By Gobel Brockman
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away; all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)
This week's devotional will be short and sweet. (Well, maybe not too sweet.) Giving your life to Christ does not mean you become instantly perfect, with sin and temptation no longer causing you any problems. We're still human, and as such, we will struggle with the sin nature in us as long as we live. However, as the Scripture above states, a commitment to Jesus Christ is more than joining a fraternity or club; it's a radical, life-transforming change that takes place in our hearts. Quite frankly, if someone commits their life to Christ and the only 'change' you can see afterwards is how they spend their Sunday mornings, the question of how much 'change' has actually taken place is pretty unavoidable.
Let me explain my point this way. I heard a farmer once say there's a difference when a pig and a sheep fall in a mud puddle. The pig's content to stay there; the sheep will raise a ruckus until it gets out. So let me ask you - and myself - a simple question: when sin raises its head in our life, are you a pig or a sheep? Do you let a 'sacrifice' of an hour or so at church on Sunday morning soothe your conscience, or do you ask the Holy Spirit to continually work in your life so that God is truly honored in your life?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
It's Under Control
By Gobel Brockman
The news coming out of Japan has been terrible after the earthquake and resulting tsunami. At last report there are over 7,000 dead, with thousands more missing. Now the radiation fears from the damaged nuclear power plants have heightened the fears not only in Japan, but seemingly around the world as well.
The U.S., France, and others have now began military operations against Libya in an attempt to defeat Muammar Gaddafi. There's certain to be casualties in this, but the final outcome is anything BUT certain.
Here at home, we're seeing political upheaval, protests of every sort, forclosures, rising gas and food prices, employment uncertainty, and monetary problems that leave us wondering what our futures look like.
OK, enough bad news. Here's what I wanted to tell you: none of this has caught God off-guard. While we're on Earth saying, "Oh God!", God is NOT up in Heaven saying, "Oh...Me!". For those of you who are followers of Christ, I simply give you this word from Matthew 6:31-33:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV)
My point? If you're a child of God, it's under control. HIS control. You won't do without what you really need. (Notice that's NEED, not GREED.) God can, does, and will take care of His people. That's good enough for me. You?
The news coming out of Japan has been terrible after the earthquake and resulting tsunami. At last report there are over 7,000 dead, with thousands more missing. Now the radiation fears from the damaged nuclear power plants have heightened the fears not only in Japan, but seemingly around the world as well.
The U.S., France, and others have now began military operations against Libya in an attempt to defeat Muammar Gaddafi. There's certain to be casualties in this, but the final outcome is anything BUT certain.
Here at home, we're seeing political upheaval, protests of every sort, forclosures, rising gas and food prices, employment uncertainty, and monetary problems that leave us wondering what our futures look like.
OK, enough bad news. Here's what I wanted to tell you: none of this has caught God off-guard. While we're on Earth saying, "Oh God!", God is NOT up in Heaven saying, "Oh...Me!". For those of you who are followers of Christ, I simply give you this word from Matthew 6:31-33:
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV)
My point? If you're a child of God, it's under control. HIS control. You won't do without what you really need. (Notice that's NEED, not GREED.) God can, does, and will take care of His people. That's good enough for me. You?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
When You Fail....
By Gobel Brockman
I recently mentioned that people who say there's no God because Christians fail is like saying there's no judge because a criminal doesn't heed his warnings. But the sad fact is that we do fail. When I look at my own life, I see areas and times that what I've believed and what I've done are two entirely different things. And I can blame no one but myself. In those times, what happened was easy to explain - I SINNED. Sin not only brings consequences, it brings something else that is usually even worse - guilt. The feeling of "I know better than that - so why do I keep fighting this thing?" Guilt makes us feel not only that we'll never be what God wants us to be, it causes us to hide from Him in the time we need Him most. It caused Adam and Eve to try to hide in the Garden of Eden. It caused Peter to 'weep bitterly' and feel as though his life as a follower of Christ was over.
If you find yourself in that place right now, let me remind you of the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. This man had taken his inheritance that his father gave him early, and wasted it all in a matter of days. He soon found himself at the lowest place he could imagine. He then said, "I will arise and return to my father. Maybe he will allow me to be a servant." What he found when he returned was a father waiting to embrace him. Not only that, it says the father called for a robe to be put on him, shoes for his feet, and a ring for his finger. Then the father threw a party for his returned son. The thing that I find most interesting is the ring. In those days, it wasn't just a piece if jewelry - it had the family insignia on it. It was the family credit card. The father was showing him not only that he was a son, but that he trusted him in the very area he had just failed.
Have you failed God? Don't allow guilt and fear to keep you from returning home. The Father's waiting - ready to rejoice with you!
I recently mentioned that people who say there's no God because Christians fail is like saying there's no judge because a criminal doesn't heed his warnings. But the sad fact is that we do fail. When I look at my own life, I see areas and times that what I've believed and what I've done are two entirely different things. And I can blame no one but myself. In those times, what happened was easy to explain - I SINNED. Sin not only brings consequences, it brings something else that is usually even worse - guilt. The feeling of "I know better than that - so why do I keep fighting this thing?" Guilt makes us feel not only that we'll never be what God wants us to be, it causes us to hide from Him in the time we need Him most. It caused Adam and Eve to try to hide in the Garden of Eden. It caused Peter to 'weep bitterly' and feel as though his life as a follower of Christ was over.
If you find yourself in that place right now, let me remind you of the story of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. This man had taken his inheritance that his father gave him early, and wasted it all in a matter of days. He soon found himself at the lowest place he could imagine. He then said, "I will arise and return to my father. Maybe he will allow me to be a servant." What he found when he returned was a father waiting to embrace him. Not only that, it says the father called for a robe to be put on him, shoes for his feet, and a ring for his finger. Then the father threw a party for his returned son. The thing that I find most interesting is the ring. In those days, it wasn't just a piece if jewelry - it had the family insignia on it. It was the family credit card. The father was showing him not only that he was a son, but that he trusted him in the very area he had just failed.
Have you failed God? Don't allow guilt and fear to keep you from returning home. The Father's waiting - ready to rejoice with you!
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