents, and following their guidance and teachings. It is extremely important to have the presence of God in our homes at all times, so that our children can witness the power of God, working in a Godly family. They will see that this is a necessity, and must be a part of their own lives as well. Proverbs 22:6 states it is the responsibility of the parents to, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This is such an important scripture to follow, as parents can establish the foundation that will follow their children throughout their lives, and at the same time earn the respect that God requires. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 5

The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, not your animals, nor the alien within your gates. Exodus 20:8 God has commanded us to set aside one day each week to rest and in respect for Him. This is the time we need to worship God, and refresh our minds and our bodies. The business of week days so often makes us forgetful of God and our souls; but the Sabbath brings God back to our lives and our remembrance. We should do no work on the Sabbath, as this is to be a day set aside for God, as the Lord’s Day is a day of holy rest. In Exodus 31:14 God is specific as to how important it is to obey the Sabbath when He said “Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death: whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.” God does give us the opportunity to do works of necessity and charity on the Sabbath, but very little else. Our Sabbath day must be reserved for the worship of God, and should be a time to purify our souls; it is a time for us to have communion with God, and draw closer to Him. We need to honor God on the Sabbath day and show Him we love Him. Today I am afraid that many do not respect the Sabbath, as their life continues as it did the rest of the week. I realize that many people work on the Sabbath, however there should be another day of the week that they set aside to honor God. The cares and busyness of daily life must be relegated to the six days of work, but one day must be set aside for God. This is the day of rest and the time to devote to God and Him alone. This is one of God's commandments and must be obeyed. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 4

The Third Commandment

The Third Commandment “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold any one guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7 We are at all times not to misuse the name of the Lord, and He even gave us a commandment not to do this. The majesty of God’s name, is to be held sacred by us, and we should stand in awe of Him and His name. In Psalm 135:3 it says, “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.” God is directing us not to take His name in vain, but to use it is reverence, and in respect to Him. When we profess God’s name, but do not live answerably to it, we take it in vain. We should not use God’s name in idle discourse, as God’s name is not to be used when we are not thinking about Him and worshipping Him. When we use His name in vain in our every day idle conversations, such as “O my God” or “O God”, this is breaking this precious commandment, and is letting God know that His name is not sacred to us. We are to use His name when we pray and worship Him, to let Him know how great He is, and that we bow down before Him. God does not want us to swear by His name, or use His name in oaths, as this is disrespectable, and not permitted according to God’s word. In James 3:8 the Bible says “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” It is becoming easy for many people to use the name of God in their everyday talk, where it has nothing to with honoring and respecting Him, but simply a habit they have, and have picked up from others. We must be careful how we use the name of God, and use it in a way that always shows the majesty of who God is. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 3

The Second Commandment

The Second Commandment "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them." Exodus 20:4-5 God specifically defines the forbidden ways that were used to worship idols, and tells us the punishment that will be used if we disobey. Using anything, such as a statue or picture to represent God is expressly forbidden, as man is to bow down to, and serve God alone, and not transfer this honor to an image representing Him. In Exodus 20:23 He gave specific instructions to Moses, “Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.” He also tells us that if we persist in idol worship, He will not only punish us, but also our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. None of the other commandments give such detailed implications. In Leviticus 26:1 He again warns us “Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God.” God wants us to worship Him and Him alone. Our lives, our actions, our thoughts and our words should be intended to always be on Him. He should be first in our lives in everything we do. In our culture today, we see people having idols such as sport heroes, movie stars, popular singers, and often hobbies, that they worship, and devote all their time and talents towards, which leaves very little time for God. Our money, our material wealth can be so attractive, that we worship what we own so much that we forget about God. Although these are not idols of stone, we must be careful, and not make them things that we worship. God alone is who our worship should be directed toward, and anything that detracts from this can become an idol. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 2

The First Commandment

The First Commandment “You shall have no other Gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 In Matthew 22:37 Jesus rephrased the commandment as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” To obey this command, you must make God first in all that you do. Proverbs 9:10 tells us “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Some might think that obeying the First Commandment is relatively easy, since they do not worship statues of pagan god’s, however whatever occupies your interest and or time more than anything else, could very well be your god. Probably the “god” that people most often put before the true God is money and the possession of material things, however there are many other things that people put before God, as anything that keeps you from devoting your entire being to worshipping God can become an idol. The first step in making God first is to read and study your Bible, learn the wisdom that it provides, use it to live the life God wants you to live, follow the commandments closely. The second step is to communicate with God daily through your prayer life. This is the time to thank God for all His blessings, both seen and unseen, and also the time to present your petitions to Him. Just a few minutes alone with God each morning can get you in the frame of mind that you are not alone, that God is there with you, guarding your path and walking with you every step of your day. With God walking with you, your day will be brighter, you will be at peace, and your life will be changed because you have a true relationship with God. It is only when you put your complete trust and faith in letting God take control, and in charge of your life that you will have the peace and joy that He promises. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ April 1