We Need to be a Teacher
“Instruct a wise man and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”
Proverbs 9:9
All Christians need to take the time to train and teach others. I believe it is very important that we take the time to mentor other Christians. We need to train and teach them what we know. I know that during my career in hospital administration I spent a good part of my time teaching my employees and training them to be the best they could be. Everyone needs to know from their leader what is required of them so that they can perform their duties in the best possible manner. Any successful business will have employees who are informed, well trained and confident about carrying out their instructions. This takes time, energy and great patience to do the job well. Every one needs motivation in order to achieve to their full potential, and our instruction and teachings can mean the difference to someone being successful. Jesus was a master teacher. He sometimes taught thousands at a time, but at other moments He sat with only His twelve disciples and motivated, influenced and inspired them. We can teach the people we mentor about prayer, about heaven, giving, relationships and all the other wisdom of the Bible. We need to remember that none of us were born with great knowledge. We became who we are by being taught by someone else, and we need to pass this down to others. The people we mentor will not know everything; they will not see what we see; or feel what we feel; they will not know what we know. It will take time to nurture their vision, their dreams and the rewards you want them to pursue. They need someone good to mentor them, to inspire and motivate them, and you may be their only source for information and motivation. Take the time to train and teach others.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Don’t Become Discouraged
“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”
Proverbs 12:6
When I read this scripture I am reminded that almost all of us have been misjudged at some time in our lives. People laughed when the idea of a horseless carriage was proposed. Others sneered when the telephone was invented. Even when our ministers speak about prosperity and wealth, they risk being accused of greed. People who have been given the gift of healing risk being called a fraud and a fake. Even our own families may misjudge our motives. Almost anyone who has been in an administrative capacity has been misjudged by their decision making. God tells us not to be discouraged by others who may misjudge us, as once we have taken the time to discuss our position with those who appear genuinely sincere we need to move on. We do not need to waste our time and energy on those whose motives are to stir up conflict. Jesus was constantly misjudged by others. Pharisees accused him of even being possessed by evil spirits. There are some ways we can prevent others from misjudging us, such as always be bold but very distinct in what we say. Do not leave room for misunderstandings when possible. When you are talking to someone, totally focus on that conversation, and shut out everything else. When you totally focus on what you are saying and hearing, you can keep others from any unnecessary misjudgment as you have a better chance of being on the same page. Jesus should be our example and we should pattern our life after His, and when we are falsely accused and misjudged we should know that if we have done the best we could, and followed God’s wisdom we will be redeemed, because our life should be an example for others to follow.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”
Proverbs 12:6
When I read this scripture I am reminded that almost all of us have been misjudged at some time in our lives. People laughed when the idea of a horseless carriage was proposed. Others sneered when the telephone was invented. Even when our ministers speak about prosperity and wealth, they risk being accused of greed. People who have been given the gift of healing risk being called a fraud and a fake. Even our own families may misjudge our motives. Almost anyone who has been in an administrative capacity has been misjudged by their decision making. God tells us not to be discouraged by others who may misjudge us, as once we have taken the time to discuss our position with those who appear genuinely sincere we need to move on. We do not need to waste our time and energy on those whose motives are to stir up conflict. Jesus was constantly misjudged by others. Pharisees accused him of even being possessed by evil spirits. There are some ways we can prevent others from misjudging us, such as always be bold but very distinct in what we say. Do not leave room for misunderstandings when possible. When you are talking to someone, totally focus on that conversation, and shut out everything else. When you totally focus on what you are saying and hearing, you can keep others from any unnecessary misjudgment as you have a better chance of being on the same page. Jesus should be our example and we should pattern our life after His, and when we are falsely accused and misjudged we should know that if we have done the best we could, and followed God’s wisdom we will be redeemed, because our life should be an example for others to follow.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Matthew 6:25
Worry is one of the causes for many of the medical problems that people face today. Hospitals are full of patients with diagnoses of depression, mental issues and stress related problems. The Bible gives us much wisdom about how we are to deal with everyday issues and tells us not to worry about them as God knows all our needs and will provide for us. However, so many people want to ignore God’s wisdom and want all the material things that this life offers. We want to accumulate more money, a bigger house, a bigger car and all the material possessions that we can get. This desire to acquire wealth creates financial problems, relationship issues and many other kinds of issues that create worry and stress. I believe we need to slow down and enjoy life more, as God tells us to. I would propose the plan that God gives us, and that is that every day is a special day and one that we need to enjoy to the fullest. We need to search for wisdom and knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to your need. Spend more time with your family and friends. Eat your favorite foods and visit the places you love. Use your Chrystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume. Remove from your vocabulary phrases like “one of these days” and “someday”. Tell our families and friends how much we love them. Do not delay anything that adds joy and laughter to your life. Every day, every hour and every minute is special and you don’t know if it will be your last. Eliminate worry from your life as God tells us to, and enjoy the time He gives us. So quit worrying about life, as God tells us that He will provide all our needs. What more could we ask for.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Matthew 6:25
Worry is one of the causes for many of the medical problems that people face today. Hospitals are full of patients with diagnoses of depression, mental issues and stress related problems. The Bible gives us much wisdom about how we are to deal with everyday issues and tells us not to worry about them as God knows all our needs and will provide for us. However, so many people want to ignore God’s wisdom and want all the material things that this life offers. We want to accumulate more money, a bigger house, a bigger car and all the material possessions that we can get. This desire to acquire wealth creates financial problems, relationship issues and many other kinds of issues that create worry and stress. I believe we need to slow down and enjoy life more, as God tells us to. I would propose the plan that God gives us, and that is that every day is a special day and one that we need to enjoy to the fullest. We need to search for wisdom and knowledge, read more, sit on your front porch and admire the view without paying attention to your need. Spend more time with your family and friends. Eat your favorite foods and visit the places you love. Use your Chrystal goblets. Do not save your best perfume. Remove from your vocabulary phrases like “one of these days” and “someday”. Tell our families and friends how much we love them. Do not delay anything that adds joy and laughter to your life. Every day, every hour and every minute is special and you don’t know if it will be your last. Eliminate worry from your life as God tells us to, and enjoy the time He gives us. So quit worrying about life, as God tells us that He will provide all our needs. What more could we ask for.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Monday, December 6, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Make God Your Priority
“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Philippians 3:18-20
This is a message that Paul was giving to the Philippians, telling them that they were getting away from the example that Jesus had set for them. Paul was following the example of Christ, and he was telling them that the life styles Christians should lead ought to be models worth following. I am afraid that so many Christians today are leading a life style that is not what God would want for us, as our minds are on ourselves and on earthly things, instead of making God first in our lives. We want our own desires met without thinking about God and others. We have set our minds on the things of this life, and nothing else matters except getting the most and the best that we can afford. But according to God life is not supposed to be this way, as we are not to be addicted to material things, but to seek first the kingdom of God, and then all things will be given to us. God does not want us to be poor, but wants us to put things into priority. He wants us to first seek Him, and then He will provide all our needs. He wants us to get our priorities straight and then He will do the rest. When we follow the example of Jesus and the one that Paul embraced, we will get our minds off ourselves and our wants and desires, and put our priority on serving God and our fellow man. When we have mastered this, then God will begin pouring down His blessings on us and all that we do. I would encourage each of you to look at your own life and follow the example that Jesus and Paul gives us, and set your priorities first on Jesus and not on yourself.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.”
Philippians 3:18-20
This is a message that Paul was giving to the Philippians, telling them that they were getting away from the example that Jesus had set for them. Paul was following the example of Christ, and he was telling them that the life styles Christians should lead ought to be models worth following. I am afraid that so many Christians today are leading a life style that is not what God would want for us, as our minds are on ourselves and on earthly things, instead of making God first in our lives. We want our own desires met without thinking about God and others. We have set our minds on the things of this life, and nothing else matters except getting the most and the best that we can afford. But according to God life is not supposed to be this way, as we are not to be addicted to material things, but to seek first the kingdom of God, and then all things will be given to us. God does not want us to be poor, but wants us to put things into priority. He wants us to first seek Him, and then He will provide all our needs. He wants us to get our priorities straight and then He will do the rest. When we follow the example of Jesus and the one that Paul embraced, we will get our minds off ourselves and our wants and desires, and put our priority on serving God and our fellow man. When we have mastered this, then God will begin pouring down His blessings on us and all that we do. I would encourage each of you to look at your own life and follow the example that Jesus and Paul gives us, and set your priorities first on Jesus and not on yourself.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
My Daily Devotional
God has a Plan for You
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
2nd Corinthians 4:1
As I have stated many times in my devotionals every one of us is an evangelist according to the word of God. We need to always be seeking any opportunity to reach others around us and tell them about God and His plan of salvation for them. You may think that you are not capable of being an evangelist and reaching others for Christ, but it is our duty. I believe many times that ministries are established by God out of sufferings and hardships that we have in our lives. A good example is Joni Erickson, a professional world class diver, who suffered an accident that left her paralyzed. I am sure she thought her life was over, however God, though this terrible ordeal, gave her one of the most wonderful ministries possible, as she has touched the lives of hundreds of people, and brought them to Jesus Christ. There are countless examples of others that God has used to witness to people through their sufferings, and is using these people to tell others about the power of God. God evidently had a plan for these people, and although it does not make sense to us, God’s plans are always for a specific purpose. As Christians we all need to seek God’s heart and discover what His plan is for our lives, and do everything possible to fulfill it. We need to listen to God as He speaks to our heart and follow His every call, even when we don’t know where He is leading us. I know that God has given me direction in my life, and has led me to where He wants me to be. He will do the same for you if you will submit to Him, and follow Him. Maybe God has a unique ministry planned for you, and is wanting you to trust him. Be open to let God speak to you and lead you to accept whatever plan He has for your life.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
2nd Corinthians 4:1
As I have stated many times in my devotionals every one of us is an evangelist according to the word of God. We need to always be seeking any opportunity to reach others around us and tell them about God and His plan of salvation for them. You may think that you are not capable of being an evangelist and reaching others for Christ, but it is our duty. I believe many times that ministries are established by God out of sufferings and hardships that we have in our lives. A good example is Joni Erickson, a professional world class diver, who suffered an accident that left her paralyzed. I am sure she thought her life was over, however God, though this terrible ordeal, gave her one of the most wonderful ministries possible, as she has touched the lives of hundreds of people, and brought them to Jesus Christ. There are countless examples of others that God has used to witness to people through their sufferings, and is using these people to tell others about the power of God. God evidently had a plan for these people, and although it does not make sense to us, God’s plans are always for a specific purpose. As Christians we all need to seek God’s heart and discover what His plan is for our lives, and do everything possible to fulfill it. We need to listen to God as He speaks to our heart and follow His every call, even when we don’t know where He is leading us. I know that God has given me direction in my life, and has led me to where He wants me to be. He will do the same for you if you will submit to Him, and follow Him. Maybe God has a unique ministry planned for you, and is wanting you to trust him. Be open to let God speak to you and lead you to accept whatever plan He has for your life.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Speak Out for Jesus
“Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news, about the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 11:20
In the scripture above there was nothing special about these men, as they were not trained evangelists or pastors. We do not even know their names. They are just ordinary people like you and me. However they spoke freely of their Lord and Savior in a positive way and the people responded. In your normal everyday conversation with your family members, your friends, co-workers or anyone else, do you ever talk about your faith and speak freely about God? Do all the people you come into contact with know that you are a Christian? In the vast majority of cases, American Christians today do not speak about their faith in a personal conversational way, even when given an obvious opportunity to tell others about Jesus. In not being outgoing in letting others know about Jesus we may be depriving them of the single opportunity they will have to know about Him and His plan for salvation. It is easy to let people you come into contact with know that you are a Christian, and share your faith and Christian values with them. The Bible tells us to be a contagious Christian, and to spread the good news about God wherever we go. We need to be alert and ready to seize any opportunity to let others know about God. We should not argue with anyone however, and let our faith become a stumbling block to others, but spreading the word of God to others is something that God expects each of us to do. Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news, about the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 11:20
In the scripture above there was nothing special about these men, as they were not trained evangelists or pastors. We do not even know their names. They are just ordinary people like you and me. However they spoke freely of their Lord and Savior in a positive way and the people responded. In your normal everyday conversation with your family members, your friends, co-workers or anyone else, do you ever talk about your faith and speak freely about God? Do all the people you come into contact with know that you are a Christian? In the vast majority of cases, American Christians today do not speak about their faith in a personal conversational way, even when given an obvious opportunity to tell others about Jesus. In not being outgoing in letting others know about Jesus we may be depriving them of the single opportunity they will have to know about Him and His plan for salvation. It is easy to let people you come into contact with know that you are a Christian, and share your faith and Christian values with them. The Bible tells us to be a contagious Christian, and to spread the good news about God wherever we go. We need to be alert and ready to seize any opportunity to let others know about God. We should not argue with anyone however, and let our faith become a stumbling block to others, but spreading the word of God to others is something that God expects each of us to do. Colossians 4:5-6 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
My Daily Devotional
The Greatest Book
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
The greatest book on earth is the Bible, as it has outsold every book that has ever been written. According to Biblical scholars it takes approximately 56 hours to read the Bible through completely. If you read 40 chapters a day, you will complete the Bible within 30 days. If you read nine chapters a day in the New Testament you will finish reading the New Testament in 30 days. I know in my life every time I open the Bible there is a new revelation that jumps out at me when I read its scriptures. Even though I have read each verse many times before I am able to understand additional wisdom that God is telling me. The Bible is truly a lamp to my feet and a light for my path, as the scriptures gives me guidance for anything that will occur in my life. I believe that faith comes when you hear God talk through His Holy Word, and the wisdom that you get from the scriptures help you deal with life’s problems. The word of God will help keep you pure, as it will keep you on the right path and not let you give in to the temptations that Satan is constantly bombarding you with. The Bible is God’s word and has been given to us to give us direction and guidance in how to live a godly life, and one that is pleasing to God. We need to go to God’s word daily which will give us the strength to overcome all the adversities that we face, and to give us the faith we need to trust in God for all things. Faith and trust in God is all we need to sustain us, as He promises to provide all our needs. The Bible should be the most important book in all our lives, and the one that we turn to for all the answers. The Bible is God’s word and we need to listen to God and let Him be a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
The greatest book on earth is the Bible, as it has outsold every book that has ever been written. According to Biblical scholars it takes approximately 56 hours to read the Bible through completely. If you read 40 chapters a day, you will complete the Bible within 30 days. If you read nine chapters a day in the New Testament you will finish reading the New Testament in 30 days. I know in my life every time I open the Bible there is a new revelation that jumps out at me when I read its scriptures. Even though I have read each verse many times before I am able to understand additional wisdom that God is telling me. The Bible is truly a lamp to my feet and a light for my path, as the scriptures gives me guidance for anything that will occur in my life. I believe that faith comes when you hear God talk through His Holy Word, and the wisdom that you get from the scriptures help you deal with life’s problems. The word of God will help keep you pure, as it will keep you on the right path and not let you give in to the temptations that Satan is constantly bombarding you with. The Bible is God’s word and has been given to us to give us direction and guidance in how to live a godly life, and one that is pleasing to God. We need to go to God’s word daily which will give us the strength to overcome all the adversities that we face, and to give us the faith we need to trust in God for all things. Faith and trust in God is all we need to sustain us, as He promises to provide all our needs. The Bible should be the most important book in all our lives, and the one that we turn to for all the answers. The Bible is God’s word and we need to listen to God and let Him be a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path.
(Many of my readers have asked if my Daily Devotionals have been published and if they could purchase them. The Devotionals I am posting are from My Daily Devotional Volume III which was published in 2009 and can be purchased at amazon.com or from me at robbrock@comcast.net)
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