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Monday, November 7, 2011

Serving God

Serving God

"You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."
Acts 13:11

Are there days when you wake up, maybe not feeling well physically, or dealing with problems in your life, and serving the Lord is the last thing on your mind. This may be God giving you a spiritual test to see just how dedicated you are to serving Him, or it could be Satan's way to keep you distracted, and his way of leading you astray. Each of you are going to have these kinds of days, and the test is to serve God despite what you are dealing with in your own life. My message today is to let you know that serving God is something that every child of God is called to do every day. It is not an option, it is a commandment. It is not something we do when we feel like it, but it is what our life as a Christian is all about. Despite how you feel, or what you are going through, the problems of your daily life must never take away your commitment to serving God. When you have these kind of days, you need to seek God even more, and pray that He will give you the strength to accomplish all He desires you to do that day. You need to realize that you can't always rely on your own strength, to get through your problems, but that you need to rely on the strength of God to help you deal with them. Remember that when you are weak, God is strong. You will find that it is amazing how many of these kind of days will go by quickly, and how God will bless you on those days. God will always help you when you are serving Him, following Him, and honoring Him with your life. So even despite what you are facing in your life today, don't forget that serving God is not an option, but a mandate, as you don't want to give Satan a foothold in your life, but to keep God first, and let Him bless you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 18
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

No Coincidence

No Coincidence

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me."
John 9:4

I was talking with a good friend recently and was telling him about how my father was killed in battle during World War II, when he commented that it was a coincidence that he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. After he left, I began to think that there is nothing in life that is a coincidence, as everything that happens to us from our birth to our death is not a coincidence, but is part of God's plan. The Bible tells us that God is all knowing, that He knows us while we are in our mother's womb, that He even knows the numbers of hairs on our head, that all our days are destined, even before they come to be. It is no accident that you live where you live, that you work where you work, where you go to school. It is no coincident the people in your life are there, as there are no coincidences with God, things just don't "happen". There is a divine purpose in our life, that includes the good, and also the bad things. I know that some of you may be going through bad times in your life today, and may be questioning why this is happening to you, but you need to realize that God knows what you are going through, as it is no accident, but part of His plan for your life. There was a man named Job, who found himself in a difficult position, and who saw his life crumbling around him. In spite of all his troubles, he never lost his faith in God, as it was all part of God's plan to later bless him abundantly. We never know how God will deliver us from trouble, how He will bless us, but our job is to hold on to our faith, continue to praise Him in spite of the problems we face, and know He will never leave us or forsake us. There are no coincidences with God, as he is with you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 17
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Helping Others

Helping Others

"You are doing the things your own father does"
John 8:41

Everyone has times when the burdens of this life become overwhelming. Whatever the reasons, it happens to everyone. You wake up feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. The joy, the peace, the pleasures of this life seem so far away. When you have gone through these valleys you know how difficult it can be. There are people that will cross your path today that are going through these tough times, and my message today is to ask you to help them carry their burdens. I know you also may be hurting with these same burdens, but God's greatest commandment was to love others as we love ourselves, and today I want you to concentrate on others. Helping others in their hour of need is one of the greatest ways God can use your own life, and you will be blessed beyond your imagination for your faithfulness. Bearing the burdens of others is what God has called all of us to do with our lives. When you look at the earthly ministry of Jesus it was dealing one on one with hurting people, and is the example He left us. Find someone today that is hurting, pick them up, help them carry their burden, make their load just a little bit lighter. This is what Jesus would do, and what He would expect each of us to do. You don't need a degree or be trained to show someone that you love them and care about them, and will be there in their time of need. Just an encouraging word, or taking a moment to listen to them, or a simple act of kindness or generosity can make a difference in someone's life. You see, without the Lord, we have a difficult time loving ourselves, let alone others, but when we realize how much God loved us, and sacrificed for us, it becomes easy for us to love others.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 16
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Friday, November 4, 2011

It Takes Discipline

It Takes Discipline

"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white."
Revelation 3:4

Have you ever wondered if you are really saved? Have you ever thought that you are doing most of the things that Christians are supposed to be doing, but don't have real joy in your life? When you don't read your Bible each day, or pray each day do you really miss it? I would like for you to think about these questions, and ask yourself if this could be you. The basis fact is that your relationship with Christ is only as good as what you put into it. You can't develop a real relationship with Jesus in just one hour at church on Sunday, or at a Bible study once a week with your friends, or an occasional prayer sometime during your week. A real relationship with Jesus will only happen when you take the time and effort to make it happen. It takes discipline to make Jesus part of your life. You need to start your day with Jesus, reading your Bible, praying and thanking Him for everything. This may mean that you have to get up a little earlier in your day to make the time for Him, which may be difficult at first, but it is necessary. I can assure you that once you make time for Jesus each day, that you will begin to look forward to this time, where you can share your needs with Him, and He can also give you His peace and His comfort in your life. You will begin to live your life with joy in your heart and a quiet peace about you. You will begin to grow in your relationship with God, and the troubles of daily living will be easier to bear. The key to being a Christian is all about your daily, personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship is not only the most important relationship you will ever have, but it is the only thing that you will take from this life into eternity.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 15
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Is Your Cross Heavy

Is Your Cross Heavy

"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
John 14:14

I know that many of you today are bearing a cross and a burden that is becoming heavy. It may be a serious illness, a marriage that is in trouble, a financial issue, a lost job, the death of a loved one, or a multitude of other problems that you are facing. How you bear your cross becomes the challenge that you are dealing with. In the above scripture Jesus said to "pick up the cross and follow me". For Jesus, the cross He bore was the sins of all mankind. God has not asked you to bear such a burden, but your own cross is still heavy and He tells you how to bear it. The Bible tells us that we will have trials and troubles during our life, but God will not give us more than we can handle. It also tells us that we can't do anything in our own strength, but that we need God to help us bear our cross. You must remember that God knows what is going on in your life right now, and knows the cross you are bearing. The Bible tells us also, that we are to be thankful for all things, and that includes even the problem you are facing today. Even though you may not understand why you are facing the trials and troubles you have, God knows and understands, as this is part of His plan for your life. Even though your cross may be heavy, God can lighten your cross and help you carry it. He can give you peace and comfort you during your struggle. He is with you every step of the way, and is there to help you. This is your time to reach out to God and get closer to Him. Let Him take control of your life today, and give you peace and let Him comfort you. The cross you bear can become lighter when you let Jesus pick it up and carry it for you, as He tells you to ask Him for anything in His name and He will do it.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 14
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Let God Restore You

Let God Restore You

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you, and make you strong."
1st Peter 5:10

Is your life in turmoil today? Do you feel defeated, and don't know where to turn, or what to do, to get out of your situation? If this is you, Satan has you in his grasp, and is rendering you helpless to correct your situation by yourself. Although Satan is crouching at your door seeking to devour you, it doesn't have to be a time for despair or discouragement. The answer to what you are going through, is to turn to God who is holding out His hand and is waiting to help you. To receive His help you must reach out to Him, and humble yourself in His sight, and He will lift you up. "Humble yourself, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1st Peter 5:6 You need to realize that you truly do need God's help, and prayerfully come before Him each day, and ask Him for deliverance. You can't win the spiritual battle that is raging within you by yourself, but with God's help you can be victorious and conquer any of your mountains. To get God's help you need to start your day in the Word of God, getting up early and reading your Bible and praying to God to deliver you. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may withstand the attacks of Satan. You can't just give lip service and stand against the attacks of Satan, but you must prepare your hearts, souls and minds for action. You must condition yourself to pray, read your Bible, get to know God personally, and then He will be there to help you deal with any problem. God will provide you His peace and His comfort, even during the fiercest battles that are raging within you. Humble yourself, seek His face, and ask Him for help and watch God change your life.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 13
Robert William Brock, Jr.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Power Of Faith

The Power Of Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1

Do you believe God can do all things? Do you believe that with God, all things are possible? Well, the Bible tells us that over and over, and gives us many examples where the impossible has really happened. Moses parted the Red Sea, which was impossible. Little David defeated and killed Goliath, which would have been impossible. Jesus raised the dead, made the lame to walk, gave sight to the blind, and performed many other miracles that seemed impossible. With so many demonstrations and examples that the Bible gives us, why don't we believe that all things are possible with God? The answer lies in the fact that we don't have enough faith. Jesus tells us that if we have faith as small as a tiny mustard seed that we could make any mountain move. I know that many of you are having problems in your life today, and need to make your mountains move. You need to have the faith and ask God to deliver you from whatever mountain you may be facing. If this is you, get into a close relationship with God and ask Him for your miracle, and then expect it and receive it. This means that you need to make God first in your life, read your Bible, obey it's commandments and pray for God for your deliverance. The same Jesus that did these miraculous things centuries ago can still do them today. What you think is impossible in your life today, is indeed possible when you have faith in God. God can, and still heals cancer and many other diseases even today, when people have the faith and believe. Faith is such a wonderful thing, as by faith we have become children of God, and with faith you can please God, and with God impossible things become possible.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
February 12
Robert William Brock, Jr.