My Daily Devotional

Mother's Bible By: My Wife Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6 Our children have always seen me reading my Bible each morning before they went to school. Many years ago, when our son Rob was a freshman at Geneva College, he left a little note in my Bible, asking me to pray for him as he knew I would see it. Another memory that I have of Rob was years ago when Bob and I did a will, in case anything happened to us. As we were deciding what to give our children, we asked each of them to tell us what they wanted. When we asked Rob, he simply said that he would let us know. He called later and said all he wanted was my Bible as he knew that I read it every day. Nothing on earth could have pleased me more than this simple request, and when I read my Bible each morning, I always think about this. I can remember when I was a little girl, probably 10 years old, our friend Marion Brock would sing a song called “Mother’s Bible”. Some of the words were “with its pages worn and torn is more precious that Gold.” I loved to hear him sing it, and I have always thought throughout the years, whether my children would ever ask for my Bible. What a glorious gift Rob gave me that day, just by asking for my Bible Rob is our most perfect and precious son, and has always had the kindest heart and respect for others. He has grown up to be a father and husband that I am so proud of, and still has this kind heart and demonstrates this to all the people he meets. Rob has been such a blessing to us throughout the years, and I am so proud to be called his mother. His gift of thoughtfulness in asking only for my Bible, will forever be with me and something that I will cherish forever. I hope that all my children will remember the legacy that I hope to leave for them, my devotion to God. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 8

My Daily Devotional

Attitude Adjustment “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13 What kind of attitude do you have each morning when you wake up? This is an important question for you to consider, as your attitude often determines what is in your heart. By simply getting focused at the beginning of each day on the proper attitude we need to have, can have a tremendous effect on our families, our fellow employees, our schoolmates and on everyone we meet. Our attitudes affect others around us and we can either be a positive influence or a negative influence on all the people we come into contact with. God wants us to be a positive influence on all the people we meet, and not be a deterrent or negative influence on anyone. There are eight criteria listed below which I think is necessary to have the right attitude. 1. We need to wake up each day with the thought of being happy for the day. Happiness is a choice we each make in our own lives. 2. Don’t let the little things get you down. These are the killers that will rob your day of its happiness, and will keep you from reaching your potential for the day. Don’t let the traffic jam or the spilled cup of coffee ruin your day. 3. Don’t worry about things you cannot change. Let God take control of these circumstances Be content and happy and keep your attitude positive. 4. Appreciate today as it is, as you will never be able to live it again. Live it to its fullest. Make sure you have your attitude adjusted to be happy and not let anyone take away your joy for the day. 5. Learn to smile for your health. Smiling is the best way to get yourself geared up for your day. It will make you feel better and keep you in the proper frame of mind for the day. 6. Be content where you are. God has put you in your job, in your city, in your family, in your neighborhood for a reason. He knows all about you. Be content and trust him for the answers. 7. Trust God for the answers to the obstacles that you will face for the day and he will provide you with the wisdom to meet these challenges and deal with them successfully. 8. And most of all forget the past. Whatever happened yesterday or last week or last year is gone. Nothing you can do will change the hurt, disappointments and circumstances that have happened in the past. You can’t do anything about it so forget it and plan for the day ahead and the future. The future is the only thing we can influence. Our attitude is so important as people need to see God in us, by the way we speak, by our behavior and actions, and the way we treat others. Each day we have opportunities to minister to others, and having the right attitude is just one of the attributes we need to have to do this effectively. We have God's great commission to fulfill. By putting ourselves in the best frame of mind at the beginning of the day, we have equipped ourselves to put our best foot forward, and given ourselves the best opportunity possible. If you get up in the morning in a terrible mood, the best thing you can do is find a place and spend some time with the Lord. By learning to seek God quickly when we sense any attitude or behavior that is not Christ like, will help us prepare ourselves each day, and be the witness that God wants us to be. Just remember that your attitude is one of the first things people will notice about you, they will like you or not like you because of your attitude. Put on the best smile you can, and let your attitude be pleasing to God and others. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Six November 7

My Daily Devotional

Behind Closed Doors By: My Wife Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock "It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:12 So many times our life behind closed doors does not match what we project in public. Our family sees us as we really are, while the outside world sees another side. God also sees us as we really are, as He knows what is in our hearts. It is important that both our family and others see us as one that is following God at all times, not being one thing in public and something else at home. When we compromise, and let the world influence us, many put on a different face to the public, and another face at home. There are several things we can do to be the kind of witness we need to be for our families and others. We need to always build ourselves up each day, by reading our Bibles, praying and seeking to become closer to God. We need to seek His presence, and in so doing, our family will see God through us. How we handle day to day problems, by praying and seeking God's wisdom, is another way to demonstrate to our family, the presence of God in our lives. The way we communicate to our spouse and children in our homes, should always show love and respect for them. The language we use behind closed doors, should always be uplifting, encouraging and spoken with a soft voice and kind words. So often families begin compromising their values, based on worldly ideals, and allow these to invade their homes. We must never compromise God's values, and allow worldly trends to become part of our family life. If we do, these will, little by little, become part of the family life, which must not be allowed. We must be aware at all times of our conduct behind closed doors, as our families need to see us as Godly examples. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 6

My Daily Devotional

Think About Tomorrow By: My wife Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock "Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life." Jude 1:21 As we live in our troubled world, most people do not think about, and forget the most important thing in life, and that is that someday we are going to die. Most people put this out of their minds, and live only for today. We only have to pick up a newspaper, or turn on our televisions, to see the reality of what can happen, as there are examples each day, where life has suddenly ended for people who did not expect to die. The thing that most people forget, is to live for God, and make Him number one in their lives, but so often we look only at the day ahead, and then only for ourselves. Most people are prone to seek the things of the world, instead of seeking the thing that means the most to them, which is God, and what the future may hold. Life here on earth is likened to a fleeting shadow, and will be for only a season, and our thoughts should be more on where we will spend our eternity, than on the here and now. There is nothing that is more important than for you to make sure that your future is secure, and that you will have a place in Heaven. If you have any doubts about what tomorrow may hold for you, now is the time to do something about it. You don't have to be concerned about your future, as Jesus promises you that you can be at peace and content, about what your future holds. Death is going to come to each of us, but it does not have to be a consuming part of your thoughts and life, as God can give you peace and comfort by providing you with His plan of salvation. Today is your day of salvation, as you can ask Jesus to come into your heart right now to be your Lord and your Savior. Your eternal life is at stake, and His plan of salvation is your only answer to spend your eternity in Heaven. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 5

My Daily Devotional

God Is Here "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 All throughout the Bible we see story after story how God did miracle acts to protect the people of Israel. Opening the Red Sea was just one of the miracles that He did to protect His chosen people. But does God still do miracles today? One of my face book friends sent me this story which he said was true as his father was a witness, and had told it to him. A missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, described his experience with God's divine angelic protection. Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, desiring to kill him and his wife and burn all the buildings down. All through that terror filled night, they prayed that God would deliver them from this evil. When daylight came they were amazed to see the natives leave, looking frustrated. One year later, the chief of that tribe gave his life to the Lord. Remembering what had happened that terrible night, the missionary asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house that night. The chief replied in surprise, "Well, he said, all those men were there with you! "What do you mean?", asked the missionary, "There were no men there, just my wife and I." The chief argued that the tribe had seen many men standing guard - hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the house, so they were afraid to attack". God's angels are still here to protect us today, and God can still do miracles even today, and tells us there is nothing to be afraid of, as He is there to keep us safe. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 4

My Daily Devotional

A Godly Mother By: My Wife Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." John 14:1 This message is for all mothers, and as you read it I want you to think and apply it to your own life. Are you doing all the right things to be the wife and mother that God wants you to be? But the real question to ask yourself is, "Is God really the Lord of my life"? In order to be the person God expects you to be, there are other questions you need to ask yourself: Do you go to church? Do you say all the right things to your family and friends to let them know God is walking with you? Do you let worldly things, slowly come into your life, and begin to compromise your Godly values, and let them affect your husband and children? It is so easy in the hectic day to day struggles of life, to compromise your values, and slowly, little by little, let worldly things into your daily routine. However, if God is first in your life there will not be room for compromise. Your family needs to see God in you at all times, even when things go wrong. You are the best influence on your husband and children, they will ever see, and how you react when things go wrong, can show them that God is really in your heart, and helping you deal with daily problems and issues that arise. Your daily walk with God, in both the good times, and also the bad times, needs to be the example of the person God wants you to be. You may ask how do I become the wife and mother God wants me to be, and the answer is found in God's word. Make God first in all that you do, follow His commandments, so that you will be an example for your family. Study your Bible daily, read God's Holy word, and you will be given wisdom and understanding to know God's will for your life. When you are following the will of God in your daily life, you will be the wife and mother God wants you to be. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 3

My Daily Devotional

Be A Light On The Hill By: My Wife Margaret Sue Lefevers Brock "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 In today's world, everyone wants to be politically correct, and not offend, or say things that are not offensive to others. Even when we go to church on Sunday, many of the sermons we hear from our pastors are messages that are designed to make us feel good about our lives, and these are good, as people need to be uplifted and encouraged. But there needs to be messages also where we hear about Jesus, and how he wants us to live our lives; how we are to treat other people, not just our family and friends, but strangers. Messages that tell us what the penalty of our sins will be, if we do not repent and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. The message of Jesus is that we are to love others as we love ourselves. We have to deny self, and get our mind on others. There are so many people that are in need in our society, especially now, with the loss of jobs. Christians must be the light of the world to these people. All we have to do is look around, and we see people who are in need, dealing with sickness, relationship issues, addictions, finances and so many other issues. Many have no place to turn to, as they are lonely, afraid and frightened by what the future holds for them. As Christians we need to be their light, their beacon of hope in their time of trouble. Our churches should be places of refuge for them, and a place where they can find hope and comfort. As Christians, we do not need to set back and watch, and be complacent. We need to act, no matter how small, we need to do something to comfort them and share with them that there is something better that awaits, an eternal life in Heaven.. We as believers, need to be the shining light on the hill for them, so that they will see Jesus in us. Robert William Brock My Daily Devotional Volume Seven November 2