It's For Your Own Good

It's For Your Own Good "And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness." Deuteronomy 6:25 There are not many children as they were growing up that did not hear their parents tell them, "It's For Your Own Good", when they had done wrong. So often they may not have always agreed with their parents at the time, but later ended up finding out the hard way that their parents were right. The same is true with God. We might not always understand why certain things happen, or why He wants us to do things a certain way, but God always knows what's best for us. God gives us the freedom to make our own choices, and sometimes our choices get us into trouble. When we do make wrong choices God is always there to help us through the aftermath of these bad choices, because that's what a loving Father does. But think how much better off we would be if we would take heed to His Word in the first place. When you accept Jesus as your savior, the Holy Spirit is there to direct you and lead you on the right path. When you listen to the gentle whispers that God will speak to you, when you are being tempted to do wrong, and turn from temptation, God's peace and contentment will surround you. If you are dealing with issues today where you are uncertain about what steps to take, I would encourage you to open your hearts, let God speak to you, let Him give you the wisdom and courage to do what is right and good. Follow these gentle whispers and obey them, and let them lead and guide you in the direction you need to go. Let them direct your path, and lead you to fulfill God's promise that He will never leave you or forsake you. Let God lead you to an eternal life, "it's for your own good." Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 31

The Battlefield For Our Souls

The Battlefield for our Souls “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8 Several years ago I heard a sermon from the Reverend Billy Graham who said something that has stayed with me for all this time. He said that when it comes to our spiritual walk, we are doing one of two things. We are either moving forward or falling back. There is no in between. As I think about this I can agree with him completely, as I have had periods of time since then that I have been enthused about reading my Bible each day and studying and seeking more wisdom from God about my life. These were the times that I was moving forward in my walk with God. Then there were times that I would put my Bible down for a day or two, maybe a week as I became too busy with other things. These were the times I was falling back. Many times when I only read and study for just a few minutes I am still moving forward, but it is when I stop completely I fall back. Just a little time with God each day lets us continue to move forward. The more time we spend with him, the farther along we will be, but just a little time each day lets us continue to grow and become a better person. The more time we spend with God each day the more fruit we will produce, as we will begin to better obey and follow God’s commands for our lives. There is a constant battle in each of our lives as Satan is competing for us as well. He will attempt and devise ways where we use our time and our talents for his purposes of evil instead of good. When we are moving forward this tells us that God is winning the battle, but when we move backward Satan is winning. Our life is the ultimate battlefield on which the most important war of all times is being fought, with the trophy being our souls. We need to keep our minds and our life focused on Jesus, and use all the armor that God provides to defeat Satan as our life is in the balance. With Jesus in your heart you will be victorious. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 30

Guard Your Children

Guard Your Children "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children." Deuteronomy 6:6-7 In today's society all Christian children and teenagers populating our schools, attending our churches, and living in our homes are the targets of Satan's strategy. Satan's goal is to destroy our families and churches by seducing our children away from their parents and from God. There are temptations everywhere you look in society, that is enticing your children away from Christ and the godly values you want for them. The movies, the music, the games, the books, the internet, are all focused on promoting a lifestyle, that is drawing your children further and further away from one that God commands. The peer pressure that your children are surrounded with each day, by other children from broken families, is influencing your children to surrender to the lifestyles of the world instead of godly lifestyles. The scripture shown above tells us to teach God's commands to our children, to impress them upon their hearts at every opportunity, and let them know what good godly values are. You as parents, will have the greatest influence on your children than anyone else, and you must demonstrate to them each day, the kind of godly values that they should follow. You need to walk the talk each day, and be the example for them in all aspects of your life. If you aren't their example, someone else will be, and that someone may not be the godly example. Don't take your responsibilities as a parent lightly, but take them seriously, as your child's future is in your hands and in God's hands. Make God first in your family, teach them by example that you read your Bible each day, pray each day, that you live and obey God's commands each day. Don't let Satan get a foothold in your family, but keep God first and through your daily walk, be the example that God wants you to be. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 29

It's Not Too Late

It's Not Too Late "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." Psalm 144:4 This week I received word that the 21 year old grandson of a good friend of mine, had been in an automobile accident and had died on the way to the hospital. This was such horrible news to find out, that someone so young, would not experience what so many of us take for granted, a long life. The Bible tells us through scriptures like the one above, that our days are like a fleeting shadow, but so often we do not think that we can wake up one morning, and our life end so quickly. We do not know when our time will come, but we need to know where we will go, if it ended today. This is why it is so important for you to get to know Jesus today, and to ask Him to come into your heart, forgive you of your sin and save your soul. There is only two destinations for us when we die, and these are heaven or hell. There is no other choice. Satan wants your soul, and will do anything to keep you from God's saving grace, and if he wins, you are destined to spend your eternity in the fiery furnace of hell. This does not have to be your destination however, as God provides such an easy path for you to be saved. It doesn't matter what you have done in your life, or how sinful you have been, as God loves you so much, regardless of what you have been through or done, that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for your sins, and forgive you. He is wanting you to ask Him to come into your heart today, while it is still time. He wants to give you the opportunity to spend all eternity with Him in heaven. Your life could end today, just as it did with my friend's grandson, and this could be the last opportunity, you will have to make the most important choice you will ever make, which is to ask Jesus into your heart. It's not too late today, but tomorrow it may be. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 28

Christians In The Workplace

Christians In The Workplace "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 2:27 One of the greatest hindrances to effectively communicate the Gospel of Christ to others is the way Christians act in their workplaces. Having worked for over 45 years in the health care profession, it was difficult many times to distinguish the Christians from the non Christians. In most situations the way they talked, the way they acted, the way they conducted themselves was the same as the non Christians. They did not stand out and most did not talk about their faith in any way during the time they were on the job. I feel that a Christian should be recognized where ever they go by their actions, by their speech, by their thoughtfulness and respect for others. They should not have to have a sign on their backs stating they are a Christian, but their words and their actions should reflect this. I am afraid that so many people are only Sunday morning Christians, and only take God with them to Church on Sunday, and leave Him at home when they go to work, to school, to the grocery store, or shopping at the mall with their friends. God should accompany a Christian where ever they go and in whatever they do. You cannot have Him only in your heart on Sunday during church, but He demands that you keep Him with you all during your day. This is not something that He wants you to do sometimes, but He commands you to do at all times. God must be part of your life every day, and not even for just a few minutes in the morning, but with you all during the day. If you are a Christian others need to see God in you at all times. Robert William Brock​ My Daily Devotional Volume Five May 27

Reflections Of Life

Good Morning to all my friends. This is another day that God has given us, let us be glad and rejoice in it. My prayer for you is that God will bless each of you today and give you His peace and His comfort in all that you do. Today's Challenge---------------- Reflections of Life “You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!” Galatians 4:10 We all see the power of God in our lives when we make Him number one in our lives and follow His commands. As I look back on my life I can see how God has worked in me, and how He has influenced me, and made me the person I have become. I believe that in the winter of our lives God gives us the wisdom and understanding to reflect back on our lives and see our accomplishments and also our failures. Old age is winter for many people, but for those who are wise and optimistic, it is the happiest and most fruitful time of their life as they now begin to see the abundance of their harvest. We can see the fruits of our labor begin to be manifested in our children and our grandchildren, as they bring back the memories of our own childhood, and we relive aspects of our youth all over again. Old age arrives suddenly, as does the snow, as one morning on awakening one realizes that everything is white. However I believe that by growing old one learns to remain young, as we can now understand and rid ourselves of our shortcomings, because they no longer serve any useful purpose. We can now see how God begins to put all the pieces of His magnificent puzzle into place, and can begin to see His design, His purpose for all things and can see our part in completing this amazing puzzle. Even as through the effect of the setting sun on the beautiful twilights of autumn we can see our reason and place in God’s magnificent and beautiful world. Things that used to cause us grief, worry and strife no longer seem to be the important things of life as we now get a glimpse of the future that God has planned for us; a future that far surpasses what God has given us in this life. May 26 Robert William Brock, Jr. My Daily Devotional Volume Six

The Power Of Prayer

The Power of Prayer “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19 During these past ten years as I have been sending out my daily devotionals, there have been few days that I do not have dozens of people replying and asking for prayer for some family member or problem they are having in their lives. I keep a prayer list of people who are asking for prayer and always respond to them with a copy of other devotionals that I have written, that may relate to what they are asking prayer for. Almost all of these appear to give encouragement to these people who are having difficulties in their lives at this moment, and seem to encourage them and give them some sense of peace as to what is happening in their lives. I believe that we all can be an encouragement to others in their time of trouble and need. I have found that so many people get so engrossed in their own trials and troubles, that many times they do not take the time to help others that are in need. As the above scripture says when any two of us agree about anything you ask for it will be done for you. The power of prayer can accomplish wonderful results when we take the time to earnestly pray with someone, and come together and ask God for relief for people who are having difficulties. The gift of encouragement is a great gift that God has given many people that can benefit others so greatly. Just letting someone know that you are praying for them uplifts them and encourages them and enables them to handle these situations better. You can also be an encourager to your friends, families and others you meet. Look around you today and be an encourager to someone and uplift them with your prayers. Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 25

You Don't Have To Worry

You Don't Have To Worry "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Psalm 103:13 As a child we rely on our parents for everything. Children spend very little time worrying about their food, what they will wear, where they will sleep, or anything else, as they expect that their parents will be there to meet and take care of all their needs. They assume--and they have a right to--that their parents will provide everything that they need. As Christians we should expect these same things for ourselves, as God made a promise, that He will supply all our needs. "Do not worry, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear. But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33. As Christians, we should take God at His word, but so often we don't, as most people have worry ingrained into their thoughts and minds. We don't trust God for our needs, and rely upon ourselves, and our abilities to produce what we have, and so often we worry. You need to realize that if you are a child of God, He is responsible for your welfare. That is why you should be casting all your cares on Him, instead of spending your time worrying about your own situations. "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1st Peter 5-7. Today, I would like to encourage you to take God's promise, and believe it and claim it, don't let your financial problems, your relationship issues, your job worries, your health concerns cause you to be burdened down with worry, as this is not necessary, as God promises that He will provide all you need. Let God do the worrying, let Him take the burdens--don't give it a thought--leave it to Him. Never forget that God is bigger than your problems. So whatever problems or worries are pressing on you today, put them in God's hands, and leave them there. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 24

Read-Hear-Keep

Read-Hear-Keep "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3 Do you read your Bible each day, but do not get a message from God? If you find yourself in this situation, this devotional is for you, and hopefully will help you find the wisdom God wants you to receive each day. I believe this scripture tells us how God wants us to read the Bible, as there are three key things that we need to understand. This wonderful scripture tells us that we should "Read" His word, then we must "Hear or Understand" His word, and last we must "Keep, or put into Practice" His word. It won't do you any good to simply read God's word, if you don't hear or understand what it is saying to you. Also it doesn't mean anything if you read it and understand it, if you don't keep and obey what it tells you. I hear many people say that they read their Bibles daily, but they don't understand it. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to develop a closer relationship with God, as you are not where you need to be. You need to pray that God will give you the ears to hear and understand what the Bible is telling you. God wants you to understand His word, and when you pray and ask for wisdom, you will find that the more you read, the more you will understand what God is saying to you. Believe me, this really works as God will begin to give you more and more insight into what the scriptures mean. When the meaning of His word begins to jump off the page as you read them, you will then be at place you need to be. When you are this point, then you need to keep and put into practice in your life, the commands of God. The words of the Bible is your roadmap to a bountiful, peaceful and joy filled life when you are able to read, and hear and put into practice God's Holy Word.

Obey God's Call

Obey God’s Call “The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire” Nehemiah 1:3 Those that have read my devotionals for some time have seen my compassion to obey God’s Great Commission, which tells all Christians to get outside the church walls and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. The people who need God the most do not come to our church services on Sunday or our Bible Study groups, and the churches across our nation are not reaching out like they should to minister to these lost souls. Seldom do we hear our churches preaching other than a feel good message, and rarely do we see them having an outreach ministry to reach outside the church walls. Nehemiah was a man in a position of great influence and power as he served under the king. He was not a preacher or priest or scribe. He was what we might call a layman today. But Nehemiah loved God and when he heard about the plight of the Jews, and how the city of Jerusalem was now laying in ruins, he began to weep and pray and say, “Lord, what can I do about this problem.” The devastation of Jerusalem touched him, and he wanted to do something about it. So he prayed and devised a plan to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah reached out which is what we all must do to obey God’s call to us. He began to pray and then began to obey. That is when his plan began to unfold. There are two essential ingredients for effectively sharing our faith. It must start with a God-given burden to obey God and reach out to offer salvation to our world. This will lead to prayer, which will lead us to our own plan to reach out to others and share our faith. I believe that it is important for all Christians to reach out as Nehemiah did and obey God’s call. We have the opportunity each and every day of our life to touch the lives of people around us, and when we do we will be obeying God’s call. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 22

Saving The New Generation

Saving The New Generation "My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 6:20 During the past several decades I have been very disturbed as to how the new generations of young people are becoming, as they are losing the true Christian values that I was taught as I was growing up. We are seeing a generation of young people who are being bombarded with a society of unrestrained proliferation of pornography, abortion, homosexuality, pedophilia, other deviant forms of sex, gambling, alcohol, drugs, and just about any kind of sinful activity and rebellion to God and His Word that you can name. Sadly, I see the evidence of this each day, as these young adults and kids have grown up their entire life exposed to pornography on TV, the computer, in games, in their music, in advertising, and in the movies. That is why most young adults see nothing wrong with having sex outside of marriage, and have a perverted view of this gift from God. This group has also been exposed to women having the freedom to make the choice to go to a local clinic and kill her unborn baby. They have been told since birth that it is a woman's right to do whatever she wants with her body. They've been told that it isn't really a baby until it is born. Having an abortion is simply a choice that is available if a sexual relationship results in a woman becoming pregnant. It is a minor inconvenience that costs a couple hundred dollars and a few days of discomfort. This is a group that sees nothing wrong with gambling. They have grown up being told that gambling is simply a form of entertainment, a way to go out and have a good time. After all, when they buy a lottery ticket, they are told it helps the state pay for education. Now gambling is not only socially acceptable, but is so accessible, you don't even have to leave your home any more. This group has also been a primary target for the homosexual activists. Through the media and the schools, those who promote the sin of homosexuality have targeted our young people to indoctrinate them with the lies that 10% of the population engage in homosexual acts and that this is how God created some people, therefore there is nothing wrong with it. The main reason for all of this is that most young adults have very little interaction with their parents. Mom and dad are busy working, living their own lives, and the amount of time they actually spend with their children each day is really minimal. Church is usually only a few hours a week at best. I hate to say it, but even in those few hours they are in church they rarely hear someone with the guts to call sin what it is and preaching unadulterated Biblical Truth. In the meantime, these young adults are being pounded 24/7 with the lies of the world every place they go and in every way possible. Through their friends, through their schools, through their teachers, through the media, through the messages they are receiving from the world around them, virtually every second of every day these young adults are being bombarded with the lie's of this world, and rarely if ever are hearing Biblical Truth. Their views on life, what they believe, what they see as "truth," are all being shaped by the lies of this world and not the only Truth there is, God's Word This is the generation we must reach for Christ since they are now starting to have children and it will be yet another generation who lives void of God and Biblical Truth. We need to be praying today for God to help us reach this generation. This is why we must get serious about getting back into the marketplace and taking that Word to this generation since they are not going to come to church, they are not watching Christian TV, they are not listening to Christian radio or music, and they are not reading Christian books or magazines. The fact is, we know the lies of the world destroy lives, so these young people will come to a place soon where they are looking for help and hope. There is only One who can help, and there is only One to put your hope in, Jesus. May we boldly and without shame take Jesus to these young people who need Him so desperately. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 21

God Is Our Rock

God Is Our Rock “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 The above scripture is about the parable of the wise and foolish builders, and it reminds me of my black lab Anna. Although Anna is only 11 months old and weighs almost 60 pounds, she gets frightened at loud noises, and gets terrified during the Fourth of July, or during the New Year celebrations when neighbors are setting off fireworks to celebrate the holidays, as loud noises which she doesn't understands, frightens her. She always retreats to a place of security, under our bed, where she felt safe and secure. I am reminded of how we can be like Anna. We look for security in many different ways when we are frightened, and our security is threatened. This life can threaten us in many different ways. Our finances, our jobs, our relationships, our health, fear of death and many other things, can cause us to become insecure and threatened, and we try to find comfort and security wherever we can. I believe this parable of the wise and foolish builder can give us comfort in our troubling times, as if we have built our life on the rock, and on God, we can sustain any troubles and hardships that we will face. God promises us that he will always protect us during our storms. This does not mean that we will not be faced with troubling times in our life, but if we have put our faith and trust in Him, we can withstand these times, and not be washed away. God can be our rock and our shelter during any storm, and a place where we can find security. We don’t have to try to hide from our problem and troubles when we have built our life around God, as He will always be there to watch over us and provide us security to withstand any storm. Turn your life over to God today and let Him be your protector. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 20

True Christian Virtues

True Christian Virtues "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23 Are you a "Sunday morning Christian", and only show your Christian virtues while you are attending church? If this is you, I want you to think about whether this is pleasing God. Throughout my life, I have seen people go to church on Sunday, and are the most loving, kind, always smiling and pleasant people to be around, that I could hope for. They were the example of people that you wanted to know and have as your friends. However, I have also seen these same people in their work places, their schools and in their neighborhoods be a completely different person, who were harsh, bitter, angry, never having a smile on their faces, and not being the example I wanted to pattern myself after. This is what I call the "Sunday Morning Christian." I believe the acid test for any Christian is how they live when they are away from the church. How you act with your friends, your coworkers, your classmates, your neighbors, and all others you come into contact with, defines you as a true Christian. How you live around others, not just at church on Sunday, is the defining characteristic of how God wants each of us to live our lives. Our family, our friends and our neighbors see us as we really are. They see us when we are tired, stressful, sick, worried and under pressure. If you are a true Christian, you will not give way during these times to bad temper, impatience, faultfinding, sarcasm, unkindness, selfishness or laziness. Instead each day you will display the fruits of the Spirit which is "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." How different would your life be if you consistently practiced these Christian virtues? Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven May 19

God's Plan For Peace

God's Plan For Peace "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 Did you know that you can have perfect peace in your life, if you have asked Jesus to be your savior? This does not mean that you will not have any more difficulties in life, however God will provide you with His peace and comfort as you confront them. When God send His son Jesus to the world to die for our sins, He sent a peacemaker, as God's plan for peace was Jesus, as He called Him the Prince of Peace. However, the world has rejected God's plan. There are wars that are going on each day in our lives, that ravage us with worry, stress, and pressures that destroy our peace. We have rejected God's plan for peace, as "Out of the heart--comes evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." Mark 7:21-22 This is quite a list, as our real war is a rebellion against the commands of what God wants for us, and therefore it brings us misery and trouble in our daily lives. We need to realize that this is why God sent Jesus, as He wants us to stop our rebellion and be at peace. When Jesus died for our sins, He provided the way for us to be reconciled with God, and have peace in our life. When we have peace with God, we will have peace in our heart, and peace with each other. If you are struggling today, with problems and trials, and you are not at peace, but are just getting by, trying to deal with all these things by yourself, take a few moments to ask Jesus to come into your heart, and give you peace. When you repent of your sins and receive Christ as your Savior, your wars will be over, and your life will be peaceful, as God will extend His peace upon you, and take away all the cares you have, and carry them for you. God's plan for peace is Jesus. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 18

Never Compromise

Never Compromise "Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path." Proverbs 2:9 Compromise is the greatest reason for today's weak, ineffective, and Biblically illiterate church. Compromise is now part of the landscape of the church world. Because of compromise we now have churches embracing gross sins like homosexuality and abortion. Because of compromise, we have people sitting in pews who actually think that members of a cult like Scientology, false religions like Islam, and people of no faith at all will somehow get into heaven. The vast majority of pastors today compromise the Truth of the Bible so they don't offend anyone. They compromise the Truth of the Bible so people like them. They compromise the Truth of the Bible to be liked by those who lead the cults and false religions. They compromise the Truth of the Bible to raise money. This is not only true in the church, but it is true in your life as well. There is no such thing as a little sin. Sin, by its very definition, is rebellion against God. You either obey God or you don't. There is no middle ground. You are either living in accordance with His Word, or you are living in rebellion to His Word. There is no room for compromise. Many of you are facing the problems you have in your life today, because you chose to compromise God's Word. The fact is, our way doesn't work and God's way does. My word for you today is to hold firm to the truth of God's Word. It will guide you and sustain you through the good times and bad. Don't ever let the enemy deceive you into believing that you have a better plan than God does. When you compromise what God has said, you are telling your Creator that you know more than He does. Never forget that compromise is a trap from Satan himself, that will only bring heartache and pain. Follow God's way, that is where you will find the blessings. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 17

Resist Temptation

Resist Temptation “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41 Temptation is a strong force that drives a wedge between what we mean to do and what we actually do in so many issues of our lives. Every one of us makes decisions all during our lives concerning financial issues, relationship issues, family issues and work issues. We reach a point in each decision as to whether to do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord, or whether to be tempted to do something that we know God would not approve of. Temptation is present in most of our daily lives to try to gain a foothold in our minds, our attitudes and our actions and lead us down a path that could lead us to our ultimate destruction. When we are tempted to do what we know is not right, we are living independently of God, and living in the flesh, which is of Satan. This is really the true battle when we are facing temptation, as we are deciding whether to follow Christ or Satan. The scriptures tell us that God has provided a way of escape from every temptation. 1st Corinthians 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” It is important for us to know what is right and wrong at the time we are tempted, as we must control the temptation at the beginning, because if we don’t control the temptation at the threshold, we run the risk of allowing the temptation to control us. Once we give in to the temptation it is very difficult to turn around and escape, and return to our innocence. God will provide a way out when we are tempted, but we must be willing to take a stand and not give in to Satan. Our stand is to trust and be obedient to God’s will for our lives, as God will strengthen our will to obey. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 16

A Mother's Prayer

A Mother's Prayer By: Margaret Sue Brock “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Prayer has always been a big part of my life over the years, as I believe the power of prayer can do so much in the lives of our children and our family. I remember when our baby, Christopher was about four years old, he would try to talk and would stutter so badly that we could barely understand him. At that time I was getting up at 5:30 each morning to take the mail to the post office, for the business I operated. One morning I was praying so hard about him and his speech problem, I found myself screaming to God to hear me, and saying that nothing was impossible with God, and that I demanded Him to heal Christopher of his speech problem, and by the stripes of Jesus he would be healed. I then began thanking Him for hearing my prayer and for healing Christopher. By the time I got home I had perfect peace all that day, and when Christopher began to talk that morning his speech was perfect, and he has not had any problems since that time. He is now 32 years old, and does not have any problems with his speech. He has been called to the ministry and he and his beautiful wife Heather are living for God. The power of prayer is such an important thing to have in our family, and the power of the parents to ask God to answer our prayers for our children, is something that all parents should pray for. Each morning as I do my Bible study I pray for my family, and read the scriptures I claim for them. All parents should pray daily for their children and their families. I have always had faith that my prayers will be answered if I keep my eyes on God, and doing His will for my life. My family is the most important thing in my life, and my prayers can touch them as I believe God will answer my prayers when I ask. My Daily Devotional Volume Seven Robert William Brock May 15

Let God Use You

Let God Use You "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5 My friends, do you know just how much God loves you, and that He gave His life for you, to suffer and die on the cross for your sins, and to give you His eternal gift of salvation. His promises are true, and your eternal destiny is settled forever, if you have trusted Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. But there is still work to be done in our lives, even after we accept His free gift. Some of this work may come through the valleys of trials and suffering that you may be asked to bear. Jesus suffered on the cross for you and the forgiveness of your sins. Are you going to be resistant to suffering some for Him? Or are you going to be clay in His hands, knowing that He is intent on shaping you into the image of Christ, and that He may want to use your life for something far bigger than your own comfort, convenience, and pleasure? He may want your life to be part of a grand, eternal redemptive picture that portrays the wonder of His saving grace. His plans may be different from the ones you had envisioned, and may take some compromise on your part for them to come to fulfillment. You may not understand fully how God's great puzzle will come together, but one day that picture will be complete, and together we will magnify Him forever. In the meantime, we can go surrendered and willingly, trusting God and His higher ways, or we can go kicking and screaming. The choice is ours. I would encourage you to go forward in ways that are pleasing to Him, ways that place you in the center of His great will and plan. Let God lead you, and go humbly, in faith, and on bended knee. For our own good and His glory, let’s go gracefully, and with a grateful heart, that God loves us, and has much in store for us when we reach our final destination, by His side in Heaven. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 14

My Daily Devotional: It's Not Too Late

My Daily Devotional: It's Not Too Late: It's Not Too Late “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupt...

It's Not Too Late

It's Not Too Late “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-23 Every day people die. What would happen if you died today, would you be ready? The Bible tells us that to be born again and experience the eternal life that God promises, we must accept Jesus into our hearts, ask forgiveness of our sins, and change our wicked ways, and begin obeying God’s commands. This sounds so easy to do, but so many people don’t take advantage of this amazing offer. It is so important for everyone to understand that one day, you will die. That is a fact. You will then stand before God, and there will only be one question you will answer, “Do you know Jesus as your Savior?” That is a “yes” or “no” answer. You won’t have the opportunity to stand there and say, “no, but.” God is not going to be interested in your excuses. Each person is responsible for accepting or rejecting Jesus into their heart and life by faith, and each person will be held accountable by God for all eternity for that choice. Let me ask you a simple question. If you died this very moment, do you have the complete assurance, without any doubt, that when you stand before God He will welcome you into His presence for all eternity? None of us know when our time will come, but it is coming. People die each day and have put off accepting Jesus into their hearts, thinking that they will do it tomorrow or next week at church, or next month. But they have waited too long, and their time to stand before God in judgment has come. It is not too late for you however, as you still have the chance to become this new person, and accept Jesus as your savior. Do it today, as tomorrow may be too late. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 13

Don't Judge Others

Don't Judge Others "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18 A doctor rushed hurriedly to the hospital after being called in for an emergency surgery on a young boy. There he found the boy’s father who yelled “Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? The doctor smiled and said: “I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital and I came as fast as I could after receiving the call, I am now here, calm down and let me go to him.” “Calm down, said the father, what if it was your son, would you calm down? If your own son was dying now what would you do,” said the father angrily. The doctor smiled again and replied: “I would say what Job said in the Bible, “From dust we came and to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. I will now go and intercede for your son, and I will do my best by God’s grace.” “Giving advice when we’re not concerned is so easy”, murmured the father. The surgery took some hours after which the doctor came out smiling, “Thank goodness, your son is all right.” And without waiting for the father’s reply he went out the door running, and said to the father, “If you have any question, ask the nurse.” “Why is he so arrogant, he asked the nurse, why couldn’t he wait a minute so that I could ask about my son.” The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a car accident, and he was at his son's funeral when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to get to the graveyard for his son’s burial.” So often in life we are quick to jump to conclusions and judge others, but we should never judge someone because we never know how their life is and what is happening, or what they’re going through. God can be the only true judge of others, as He alone knows what is in their heart. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 12

The Day The Angels Cried

The Day The Angels Cried "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining." Luke 23:44 Recently I heard a beautiful song titled "Ten Thousand Angels Cried", sung by LeAnn Rimes. I could picture heaven the day our Savior was crucified, as I listened to this song, as the angels were looking at the torture He endured for the salvation of mankind. They must have pondered this senseless way to die. They saw people mocking Him and spitting on Him, lashing at Him with a whip repeatedly, until He was disfigured beyond recognition. Why would He choose to leave heaven’s splendor to die in our place when we were the sinful ones? The fact remains that He loved us enough and chose to lay aside His crown and royalty to take on the form of humanity for you and me. He did this so that one day those who have accepted His death, burial and resurrection will live in Heaven with Him. We can rejoice that Jesus loved us so much He went to the cross, as painful and humiliating as it was for Him. The song about the ten thousand angels crying is very real. I imagine there may have been a huge display of lightning, thunder and a downpour of rain, as if those angels were weeping so profusely that their tears resonated heaven's intense response. I am so thankful He did not come down from the cross, because I know He purchased eternal life for me. The angels must have wondered if there could have been another way. It is in those moments that makes me appreciate that although He was God, He removed His divinity to put on the flesh of man. Now, whenever thunder roars, the wind blows and the lightning flashes across the sky, I look out my window. As the rain drops become stronger and louder on the roof top, I think about the day my Savior was crucified and how the angels cried. My Daily Devotional Volume Seven Robert William Brock May 11

God Nourishes Our Bodies

God Nourishes Our Bodies "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8 Over the years I have always had problems keeping my weight under control, and have had to watch what I eat. There are many instructions given by medical advisers as to how one must keep their weight under control. "Chew each bite twenty times before swallowing. Put your fork down on your plate between each bite. Don't shovel your food." Those who eat quickly and do not chew their food well, are at higher risk of obesity. Frustrated cooks watch with dismay as meals that took hours to prepare are devoured in mere moments. Carefully seasoned casseroles and soups are not tasted before salt and ketchup are poured on liberally. Colorful salads and artistically arranged vegetable dishes are met with disdain, as children and husbands ask if there is any dessert. Our fast-food, fast-paced culture has become a snare to many modern Christians. As we weave through our work schedules, church responsibilities and home life, we are too busy anticipating the next activity to give our full attention to the present moment. By lunchtime, we are focused on tomorrow's calendar, and we are hard-pressed to remember what we ate for breakfast, no matter what we read in God's Word that morning. We are so busy looking for the next exit along the super highway of life that we have no idea where we have been. I can only taste of God's goodness if I take the time to savor that goodness, even if the flavors of that particular moment might be unfamiliar to my spiritual 'palate'. In order for this to happen, I must make the mindful effort to read God's word, pray each day, obey His commands, and make Him first in my life and in all that I do. Physical food nourishes us best when slowly and mindfully eaten, and the same holds true with those truths God speaks to us about as we walk with him daily. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 10

Keep The Light Of Jesus Burning

Keep The Light Of Jesus Burning "You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light." Second Samuel 22:29 As I read this scripture, I was reminded of a story of a young man who was running the lights at his church's Christmas pageant presentation. He was supposed to handle the lighting during the play, but midway through the manger scene, he accidentally hit the wrong button and the stage went dark. One of the members of the congregation yelled out, "Hey, you just switched off Jesus!" So often in life we don't consciously turn Jesus off, it just happens. We can turn Jesus off when we laugh at an off color joke, or our anger rises over minor things, such as someone cutting us off in traffic, or when a rude waitress at a restaurant does not treat us right, or we tell a white lie to avoid admitting to something we did, either by mistake, or to keep from hurting someone's feelings. The question you need to consider during these times is do you realize immediately that you have turned off Jesus, or better still do you have enough sense to "turn" Him back on. It is easy to be tempted by Satan, as he will always be placing things in our paths that will cause us to be led astray, and distract us from letting God be in control of all things. Losing our cool, over minor things can easily get us to forget about what is right, and do things we should not be doing. We need to always be conscious of the times we turn off Jesus in our life, and turn Him back on immediately. We need the illumination of the Holy Spirit who walks with us each day, to remind us not to be distracted by Satan, but when we are, to immediately ask for forgiveness for what we have done, and not do these things again. As you listen to God, be willing to take the steps that He has prepared for you. Allow God to direct your paths, and to be fully in control of your life. You need the illumination of God to let you withstand Satan's temptations. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 9

The Trumpets Will Sound

The Trumpets Will Sound "Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them." Revelation 8:6 This morning I want to talk to you about angel and what the Bible tells us about them. The mention of angels is found throughout the Bible both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Many of us have been fascinated with angels and would do almost anything for an angelic encounter. The fascination with "angelology" has produced shows like, “Touched by an Angel.” But who are these angels and what role do they really play in their dealings with humanity? They have encountered many of the major biblical characters of the Old Testament from Abraham, to Daniel in the lion’s den. They have devastated invading armies and destroyed whole cities. In the Old Testament their main objective was to make preparation for the birth of Jesus, to announce His arrival, to attend Him after His wilderness temptations, minister to Him at Gethsemane, greet Mary at the tomb, and to attend His ascension. Other than that, there are only brief encounters, assisting the Apostles in the furtherance of the gospel by giving them direction, and releasing them from prison on more than one occasion. After this Angles tend to work mainly incognito, thus leading the writer of Hebrews to encourage his readers to entertain strangers because they may be entertaining angels. Their next big encounter will be at the end of days, when they sound a final warning to those living on the earth to accept the gospel, and make a dire warning not to worship the beast or take his mark. Angels will be used to sound the trumpets and to pour out God’s wrath upon an un-repented world. They will be used to accompany Jesus back in glory to gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Through this brief summary we see that the angel’s primary job is not to minister individually to humans, but to take a much larger role in following God’s will to bring this dispensation to an end. Our job is to be ready, as when the trumpets sound it will be too late. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 8

Are You Deveived By Satan

Are You Deceived By Satan "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6 Just by turning on our televisions, we can find many so called pastors that are preaching a doctrine that is not what the Bible tells us. Does a deceived person know they are deceived? Of course not. For to be aware of what is true, is contrary to the very concept of "deception." When a pastor walks in the ways of the world, not following the commands of God, and wants you to follow them, you are being deceived. To truly understand the consequences of continuing to walk in darkness, and to insist on doing so is foolishness, rather than deception. You can prevent being deceived by reading the Bible yourself, finding out what God says, and not depending on others to tell you. For most that walk on the path of evil they do not realize the consequences of their choice to continue in sin, which is eternal death; or they don’t know there is an alternative, which is repentance and forgiveness of sins, which leads to an eternal life in Heaven. They might believe they have taken the right path, but have been misled, by false teaching or false assurance. So, how does this happen? Satan is a powerful deceiver, and the desire to sin blinds the eyes of man. Since deceived persons do not know they are deceived, it is the task of the Holy Spirit to open their eyes to the deception, and it is the working of the Spirit through the good news of Jesus, that they are given the opportunity to see the truth, and be set free. One who has been enlightened, and been set free in Christ can be deceived again, when ceasing to walk by the Holy Spirit and turning back to the desires of the flesh. Satan is a practiced deceiver, and the flesh is weak. When you continue to walk by the Spirit, and not after the flesh; the victory will be yours. It is those who are led by the Spirit who are the sons of God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 7

Obey God's Command For Marriage

Obey God's Command For Marriage "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:24 Because sexual sins are something most everyone struggles with at some point in their life, almost everything that you hear about sex is negative. The fact is sex is not evil, it is a gift from God. Like everything that comes from God, sex is a perfect gift. Sadly, it is man that ruins the perfect gift by perverting it. Sex was given by God to a man and woman to be enjoyed in the bonds of marriage. Anything outside of marriage is a perversion of this beautiful gift. Think about all of the consequences that occur from the perversion of this gift from God. Sexually transmitted diseases, children born out of wedlock, abortions, divorce, violent confrontations between spouses, emotional disorders, and the list goes on. When sex is enjoyed in the context God intended, between a husband and wife, these consequences are greatly minimized or totally eliminated. If the only person you had sex with was your husband or wife, there would be no sexually transmitted disease, there would be no babies born to unwed mothers, abortions would be minimal since the largest percentage are by women who are not married, divorce numbers would be greatly reduced, and a host of other real life problems from having sex outside of marriage wouldn't exist or be minimal. I want to encourage those of you that are married to recognize sex as the gift from God that it is, and not take it for granted. Other than your bond together in Christ, nothing is more intimate between you and your spouse than sex. It is a gift that you both can enjoy together for your entire married life. Don't let anything rob you from enjoying this precious gift God has give to you and your spouse. Sex is not evil, it is a precious gift from God for a husband and wife to only share together. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 6

God's Laws Not Man's Laws

God's Laws Not Man's Laws "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31 There has been much talk recently about gun control and the Bible. You don't get very far into the Book of Genesis until you see the first act of violence, as Cain kills his brother Abel. Since that first act of evil, human history has been fraught with man's violence against other men. Every type of weapon man has dreamed up in his imagination has been used to kill. The first firearms were invented in China in the 12th century. Our once great country has become evil, and is why the spiritual state of this nation is so critical. New laws aren't going to stop random acts of violence, but it will create an entirely different atmosphere than what we are living with today. If we would "do unto others as we would have them do unto us", we would "love our neighbors as ourselves." We would reject the violence that is glorified in the movies, TV, and video games. Instead of treating life like it has no value, we would embrace life as the special gift from God. Only true revival can change the spiritual state of our nation, thus changing the environment that exists today, which fosters random acts of violence. While the more spectacular acts make the news, every day in large cities and small towns, innocent people are attacked, hurt, and killed. This immorality is also responsible for a society today that actually embraces and cheers for the 4,000 innocent babies that are slaughtered every 24 hours in abortion mills. We don't have a gun problem in this nation, we have a spiritual problem. If every gun was confiscated and destroyed, we would find whatever was handy to commit acts of violence. The only real answer to the violence in our culture is to turn our hearts to God, and start living our lives by His laws. Our society will never obey the laws of man, unless we first obey the laws of God. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 5

God Has A Plan For You

God Has A Plan For You "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9 In one of our earlier cars we had a built in GPS system. I could program it to take me to a certain location. All along the way, the announcer would give me instructions, “Turn left a quarter of a mile ahead, and stay on this freeway for three miles. It would then tell me to exit in one mile, a half a mile, then to put on my signal light and immediately turn left.” But sometimes I wouldn't follow the directions too well. I would be interrupted by something, and miss a turn, stop to get gas or sometime just go the wrong way. The announcer didn't come on and start yelling at me and say, “What in the world are you doing? I told you to turn left. You ruined my plan.” No, the moment I got off course the GPS system immediately started recalculating another plan. Within a few seconds, it would give me new directions. It’s the same way with God, when you have a heart to please Him, and follow the plan He has charted you to follow. You may miss an exit, you may make a wrong turn, or simply not listen to Him, but God has already recalculated another route for you. He may close a door to get you back on course, or put another obstacle in your path. He may bring someone in your life, that can provide the support you need to get you back following His plan for you. God had a plan for the people of Israel, to lead them to their promised land. They didn't always follow the plan He had given them, but He opened all the doors, and removed all the obstacles in their path, and eventually their descendants reached their destination. If you have gotten off course in the plan that God had for you, He can also provide the way to get you back on course. All you have to do is ask Him for help, and follow His instructions. He’s still going to get you to where you’re supposed to be. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 4

Our Sins Will Find Us Out

Our Sins Will Find Us Out “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8 We have all read the Bible’s wisdom telling us what we sow, so shall we reap. I recently saw a story that so well exemplified this wisdom. A successful building contractor called in one of his senior employees, a skilled carpenter, and told him he was going to put him in charge of the next house the company was building. He told him to order all the materials and oversee the entire process from the ground up. This was the carpenter’s first opportunity to be the boss, but greed got the best of him, as he began thinking that he could make more money for himself if he would cut a few corners. He then ordered second grade lumber, inexpensive concrete for the foundation, put in cheap wiring, and cut every corner he possibly could. All of this with the thought that the paint would cover up all the inferior materials and no one would ever know. When the home was completed, he asked the boss to come and see it. His boss was impressed by the outward appearance and said, “you did such a fantastic job and have been such a good and faithful worker, and so honest all these years that I am going to show my gratitude by giving you this house.” This is such a good example of how we reap what we sow. We can’t make beautiful flowers bloom in the summer if we plant weeds. We can’t reap righteousness if we sow sins throughout our lives. If we want to reap rewards from God we must obey and follow His commands. We cannot go our own way and continue our sinful nature, and expect to be rewarded by God on our day of judgment. We reap what we sow, and our sins will someday find us out, and we will receive our just rewards as we stand before God at His judgment throne. My Daily Devotional Volume Seven Robert William Brock May 3

Are You A Good Witness For God

Are You A Good Witness For God "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." Proverbs 10:17 There is so much negativity in the world today, which is why we should always take the opportunity when speaking to people to encourage them, lift them up, be an encouragement to them. We have to use our conversation to be honest with people. Most of the problems I help people with in my counseling situations is a result of their lack of communication. For whatever reason, we don't say what we should, we aren't clear about our feelings, we don't express our thoughts enough, and the lack of communication over a period of time festers into major conflicts. I am a firm believer of being up front and honest. Even if it is uncomfortable and painful, it is better to get it out and deal with it, before it becomes even a larger problem. Of course, our conversation is also the gift the Lord has given us to tell others that He is our hope and reason for life. I have written several devotions the last few days about witnessing. While we witness through how we live our life, we also witness by communicating the hope we have in Christ. The easiest and most effective way is to simply tell others what Jesus has done in our life. You don't need to be a bible scholar to tell people how He has impacted your life. Today I want you to take inventory of how you communicate with others. Be aware of the things you say, how you say them, and the impact they have on others. You can always use God's gift of communication to build someone up and to encourage them. NEVER miss that opportunity. People need someone to lift them up and encourage them. Be aware how powerful what you say is. Be aware of what you say before you say it. You don't speak by accident. It starts in your heart. Pray that your heart is right, and that God will let you be the witness that He wants you to be. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 2

What Is Your Relationship With God

What Is Your Relationship With God "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value." Proverbs 10:20 It is amazing how living a successful Christian life really boils down to a few things. The foundation, of course, is our daily relationship with Christ. It ALL starts there. But so many people don't take enough time to establish this relationship. Did you know that you can read the entire 3rd chapter of the Book of James in less than 5 minutes. The point is that it doesn't take long to have this daily relationship with God. Please, take that 5 minutes today, and do it. It will at least be a start. Sin as we know is a manifestation of what is in our hearts. You don't commit the act of adultery, until is starts in your heart, moves to your head, and finally is performed by your body. Hatred is a condition of the heart. Having your heart right is the key to how you live your life, and the actions you perform day in and day out. For example when we talk about our tongue, the things we say starts in our heart, moves to our head, and is manifested in our conversation. We can never talk about taming our tongue, until we talk about taming our heart. Throughout my devotionals I try to make you realize that the key to having a pure heart is having a daily relationship with Christ. An intimate, vibrant, real relationship from which our heart and life is guided by. Understanding that what we say is born in our heart, let me encourage you today to understand the power of the things you say to other people. 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 people up. However, taming the tongue is only one of the things that God requires of us, as our daily relationship with Him will be the foundation on which we build all the rest of the values we must acquire. Start with making God first in all you do, read His Word and Pray. Robert W. Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven​ May 1