It Is 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
The Bible tells us that to be born again and experience the eternal life that God promises, we must accept Jesus into our hearts, and 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. At that moment, you will stand before God and there will only be one question, “Do you know Jesus as your Savior by faith?” 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 Christ 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. It is so sad that many people die each day because they keep putting 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. If anyone would want to contact me, my e-mail address is robbrock@comcast.net.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Dealing With Anger
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26
Anger is a powerful emotion which can strike suddenly, and take over our thoughts, and many times can seem to be uncontrollable. Anger and its devastating effects can leave everything and everyone that it is directed at in ruins. There are as many causes and expressions of anger as there are people, but one of the underlying causes of anger is due to the fact that things are not happening as we expected them to happen. We may not get the raise we expected, our children may not listen to us, or our spouse does not agree with our point of view about an important matter. Usually anger is directed towards the person that does not agree with us or we feel has harmed us in some way. Everyone will get angry at some point in their life, but controlling our anger is the thing that sets us apart from others. If anger is controlling you, there is only one way to find relief and that is to give God control of your life. God teaches us to love rather than be angry, and his answer to control our anger is to learn to forgive. Forgiveness is perhaps the greatest remedy for anger. Just remember that as Jesus hung on the cross dying for our sins, He asked His Father to “forgive them for they know not what they do”. Jesus had every right to be angry toward those who placed Him there, but rather chose to forgive them instead. To anyone that is fighting anger in their lives, don’t let it fester and build up, as it will not go away by itself; it will grow like a cancer and affect the things that are most precious to you. Turn your anger over to God, and ask Him to help you forgive the people that have caused you to be angry, as this is the only way that you will be able to rid yourself of this sin. God will take control and give you peace.
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26
Anger is a powerful emotion which can strike suddenly, and take over our thoughts, and many times can seem to be uncontrollable. Anger and its devastating effects can leave everything and everyone that it is directed at in ruins. There are as many causes and expressions of anger as there are people, but one of the underlying causes of anger is due to the fact that things are not happening as we expected them to happen. We may not get the raise we expected, our children may not listen to us, or our spouse does not agree with our point of view about an important matter. Usually anger is directed towards the person that does not agree with us or we feel has harmed us in some way. Everyone will get angry at some point in their life, but controlling our anger is the thing that sets us apart from others. If anger is controlling you, there is only one way to find relief and that is to give God control of your life. God teaches us to love rather than be angry, and his answer to control our anger is to learn to forgive. Forgiveness is perhaps the greatest remedy for anger. Just remember that as Jesus hung on the cross dying for our sins, He asked His Father to “forgive them for they know not what they do”. Jesus had every right to be angry toward those who placed Him there, but rather chose to forgive them instead. To anyone that is fighting anger in their lives, don’t let it fester and build up, as it will not go away by itself; it will grow like a cancer and affect the things that are most precious to you. Turn your anger over to God, and ask Him to help you forgive the people that have caused you to be angry, as this is the only way that you will be able to rid yourself of this sin. God will take control and give you peace.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Are You An Example for Others
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”
1st Corinthians 8:9
Over the years I have seen many people being influenced by what someone else is doing, as they think just because so and so is doing something, and that they are somebody that has status and influential in the right circles, that it is all right for them to do it as well. We have all had idols as we grew up, whether it was our favorite sports star, our grandparents, our parents or someone else who we would like to pattern ourselves after. Even though many of us do not realize it we may be someone’s idol and the person that someone is trying to pattern themselves after. The scripture above tells us that whatever we do in life, which means our words and our actions, should not become a stumbling block for others. This means that we need to watch what we say and watch what we do, so that we do not set the wrong example for someone. How many times do we see in the newspaper some individual who has been the so called example, or role model, caught in situations that are wrong and many times illegal? This fallen hero has many times destroyed someone who was trying to imitate their actions and be like them. When the weak Christian is influenced by the example of the stronger Christian, and even though he feels it to be wrong, it still has a tendency to blunt their conscience, so that doing what is wrong becomes much easier the next time. We are accountable to set an example of what a Christian should be like in our daily life by the way we speak and by the way we conduct ourselves at all times. I would encourage each of you to consider your actions, wherever you are, and to be a good example to someone who may be watching you, as God wants your life to reflect the life of a Christian. God is also watching you.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”
1st Corinthians 8:9
Over the years I have seen many people being influenced by what someone else is doing, as they think just because so and so is doing something, and that they are somebody that has status and influential in the right circles, that it is all right for them to do it as well. We have all had idols as we grew up, whether it was our favorite sports star, our grandparents, our parents or someone else who we would like to pattern ourselves after. Even though many of us do not realize it we may be someone’s idol and the person that someone is trying to pattern themselves after. The scripture above tells us that whatever we do in life, which means our words and our actions, should not become a stumbling block for others. This means that we need to watch what we say and watch what we do, so that we do not set the wrong example for someone. How many times do we see in the newspaper some individual who has been the so called example, or role model, caught in situations that are wrong and many times illegal? This fallen hero has many times destroyed someone who was trying to imitate their actions and be like them. When the weak Christian is influenced by the example of the stronger Christian, and even though he feels it to be wrong, it still has a tendency to blunt their conscience, so that doing what is wrong becomes much easier the next time. We are accountable to set an example of what a Christian should be like in our daily life by the way we speak and by the way we conduct ourselves at all times. I would encourage each of you to consider your actions, wherever you are, and to be a good example to someone who may be watching you, as God wants your life to reflect the life of a Christian. God is also watching you.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Restore Governing Authorities
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1
I have always wondered how God would judge the authorities that exist in our world today, as much has changed from the time in which He lived. In the Bible God tells us to respect the authorities that govern us, and to submit to them. He tells us to obey the laws of the land and follow their instructions. However, there are many laws that are now in place that go completely against the teachings of the Bible and do not reflect what God wants us to submit to. Our government has legalized abortions, which completely goes against the teachings of the Bible, the mention of God is being taken out of our schools, which is against Biblical teachings, and our government, which was founded on God and his laws and commands, no longer allows prayer and God to be mentioned. When civil leaders and authorities overstep their proper function, the Bible tells us that the Christian is to obey God rather than man. Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men.” Our authorities exist for the benefit of our society and to bring order to our government, and to protect the general public. God has ordained the authorities and expects the Christian to respect and obey them, but only as far as they are following the laws and commands of God. When they begin going against God’s laws and commands then Christians need to stand up and rebel against authorities. I would encourage each of you to begin to take a stand in restoring our civil and governmental authorities to ones that God would approve of and return our country to one that is based on Godly principles.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1
I have always wondered how God would judge the authorities that exist in our world today, as much has changed from the time in which He lived. In the Bible God tells us to respect the authorities that govern us, and to submit to them. He tells us to obey the laws of the land and follow their instructions. However, there are many laws that are now in place that go completely against the teachings of the Bible and do not reflect what God wants us to submit to. Our government has legalized abortions, which completely goes against the teachings of the Bible, the mention of God is being taken out of our schools, which is against Biblical teachings, and our government, which was founded on God and his laws and commands, no longer allows prayer and God to be mentioned. When civil leaders and authorities overstep their proper function, the Bible tells us that the Christian is to obey God rather than man. Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men.” Our authorities exist for the benefit of our society and to bring order to our government, and to protect the general public. God has ordained the authorities and expects the Christian to respect and obey them, but only as far as they are following the laws and commands of God. When they begin going against God’s laws and commands then Christians need to stand up and rebel against authorities. I would encourage each of you to begin to take a stand in restoring our civil and governmental authorities to ones that God would approve of and return our country to one that is based on Godly principles.
Friday, August 27, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Expect Your Miracle
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, so shall your offspring be.”
Romans 4:18
God considers Abraham the father of the Jews and the gentiles, as the birth of Isaac through Abraham and Sarah, both of whom were far past the age of child bearing, populated future generations, and thus Abraham is considered to be the father of all mankind. The example of Abraham and Sarah is the perfect example of the miracles that God can do in people’s lives. Abraham was almost one hundred years old and Sarah was about ninety years old, but Abraham was a righteous man who was promised “offspring like the dust of the earth” and possession of the land of Canaan, and that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham had faith that even though he was old that God would fulfill His promise to him. He did not lose his hope and continued to trust in God for his miracle. Could we ever have the faith that Abraham showed, and go against all the odds that our human frailty demonstrates, and expect our miracles in today’s world? The Bible teaches us that our miracles are also possible if we have the faith and belief in God that Abraham had. The Bible tells us that if we only have the faith of a mustard seed that we can make a mountain move. This tells us that God still is alive today, and can still work miracles for us as well. The question we need to ask ourselves is do we have enough faith and trust in God to hope for our miracle and receive it. Many of us have serious need for a miracle in our lives either due to health issues, financial issues, relationship issues or family issues. I would encourage you to start believing and having faith and trusting in God that He will provide you with your own miracle.
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, so shall your offspring be.”
Romans 4:18
God considers Abraham the father of the Jews and the gentiles, as the birth of Isaac through Abraham and Sarah, both of whom were far past the age of child bearing, populated future generations, and thus Abraham is considered to be the father of all mankind. The example of Abraham and Sarah is the perfect example of the miracles that God can do in people’s lives. Abraham was almost one hundred years old and Sarah was about ninety years old, but Abraham was a righteous man who was promised “offspring like the dust of the earth” and possession of the land of Canaan, and that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham had faith that even though he was old that God would fulfill His promise to him. He did not lose his hope and continued to trust in God for his miracle. Could we ever have the faith that Abraham showed, and go against all the odds that our human frailty demonstrates, and expect our miracles in today’s world? The Bible teaches us that our miracles are also possible if we have the faith and belief in God that Abraham had. The Bible tells us that if we only have the faith of a mustard seed that we can make a mountain move. This tells us that God still is alive today, and can still work miracles for us as well. The question we need to ask ourselves is do we have enough faith and trust in God to hope for our miracle and receive it. Many of us have serious need for a miracle in our lives either due to health issues, financial issues, relationship issues or family issues. I would encourage you to start believing and having faith and trusting in God that He will provide you with your own miracle.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Become a Servant
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:14-15
The interpretation of the scripture above tells us that Christ’s action provides an example of humble service, and that it teaches us that we are to have a servant attitude toward others. It tells us that Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services to help one another. It tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves. It illustrates God’s commandment that we should love others as we love ourselves, and what more humbling example to show this than to wash someone else’s feet. I believe that each of us needs to evaluate our own lives to see if we have a servant attitude. We need to determine if we want to be in control and set on the throne, or would we be just as comfortable as Jesus was, and instructing his Disciples to do; and that is to be a servant. I believe this is one of the most important issues that Christian’s face today, as the servant attitude is being lost in our society, as the status of being successful in life is based on our titles and positions in our companies. The idea that we are to be humble and a servant to others doesn’t go well with the people that are striving to rise to the top in their organizations. The attitude that Christ wants us to have is to not be self centered, always thinking about ourselves, but to be concerned about others. We miss so many opportunities in life to be able to minister to others by not demonstrating this humble and servant attitude to them. I would encourage each of you today to begin getting your minds off yourselves, and look around you to see where you could make a difference in someone’s life, by giving them a helping hand or providing their needs. Be a servant to someone as Jesus was.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:14-15
The interpretation of the scripture above tells us that Christ’s action provides an example of humble service, and that it teaches us that we are to have a servant attitude toward others. It tells us that Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services to help one another. It tells us that we are to love others as we love ourselves. It illustrates God’s commandment that we should love others as we love ourselves, and what more humbling example to show this than to wash someone else’s feet. I believe that each of us needs to evaluate our own lives to see if we have a servant attitude. We need to determine if we want to be in control and set on the throne, or would we be just as comfortable as Jesus was, and instructing his Disciples to do; and that is to be a servant. I believe this is one of the most important issues that Christian’s face today, as the servant attitude is being lost in our society, as the status of being successful in life is based on our titles and positions in our companies. The idea that we are to be humble and a servant to others doesn’t go well with the people that are striving to rise to the top in their organizations. The attitude that Christ wants us to have is to not be self centered, always thinking about ourselves, but to be concerned about others. We miss so many opportunities in life to be able to minister to others by not demonstrating this humble and servant attitude to them. I would encourage each of you today to begin getting your minds off yourselves, and look around you to see where you could make a difference in someone’s life, by giving them a helping hand or providing their needs. Be a servant to someone as Jesus was.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Do You Love Yourself Too Much
“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
John 12:25
There are not many people who don’t love themselves, but Jesus warns us in the scripture above that when we begin to only think about ourselves, and forget about others that we are walking on thin ice. Do you find yourself in this situation, in that your entire world revolves around your likes and dislikes, your wants and desires, with no thought of others? Is your time and your money spent entirely in making yourself happy and forgetting others? If you answer yes to these two simple questions you need to step back and evaluate your life. Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we are to love others as we love ourselves. This means that we are to devote time to others, and to spend some of our money in helping others. If we are not making this kind of commitment we are not obeying one of God’s greatest commandments. It is good for us to be successful in life and want to succeed, but we do not want to become self centered and think that we are the center of the universe, and that everything revolves around us. God does not want us to have this kind of attitude about ourselves, as He wants us to have a servant attitude and humble ourselves to others. As powerful as Jesus was He washed the feet of His disciples to show them the humbleness of Himself. When we develop an attitude that we are better or superior to others this is what Jesus is warning us about in the scripture above, and is the time to take stock in ourselves. I would encourage each of you to look at your own life, and determine if you are self centered; only thinking about yourself. If you find this to be true take the time to ask God for help in refocusing your life as your eternal life with God is in the balance.
“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
John 12:25
There are not many people who don’t love themselves, but Jesus warns us in the scripture above that when we begin to only think about ourselves, and forget about others that we are walking on thin ice. Do you find yourself in this situation, in that your entire world revolves around your likes and dislikes, your wants and desires, with no thought of others? Is your time and your money spent entirely in making yourself happy and forgetting others? If you answer yes to these two simple questions you need to step back and evaluate your life. Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that we are to love others as we love ourselves. This means that we are to devote time to others, and to spend some of our money in helping others. If we are not making this kind of commitment we are not obeying one of God’s greatest commandments. It is good for us to be successful in life and want to succeed, but we do not want to become self centered and think that we are the center of the universe, and that everything revolves around us. God does not want us to have this kind of attitude about ourselves, as He wants us to have a servant attitude and humble ourselves to others. As powerful as Jesus was He washed the feet of His disciples to show them the humbleness of Himself. When we develop an attitude that we are better or superior to others this is what Jesus is warning us about in the scripture above, and is the time to take stock in ourselves. I would encourage each of you to look at your own life, and determine if you are self centered; only thinking about yourself. If you find this to be true take the time to ask God for help in refocusing your life as your eternal life with God is in the balance.
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