By Gobel Brockman
I have a tendency to get reflective at certain times of the year. Birthdays and anniversaries usually cause me to think back and remember things, with most of the memories being good. New Year's Eve is probably the biggest one of all. I always think through each month, remembering the good and the bad. I won't bore you with the details, but 2013 was, simply put, one of the best years I've had in a while. There were a lot of unexpected and undeserved blessings that came my way, and all I can do is lift my head and my voice and thank God for each and every one. I want to encourage you to take a moment today and reflect on all the good things that have happened to you this year, and may you give thanks to Him as well.
I realize, however, that for some this may have been a difficult year. Sickness, death of loved ones and a host of other issues may have came your way. If so I pray that God's peace will be yours. Which leads me to what I want to talk about today:
2014.
I'm neither priest nor prophet. I cannot tell you what lies ahead for us. Some of us may have a year that will blow our mind - in a good way. Some of us may face pain, loss or uncertainty that we have never known before. It's always a mystery in January what will happen in our lives by the time we get to December. Which is why I usually fall back on Hebrews 11:6 at this time of year:
"Without faith it is impossible to please God; for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
What that says to me is that regardless of what comes my way in 2014 - good or bad - I need to seek God and believe that He has my best in mind. My prayer is that I will praise Him in the good and trust Him in the bad. That is my prayer for you as well. May we live 2014 in a way that honors God and trusts Him in every situation. I hope that each of you experience a lot of joy in this new year. For those who face pain or loss, may you allow God to prove His sustaining power to you. May all of us strive to get closer to Jesus than we are right now.
May 2014 be a blessed year for you all. If you put God first in every situation, it will be, regardless of what happens.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
It's a Good Thing God Loves Idiots
By Gobel Brockman
Here's a nice image for you in this Christmas season. Imagine you're watching a movie about the Christmas story. Someone informs Joseph and Mary that three wise men have arrived with gifts for the newborn King. They come in....and they're being portrayed by Moe, Curly, and Larry. (Stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this.)
Seem silly? Well, maybe not as much as you'd think. Let me explain. When Jesus began His public ministry, He chose 12 men to follow Him. They were fisherman, tax collectors, and other 'castoffs' that few would think would accomplish anything. They spent about three years walking, talking, and learning from Jesus. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, they returned to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. After they received this gift, they proceeded to turn the world upside-down. People were being saved, healed, and set free from spiritual bondage. Miracles were taking place. As a result of one of those miracles, they were called before the Jewish authorities to explain their purpose. The disciples took the opportunity to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ. The Bible says something interesting about this meeting in Acts 4:13:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
I want to focus on the word 'ignorant.' In the original Greek the word used there is "Idiotes" meaning "a private person, i.e. (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot"):--ignorant, rude, unlearned."
In the eyes of the world, these guys were 'idiots and ignoramuses', but it's also interesting that Bible also said this: "...they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." There's the key - they had been with Jesus. You can't stay in His presence and not be changed. These men who were nothing in the eyes of others were literally changing the world right before those same eyes. These 'Ignorant' men were healing people and preaching the Good News because they had been with Jesus.
The point this week isn't to tell you that you're an idiot. The point is that if you think you're too plain or simple to do anything for God, you're wrong. Jesus took fisherman and tax collectors and changed history, and He can do the same with you and me. If you spend time with Jesus, others around you are going to take notice of it. We may not turn the whole world upside-down, but perhaps God wants to use us to turn our world upside-down. As the Bible says, God loves to "use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." So spend time with Jesus through His Word and prayer, let Him fill you with the Holy Spirit, and then go and be amazed by what He does through you.
I just hope you don't see The Three Stooges as the three wise men the next time you watch a Christmas movie. Sorry 'bout that. Nyuk nyuk nyuk....
Here's a nice image for you in this Christmas season. Imagine you're watching a movie about the Christmas story. Someone informs Joseph and Mary that three wise men have arrived with gifts for the newborn King. They come in....and they're being portrayed by Moe, Curly, and Larry. (Stick with me, I'm going somewhere with this.)
Seem silly? Well, maybe not as much as you'd think. Let me explain. When Jesus began His public ministry, He chose 12 men to follow Him. They were fisherman, tax collectors, and other 'castoffs' that few would think would accomplish anything. They spent about three years walking, talking, and learning from Jesus. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, they returned to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. After they received this gift, they proceeded to turn the world upside-down. People were being saved, healed, and set free from spiritual bondage. Miracles were taking place. As a result of one of those miracles, they were called before the Jewish authorities to explain their purpose. The disciples took the opportunity to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ. The Bible says something interesting about this meeting in Acts 4:13:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
I want to focus on the word 'ignorant.' In the original Greek the word used there is "Idiotes" meaning "a private person, i.e. (by implication) an ignoramus (compare "idiot"):--ignorant, rude, unlearned."
In the eyes of the world, these guys were 'idiots and ignoramuses', but it's also interesting that Bible also said this: "...they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." There's the key - they had been with Jesus. You can't stay in His presence and not be changed. These men who were nothing in the eyes of others were literally changing the world right before those same eyes. These 'Ignorant' men were healing people and preaching the Good News because they had been with Jesus.
The point this week isn't to tell you that you're an idiot. The point is that if you think you're too plain or simple to do anything for God, you're wrong. Jesus took fisherman and tax collectors and changed history, and He can do the same with you and me. If you spend time with Jesus, others around you are going to take notice of it. We may not turn the whole world upside-down, but perhaps God wants to use us to turn our world upside-down. As the Bible says, God loves to "use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." So spend time with Jesus through His Word and prayer, let Him fill you with the Holy Spirit, and then go and be amazed by what He does through you.
I just hope you don't see The Three Stooges as the three wise men the next time you watch a Christmas movie. Sorry 'bout that. Nyuk nyuk nyuk....
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Letting Go To Keep Going
By Gobel Brockman
Many of you reading this are familiar with the story of Moses. God chose him to lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. He led them to - and through - the Red Sea. There were many problems and instances of disobedience along the way, but there were also many miracles. But Moses himself had a moment of disobedience that cost him entrance into the 'Promised Land.' As the people prepared to go in, God told Moses to go to the top of the mountain and view the land, but afterwards he would die. After his death, God spoke to Joshua and said, "Moses my servant is dead. You now lead these people into the land I have prepared for them."
This Scripture and story stand out to me, for one of the lessons in it is that you have to be willing to let go of the past if you want to step into your future. One of the problems we seem to have with that is being asked to let go with the familiar and step into the unknown. The people of Israel knew what it was to follow Moses. They knew he had a special relationship with God. They also knew Joshua, but not in the capacity he was about to step into. How would he do? In what ways would he be different from Moses? Would God be as close to him as He was to Moses? I'm sure they had more questions than answers at that moment.
I know we've all been there at some point. You may be there now. I am myself. Many of you know that this past June I retired from my job at the US Postal Service. However, I've been using up my Sick Leave before my retirement starts. It runs out this week, so I'm about to start a new chapter in my life. At this point, I have no real idea what the first paragraph of that chapter's going to be. There is definite uncertainty, but there's also a definite faith that all will be well. God was prepared to lead Israel, and He will lead me as well. He will also lead you. If you are in a place in your life where what you are familiar with is gone and been replaced with the unknown, fear not. Be willing to step out in faith.
Let me close by making this point. When Israel stood at the Red Sea, God told them to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Forty years later, they stood at the Jordan River preparing to enter the Promised Land. God told them, "As soon as the priests (carrying the Ark of the Covenant) step into the Jordan, the waters will part." I believe part of that was God saying to them, "I've already proved to you that parting water is no problem for Me. Now step out in faith and believe that I will do it again." Yes, it requires faith. Yes, it requires letting go of the past and what we're comfortable with. But it's required if we want to move forward.
Moses is dead. Joshua's the new leader. But God is still in charge. It's all good. Now step out in faith and get going.
Many of you reading this are familiar with the story of Moses. God chose him to lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. He led them to - and through - the Red Sea. There were many problems and instances of disobedience along the way, but there were also many miracles. But Moses himself had a moment of disobedience that cost him entrance into the 'Promised Land.' As the people prepared to go in, God told Moses to go to the top of the mountain and view the land, but afterwards he would die. After his death, God spoke to Joshua and said, "Moses my servant is dead. You now lead these people into the land I have prepared for them."
This Scripture and story stand out to me, for one of the lessons in it is that you have to be willing to let go of the past if you want to step into your future. One of the problems we seem to have with that is being asked to let go with the familiar and step into the unknown. The people of Israel knew what it was to follow Moses. They knew he had a special relationship with God. They also knew Joshua, but not in the capacity he was about to step into. How would he do? In what ways would he be different from Moses? Would God be as close to him as He was to Moses? I'm sure they had more questions than answers at that moment.
I know we've all been there at some point. You may be there now. I am myself. Many of you know that this past June I retired from my job at the US Postal Service. However, I've been using up my Sick Leave before my retirement starts. It runs out this week, so I'm about to start a new chapter in my life. At this point, I have no real idea what the first paragraph of that chapter's going to be. There is definite uncertainty, but there's also a definite faith that all will be well. God was prepared to lead Israel, and He will lead me as well. He will also lead you. If you are in a place in your life where what you are familiar with is gone and been replaced with the unknown, fear not. Be willing to step out in faith.
Let me close by making this point. When Israel stood at the Red Sea, God told them to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Forty years later, they stood at the Jordan River preparing to enter the Promised Land. God told them, "As soon as the priests (carrying the Ark of the Covenant) step into the Jordan, the waters will part." I believe part of that was God saying to them, "I've already proved to you that parting water is no problem for Me. Now step out in faith and believe that I will do it again." Yes, it requires faith. Yes, it requires letting go of the past and what we're comfortable with. But it's required if we want to move forward.
Moses is dead. Joshua's the new leader. But God is still in charge. It's all good. Now step out in faith and get going.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
When You 'Got' Nothing
By Gobel Brockman
A few years ago I was asked to speak at a funeral. A young couple had lost their newborn child a couple of days after delivery. I immediately went to God in prayer. I don't recall my exact words, but it was something to the effect of, "God, the Bible says in James that 'if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men liberally...' Well, I lack wisdom in this. I have no idea what to say here. I 'got' nothing. Please help me." Soon after this, my mind went to the Scripture that says that "He has been touched with the feelings of our weakness" and I felt the Holy Spirit lead me in this direction:
God the Father had to watch His Son be crucified. He knows how it feels to lose a child.
I mentioned this at the service. I told the couple that it would be ridiculous for me to tell them "I know how you feel", but I could tell them that God DOES know how they felt, because He knows how it feels to lose a Son. Several people came up to me to tell me how it touched their hearts. The funeral home director came up to me and said something like, "I've been doing this for a long time, and I've never heard anyone make that point before." I tell you that story for two reasons: 1) If you are in a situation that requires answers you don't have, pray. 2) The answer will always bring you back to the feet of Jesus.
One thing about being in ministry that can be frustrating is when people tell you about what's going on in their lives, you tell them what the Bible says about it, and their basic response seems to be, "Eh, that doesn't work for me. What else ya got?" Well, I 'got' nothing else. I want nothing else. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." I'm not going to give you psychology, self-help, or anything else when everything we need is in the presence of God. I have friends who are facing difficult situations right now. Some are sick themselves, while others have family members that are not well. Some have job/financial situations going on. You may be facing something yourself right now. If so, I have one answer for you. God has been touched with the feelings of our weakness. He knows what you're going through, and He has what you need. I encourage you to surrender everything to Him. Not just your current problems, but your entire life.
Take it to Jesus. I 'got' nothing else. I want nothing else.
A few years ago I was asked to speak at a funeral. A young couple had lost their newborn child a couple of days after delivery. I immediately went to God in prayer. I don't recall my exact words, but it was something to the effect of, "God, the Bible says in James that 'if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men liberally...' Well, I lack wisdom in this. I have no idea what to say here. I 'got' nothing. Please help me." Soon after this, my mind went to the Scripture that says that "He has been touched with the feelings of our weakness" and I felt the Holy Spirit lead me in this direction:
God the Father had to watch His Son be crucified. He knows how it feels to lose a child.
I mentioned this at the service. I told the couple that it would be ridiculous for me to tell them "I know how you feel", but I could tell them that God DOES know how they felt, because He knows how it feels to lose a Son. Several people came up to me to tell me how it touched their hearts. The funeral home director came up to me and said something like, "I've been doing this for a long time, and I've never heard anyone make that point before." I tell you that story for two reasons: 1) If you are in a situation that requires answers you don't have, pray. 2) The answer will always bring you back to the feet of Jesus.
One thing about being in ministry that can be frustrating is when people tell you about what's going on in their lives, you tell them what the Bible says about it, and their basic response seems to be, "Eh, that doesn't work for me. What else ya got?" Well, I 'got' nothing else. I want nothing else. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." I'm not going to give you psychology, self-help, or anything else when everything we need is in the presence of God. I have friends who are facing difficult situations right now. Some are sick themselves, while others have family members that are not well. Some have job/financial situations going on. You may be facing something yourself right now. If so, I have one answer for you. God has been touched with the feelings of our weakness. He knows what you're going through, and He has what you need. I encourage you to surrender everything to Him. Not just your current problems, but your entire life.
Take it to Jesus. I 'got' nothing else. I want nothing else.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Thankful For the Feet
By Gobel Brockman
(Before you read the rest of this, I'd like for you to do a short experiment: I want you to try and type a sentence on your keyboard or smartphone. The difference is instead of using two hands, use one hand and one foot to type.)
I'm guessing you've given up by now. At least I hope you have. Yes, it was a silly idea, but I had a non-silly point to make. (Hey, I'm inventing words this week too.) My point? Feet weren't meant to type with. Hands weren't made to walk with. Different parts of the body have different functions, and if you try to use your feet to type, bad things can happen. I mention this because the Apostle Paul taught in I Corinthians 12 that as Christians we are part of the body of Christ:
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body....even so the body is not made up of one part, but many. Now if the foot should, 'Because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body' would it for that reason stop being part of the body?...If the whole body were the eye, where would the hearing be?...But in fact God has placed the parts of the body just as He wanted them to be." (Excerpts from I Corinthians 12:15-20)
As Christians, God has given us different gifts and different callings. One problem we run into is when we try to be something we're not. We see someone else doing something that we would like to do, but find out we can't and then get discouraged. Sometimes we may find ourselves getting bored with the things that we can do and wish for something else. It's in those times that we need to remember that we have a specific place in the Kingdom of God, and no one else can quite fill our role.
Another thing we need to remember is that there are some parts of the body that don't work well together. (I seriously hope you're not still trying to type with your feet.) One complaint that I hear about churches sometimes is that there are too many 'cliques' in the church. In some cases I'm sure that's true, but in some cases it's simply that people with similar giftings and callings are trying to work together. When a hand and a foot try to do the same job, it doesn't work. The nose and the armpit don't go together. Our task in the work of God is to find out what we were created for and function in that task, realizing that God will give us the ability to complete it. We also need to be thankful for those around us who may not be like us, and we may not have a whole lot in common with, but are fulfilling a role in God's church that we never could. We are all part of the same body, and we all have a place and a role to fulfill.
During this time of Thanksgiving, in addition to thanking God for the things we always thank God for, let's thank Him for all the people He's placed in the body of Christ to see His kingdom come. As believers in Jesus, we're all on the same team, and I thank God for every one of you.
(Before you read the rest of this, I'd like for you to do a short experiment: I want you to try and type a sentence on your keyboard or smartphone. The difference is instead of using two hands, use one hand and one foot to type.)
I'm guessing you've given up by now. At least I hope you have. Yes, it was a silly idea, but I had a non-silly point to make. (Hey, I'm inventing words this week too.) My point? Feet weren't meant to type with. Hands weren't made to walk with. Different parts of the body have different functions, and if you try to use your feet to type, bad things can happen. I mention this because the Apostle Paul taught in I Corinthians 12 that as Christians we are part of the body of Christ:
"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body....even so the body is not made up of one part, but many. Now if the foot should, 'Because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body' would it for that reason stop being part of the body?...If the whole body were the eye, where would the hearing be?...But in fact God has placed the parts of the body just as He wanted them to be." (Excerpts from I Corinthians 12:15-20)
As Christians, God has given us different gifts and different callings. One problem we run into is when we try to be something we're not. We see someone else doing something that we would like to do, but find out we can't and then get discouraged. Sometimes we may find ourselves getting bored with the things that we can do and wish for something else. It's in those times that we need to remember that we have a specific place in the Kingdom of God, and no one else can quite fill our role.
Another thing we need to remember is that there are some parts of the body that don't work well together. (I seriously hope you're not still trying to type with your feet.) One complaint that I hear about churches sometimes is that there are too many 'cliques' in the church. In some cases I'm sure that's true, but in some cases it's simply that people with similar giftings and callings are trying to work together. When a hand and a foot try to do the same job, it doesn't work. The nose and the armpit don't go together. Our task in the work of God is to find out what we were created for and function in that task, realizing that God will give us the ability to complete it. We also need to be thankful for those around us who may not be like us, and we may not have a whole lot in common with, but are fulfilling a role in God's church that we never could. We are all part of the same body, and we all have a place and a role to fulfill.
During this time of Thanksgiving, in addition to thanking God for the things we always thank God for, let's thank Him for all the people He's placed in the body of Christ to see His kingdom come. As believers in Jesus, we're all on the same team, and I thank God for every one of you.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Is Your Heart At Home?
By Gobel Brockman
I once heard of a man who was called to be a missionary to Spain. Upon arrival he instantly knew that this was exactly where God wanted him to be, and he fell in love with the people there. He spent years doing the work that God had called him to do, and did it joyfully. In his older years he became sick, and came back to the United States for diagnosis and treatment. He went in for exploratory surgery. The doctor came out to talk to the family, and gave them the bad news: he had an incurable disease, and only had months to live. After getting over the initial shock, the family asked the surgeon what should be the next step, and this was his response: "The whole time he was awake back there, all he talked about was Spain. As he was going under the anesthesia, he was talking about Spain. My suggestion is to let him go back. His body needs to be where his heart is."
I've always loved that story, but it also leads me to a powerful question: If someone said that about you, where would your body end up? One thing I've learned over the years is that you don't have to be around someone very long before you learn what's important to them. If something or someone is important to you, those around you will know it. I've said for a long time that no matter how busy, tired, or broke we are, we always manage to find the time, energy, or money to do the things we really want to do. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Are the things that are important to you worth the time and energy you devote to it? We spend so such energy and resources on things that, quite frankly, really don't matter. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 6 when He said this:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy and thieves cannot steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
I want to focus on that last line - "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." That speaks to my point for this week. Where is your heart? What's really important to you? Is it something that will last, or is your treasure something that is fleeting? The missionary I spoke of had found a lasting treasure. He put God first in his life, answered the call that God placed in his heart, and lived a life full of service and joy. I want that for myself, and I hope you do as well. But we need to remind ourselves that a divided heart has no home. This man found a treasure because he wanted what God wanted for him. It's our responsibility to find that for our own lives. Not everyone will be called into missionary work or to pastor a church, but there are specific things that God has for each of us to do. I can tell you that there is no greater joy than knowing that you're where God wants you to be, and doing what He wants you to do.
When your treasure is in Heaven, you know it's safe. When you allow God's desire for your life to become yours as well, there is joy. Whether it's behind a pulpit, behind a desk, or behind a counter, allow God to show you where your 'Spain' is. It's a good place to be. Your body needs to be where your heart is. Make sure it's in a good place.
I once heard of a man who was called to be a missionary to Spain. Upon arrival he instantly knew that this was exactly where God wanted him to be, and he fell in love with the people there. He spent years doing the work that God had called him to do, and did it joyfully. In his older years he became sick, and came back to the United States for diagnosis and treatment. He went in for exploratory surgery. The doctor came out to talk to the family, and gave them the bad news: he had an incurable disease, and only had months to live. After getting over the initial shock, the family asked the surgeon what should be the next step, and this was his response: "The whole time he was awake back there, all he talked about was Spain. As he was going under the anesthesia, he was talking about Spain. My suggestion is to let him go back. His body needs to be where his heart is."
I've always loved that story, but it also leads me to a powerful question: If someone said that about you, where would your body end up? One thing I've learned over the years is that you don't have to be around someone very long before you learn what's important to them. If something or someone is important to you, those around you will know it. I've said for a long time that no matter how busy, tired, or broke we are, we always manage to find the time, energy, or money to do the things we really want to do. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Are the things that are important to you worth the time and energy you devote to it? We spend so such energy and resources on things that, quite frankly, really don't matter. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 6 when He said this:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy and thieves cannot steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
I want to focus on that last line - "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." That speaks to my point for this week. Where is your heart? What's really important to you? Is it something that will last, or is your treasure something that is fleeting? The missionary I spoke of had found a lasting treasure. He put God first in his life, answered the call that God placed in his heart, and lived a life full of service and joy. I want that for myself, and I hope you do as well. But we need to remind ourselves that a divided heart has no home. This man found a treasure because he wanted what God wanted for him. It's our responsibility to find that for our own lives. Not everyone will be called into missionary work or to pastor a church, but there are specific things that God has for each of us to do. I can tell you that there is no greater joy than knowing that you're where God wants you to be, and doing what He wants you to do.
When your treasure is in Heaven, you know it's safe. When you allow God's desire for your life to become yours as well, there is joy. Whether it's behind a pulpit, behind a desk, or behind a counter, allow God to show you where your 'Spain' is. It's a good place to be. Your body needs to be where your heart is. Make sure it's in a good place.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
"That's Frustrating...."
By Gobel Brockman
A couple of weeks ago my son Aaron and I flew to Kansas City for a Chiefs game. We had a great time, but getting there proved a real challenge. We had decided to fly over on Saturday evening and spend the night there. Our flight had a connection in Detroit, which was supposed to be about a 35 minute flight. However, as we approached the airport the captain came over the intercom to tell us that we were going to be in a holding pattern. So we circled the city for about 30 minutes extra - in a thunderstorm no less. Finally, after about an hour and 20 minutes our 35 minute flight was over. After a short layover, a full crowd boarded our flight to Kansas City. Everyone stowed their gear in the overhead compartments, took the seats....and waited. For almost an hour. We then got the announcement that there was a problem with the plane and we would have to deboard while they got us another plane. So we all got our gear and went back to the lobby and waited. Finally, the other plane was readied and we made the rest of the trip. A trip that was supposed to take about 3 hours took almost 8. When we arrived at our hotel and collapsed, a couple of lessons had been learned:
1) Delta isn't a very good airline.
2) I had a little better understanding of Galatians 2:21 - "I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Frustration - the feeling we get when something is hindering our way and it isn't our fault. The slowpoke in traffic ahead of us. The letter in the mail that doesn't show up. The anticipated phone call that doesn't ring. It all can be frustrating. The question is, how many times do we do that to God? What exactly does it mean to 'frustrate the grace of God?' Well, if frustration comes from being hindered in something we're trying to accomplish, then frustrating God's grace simply means that God wants to show His grace to us, but we get in His way. We constantly try to earn God's favor and try to make it on our own and prove to Him that we're 'good enough.' Then, when we are once again confronted with the fact that we're not, we wallow in guilt instead of going to God for mercy and grace. And that's when grace gets frustrated - because we get in its way. If we could be good enough, the cross wouldn't have been necessary. But we're not, and it was, and the thing we seem to forget is that God chose to do it because of His love for us. He desires to show His grace to us. The Bible says in II Peter 3:9 that God wants all to come to repentance.
So get out of the way and let God love you. When it comes to grace, He doesn't like holding patterns either.
A couple of weeks ago my son Aaron and I flew to Kansas City for a Chiefs game. We had a great time, but getting there proved a real challenge. We had decided to fly over on Saturday evening and spend the night there. Our flight had a connection in Detroit, which was supposed to be about a 35 minute flight. However, as we approached the airport the captain came over the intercom to tell us that we were going to be in a holding pattern. So we circled the city for about 30 minutes extra - in a thunderstorm no less. Finally, after about an hour and 20 minutes our 35 minute flight was over. After a short layover, a full crowd boarded our flight to Kansas City. Everyone stowed their gear in the overhead compartments, took the seats....and waited. For almost an hour. We then got the announcement that there was a problem with the plane and we would have to deboard while they got us another plane. So we all got our gear and went back to the lobby and waited. Finally, the other plane was readied and we made the rest of the trip. A trip that was supposed to take about 3 hours took almost 8. When we arrived at our hotel and collapsed, a couple of lessons had been learned:
1) Delta isn't a very good airline.
2) I had a little better understanding of Galatians 2:21 - "I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Frustration - the feeling we get when something is hindering our way and it isn't our fault. The slowpoke in traffic ahead of us. The letter in the mail that doesn't show up. The anticipated phone call that doesn't ring. It all can be frustrating. The question is, how many times do we do that to God? What exactly does it mean to 'frustrate the grace of God?' Well, if frustration comes from being hindered in something we're trying to accomplish, then frustrating God's grace simply means that God wants to show His grace to us, but we get in His way. We constantly try to earn God's favor and try to make it on our own and prove to Him that we're 'good enough.' Then, when we are once again confronted with the fact that we're not, we wallow in guilt instead of going to God for mercy and grace. And that's when grace gets frustrated - because we get in its way. If we could be good enough, the cross wouldn't have been necessary. But we're not, and it was, and the thing we seem to forget is that God chose to do it because of His love for us. He desires to show His grace to us. The Bible says in II Peter 3:9 that God wants all to come to repentance.
So get out of the way and let God love you. When it comes to grace, He doesn't like holding patterns either.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Jesus Thinks You're Marvelous (But That May Not Be a Good Thing)
By Gobel Brockman
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, to 'marvel' means 'to be filled with surprise or amazed curiosity; to feel perplexed'. There are two times in Scripture where Jesus was said to marvel at something. I find it curious that Jesus - God in the flesh - would be surprised or perplexed at anything, yet that is exactly what the Bible says. The thing that interests me even further is that the source of this perplexity and amazement both involved the faith of those around Him:
Mark 6:4-6 "But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and his own house.' Now He could do no mighty works there, except that He laid hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief."
Matthew 8:8-10 "The centurion answered and said, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go' and he goes: and to another, 'Come' and he comes: and to my servant, 'Do this' and he does it.' When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, 'Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"
In the first story we see Jesus speaking in the synagogue in His hometown. He was obviously speaking with power and wisdom, for those who were there basically said, "Where did he get this wisdom and power? We know who he is, we know who his parents are, and we know his brothers and sisters." Yes, they did know Him. They had to have seen His life in ways that few did. They saw His youth, His day-to-day life, and the way He conducted Himself. If anyone should have seen something special in Jesus, it was these people. The had a front row seat watching Him develop into who He was. And yet they were offended when He spoke. They rejected His message completely.
In the second story, we see a Roman centurion - someone that wasn't a part of Israel. He probably knew little about the Law of Moses or the promises in the Old Testament about a soon coming 'Messiah'. All he knew was that when this man Jesus spoke, it was filled with authority. When He spoke to sickness, it vanished. When He touched the blind, they could see. The centurion was little interested in religious debate - he just knew that Jesus could touch his dying servant. He also understood the authority that Jesus possessed. He simply said, "Just speak the word and my servant will be healed."
In both cases, Jesus 'marveled'. First because of people who should have believed but didn't, then because of someone who shouldn't have believed and yet did. Which leads me to this week's question:
Is Jesus marveling at you and me today? If so, is it in a good way or a bad way?
Let's make it simple: how much are you trusting God right now? Have you seen God move in your life and answer prayer many times over the years, but for some reason you're having trouble trusting Him right now? Perhaps you're at a place where there seems to be no hope, and yet you have peace that God is still in control. Either way, Jesus may be finding you 'marvelous' right now. The good news is, if it's in a bad way, His Spirit can touch your life, increase your faith and change that if you ask Him.
He's marvelous like that.
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, to 'marvel' means 'to be filled with surprise or amazed curiosity; to feel perplexed'. There are two times in Scripture where Jesus was said to marvel at something. I find it curious that Jesus - God in the flesh - would be surprised or perplexed at anything, yet that is exactly what the Bible says. The thing that interests me even further is that the source of this perplexity and amazement both involved the faith of those around Him:
Mark 6:4-6 "But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and his own house.' Now He could do no mighty works there, except that He laid hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief."
Matthew 8:8-10 "The centurion answered and said, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go' and he goes: and to another, 'Come' and he comes: and to my servant, 'Do this' and he does it.' When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, 'Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"
In the first story we see Jesus speaking in the synagogue in His hometown. He was obviously speaking with power and wisdom, for those who were there basically said, "Where did he get this wisdom and power? We know who he is, we know who his parents are, and we know his brothers and sisters." Yes, they did know Him. They had to have seen His life in ways that few did. They saw His youth, His day-to-day life, and the way He conducted Himself. If anyone should have seen something special in Jesus, it was these people. The had a front row seat watching Him develop into who He was. And yet they were offended when He spoke. They rejected His message completely.
In the second story, we see a Roman centurion - someone that wasn't a part of Israel. He probably knew little about the Law of Moses or the promises in the Old Testament about a soon coming 'Messiah'. All he knew was that when this man Jesus spoke, it was filled with authority. When He spoke to sickness, it vanished. When He touched the blind, they could see. The centurion was little interested in religious debate - he just knew that Jesus could touch his dying servant. He also understood the authority that Jesus possessed. He simply said, "Just speak the word and my servant will be healed."
In both cases, Jesus 'marveled'. First because of people who should have believed but didn't, then because of someone who shouldn't have believed and yet did. Which leads me to this week's question:
Is Jesus marveling at you and me today? If so, is it in a good way or a bad way?
Let's make it simple: how much are you trusting God right now? Have you seen God move in your life and answer prayer many times over the years, but for some reason you're having trouble trusting Him right now? Perhaps you're at a place where there seems to be no hope, and yet you have peace that God is still in control. Either way, Jesus may be finding you 'marvelous' right now. The good news is, if it's in a bad way, His Spirit can touch your life, increase your faith and change that if you ask Him.
He's marvelous like that.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
There's Power In God's Word
By Gobel Brockman
And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” - Mark 8:22-26
This passage of Scripture has long intrigued us. It's the only time mentioned that Jesus had to pray for someone twice. It has brought many questions: Did the blind man not have enough faith? Did Jesus Himself have a sudden 'lack of faith'? The answer is simpler than that. In Matthew 11, Jesus is mentioning areas where He had done many great works, but yet the people did not repent. He said, "Woe to you Chorizin! Woe to you Bethsaida..." This happened before the story we're talking about now. Jesus had pronounced a curse on the city because of their unbelief. That's why the first thing Jesus did was "...take him by the hand and lead him out of the village..." Then, His first prayer only partially worked. He had to pray again to see the healing completed, which says something to us both very simple and very profound:
There's power in God's Word.
The curse He had pronounced was so strong, He Himself had to fight through it. And it's noteworthy that when the work was done, Jesus told the man not to return to the village. We need to understand the power of God's word. In Genesis, we're told that He created everything by just speaking. Over and over we read, "And God said, let there be..." and there was. The Bible says in another place "God is not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent..." His word is sure. What He speaks, He means. When He tells us, "Behold, I am with you always" we can know it's true. When He says, "The soul that sins shall surely die" we need to take Him at His word.
What I'm getting at is this: most people have a book in their house. For a few, it's nothing more than a dusty coaster on the coffee table. But there is life and power in that book. And it's available to you. There are many warnings in it we need to heed. There are many promises in it we need to claim. The Bible says this about itself: "The word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword..." If you need answers, God has spoken. If you need correction, God has spoken. If you need hope, God has spoken.
There's power in God's Word.
And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” - Mark 8:22-26
This passage of Scripture has long intrigued us. It's the only time mentioned that Jesus had to pray for someone twice. It has brought many questions: Did the blind man not have enough faith? Did Jesus Himself have a sudden 'lack of faith'? The answer is simpler than that. In Matthew 11, Jesus is mentioning areas where He had done many great works, but yet the people did not repent. He said, "Woe to you Chorizin! Woe to you Bethsaida..." This happened before the story we're talking about now. Jesus had pronounced a curse on the city because of their unbelief. That's why the first thing Jesus did was "...take him by the hand and lead him out of the village..." Then, His first prayer only partially worked. He had to pray again to see the healing completed, which says something to us both very simple and very profound:
There's power in God's Word.
The curse He had pronounced was so strong, He Himself had to fight through it. And it's noteworthy that when the work was done, Jesus told the man not to return to the village. We need to understand the power of God's word. In Genesis, we're told that He created everything by just speaking. Over and over we read, "And God said, let there be..." and there was. The Bible says in another place "God is not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent..." His word is sure. What He speaks, He means. When He tells us, "Behold, I am with you always" we can know it's true. When He says, "The soul that sins shall surely die" we need to take Him at His word.
What I'm getting at is this: most people have a book in their house. For a few, it's nothing more than a dusty coaster on the coffee table. But there is life and power in that book. And it's available to you. There are many warnings in it we need to heed. There are many promises in it we need to claim. The Bible says this about itself: "The word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword..." If you need answers, God has spoken. If you need correction, God has spoken. If you need hope, God has spoken.
There's power in God's Word.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
My Dirt's Cleaner Than Yours
By Gobel Brockman
Several years ago I heard a minister make a point that I'd never thought of before. He said he was at home eating supper, and dropped a potato chip on the floor. Without giving it any thought, he bent down and picked up the chip, blew it off, and popped it in his mouth. He then thought of the times he had been at someone else's house and had the same thing happen. What did he do with the chip? He put it on his plate to be thrown away. He then thought to himself, "Why? Same chips, same carpeting, same type of people walking on it." He went on to make this observation: "I guess I think my dirt's cleaner than yours."
(This proves that you can find life lessons anywhere.)
If we're honest with ourselves, I think we've all been guilty of 'Dirty Chip Syndrome'. It's interesting that we can always at least defend our motives when we mess up, then castigate everything about the other person who lets us down. We seemingly have two standards: things that we expect from ourselves, and things that we expect from others. Amazingly, the standards we set for others always seem to be higher than the ones we set for ourselves. I think it's good to remind myself on a regular basis of a simple yet profound truth:
We're all messed up.
One of the first Bible verses I remember being asked to memorize as a kid in Sunday School was Romans 3:23, which says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." That 'all' includes me - and you. None of us can say we are without sin. We also like to play the comparison game - "Yeah, I've messed up, but at least I'm not as bad as ...." Once there were a group of men who tried that with Jesus. They brought a woman to him who was guilty of adultery, and demanded to know what He thought. I'm paraphrasing, but He basically said to them, "Let the one who's dirt is cleaner than hers throw the first stone." If you're familiar with the story, you know that no stones were thrown. Jesus then proceeded to deal with the sin in her life, but in a way that only He could.
I think what I'm trying to say this week is simply that deep down, we're all the same. Flawed. Born with a sin nature. In need of a Savior. Rather than thinking too highly of ourselves and too poorly of others, perhaps we could all start realizing that we all need to be thinking about how gracious and compassionate our Savior is. And then try to model that in our own lives.
Yes, God demands repentance and obedience. We as Christians are called to live holy lives. In this politically correct society we're still expected to call sin 'sin'. What we are NOT called to do is determine whether or not it's safe to eat the potato chips off someone else's floor.
Several years ago I heard a minister make a point that I'd never thought of before. He said he was at home eating supper, and dropped a potato chip on the floor. Without giving it any thought, he bent down and picked up the chip, blew it off, and popped it in his mouth. He then thought of the times he had been at someone else's house and had the same thing happen. What did he do with the chip? He put it on his plate to be thrown away. He then thought to himself, "Why? Same chips, same carpeting, same type of people walking on it." He went on to make this observation: "I guess I think my dirt's cleaner than yours."
(This proves that you can find life lessons anywhere.)
If we're honest with ourselves, I think we've all been guilty of 'Dirty Chip Syndrome'. It's interesting that we can always at least defend our motives when we mess up, then castigate everything about the other person who lets us down. We seemingly have two standards: things that we expect from ourselves, and things that we expect from others. Amazingly, the standards we set for others always seem to be higher than the ones we set for ourselves. I think it's good to remind myself on a regular basis of a simple yet profound truth:
We're all messed up.
One of the first Bible verses I remember being asked to memorize as a kid in Sunday School was Romans 3:23, which says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." That 'all' includes me - and you. None of us can say we are without sin. We also like to play the comparison game - "Yeah, I've messed up, but at least I'm not as bad as ...." Once there were a group of men who tried that with Jesus. They brought a woman to him who was guilty of adultery, and demanded to know what He thought. I'm paraphrasing, but He basically said to them, "Let the one who's dirt is cleaner than hers throw the first stone." If you're familiar with the story, you know that no stones were thrown. Jesus then proceeded to deal with the sin in her life, but in a way that only He could.
I think what I'm trying to say this week is simply that deep down, we're all the same. Flawed. Born with a sin nature. In need of a Savior. Rather than thinking too highly of ourselves and too poorly of others, perhaps we could all start realizing that we all need to be thinking about how gracious and compassionate our Savior is. And then try to model that in our own lives.
Yes, God demands repentance and obedience. We as Christians are called to live holy lives. In this politically correct society we're still expected to call sin 'sin'. What we are NOT called to do is determine whether or not it's safe to eat the potato chips off someone else's floor.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Your Cup Truly Runneth Over
By Gobel Brockman
The 23rd Psalm. Other than John 3:16 it's probably the most well-known Scripture in the entire Bible. Many people who make no claims of being a Christian or even believing in God at all can quote this passage. Kids in Sundays Schools and VBS programs are awarded stickers, certificates, and candy to memorize it. But just like anything else, familiarity can cause us to neglect or take for granted what's right in front of us. Like a family member or a close friend, knowing something so well can cause us to forget just how happy we should be that they are there.
There are many things we can re-learn and realize in this famous Scripture - too many to cover in one blog post. But there's one that I want to focus on this week: "...my cup runneth over..." For years I thought this simply meant that God would bless us so much that we can't contain it all. While that is certainly true, I believe there's a greater meaning involved. Several years ago I heard a minister explain the following:
"In the days that David wrote this Psalm, it was a custom in that region that if a stranger came to your door at meal time, whether you wanted to or not, you were obligated to invite the stranger in to share your meal. You were not obligated to allow him to stay beyond the meal unless you wanted him to. If you wanted the stranger to stay, when you filled his cup, you filled it to overflowing, spilling out onto the table. That indicated to the stranger, "You are welcome in my house." If the host only filled the cup halfway, that meant, "Buster, when you're done with your dessert, hit the road!" (I paraphrase.)
When I heard that explained, it opened the 23rd Psalm to me in a whole new way. It doesn't just mean that God will bless me to overflowing - again, He does - but much more, it means that God has welcomed me into His home and into His presence. If you will, I came to Him broke, hungry, and hopeless. Not only did He feed me, but now 'my cup runneth over', meaning He has invited me to stay. Think of that. The Bible says this in Romans 5:10: "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." The next time you read or hear the 23rd Psalm, I hope you remember this. You are welcome in God's presence. But I also hope you remember this: just as the host wasn't obligated to keep the stranger past meal time, the stranger wasn't obligated to stay. He could refuse the host's hospitality if he wanted.
The choice was his. It's also yours.
The 23rd Psalm. Other than John 3:16 it's probably the most well-known Scripture in the entire Bible. Many people who make no claims of being a Christian or even believing in God at all can quote this passage. Kids in Sundays Schools and VBS programs are awarded stickers, certificates, and candy to memorize it. But just like anything else, familiarity can cause us to neglect or take for granted what's right in front of us. Like a family member or a close friend, knowing something so well can cause us to forget just how happy we should be that they are there.
There are many things we can re-learn and realize in this famous Scripture - too many to cover in one blog post. But there's one that I want to focus on this week: "...my cup runneth over..." For years I thought this simply meant that God would bless us so much that we can't contain it all. While that is certainly true, I believe there's a greater meaning involved. Several years ago I heard a minister explain the following:
"In the days that David wrote this Psalm, it was a custom in that region that if a stranger came to your door at meal time, whether you wanted to or not, you were obligated to invite the stranger in to share your meal. You were not obligated to allow him to stay beyond the meal unless you wanted him to. If you wanted the stranger to stay, when you filled his cup, you filled it to overflowing, spilling out onto the table. That indicated to the stranger, "You are welcome in my house." If the host only filled the cup halfway, that meant, "Buster, when you're done with your dessert, hit the road!" (I paraphrase.)
When I heard that explained, it opened the 23rd Psalm to me in a whole new way. It doesn't just mean that God will bless me to overflowing - again, He does - but much more, it means that God has welcomed me into His home and into His presence. If you will, I came to Him broke, hungry, and hopeless. Not only did He feed me, but now 'my cup runneth over', meaning He has invited me to stay. Think of that. The Bible says this in Romans 5:10: "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life." The next time you read or hear the 23rd Psalm, I hope you remember this. You are welcome in God's presence. But I also hope you remember this: just as the host wasn't obligated to keep the stranger past meal time, the stranger wasn't obligated to stay. He could refuse the host's hospitality if he wanted.
The choice was his. It's also yours.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
"What Difference Can I Make?"
By Gobel Brockman
This past week a minister by the name of Chuck Smith, who was the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with lung cancer. His ministry meant a lot to me in my early years of ministry. He had a weekly radio program that came on at 10:00 PM weeknights. I changed my lunch time at work so I could go to my car and listen to the program. The following story will give you a small example of why I appreciated his ministry so much:
"(Pastor Chuck) was pastoring a little church in Costa Mesa, California, in the late 1960′s, not far from the beach. God began to pour out his Spirit. Teenage kids started getting saved and coming to Smith’s church. But there was a problem. The oil deposits off the coast of California bubble up little globs of oil that land on the beach. If you step on one, it sticks to the bottom of your foot and you mess up the carpet when you get home. So these young people began coming into church right off the beach. They didn’t know they were supposed to wear shoes. They didn’t know church culture. All they knew was Jesus. But the new carpets and pews at Smith’s church were getting stained. One Sunday morning Chuck arrived at church to find a sign posted outside: “Shirts and shoes please.” He took it down. After the service he met with the church officers. They talked it through. They agreed that they would remove the new carpet and pews before they would hinder one kid from coming to Christ. And that wise decision cleared the way for God to visit Calvary Chapel with wonderful revival (Isaiah 57:14-15). I was there when they were holding services five nights a week, standing room only. The breakthrough came when they humbled themselves and chose to care about what God cares about, and nothing else."
This is one example among many that I could share. Pastor Chuck was also involved in Christian music. The 'hippies' coming to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late 60's - early 70's were taking the Psalms and putting it to current day music. Pastor Chuck encouraged this, and eventually helped start Maranatha Records, bringing new worship music to the church. Today, if you enjoy worshipping to the likes of Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, and Jesus Culture, I believe you could say that Chuck Smith helped bring that to pass.
I'm saying all of this to make this point: I never met the man, yet he has had an influence on my life. All he did was be obedient to what God had called him to do, and countless lives were blessed as a result. Most of those lives were folks that Chuck never met. Which brings me to the realization that if you and I will simply follow Christ to the best of our ability, and then let His Spirit make up for our lack of ability, we'll never know who our lives may be ministering to. Maybe we won't change the world, but we just might see OUR world change for Christ. Pastor Chuck had his detractors and his battles, and so will you and I. However, if I want to see God move in my world in new and fresh ways, touching people with His love and grace, that's a chance I'll just have to take.
Pastor Chuck's work is done. Ours is not. Let us be about the Father's business.
This past week a minister by the name of Chuck Smith, who was the pastor of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, passed away at the age of 86 after a battle with lung cancer. His ministry meant a lot to me in my early years of ministry. He had a weekly radio program that came on at 10:00 PM weeknights. I changed my lunch time at work so I could go to my car and listen to the program. The following story will give you a small example of why I appreciated his ministry so much:
"(Pastor Chuck) was pastoring a little church in Costa Mesa, California, in the late 1960′s, not far from the beach. God began to pour out his Spirit. Teenage kids started getting saved and coming to Smith’s church. But there was a problem. The oil deposits off the coast of California bubble up little globs of oil that land on the beach. If you step on one, it sticks to the bottom of your foot and you mess up the carpet when you get home. So these young people began coming into church right off the beach. They didn’t know they were supposed to wear shoes. They didn’t know church culture. All they knew was Jesus. But the new carpets and pews at Smith’s church were getting stained. One Sunday morning Chuck arrived at church to find a sign posted outside: “Shirts and shoes please.” He took it down. After the service he met with the church officers. They talked it through. They agreed that they would remove the new carpet and pews before they would hinder one kid from coming to Christ. And that wise decision cleared the way for God to visit Calvary Chapel with wonderful revival (Isaiah 57:14-15). I was there when they were holding services five nights a week, standing room only. The breakthrough came when they humbled themselves and chose to care about what God cares about, and nothing else."
This is one example among many that I could share. Pastor Chuck was also involved in Christian music. The 'hippies' coming to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late 60's - early 70's were taking the Psalms and putting it to current day music. Pastor Chuck encouraged this, and eventually helped start Maranatha Records, bringing new worship music to the church. Today, if you enjoy worshipping to the likes of Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, and Jesus Culture, I believe you could say that Chuck Smith helped bring that to pass.
I'm saying all of this to make this point: I never met the man, yet he has had an influence on my life. All he did was be obedient to what God had called him to do, and countless lives were blessed as a result. Most of those lives were folks that Chuck never met. Which brings me to the realization that if you and I will simply follow Christ to the best of our ability, and then let His Spirit make up for our lack of ability, we'll never know who our lives may be ministering to. Maybe we won't change the world, but we just might see OUR world change for Christ. Pastor Chuck had his detractors and his battles, and so will you and I. However, if I want to see God move in my world in new and fresh ways, touching people with His love and grace, that's a chance I'll just have to take.
Pastor Chuck's work is done. Ours is not. Let us be about the Father's business.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Put a Little Light On the Subject
By Gobel Brockman
It's a warm spring day. The urge to clean the house has hit. (At least I hear it does for some.) Furniture is moved, floors are vacuumed, windows are washed. With a can of polish and a rag in hand, the task of dusting begins. Soon the tables and counters are clean and shiny; the dusting is complete. Then you open the blinds to let the sunlight in, and what do you see floating in the air? Dust. That feeling of accomplishment vanishes as the dirt appears. But here's what to keep in mind:
The light didn't cause the dust, it exposed it.
In John chapter 8, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world..." I have always found it interesting that the very first word Jesus said in Matthew when He began His ministry was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Repent. Pointing out to people that they're going the wrong way. Exposing the fact of their sins. If you will, He pulled back the curtains so we could see what was really going on. He didn't cause the sin in our lives, He just brought it to our attention. Which is something most folks don't like.
Have you ever had someone confront you about something you were doing wrong? Have you ever been in a church service where the preacher seems to have been watching your life, because he's talking about the way you've been living? Just think of it as God turning the lights on - letting you see what's really going on. Not to make us feel horrible about ourselves and give up hope, but simply to let us see that there's a bit more 'cleaning' to do. You see, this side of heaven, there's always going to be some dirt flying around because we live in a 'dirty' world. What I mean is we're still human, and we still have a sin nature. God's Spirit is continually working in us to bring us to a place of being like Christ, but part of that process is allowing Him to 'pull back the curtains' and confront what's really going on. The problem with keeping the curtains closed is it may keep you from seeing the dust flying around, but it doesn't keep the dust from building up. If we refuse to allow God to help us deal with the things in our lives that need dealing with, our lives will just continually get more cluttered and unappealing.
So, we have two choices: Keep the curtains closed, or keep cleaning. A dusty house is one thing - a dusty soul is quite another. Open the blinds, see what's there, and allow God to begin His work. He's pretty patient and efficient to get the job done.
It's a warm spring day. The urge to clean the house has hit. (At least I hear it does for some.) Furniture is moved, floors are vacuumed, windows are washed. With a can of polish and a rag in hand, the task of dusting begins. Soon the tables and counters are clean and shiny; the dusting is complete. Then you open the blinds to let the sunlight in, and what do you see floating in the air? Dust. That feeling of accomplishment vanishes as the dirt appears. But here's what to keep in mind:
The light didn't cause the dust, it exposed it.
In John chapter 8, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world..." I have always found it interesting that the very first word Jesus said in Matthew when He began His ministry was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Repent. Pointing out to people that they're going the wrong way. Exposing the fact of their sins. If you will, He pulled back the curtains so we could see what was really going on. He didn't cause the sin in our lives, He just brought it to our attention. Which is something most folks don't like.
Have you ever had someone confront you about something you were doing wrong? Have you ever been in a church service where the preacher seems to have been watching your life, because he's talking about the way you've been living? Just think of it as God turning the lights on - letting you see what's really going on. Not to make us feel horrible about ourselves and give up hope, but simply to let us see that there's a bit more 'cleaning' to do. You see, this side of heaven, there's always going to be some dirt flying around because we live in a 'dirty' world. What I mean is we're still human, and we still have a sin nature. God's Spirit is continually working in us to bring us to a place of being like Christ, but part of that process is allowing Him to 'pull back the curtains' and confront what's really going on. The problem with keeping the curtains closed is it may keep you from seeing the dust flying around, but it doesn't keep the dust from building up. If we refuse to allow God to help us deal with the things in our lives that need dealing with, our lives will just continually get more cluttered and unappealing.
So, we have two choices: Keep the curtains closed, or keep cleaning. A dusty house is one thing - a dusty soul is quite another. Open the blinds, see what's there, and allow God to begin His work. He's pretty patient and efficient to get the job done.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
In One Day
By Gobel Brockman
December 7, 1941 ("A day that will live in infamy...") The world is in war, but the United States has pretty much been on the outside looking in. One horrible Sunday morning changed that.
October 19, 1987 ("Black Monday") Beginning in Hong Kong and spreading throughout the world, global markets took major hits on this day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 508 points, a 22.61% drop - in one day.
September 11, 2001 (9/11) I think we all know about that day.
These things (and other examples) have something in common - one day changed the course of the world. Millions of lives were affected, and things were never the same. People woke up that morning planning on continuing their lives as normal, not realizing that 'normal' was about to change. It's easy for us to get locked into a routine and go through life as if things will continue "as is" for the rest of our lives. But if you study Scripture it's interesting to see all the times that God does things suddenly.
In Acts chapter 2 the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples "...suddenly, as a rushing mighty wind...". In Revelation 18, God pronounces judgement on "Babylon" and says, "...therefore her plagues will come in one day - death and mourning and famine...".
I believe we are coming to a place where we will see God move suddenly yet again. His suddenness works both in good and bad ways. When people begin to pray and seek His face and will, He moves suddenly upon His people, bringing revival, restoration, and hope. When people resist and reject Him, He has moved suddenly in judgement. The Bible says this in Proverbs 6:12-15:
"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing."
My point in all of this is not to tell people they're horrible and God can't wait to squash 'em like a bug - the Bible says that God is long-suffering and wants everyone to turn to Him (II Peter 3:9). My point is simply that none of us knows what lies ahead, and the time of playing around with God's grace is over. Proverbs also says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." Today may be a day of blessing, or it may bring sadness. The same can be said for the rest of our days on this earth. I must choose to spend each day doing my best to follow after God, seek Him in prayer, and walk in fellowship with Him. When I stumble, I must ask His forgiveness. I encourage you to do the same. I have seen Him move suddenly in my life in indescribably great ways, and I want to see it again. If we will humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our wicked ways (II Chronicles 7:14), we can see unbelievable changes in our lives.
In one day.
December 7, 1941 ("A day that will live in infamy...") The world is in war, but the United States has pretty much been on the outside looking in. One horrible Sunday morning changed that.
October 19, 1987 ("Black Monday") Beginning in Hong Kong and spreading throughout the world, global markets took major hits on this day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 508 points, a 22.61% drop - in one day.
September 11, 2001 (9/11) I think we all know about that day.
These things (and other examples) have something in common - one day changed the course of the world. Millions of lives were affected, and things were never the same. People woke up that morning planning on continuing their lives as normal, not realizing that 'normal' was about to change. It's easy for us to get locked into a routine and go through life as if things will continue "as is" for the rest of our lives. But if you study Scripture it's interesting to see all the times that God does things suddenly.
In Acts chapter 2 the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples "...suddenly, as a rushing mighty wind...". In Revelation 18, God pronounces judgement on "Babylon" and says, "...therefore her plagues will come in one day - death and mourning and famine...".
I believe we are coming to a place where we will see God move suddenly yet again. His suddenness works both in good and bad ways. When people begin to pray and seek His face and will, He moves suddenly upon His people, bringing revival, restoration, and hope. When people resist and reject Him, He has moved suddenly in judgement. The Bible says this in Proverbs 6:12-15:
"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing."
My point in all of this is not to tell people they're horrible and God can't wait to squash 'em like a bug - the Bible says that God is long-suffering and wants everyone to turn to Him (II Peter 3:9). My point is simply that none of us knows what lies ahead, and the time of playing around with God's grace is over. Proverbs also says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." Today may be a day of blessing, or it may bring sadness. The same can be said for the rest of our days on this earth. I must choose to spend each day doing my best to follow after God, seek Him in prayer, and walk in fellowship with Him. When I stumble, I must ask His forgiveness. I encourage you to do the same. I have seen Him move suddenly in my life in indescribably great ways, and I want to see it again. If we will humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our wicked ways (II Chronicles 7:14), we can see unbelievable changes in our lives.
In one day.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Don't Tell the Toolbox
By Gobel Brockman
Picture this: Someone's car begins to have problems. They call the garage and set up an appointment. They show up, and then a funny thing happens. They walk right past the mechanic, go over to his toolbox, and start telling the wrenches and screwdrivers what is wrong with their car. They hold up a 5/8 socket and say to it, "Well, once I get to about 30 MPH it starts sputtering..." I'm trying to picture the look on the mechanic's face. "I'M the mechanic. I already know what's wrong with your car just by the way you're describing the problem. If you'd turn around and talk to ME I could help you with this!"
My first two jobs were at gas stations, back in the days when they had garages and worked on cars as well as sold gas. Not once did I ever see anyone do this. (Not sure what I would have done if I had. We didn't have cell phones with video cameras and YouTube back then.) But as someone who's been in ministry for about 31 years I see it in church more than I want to. We constantly look to people to help with our problems while seemingly make prayer a last resort. People will come up to Pastors with horrific situations going on in their lives, and seem shocked when the Pastor gives them a few words, some Scripture, and says, "Let's pray..." Then they walk away muttering to themselves about how that was no help at all. But there's a funny thing about tools in a toolbox - they're pretty much worthless until they're in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. And when they are, they can't take credit for the work that was done. Sockets and wrenches have no knowledge of how to fix anything. They are simply implements in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. Another thing about tools - sometimes they break. Sometimes they're not the right tool for the job. You not supposed to use a hammer to turn a screw. In those times you have to trust the mechanic to know how to improvise.
I hope you see where I'm going with this. People can disappoint you. Even the ones who try their hardest not to. People can sometimes be of little help. Even the ones who can and will do anything for you they can. It's true in life, and just as true in church. The reason there is no such thing as a perfect church is there are humans behind the pulpit and humans in the pews (or chairs these days.) My point is that we must avoid the pitfall of placing too much faith and confidence in others when God says in Isaiah 42:8 - "I am the LORD, that is my name, and my glory I will not share with another..." Do you have a problem that you have no clue how to resolve? Money problems? A family issue that needs immediate help? If so, are you flipping through the toolbox telling all of them about it, or are you talking to the Mechanic?
Tell him first. He'll know which ones to use. And He always does the job right the first time.
Picture this: Someone's car begins to have problems. They call the garage and set up an appointment. They show up, and then a funny thing happens. They walk right past the mechanic, go over to his toolbox, and start telling the wrenches and screwdrivers what is wrong with their car. They hold up a 5/8 socket and say to it, "Well, once I get to about 30 MPH it starts sputtering..." I'm trying to picture the look on the mechanic's face. "I'M the mechanic. I already know what's wrong with your car just by the way you're describing the problem. If you'd turn around and talk to ME I could help you with this!"
My first two jobs were at gas stations, back in the days when they had garages and worked on cars as well as sold gas. Not once did I ever see anyone do this. (Not sure what I would have done if I had. We didn't have cell phones with video cameras and YouTube back then.) But as someone who's been in ministry for about 31 years I see it in church more than I want to. We constantly look to people to help with our problems while seemingly make prayer a last resort. People will come up to Pastors with horrific situations going on in their lives, and seem shocked when the Pastor gives them a few words, some Scripture, and says, "Let's pray..." Then they walk away muttering to themselves about how that was no help at all. But there's a funny thing about tools in a toolbox - they're pretty much worthless until they're in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. And when they are, they can't take credit for the work that was done. Sockets and wrenches have no knowledge of how to fix anything. They are simply implements in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. Another thing about tools - sometimes they break. Sometimes they're not the right tool for the job. You not supposed to use a hammer to turn a screw. In those times you have to trust the mechanic to know how to improvise.
I hope you see where I'm going with this. People can disappoint you. Even the ones who try their hardest not to. People can sometimes be of little help. Even the ones who can and will do anything for you they can. It's true in life, and just as true in church. The reason there is no such thing as a perfect church is there are humans behind the pulpit and humans in the pews (or chairs these days.) My point is that we must avoid the pitfall of placing too much faith and confidence in others when God says in Isaiah 42:8 - "I am the LORD, that is my name, and my glory I will not share with another..." Do you have a problem that you have no clue how to resolve? Money problems? A family issue that needs immediate help? If so, are you flipping through the toolbox telling all of them about it, or are you talking to the Mechanic?
Tell him first. He'll know which ones to use. And He always does the job right the first time.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Faith Is a Battlefield
By Gobel Brockman
I generally dislike confrontation. I would rather walk away from an argument than win one. The last time I actually balled up my fist and swung it at someone, I was about 14 years old, and it was just a 'heat of the moment' fight during a backyard football game that was pretty much over before it started. I mention all of this to tell you that one of my least favorite Scriptures is I Timothy 6 where it says, "Fight the good fight of faith..." The words fight and faith seem strange together to me. But I have found it to be true.
I was introduced to this truth very early in my Christian faith. Like about an hour into it. I committed my life to Christ on January 7, 1981 during a revival meeting. It was a Wednesday evening, and at that time I was working 3rd shift at a local factory. I was working on a machine that required two people to work together. My co-worker was a guy who went to a particular church that believes that their church is the only one that's right. (I was aware he went to church, but I was unaware of this fact until January 7, 1981.) As our shift began that night I told him I had given my life to Christ. His response? "I'm not too sure about that..." then for the next eight hours he proceeded to tell me how that every church but his was in error. The next evening, he did the same thing. And the next. It continued for almost six months. If that wasn't bad enough, he was almost belligerent in his presentation. This guy seemed to live for conflict. Rather than argue, I prayed. As a young Christian I wasn't sure of the proper prayer, so it was something along the lines of, "Dear God, get rid of this guy. By any means necessary. Amen." But apparently God wasn't listening this go-around.
What happened instead was a lot more simple - and eternally better for me. I started 'fighting the good fight of faith'. I would get home from work and pick up my Bible. Sometimes I would spend two to three hours reading. Little by little I started reading things that were contrary to what my co-worker was telling me. I would go to work that evening, and when he would start in, I would ask about what I had read that morning. He would have no answer. This happened several times over the course of the next few weeks. I didn't realize it at the time, but God was teaching me how to fight the fight of faith. We don't do it with our strength (which is weakness), our ability (which is minimal), or our intellect (which is flawed). In Ephesians 6 we are told that our battle isn't "...against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..." I was learning that as a Christian we fight battles God's way - with faith, truth, and the Word of God. We don't fight with clenched fists, we fight with blended knees.
If you're reading this and you are a Christian, I'm sure you already know all of this. If you're not, I will say this: if anyone has told you that if you commit your life to Christ all of your problems will go away, they told you a lie. A commitment to Christ isn't a path to Easy Street, it's an invitation to a battle. But here's the good news: the war's already won. When Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished", He forever won the battle for all who will put their faith in Him. Yes, there are difficult times. There are moments we may wonder if it's all worth it. We must remind ourselves in these times that our afflictions are but for a moment, but our victory is already secured.
Walk in faith, live in victory, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. And always remember that there may be troublesome co-worker in your future. If there is, get on your knees and fight like a man.
I generally dislike confrontation. I would rather walk away from an argument than win one. The last time I actually balled up my fist and swung it at someone, I was about 14 years old, and it was just a 'heat of the moment' fight during a backyard football game that was pretty much over before it started. I mention all of this to tell you that one of my least favorite Scriptures is I Timothy 6 where it says, "Fight the good fight of faith..." The words fight and faith seem strange together to me. But I have found it to be true.
I was introduced to this truth very early in my Christian faith. Like about an hour into it. I committed my life to Christ on January 7, 1981 during a revival meeting. It was a Wednesday evening, and at that time I was working 3rd shift at a local factory. I was working on a machine that required two people to work together. My co-worker was a guy who went to a particular church that believes that their church is the only one that's right. (I was aware he went to church, but I was unaware of this fact until January 7, 1981.) As our shift began that night I told him I had given my life to Christ. His response? "I'm not too sure about that..." then for the next eight hours he proceeded to tell me how that every church but his was in error. The next evening, he did the same thing. And the next. It continued for almost six months. If that wasn't bad enough, he was almost belligerent in his presentation. This guy seemed to live for conflict. Rather than argue, I prayed. As a young Christian I wasn't sure of the proper prayer, so it was something along the lines of, "Dear God, get rid of this guy. By any means necessary. Amen." But apparently God wasn't listening this go-around.
What happened instead was a lot more simple - and eternally better for me. I started 'fighting the good fight of faith'. I would get home from work and pick up my Bible. Sometimes I would spend two to three hours reading. Little by little I started reading things that were contrary to what my co-worker was telling me. I would go to work that evening, and when he would start in, I would ask about what I had read that morning. He would have no answer. This happened several times over the course of the next few weeks. I didn't realize it at the time, but God was teaching me how to fight the fight of faith. We don't do it with our strength (which is weakness), our ability (which is minimal), or our intellect (which is flawed). In Ephesians 6 we are told that our battle isn't "...against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..." I was learning that as a Christian we fight battles God's way - with faith, truth, and the Word of God. We don't fight with clenched fists, we fight with blended knees.
If you're reading this and you are a Christian, I'm sure you already know all of this. If you're not, I will say this: if anyone has told you that if you commit your life to Christ all of your problems will go away, they told you a lie. A commitment to Christ isn't a path to Easy Street, it's an invitation to a battle. But here's the good news: the war's already won. When Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished", He forever won the battle for all who will put their faith in Him. Yes, there are difficult times. There are moments we may wonder if it's all worth it. We must remind ourselves in these times that our afflictions are but for a moment, but our victory is already secured.
Walk in faith, live in victory, and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. And always remember that there may be troublesome co-worker in your future. If there is, get on your knees and fight like a man.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
"Do You Like Me Or 'Like Me' Like Me?
By Gobel Brockman
Junior High romance. There's nothing quite like it. The nervousness, the "Go ask her if she likes me!", the bitter breakups, and all the notes that say 'Do you like me? Circle yes or no.' (Many young guys would have had better luck if they had known that 'XOXOXO' wasn't an invitation to play Tic-Tac-Toe.) We look back on it now and laugh at how silly it was, but at the time the fate of the free world rested on it. One of the biggest questions asked in those times was "Do you like me or like me like me?
We actually see a bit of that in the Book of John. Jesus had been crucified and was raised from the dead. The 11 remaining disciples were huddled together, fearful they might be next. One morning Peter works up the nerve to go fishing (His former trade). The others join him. After a night of failure they see Jesus on the bank. He tells them to cast on the other side, and their nets were miraculously filled. They realized it was Jesus, and Peter jumped in to swim to him. When they arrive, Jesus has prepared a fire to cook the fish. As they were sitting and eating, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Peter had denied Jesus - three times. I'm sure Peter's heart was broken beyond measure at his failure. How could Jesus ask him that? The answer seemed evident. You don't deny someone you love. The thing is, the English translation doesn't do the Greek justice. There are three Greek words for love: eros (where we get the term erotic); phileo (meaning brotherly love) and agape (the highest form of love). When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, He used agape. Peter, however, responded with phileo. Then an interesting thing happened. The third time Jesus asked the question, he used phileo. There are many aspects to this, but the one I want to address now is this: Jesus is meeting Peter where he was in his faith. It was as if Jesus was saying, "OK, if that's where you are, we'll start from there and move forward."
Some of you reading this right now are in a good place. Your faith is secure, and your walk with Christ is solid. For some of you, maybe it's not like that. Maybe life has thrown you a few curves - or maybe even a few bean balls. You may be in situations where you're not sure what to do or where to go. If that's you, I want you to know that God isn't upset with you. Just like Simon Peter, He's more than willing to meet you where you are. He's not there to criticize how weak you are, He's there to give you strength and build your faith. You see, He's crazy in love with you. Enough so to lay down His life on the cross. If he's willing to do that, He's willing to patiently work with all of us to get our phileo to an agape.
It's history's biggest XOXOXO.
Junior High romance. There's nothing quite like it. The nervousness, the "Go ask her if she likes me!", the bitter breakups, and all the notes that say 'Do you like me? Circle yes or no.' (Many young guys would have had better luck if they had known that 'XOXOXO' wasn't an invitation to play Tic-Tac-Toe.) We look back on it now and laugh at how silly it was, but at the time the fate of the free world rested on it. One of the biggest questions asked in those times was "Do you like me or like me like me?
We actually see a bit of that in the Book of John. Jesus had been crucified and was raised from the dead. The 11 remaining disciples were huddled together, fearful they might be next. One morning Peter works up the nerve to go fishing (His former trade). The others join him. After a night of failure they see Jesus on the bank. He tells them to cast on the other side, and their nets were miraculously filled. They realized it was Jesus, and Peter jumped in to swim to him. When they arrive, Jesus has prepared a fire to cook the fish. As they were sitting and eating, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Peter had denied Jesus - three times. I'm sure Peter's heart was broken beyond measure at his failure. How could Jesus ask him that? The answer seemed evident. You don't deny someone you love. The thing is, the English translation doesn't do the Greek justice. There are three Greek words for love: eros (where we get the term erotic); phileo (meaning brotherly love) and agape (the highest form of love). When Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, He used agape. Peter, however, responded with phileo. Then an interesting thing happened. The third time Jesus asked the question, he used phileo. There are many aspects to this, but the one I want to address now is this: Jesus is meeting Peter where he was in his faith. It was as if Jesus was saying, "OK, if that's where you are, we'll start from there and move forward."
Some of you reading this right now are in a good place. Your faith is secure, and your walk with Christ is solid. For some of you, maybe it's not like that. Maybe life has thrown you a few curves - or maybe even a few bean balls. You may be in situations where you're not sure what to do or where to go. If that's you, I want you to know that God isn't upset with you. Just like Simon Peter, He's more than willing to meet you where you are. He's not there to criticize how weak you are, He's there to give you strength and build your faith. You see, He's crazy in love with you. Enough so to lay down His life on the cross. If he's willing to do that, He's willing to patiently work with all of us to get our phileo to an agape.
It's history's biggest XOXOXO.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
The "Acts 29" Generation
By Gobel Brockman
I once heard of a Pastor who was about to deliver his Sunday morning sermon. He invited the congregation to turn to Acts chapter 29 for his text. The sound of flapping pages started. It continued. People searched in vain for Acts 29. Finally someone spoke loud enough for the Pastor to hear, hoping to help him correct his mistake. "There is no Acts 29!", they said. "Yes, there is!" he insisted. People looked at him, wondering why it had been so long since their Pastor had picked up a Bible. He then pointed his finger and waived it over the congregation and said, "YOU are Acts 29. It's being written right now. What's YOUR section going to say?" He then proceeded to deliver a message about the importance of living out our faith in a way that affects the world around us.
What got me thinking of this was a conversation I recently had with someone about Simon Peter. That guy was a mess. Every time he turned around he was putting his foot in his mouth. He once rebuked Jesus because he was saying something Peter didn't like. He boldly asked Jesus to allow him to walk on water, then promptly lost faith and had to be rescued. As Jesus spoke of his upcoming crucifixion, Peter loudly proclaimed that he would never forsake Jesus. A few hours later, the accusation of a servant girl caused him to deny that he even knew Jesus. Time and time again Jesus had to either correct him or rescue him.
Then, after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, we get to the book of Acts.
In the second chapter, we see the disciples being filled with the promised Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God went from being with them to dwelling in them. They were filled with a boldness they had heretofore not experienced. This same Peter, who had been such a wreck, was now boldly proclaiming to all of Jerusalem, "You killed Jesus, but God has made this same Jesus Lord and Christ. It is His name that brings salvation!" - and 3,000 responded to the message. In the rest of the book of Acts, we see the disciples 'turning the world upside down' for Jesus.
That's where you and I come in. It's our turn now. The book of Acts has 28 chapters. WE are living and 'writing' the 29th chapter. It's our opportunity RIGHT NOW to allow God to accomplish the impossible through us. Maybe your CDs won't end up being prominently displayed in a Bible bookstore. Maybe your mailbox won't be filled with orders for your latest DVD teaching series for $29.99 (plus shipping and handling). But if we will allow God to fill us with the Holy Spirit, be willing to say as Jesus did, "Not my will, but Yours be done", and then be willing to step out in faith, then maybe - just maybe - we would see OUR world 'turned upside down'. It doesn't take much looking around to see that this nation is in trouble. People are hurting. People are searching. There are a few who are looking to Washington to fix the mess, not realizing that Washington helped create some of the mess. We do not need political change; we need a revival. We need God's Spirit to move among us and in us again so that all will see that Jesus is exactly who He proclaimed to be. We need the church to follow the example of the disciples and become of 'one mind and one accord' again so that the Holy Spirit will touch us again. It can begin with you and me.
Acts 29 is being written right now. What's your section going to say?
I once heard of a Pastor who was about to deliver his Sunday morning sermon. He invited the congregation to turn to Acts chapter 29 for his text. The sound of flapping pages started. It continued. People searched in vain for Acts 29. Finally someone spoke loud enough for the Pastor to hear, hoping to help him correct his mistake. "There is no Acts 29!", they said. "Yes, there is!" he insisted. People looked at him, wondering why it had been so long since their Pastor had picked up a Bible. He then pointed his finger and waived it over the congregation and said, "YOU are Acts 29. It's being written right now. What's YOUR section going to say?" He then proceeded to deliver a message about the importance of living out our faith in a way that affects the world around us.
What got me thinking of this was a conversation I recently had with someone about Simon Peter. That guy was a mess. Every time he turned around he was putting his foot in his mouth. He once rebuked Jesus because he was saying something Peter didn't like. He boldly asked Jesus to allow him to walk on water, then promptly lost faith and had to be rescued. As Jesus spoke of his upcoming crucifixion, Peter loudly proclaimed that he would never forsake Jesus. A few hours later, the accusation of a servant girl caused him to deny that he even knew Jesus. Time and time again Jesus had to either correct him or rescue him.
Then, after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, we get to the book of Acts.
In the second chapter, we see the disciples being filled with the promised Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God went from being with them to dwelling in them. They were filled with a boldness they had heretofore not experienced. This same Peter, who had been such a wreck, was now boldly proclaiming to all of Jerusalem, "You killed Jesus, but God has made this same Jesus Lord and Christ. It is His name that brings salvation!" - and 3,000 responded to the message. In the rest of the book of Acts, we see the disciples 'turning the world upside down' for Jesus.
That's where you and I come in. It's our turn now. The book of Acts has 28 chapters. WE are living and 'writing' the 29th chapter. It's our opportunity RIGHT NOW to allow God to accomplish the impossible through us. Maybe your CDs won't end up being prominently displayed in a Bible bookstore. Maybe your mailbox won't be filled with orders for your latest DVD teaching series for $29.99 (plus shipping and handling). But if we will allow God to fill us with the Holy Spirit, be willing to say as Jesus did, "Not my will, but Yours be done", and then be willing to step out in faith, then maybe - just maybe - we would see OUR world 'turned upside down'. It doesn't take much looking around to see that this nation is in trouble. People are hurting. People are searching. There are a few who are looking to Washington to fix the mess, not realizing that Washington helped create some of the mess. We do not need political change; we need a revival. We need God's Spirit to move among us and in us again so that all will see that Jesus is exactly who He proclaimed to be. We need the church to follow the example of the disciples and become of 'one mind and one accord' again so that the Holy Spirit will touch us again. It can begin with you and me.
Acts 29 is being written right now. What's your section going to say?
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Just Keep Rootin'....
By Gobel Brockman
It is said that the following story was one of President Ronald Reagan's favorites:
-There once were twin boys who were identical in their appearance, but polar opposites in their personalities. One was always worried and fretful, and the other was always upbeat and jovial. A physiologist decided to do an experiment. He put the sad twin in a room full of brand new toys and told him he could play with them to his heart's content. He then put the upbeat boy in a room full of horse manure. An hour later he came back to check on them. The sad twin was sitting in the middle of the floor crying, the toys untouched. When the physiologist asked him why he wasn't playing with the toys, he replied, "If I do I know I'll break them." He then went and checked on the other boy. He was gleefully flinging manure all over the room. "What are are doing?", the physiologist asked. The boy replied, "With all this manure, there's gotta be a pony in here somewhere!"
Sadly, the first twin in that story describes a lot of people. There are some folks who are always looking for the negative and fearing the worst. It seems they can't be happy unless they're worrying about something. The fear of the unknown or the uncertain seems to totally immobilize them. I've seen people who have faced difficult circumstances in their lives allow that to convince them that every episode in life will end tragically. The sad thing is, they become like the boy who can't enjoy the room full of toys because of what might happen if they do.
Faith, on the other hand, can cause you to "root through the manure". One thing I struggle with in ministry is trying to deal with people who think they should never have to do that. Their mentality seems to be that if you believe in God, He should take care of every situation so that we don't have to face any adversity. That sounds great, but it's far-removed from reality. In Matthew 13 Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a treasure that a man finds in a field, and with joy he sells everything he has and buys the field. If you'll notice, Jesus didn't say he bought the treasure, He said he bought the field. That says to us that if we want the treasure, there's a field that comes with it, and we're going to have to do some digging if we want the treasure. But just like that little boy, we can't let the digging get in the way of our expectancy that there's a treasure in there somewhere. And indeed there is.
I want you to take a moment and do some critical self-evaluation. Which boy are you? Are you going through life convinced that every good and perfect gift will be taken from you, or are you believing that there's an ultimate treasure waiting for you that's worth digging through a little manure to get to? If you feel like you're the former, you may be asking, "How do I change that?" We begin by believing that God has our best interest at heart, and that He has a treasure for all of us. We also must realize that yes sometimes bad, even horrible things are going to happen. That's just the result of living in a fallen world. But even in the midst of that, there's still a treasure at the bottom. The sadness and difficulties we face are temporary; the treasure we'll receive will last for eternity.
Just keep rootin'....
It is said that the following story was one of President Ronald Reagan's favorites:
-There once were twin boys who were identical in their appearance, but polar opposites in their personalities. One was always worried and fretful, and the other was always upbeat and jovial. A physiologist decided to do an experiment. He put the sad twin in a room full of brand new toys and told him he could play with them to his heart's content. He then put the upbeat boy in a room full of horse manure. An hour later he came back to check on them. The sad twin was sitting in the middle of the floor crying, the toys untouched. When the physiologist asked him why he wasn't playing with the toys, he replied, "If I do I know I'll break them." He then went and checked on the other boy. He was gleefully flinging manure all over the room. "What are are doing?", the physiologist asked. The boy replied, "With all this manure, there's gotta be a pony in here somewhere!"
Sadly, the first twin in that story describes a lot of people. There are some folks who are always looking for the negative and fearing the worst. It seems they can't be happy unless they're worrying about something. The fear of the unknown or the uncertain seems to totally immobilize them. I've seen people who have faced difficult circumstances in their lives allow that to convince them that every episode in life will end tragically. The sad thing is, they become like the boy who can't enjoy the room full of toys because of what might happen if they do.
Faith, on the other hand, can cause you to "root through the manure". One thing I struggle with in ministry is trying to deal with people who think they should never have to do that. Their mentality seems to be that if you believe in God, He should take care of every situation so that we don't have to face any adversity. That sounds great, but it's far-removed from reality. In Matthew 13 Jesus said that the kingdom of God was like a treasure that a man finds in a field, and with joy he sells everything he has and buys the field. If you'll notice, Jesus didn't say he bought the treasure, He said he bought the field. That says to us that if we want the treasure, there's a field that comes with it, and we're going to have to do some digging if we want the treasure. But just like that little boy, we can't let the digging get in the way of our expectancy that there's a treasure in there somewhere. And indeed there is.
I want you to take a moment and do some critical self-evaluation. Which boy are you? Are you going through life convinced that every good and perfect gift will be taken from you, or are you believing that there's an ultimate treasure waiting for you that's worth digging through a little manure to get to? If you feel like you're the former, you may be asking, "How do I change that?" We begin by believing that God has our best interest at heart, and that He has a treasure for all of us. We also must realize that yes sometimes bad, even horrible things are going to happen. That's just the result of living in a fallen world. But even in the midst of that, there's still a treasure at the bottom. The sadness and difficulties we face are temporary; the treasure we'll receive will last for eternity.
Just keep rootin'....
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Face Value
By Gobel Brockman
I begin by asking you to use your imagination. I want you to picture two $20 bills lying before you. The one on the left is new. No creases, no tears, no stains. You pick it up and the paper is so crisp you almost get a paper cut. You can smell the aroma of Federal Reserve ink. Now look at the one on the right. It's old and crumpled up. The edges are torn. The ink has faded. Someone has taken a black pen and given President Jackson a black eye and a dunce cap. The only smell remaining is from the pockets and purses of countless people. Now, here's the question: if you pick up the new one on the left and head to your local Wal-Mart, how much product could you buy with it? Simple - $20 worth. If you go back in a few moments later with the old one on the right, how much product could you buy? You're correct - $20 worth. My point? $20 is $20.
I remember when I became a Christian at age 18. It was an incredible time in my life. Everything was new. The Bible refers to it as being "born again", and that's exactly how I felt. The drugs and booze that had caused me so many problems were instantly gone. There was a new joy and purpose in my life. It seemed that prayers would barely leave my mouth and the answers would come. Then, little by little, things began to get a bit more difficult. God didn't answer prayer as fast as before. Complications arose from unexpected places. Reality began to set in that Christianity wasn't all up-tempo hymns and Welch's grape juice in Communion cups. People could still hurt you. You still had to get up and earn a living. Sometimes God's answers to prayer were either "Trust Me" or a flat-out "No, just wait." Over the years, some of the newness had worn off. Reality had given me some rough edges. Life had given me a few black eyes, and many times I felt like I deserved to be wearing a 'dunce hat'. The thing is, I know I'm not the only one that's faced that. Perhaps you've had relationships that have left you permanently torn. Maybe life has left you feeling that you've been left in somebody's pocket and spun in the wash cycle a time or two. But here's the point I want to make:
We may have lost some luster, but we haven't lost our value.
You and I are worth as much to God now as when we started. Yes, we have some wear. We may be marred and scarred. But we also have some incredible stories to share about the way God chose to 'spend' us in His kingdom. Like a well-traveled $20 bill, we've been used by God to do a lot. Much more than that, He still has unmeasurable love for us. He doesn't just see us as something to spend as He pleases, He sees us as people worth laying down His life for. Which should make us all the more desirous to be willing to be spent as He wishes. So don't grow weary. You're still worth as much to God as you were in the beginning. He still has many ways to touch other people's lives through you. Don't let the tears, smears, and graffiti get you down - they're just badges of honor of a useful, well-lived life.
You're still in circulation.
I begin by asking you to use your imagination. I want you to picture two $20 bills lying before you. The one on the left is new. No creases, no tears, no stains. You pick it up and the paper is so crisp you almost get a paper cut. You can smell the aroma of Federal Reserve ink. Now look at the one on the right. It's old and crumpled up. The edges are torn. The ink has faded. Someone has taken a black pen and given President Jackson a black eye and a dunce cap. The only smell remaining is from the pockets and purses of countless people. Now, here's the question: if you pick up the new one on the left and head to your local Wal-Mart, how much product could you buy with it? Simple - $20 worth. If you go back in a few moments later with the old one on the right, how much product could you buy? You're correct - $20 worth. My point? $20 is $20.
I remember when I became a Christian at age 18. It was an incredible time in my life. Everything was new. The Bible refers to it as being "born again", and that's exactly how I felt. The drugs and booze that had caused me so many problems were instantly gone. There was a new joy and purpose in my life. It seemed that prayers would barely leave my mouth and the answers would come. Then, little by little, things began to get a bit more difficult. God didn't answer prayer as fast as before. Complications arose from unexpected places. Reality began to set in that Christianity wasn't all up-tempo hymns and Welch's grape juice in Communion cups. People could still hurt you. You still had to get up and earn a living. Sometimes God's answers to prayer were either "Trust Me" or a flat-out "No, just wait." Over the years, some of the newness had worn off. Reality had given me some rough edges. Life had given me a few black eyes, and many times I felt like I deserved to be wearing a 'dunce hat'. The thing is, I know I'm not the only one that's faced that. Perhaps you've had relationships that have left you permanently torn. Maybe life has left you feeling that you've been left in somebody's pocket and spun in the wash cycle a time or two. But here's the point I want to make:
We may have lost some luster, but we haven't lost our value.
You and I are worth as much to God now as when we started. Yes, we have some wear. We may be marred and scarred. But we also have some incredible stories to share about the way God chose to 'spend' us in His kingdom. Like a well-traveled $20 bill, we've been used by God to do a lot. Much more than that, He still has unmeasurable love for us. He doesn't just see us as something to spend as He pleases, He sees us as people worth laying down His life for. Which should make us all the more desirous to be willing to be spent as He wishes. So don't grow weary. You're still worth as much to God as you were in the beginning. He still has many ways to touch other people's lives through you. Don't let the tears, smears, and graffiti get you down - they're just badges of honor of a useful, well-lived life.
You're still in circulation.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
"Like Sands Through the Hourglass..."
By Gobel Brockman
Sometime when you have a few moments, conduct a little personal experiment. Find a little hourglass, get all the sand in one side, then turn it over and watch it all the way through. As you do, compare it to your life:
It's full. (You're a newborn.) This will take a while. Now, a few grains of sand are gathering at the bottom. (You're a child. A lot of time ahead of you.) Now, about 25% of the sand has passed. (You're receiving your high school diploma.) A few more grains of sand. Then a few more. (You're married and have started a family.) Soon, the bottom is half full. (You're enduring your 'mid-life crisis'.) A few more grains. (You watch as your children marry and make you a grandparent.) A few more. (You're having cake at work while everyone celebrates your retirement.) Suddenly you notice that there are only a few grains of sand left. Then, the top is empty.
It's over. The hourglass is empty.
Take a few moments and look at the hourglass. It's done. Over. No more grains of sand. No more time. Now look at the grains of sand at the bottom. Imagine each grain as a moment of your life. Your childhood, your teen years, your life as a newlywed and as a new parent. Time spent laughing, crying, hoping, regretting. That leads me to the question I want to ask all of us this week:
How many grains of sand would we have to say were time wasted?
Time spent worrying about things that really weren't that important. Time spent being mad about trivial matters. Time spent on worthless pursuits while ignoring the incredible blessings that were right in front of us. None of us are immune to this. Everyone has regrets. We all have things that we wish we had done differently. My point is not to depress you with this, it's simply to remind you that we're still here, and while we can't change the past, we can control how we handle our future. The grains of sand we have left can be incredible moments that can be filled with joy. How do we do that?
*Put God first. (If you haven't accepted Jesus as Savior, today can be your day.)
*Ask Him to help you prioritize your life, and open your eyes to what He would have you do day by day.
*Recognize that the majority of things that we worry about or get mad about aren't worth the time we devote to it.
*Remember that once that day's sand has dropped, we can't put it in the top again. We should pray that God helps us remember that each day is a gift that He has given us.
*Recognize the incredible blessings that are right in front of us. The people who love us, the provisions He gives us, and the opportunities for joy and happiness that are right within our grasp.
Each one of us gets one hourglass. When it's empty, it's empty. No refills. The Bible says in the book of James that our lives are "a vapor that appears for a time, then vanishes..." Now get out there, give your life to God, and make the rest of your life count. The hourglass is ticking....
Sometime when you have a few moments, conduct a little personal experiment. Find a little hourglass, get all the sand in one side, then turn it over and watch it all the way through. As you do, compare it to your life:
It's full. (You're a newborn.) This will take a while. Now, a few grains of sand are gathering at the bottom. (You're a child. A lot of time ahead of you.) Now, about 25% of the sand has passed. (You're receiving your high school diploma.) A few more grains of sand. Then a few more. (You're married and have started a family.) Soon, the bottom is half full. (You're enduring your 'mid-life crisis'.) A few more grains. (You watch as your children marry and make you a grandparent.) A few more. (You're having cake at work while everyone celebrates your retirement.) Suddenly you notice that there are only a few grains of sand left. Then, the top is empty.
It's over. The hourglass is empty.
Take a few moments and look at the hourglass. It's done. Over. No more grains of sand. No more time. Now look at the grains of sand at the bottom. Imagine each grain as a moment of your life. Your childhood, your teen years, your life as a newlywed and as a new parent. Time spent laughing, crying, hoping, regretting. That leads me to the question I want to ask all of us this week:
How many grains of sand would we have to say were time wasted?
Time spent worrying about things that really weren't that important. Time spent being mad about trivial matters. Time spent on worthless pursuits while ignoring the incredible blessings that were right in front of us. None of us are immune to this. Everyone has regrets. We all have things that we wish we had done differently. My point is not to depress you with this, it's simply to remind you that we're still here, and while we can't change the past, we can control how we handle our future. The grains of sand we have left can be incredible moments that can be filled with joy. How do we do that?
*Put God first. (If you haven't accepted Jesus as Savior, today can be your day.)
*Ask Him to help you prioritize your life, and open your eyes to what He would have you do day by day.
*Recognize that the majority of things that we worry about or get mad about aren't worth the time we devote to it.
*Remember that once that day's sand has dropped, we can't put it in the top again. We should pray that God helps us remember that each day is a gift that He has given us.
*Recognize the incredible blessings that are right in front of us. The people who love us, the provisions He gives us, and the opportunities for joy and happiness that are right within our grasp.
Each one of us gets one hourglass. When it's empty, it's empty. No refills. The Bible says in the book of James that our lives are "a vapor that appears for a time, then vanishes..." Now get out there, give your life to God, and make the rest of your life count. The hourglass is ticking....
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Doing the 'Right' Thing the 'Wrong' Way
By Gobel Brockman
"If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, you need to look a lot more redeemed."
-Nietzsche
During my senior year of high school I was working at a Shell station at the Franklin exit on I-65. It was during this time that I was at my lowest point in my drug and alcohol abuse. One night two guys walked in. It was a very slow night, and no one else was there. One of them reached into his pocket and pulled out a gospel tract, and asked me if I was 'saved'. I told him yes, I prayed at church and was baptized when I was eight. It was a half-truth. Yes, I prayed and was baptized when I was eight, but in no way could I say I was living for the Lord. I just told him that hoping they'd go away. I went into the back room for a minute, and when I came out they were still there. The other guy walked up, shook my hand, and said, "God has given me a vision that there are too many people 'playing church'..." and proceeded to preach a sermon. He told me things that God was laying on his heart about my life. He was spot-on. It was as if he had been watching my life on closed-circuit TV. The thing was, while he was doing it he was bold almost to the point of being obnoxious. Even though every word he said was true, there was no way I was responding, simply because I just wanted him out of there.
As Christians, we are called to share our faith. Jesus said we were to "....go into all of the world and preach..." and that is a responsibility we should all embrace. However, there's something that we as Christians sometimes forget - a little thing called 'common sense'. It's one thing to stand for what you believe in, but another thing entirely to negate our message by presenting it with a wrong spirit or attitude. I've seen people be very confrontational in their witnessing, get no results, and walk away saying, "I guess the gospel offended them." I'm standing there thinking, "No, it wasn't the gospel that offended them, maybe it was your arrogant, condescending attitude." Yes, there is a time for boldness. Some people need to be confronted sometimes. But one thing that we need to focus on is the ability to read people where they are. Someone with a broken heart doesn't need confrontation, they need encouragement.
I compare it to fishing. If you want to catch a catfish, you don't put a spinner on the line and skim the surface. Catfish tend to stay toward the bottom. People are the same. Some people are ready. Some need work. Some, God has already been working on their hearts. Some have church-related hurts that we know nothing about. Good fisherman have taken the time to learn the fish's traits, baits they prefer, and times they're most likely to hit. "Fishers of men" would do well to do the same.
As we go out this week, let's remember that people out there need to hear about Jesus. Let's also remember that the WAY they hear it matters.
"If you want me to believe in your Redeemer, you need to look a lot more redeemed."
-Nietzsche
During my senior year of high school I was working at a Shell station at the Franklin exit on I-65. It was during this time that I was at my lowest point in my drug and alcohol abuse. One night two guys walked in. It was a very slow night, and no one else was there. One of them reached into his pocket and pulled out a gospel tract, and asked me if I was 'saved'. I told him yes, I prayed at church and was baptized when I was eight. It was a half-truth. Yes, I prayed and was baptized when I was eight, but in no way could I say I was living for the Lord. I just told him that hoping they'd go away. I went into the back room for a minute, and when I came out they were still there. The other guy walked up, shook my hand, and said, "God has given me a vision that there are too many people 'playing church'..." and proceeded to preach a sermon. He told me things that God was laying on his heart about my life. He was spot-on. It was as if he had been watching my life on closed-circuit TV. The thing was, while he was doing it he was bold almost to the point of being obnoxious. Even though every word he said was true, there was no way I was responding, simply because I just wanted him out of there.
As Christians, we are called to share our faith. Jesus said we were to "....go into all of the world and preach..." and that is a responsibility we should all embrace. However, there's something that we as Christians sometimes forget - a little thing called 'common sense'. It's one thing to stand for what you believe in, but another thing entirely to negate our message by presenting it with a wrong spirit or attitude. I've seen people be very confrontational in their witnessing, get no results, and walk away saying, "I guess the gospel offended them." I'm standing there thinking, "No, it wasn't the gospel that offended them, maybe it was your arrogant, condescending attitude." Yes, there is a time for boldness. Some people need to be confronted sometimes. But one thing that we need to focus on is the ability to read people where they are. Someone with a broken heart doesn't need confrontation, they need encouragement.
I compare it to fishing. If you want to catch a catfish, you don't put a spinner on the line and skim the surface. Catfish tend to stay toward the bottom. People are the same. Some people are ready. Some need work. Some, God has already been working on their hearts. Some have church-related hurts that we know nothing about. Good fisherman have taken the time to learn the fish's traits, baits they prefer, and times they're most likely to hit. "Fishers of men" would do well to do the same.
As we go out this week, let's remember that people out there need to hear about Jesus. Let's also remember that the WAY they hear it matters.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
When You Can't Get There From Here
By Gobel Brockman
There are few things that frustrate me more quickly or more intensely than a traffic jam on an interstate. Interstates are made for speed. You can set your cruise control and keep moving with no stop signs or interruptions. When something hinders that, it can be maddening for people like me. Several years ago we were heading to Florida for vacation. Around Cave City, Kentucky we were stopped on I-65 for over an hour. I don't mean we inched along, stop-and-go at 20 MPH; I mean stopped in the same spot. An hour later we were still parked at the same spot. On an interstate. Once we finally got moving I never did see what the holdup was, but at that point I needed a vacation from my vacation.
I think it's just the idea that you have a clear shot to your destination, but there's something beyond your control that's getting in your way. Someone, somewhere did something (beyond their control or not) that is affecting you and your ability to complete your trip. But in thinking about this, it brings to mind a Scripture found in Galatians 2:21:
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died in vain."
"Frustrate grace". How do we do that? I think of it in terms of a journey. Grace has a goal in mind - reconciliation between us and God. Something gets in grace's way to keep us from receiving it. The frustrating part is WE are the very ones who place the roadblocks in the way.
What do I mean? Grace cannot be earned. We can never be 'good enough' to deserve God's favor. The Bible says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Every time we try to 'earn' our salvation, we hinder the very grace that we need. I can't tell you how many people I've had tell me over the years that they wanted to give their lives to Christ, but had some things they needed to 'get right' first. There's where grace gets frustrated. If we could 'get right' on our own, we wouldn't need grace in the first place. The very reason Christ laid down His life on the cross is we can NEVER 'get right' with God on our own. Sin stands in the way, and our best efforts will never cleanse that. It took a perfect sacrifice and perfect grace. We can provide neither.
I'm not talking about living however we want and God's grace will cover it. I think you understand that. I'm saying that there is only one way to reach the destination of us being reconciled to God, and our efforts to 'help' that do nothing but make grace sit in a traffic jam. The price of salvation and grace has been paid, and we couldn't afford to pay it. Someone else paid it for us.
Be an exit, not a roadblock. Roadblocks are frustrating.
There are few things that frustrate me more quickly or more intensely than a traffic jam on an interstate. Interstates are made for speed. You can set your cruise control and keep moving with no stop signs or interruptions. When something hinders that, it can be maddening for people like me. Several years ago we were heading to Florida for vacation. Around Cave City, Kentucky we were stopped on I-65 for over an hour. I don't mean we inched along, stop-and-go at 20 MPH; I mean stopped in the same spot. An hour later we were still parked at the same spot. On an interstate. Once we finally got moving I never did see what the holdup was, but at that point I needed a vacation from my vacation.
I think it's just the idea that you have a clear shot to your destination, but there's something beyond your control that's getting in your way. Someone, somewhere did something (beyond their control or not) that is affecting you and your ability to complete your trip. But in thinking about this, it brings to mind a Scripture found in Galatians 2:21:
"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ died in vain."
"Frustrate grace". How do we do that? I think of it in terms of a journey. Grace has a goal in mind - reconciliation between us and God. Something gets in grace's way to keep us from receiving it. The frustrating part is WE are the very ones who place the roadblocks in the way.
What do I mean? Grace cannot be earned. We can never be 'good enough' to deserve God's favor. The Bible says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Every time we try to 'earn' our salvation, we hinder the very grace that we need. I can't tell you how many people I've had tell me over the years that they wanted to give their lives to Christ, but had some things they needed to 'get right' first. There's where grace gets frustrated. If we could 'get right' on our own, we wouldn't need grace in the first place. The very reason Christ laid down His life on the cross is we can NEVER 'get right' with God on our own. Sin stands in the way, and our best efforts will never cleanse that. It took a perfect sacrifice and perfect grace. We can provide neither.
I'm not talking about living however we want and God's grace will cover it. I think you understand that. I'm saying that there is only one way to reach the destination of us being reconciled to God, and our efforts to 'help' that do nothing but make grace sit in a traffic jam. The price of salvation and grace has been paid, and we couldn't afford to pay it. Someone else paid it for us.
Be an exit, not a roadblock. Roadblocks are frustrating.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Humility and How I Attained It
By Gobel Brockman
Have you ever had someone 'put you in your place'? Ever pointed out some one's fault to them, only to have them return the favor? There's a risk involved in voicing your opinion to others. It is said that Lady Nancy Astor once said to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, "Sir, if you were my husband I'd put poison in your tea!" To which Churchill replied, "Ma'am, if you were my wife I'd drink it!"
My parents used to refer to it as "getting too big for yer britches". Jesus referred to it another way. He said, "How can you get a splinter out of your brother's eye when there's a plank in your own? First remove the plank from your own eye, then you can see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's." In another place He told us that when we're invited to a banquet, "...don't sit in the most honored place. Otherwise someone more honorable may come, and you are told to give place to them. Then with shame you must take the lowest seat. Instead, take the lowest seat when you come in, and the host may say to you, 'I have a better seat for you!' Then you will be honored among the guests."
What I'm talking about is our seemingly natural propensity to think more highly of ourselves and our opinions than we should. No one is right 100% of the time. We've all had opinions that have turned out wrong. Few things are more embarrassing than being publicly sure of yourself, only to find out later that you were totally wrong. Pride can be an ugly thing indeed. Humility on the other hand is a precious commodity. Yes, there are times to point out to someone that they're making a mistake. Doing that in love and with proper motivation is called being a friend. Doing it with an attitude of making them feel worse and making you feel better about yourself is arrogance. It's also sin. It's in those times that the Holy Spirit has a way of making us "take the lowest seat in the house."
Humility is the opposite of all of this, and it's what we should strive for. I've heard it said that humility isn't think less of yourself, it's just thinking less about yourself. When we put other's needs ahead of our own, and when we're more concerned about how much we care about others instead of how much they care about us, we begin to emulate the heart of God. And when our mindset is continually in this place, our 'correction' of others will be done the 'correct' way.
I'm not talking about all of this because of any recent issue I've encountered. I just wish to make the point that pride, self-righteousness and self-sufficiency are among the greatest barriers to us receiving from God all the wonderful things He has for us. To put in another way, before you threaten to poison someone's tea, make sure they wouldn't turn it into a Big Gulp just to get away from you.
Have you ever had someone 'put you in your place'? Ever pointed out some one's fault to them, only to have them return the favor? There's a risk involved in voicing your opinion to others. It is said that Lady Nancy Astor once said to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, "Sir, if you were my husband I'd put poison in your tea!" To which Churchill replied, "Ma'am, if you were my wife I'd drink it!"
My parents used to refer to it as "getting too big for yer britches". Jesus referred to it another way. He said, "How can you get a splinter out of your brother's eye when there's a plank in your own? First remove the plank from your own eye, then you can see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's." In another place He told us that when we're invited to a banquet, "...don't sit in the most honored place. Otherwise someone more honorable may come, and you are told to give place to them. Then with shame you must take the lowest seat. Instead, take the lowest seat when you come in, and the host may say to you, 'I have a better seat for you!' Then you will be honored among the guests."
What I'm talking about is our seemingly natural propensity to think more highly of ourselves and our opinions than we should. No one is right 100% of the time. We've all had opinions that have turned out wrong. Few things are more embarrassing than being publicly sure of yourself, only to find out later that you were totally wrong. Pride can be an ugly thing indeed. Humility on the other hand is a precious commodity. Yes, there are times to point out to someone that they're making a mistake. Doing that in love and with proper motivation is called being a friend. Doing it with an attitude of making them feel worse and making you feel better about yourself is arrogance. It's also sin. It's in those times that the Holy Spirit has a way of making us "take the lowest seat in the house."
Humility is the opposite of all of this, and it's what we should strive for. I've heard it said that humility isn't think less of yourself, it's just thinking less about yourself. When we put other's needs ahead of our own, and when we're more concerned about how much we care about others instead of how much they care about us, we begin to emulate the heart of God. And when our mindset is continually in this place, our 'correction' of others will be done the 'correct' way.
I'm not talking about all of this because of any recent issue I've encountered. I just wish to make the point that pride, self-righteousness and self-sufficiency are among the greatest barriers to us receiving from God all the wonderful things He has for us. To put in another way, before you threaten to poison someone's tea, make sure they wouldn't turn it into a Big Gulp just to get away from you.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
You're As Close As You Want To Be
By Gobel Brockman
A few years ago I heard a Pastor tell the following story:
Many years ago a young couple met and fell in love. The young man was about to leave for college, and he told the young lady, "I'll come see you every weekend." And he did - until the gas got too expensive. Then he said, "Let's do this - I'll call you every weekend." And he did - until the long distance bills got too expensive. (Told you it was many years ago!) Then he said, "Tell you what - I'll write you as often as I can." This time, he kept it going. For the rest of that school year he wrote her many, many letters. At the end of that year, there was a wedding.
She married the mailman.
The story may not be true, but the lesson is. Long-distance relationships are tough at best. I'm not at all saying they're impossible, because they can and do happen. But for relationships to be their most successful, it requires time, commitment, and even sacrifice. It's humorous to watch couples who have been together a long time. Each seems to know what the other is doing - and thinking - at almost any moment. One knows what the other is going to say before they say it. They can read each other's moods and attitudes in a matter of seconds. More than once my wife and I have been driving down the road, and I'll be thinking of something that happened a long time ago. Out of nowhere she says, "Do you remember..." and mention the very thing I was thinking about. How does all of that happen? TIME SPENT TOGETHER.
Which leads me to my question for you this week - how awesome would it be to know God like that? To know in any situation what He would say, how He would react, or even what He's thinking. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Philippians 3: "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings..." I submit to you that that kind of intimacy with God is possible. But just as a marriage requires time and commitment to be successful, so does the Christian relationship. So here's a few questions for you - and me:
Is the Bible an integral part of your life?
If you read something in the Bible that conflicts with your current thoughts or lifestyle, do you change what you're thinking or doing?
Other than asking for things or praying to get out of a jam, how often to you talk to God?
Have you ever taken the time to be silent before Him and just know that He's there? (Read Psalm 46:10)
What I'm saying this week is that God's not after your time or your tithe check - He's after YOU. When Jesus said, "It is finished" and died on the cross, the Bible says that the curtain that stood before the Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom, meaning that the blood of Jesus has given us access into the very presence of God. He has invited us by grace to enter relationship with Him. But it's our choice to get closer or stay away. There is joy in His presence, even in the most difficult times. The more we learn about Him, the more we grow to love Him. We cannot miss out on the greatest of all relationships.
I close with another story: Another couple was driving down the road. The girl started complaining about how they weren't as close as they used to be. Then she said, "Why, when we first started dating, we'd be in the car sitting right next to each other!" The husband looked at her, shrugged, and said, "I haven't moved!"
Are you and God sitting next to each other? If not, guess who moved?
A few years ago I heard a Pastor tell the following story:
Many years ago a young couple met and fell in love. The young man was about to leave for college, and he told the young lady, "I'll come see you every weekend." And he did - until the gas got too expensive. Then he said, "Let's do this - I'll call you every weekend." And he did - until the long distance bills got too expensive. (Told you it was many years ago!) Then he said, "Tell you what - I'll write you as often as I can." This time, he kept it going. For the rest of that school year he wrote her many, many letters. At the end of that year, there was a wedding.
She married the mailman.
The story may not be true, but the lesson is. Long-distance relationships are tough at best. I'm not at all saying they're impossible, because they can and do happen. But for relationships to be their most successful, it requires time, commitment, and even sacrifice. It's humorous to watch couples who have been together a long time. Each seems to know what the other is doing - and thinking - at almost any moment. One knows what the other is going to say before they say it. They can read each other's moods and attitudes in a matter of seconds. More than once my wife and I have been driving down the road, and I'll be thinking of something that happened a long time ago. Out of nowhere she says, "Do you remember..." and mention the very thing I was thinking about. How does all of that happen? TIME SPENT TOGETHER.
Which leads me to my question for you this week - how awesome would it be to know God like that? To know in any situation what He would say, how He would react, or even what He's thinking. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Philippians 3: "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings..." I submit to you that that kind of intimacy with God is possible. But just as a marriage requires time and commitment to be successful, so does the Christian relationship. So here's a few questions for you - and me:
Is the Bible an integral part of your life?
If you read something in the Bible that conflicts with your current thoughts or lifestyle, do you change what you're thinking or doing?
Other than asking for things or praying to get out of a jam, how often to you talk to God?
Have you ever taken the time to be silent before Him and just know that He's there? (Read Psalm 46:10)
What I'm saying this week is that God's not after your time or your tithe check - He's after YOU. When Jesus said, "It is finished" and died on the cross, the Bible says that the curtain that stood before the Most Holy Place was torn from top to bottom, meaning that the blood of Jesus has given us access into the very presence of God. He has invited us by grace to enter relationship with Him. But it's our choice to get closer or stay away. There is joy in His presence, even in the most difficult times. The more we learn about Him, the more we grow to love Him. We cannot miss out on the greatest of all relationships.
I close with another story: Another couple was driving down the road. The girl started complaining about how they weren't as close as they used to be. Then she said, "Why, when we first started dating, we'd be in the car sitting right next to each other!" The husband looked at her, shrugged, and said, "I haven't moved!"
Are you and God sitting next to each other? If not, guess who moved?
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Hurry Up & Wait
By Gobel Brockman
I have a friend named Jay Covert. He leads a ministry called Urban Outreach. He and his team go into the darkest, most dangerous parts of metro areas all over America to plant churches and minister to the needs of the people there. In July of 2007 he felt The Lord leading him to plant a Hispanic church in the East St. Louis, Illinois area. In prayer he said, "God, I'll do this, but I need a Spanish-speaking Pastor, and I don't know any." A year later, he still didn't have one. Jay made and interesting statement about that experience:
"One thing I've learned about God - God is SLOW."
Finally, God hooked Jay and Ramon Granados together, and a church plant was born. Thirteen months after God had placed the burden on his heart. Most of us know that feeling. Prayer's not working. There are promises in God's word that I'm not seeing fulfilled. Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall receive", and we're tempted to say, "OK God, I've done my part. Let's get this thing moving..." I believe one aspect of this is we need to be reminded sometimes that it's not always just about us. There are other people involved, and other things that have to be worked out before the answer can come.
Many of you know that this past week I received word that I was approved for early retirement from my job at the Postal Service. It was a long, drawn-out process that took almost three years. I would love to be able to sit here and tell you that I handled the delay with all patience and piety. Only problem is, that would be a lie. At times I got impatient and frustrated. To be honest, by the time I was notified that it was approved, I had actually given up on it. There was one thing I learned through the process - God is SLOW.
But this is a good time to tell you that I didn't finish Jay's quote in the first paragraph. After he said, "God is slow..." he continued with this: "Really, God's not slow, we're just impatient." It's very easy for us to get so locked into our own lives and problems that we forget that many answers to prayer involve many factors, and all have to be put into place before the answer can come. So rather than grow frustrated and get the attitude that God doesn't care, may we learn that God does indeed know what's best for us, and if His answer to our prayer is "Wait", then that means He's moving behind the scenes to get everything and everyone where they need to be. His timing is perfect. Look at it this way: If He always followed our desired schedule, can you imagine what a mess this world would be in?
God has answered my prayer in His timing, and I thank Him not only for the answer, but for being patient with me during my times of impatience. I pray that I will be open to the next chapter of my life that He wants to write for me - whatever and wherever that may be. May I learn to be more patient in waiting for His timing, because it's perfect every time. If you're waiting for an answer, trust Him. I close with the first verse and chorus of a song I wrote years ago called "Hurry Up & Wait":
We're always in a hurry going nowhere, wanting everything yesterday
Expecting God to hurry with the answer, and we don't even take the time to pray
We need to learn the Father knows what's best for us
And though He tarries, He is never late
He's looking for a people who will trust Him
And it's true that good things come to them that wait
I have a friend named Jay Covert. He leads a ministry called Urban Outreach. He and his team go into the darkest, most dangerous parts of metro areas all over America to plant churches and minister to the needs of the people there. In July of 2007 he felt The Lord leading him to plant a Hispanic church in the East St. Louis, Illinois area. In prayer he said, "God, I'll do this, but I need a Spanish-speaking Pastor, and I don't know any." A year later, he still didn't have one. Jay made and interesting statement about that experience:
"One thing I've learned about God - God is SLOW."
Finally, God hooked Jay and Ramon Granados together, and a church plant was born. Thirteen months after God had placed the burden on his heart. Most of us know that feeling. Prayer's not working. There are promises in God's word that I'm not seeing fulfilled. Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall receive", and we're tempted to say, "OK God, I've done my part. Let's get this thing moving..." I believe one aspect of this is we need to be reminded sometimes that it's not always just about us. There are other people involved, and other things that have to be worked out before the answer can come.
Many of you know that this past week I received word that I was approved for early retirement from my job at the Postal Service. It was a long, drawn-out process that took almost three years. I would love to be able to sit here and tell you that I handled the delay with all patience and piety. Only problem is, that would be a lie. At times I got impatient and frustrated. To be honest, by the time I was notified that it was approved, I had actually given up on it. There was one thing I learned through the process - God is SLOW.
But this is a good time to tell you that I didn't finish Jay's quote in the first paragraph. After he said, "God is slow..." he continued with this: "Really, God's not slow, we're just impatient." It's very easy for us to get so locked into our own lives and problems that we forget that many answers to prayer involve many factors, and all have to be put into place before the answer can come. So rather than grow frustrated and get the attitude that God doesn't care, may we learn that God does indeed know what's best for us, and if His answer to our prayer is "Wait", then that means He's moving behind the scenes to get everything and everyone where they need to be. His timing is perfect. Look at it this way: If He always followed our desired schedule, can you imagine what a mess this world would be in?
God has answered my prayer in His timing, and I thank Him not only for the answer, but for being patient with me during my times of impatience. I pray that I will be open to the next chapter of my life that He wants to write for me - whatever and wherever that may be. May I learn to be more patient in waiting for His timing, because it's perfect every time. If you're waiting for an answer, trust Him. I close with the first verse and chorus of a song I wrote years ago called "Hurry Up & Wait":
We're always in a hurry going nowhere, wanting everything yesterday
Expecting God to hurry with the answer, and we don't even take the time to pray
We need to learn the Father knows what's best for us
And though He tarries, He is never late
He's looking for a people who will trust Him
And it's true that good things come to them that wait
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Believers Vs. The Disciples
By Gobel Brockman
A few months ago we had a guest speaker at our church, a missionary to South Africa. During the course of her message she mentioned something that I hadn't noticed before. She pointed out that the word 'believers' appears in the King James Version New Testament two times, but the word 'disciples' appears 244 times. I had pretty much brushed it off as two words with similar meanings. Turns out I was wrong. (Yeah, I was surprised too.) The New Testament Greek meanings:
'Believers' - "To think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit"
'Disciples' - "A learner or pupil, to become accustomed to"
Ask most people if they "believe in God" and they will say yes. I remember a story of two men in the United Kingdom walking by a church that had that week's message title posted on the church sign: "IS THERE A GOD?" One of them turned to the other and said in a thick Cockney accent, "I say, wouldn't there be a caution if 'e said there ain't?" Finding 'believers' isn't a big problem. The challenge is making 'disciples'. To be a disciple of Christ requires moving past mental assent and into a conscious decision to change the course of your life. The twelve disciples 'believed' that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but to become His disciples they had to leave everything and follow Him. We have a similar call. In the book of Luke Jesus made this statement: "Anyone having put their hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God."
As I think about this I remember all the people I've talked to over the years who were thinking of becoming a Christian. The one thing I've heard countless times is the concerns over what they would have to 'give up'. "Can I be a Christian and still do this or that?" type questions have been asked over and over. I realize now that at least part of what that means is they're a 'believer' who may not be willing to pay the price to be a 'disciple'. Jesus made an even more demanding statement in the book of Matthew: "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Being a Christian is more than saying, "I believe in God." It is a decision to become a follower for life and continue to grow and learn from the Master. It is a choice to make Jesus Christ the single most important thing in your life, and to follow wherever He decides to lead. I'm glad you believe in God, but that in itself doesn't make you a Christian. Move into discipleship - the decision to follow Jesus with all of your heart, make Him Lord of every aspect of your life, and continue to grow in your faith and learn from Him.
Let me put it this way: I can 'believe' there's more coffee in the pot on the other side of the kitchen as I type this. But until I become a 'disciple' and walk over there my cup will remain empty. So will yours (if you get my drift).
A few months ago we had a guest speaker at our church, a missionary to South Africa. During the course of her message she mentioned something that I hadn't noticed before. She pointed out that the word 'believers' appears in the King James Version New Testament two times, but the word 'disciples' appears 244 times. I had pretty much brushed it off as two words with similar meanings. Turns out I was wrong. (Yeah, I was surprised too.) The New Testament Greek meanings:
'Believers' - "To think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit"
'Disciples' - "A learner or pupil, to become accustomed to"
Ask most people if they "believe in God" and they will say yes. I remember a story of two men in the United Kingdom walking by a church that had that week's message title posted on the church sign: "IS THERE A GOD?" One of them turned to the other and said in a thick Cockney accent, "I say, wouldn't there be a caution if 'e said there ain't?" Finding 'believers' isn't a big problem. The challenge is making 'disciples'. To be a disciple of Christ requires moving past mental assent and into a conscious decision to change the course of your life. The twelve disciples 'believed' that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but to become His disciples they had to leave everything and follow Him. We have a similar call. In the book of Luke Jesus made this statement: "Anyone having put their hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God."
As I think about this I remember all the people I've talked to over the years who were thinking of becoming a Christian. The one thing I've heard countless times is the concerns over what they would have to 'give up'. "Can I be a Christian and still do this or that?" type questions have been asked over and over. I realize now that at least part of what that means is they're a 'believer' who may not be willing to pay the price to be a 'disciple'. Jesus made an even more demanding statement in the book of Matthew: "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Being a Christian is more than saying, "I believe in God." It is a decision to become a follower for life and continue to grow and learn from the Master. It is a choice to make Jesus Christ the single most important thing in your life, and to follow wherever He decides to lead. I'm glad you believe in God, but that in itself doesn't make you a Christian. Move into discipleship - the decision to follow Jesus with all of your heart, make Him Lord of every aspect of your life, and continue to grow in your faith and learn from Him.
Let me put it this way: I can 'believe' there's more coffee in the pot on the other side of the kitchen as I type this. But until I become a 'disciple' and walk over there my cup will remain empty. So will yours (if you get my drift).
Sunday, June 9, 2013
The Fat Lady Has Laryngitis
By Gobel Brockman
One night a few years ago I was watching 'American Idol'. (I know, it's a face-palm moment.) Anyway, it was the audition faze, and Simon Cowell was still on the show at this point. This one particular girl auditioned and sounded great, and was awarded the 'golden ticket' - basically a yellow piece of paper saying she was advancing to the next round of auditions. She goes out the door to tell her family, and they begin screaming, crying, jumping up and down, and otherwise voicing their approval. The camera goes back to the judges's table, and Simon (a Brit) said something interesting: "One thing I don't understand about Americans is how they can get so excited about other people's success." Whether he meant it that way or not, I took that as a great compliment to Americans.
In the Bible, Paul was a man who did all he could to oppose Christianity. He gave his approval to stone Stephen, the first Christian martyred for his faith. He then went out to arrest, persecute, and harass them everywhere he went. But then he had an encounter with the living Christ, and his whole life changed. Suddenly he was preaching the very Jesus he once opposed. The problem was many people in the church refused to believe that he had really changed - they thought he was simply infiltrating to see who he could arrest. But the Bible says a that man named Barnabas came along to help Paul and convince the church that his faith was genuine. Paul went on to literally change the world, while we hear little else about Barnabas. The thing to remember is this: without Barnabas, there may have never been an opportunity for Paul to fulfill his mission. The church owes a lot to a man who is recorded doing little more than being an encouragement to a man who needed it.
We seem to be very good at pointing out other's faults. We recognize them, then relay them to any and all who will listen. We're all guilty of it sometimes. The Bible calls it things like 'gossip' and 'backbiting'. The Bible also calls it 'sin'. As Christians, we have a different calling found in I Thessalonians 5:11 - "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (NLT) As someone who once lived a life where my greatest concern was where my next 'buzz' was coming from, I shouldn't be in the position I am now. But God placed people in my life who encouraged me that God had greater things for me. I want to be able to do the same for others. Yes, I will always call sin 'sin'. I can't compromise my faith or what God's word says. But God's word also tells me to be an encouragement, to build up other's faith instead of tearing it down, to try not to be a stumbling block to others, and that love '...bares all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
So if you're reading this, I want you to know that God is on your side. He loves you just as you are, and is willing and able to change the things in you that need changed as you surrender your life to Him. Your past is just that - past. Your future in Christ awaits you. Yes, you'll stumble and fall sometimes. Let God pick you up, dust you off, and get you on your way again. Past failings don't guarantee future disappointment. Our God is bigger than that, and the blood of His son Jesus sets us free.
I guess what I'm saying is this: People say "It ain't over 'til that fat lady sings." Well, the poor girl's lost her voice. In Christ you get a 'golden ticket'. Go with God, because in Him the best is yet to be.
One night a few years ago I was watching 'American Idol'. (I know, it's a face-palm moment.) Anyway, it was the audition faze, and Simon Cowell was still on the show at this point. This one particular girl auditioned and sounded great, and was awarded the 'golden ticket' - basically a yellow piece of paper saying she was advancing to the next round of auditions. She goes out the door to tell her family, and they begin screaming, crying, jumping up and down, and otherwise voicing their approval. The camera goes back to the judges's table, and Simon (a Brit) said something interesting: "One thing I don't understand about Americans is how they can get so excited about other people's success." Whether he meant it that way or not, I took that as a great compliment to Americans.
In the Bible, Paul was a man who did all he could to oppose Christianity. He gave his approval to stone Stephen, the first Christian martyred for his faith. He then went out to arrest, persecute, and harass them everywhere he went. But then he had an encounter with the living Christ, and his whole life changed. Suddenly he was preaching the very Jesus he once opposed. The problem was many people in the church refused to believe that he had really changed - they thought he was simply infiltrating to see who he could arrest. But the Bible says a that man named Barnabas came along to help Paul and convince the church that his faith was genuine. Paul went on to literally change the world, while we hear little else about Barnabas. The thing to remember is this: without Barnabas, there may have never been an opportunity for Paul to fulfill his mission. The church owes a lot to a man who is recorded doing little more than being an encouragement to a man who needed it.
We seem to be very good at pointing out other's faults. We recognize them, then relay them to any and all who will listen. We're all guilty of it sometimes. The Bible calls it things like 'gossip' and 'backbiting'. The Bible also calls it 'sin'. As Christians, we have a different calling found in I Thessalonians 5:11 - "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (NLT) As someone who once lived a life where my greatest concern was where my next 'buzz' was coming from, I shouldn't be in the position I am now. But God placed people in my life who encouraged me that God had greater things for me. I want to be able to do the same for others. Yes, I will always call sin 'sin'. I can't compromise my faith or what God's word says. But God's word also tells me to be an encouragement, to build up other's faith instead of tearing it down, to try not to be a stumbling block to others, and that love '...bares all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
So if you're reading this, I want you to know that God is on your side. He loves you just as you are, and is willing and able to change the things in you that need changed as you surrender your life to Him. Your past is just that - past. Your future in Christ awaits you. Yes, you'll stumble and fall sometimes. Let God pick you up, dust you off, and get you on your way again. Past failings don't guarantee future disappointment. Our God is bigger than that, and the blood of His son Jesus sets us free.
I guess what I'm saying is this: People say "It ain't over 'til that fat lady sings." Well, the poor girl's lost her voice. In Christ you get a 'golden ticket'. Go with God, because in Him the best is yet to be.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Going, Not Knowing
By Gobel Brockman
Most of you know the story. God had delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Their journey to the Promised Land turned into a 40-year trip due to their disobedience. Just as they were about to enter, Moses himself disobeyed, and as a result was not allowed to enter the land. He was taken up to the top of the mountain to see the land, and there he died. In Joshua chapter 1, God spoke to Joshua and said, "Moses my servant is dead. Lead this people into the land I swore to their fathers..."
Which leads me to this: There comes a time when that which we are familiar with is no more. "Moses my servant is dead." For 40 years, Israel had followed him. Moses heard from God and then shared with them all of God's direction. There was no doubt who God had placed in charge, and the people followed him. And now he was gone. What would they do? We face similar situations sometimes. We get used to things. We know where God is leading us and where we belong. Then God takes our 'Moses' away from us, and we're unsure of our next step. We face a choice: do we follow the new 'Joshua', or do we go on an excursion trying to find where 'Moses' went? What I mean is this: I think the reason some Christians never move into the fullness of what God has for them is they spend too much time looking for what 'used to be'. Rather than follow Joshua, we want to go to the mountain top and find Moses's body so we can try to resurrect what 'used to be'. The problem with that is simple: "Moses my servant is dead." And the implication is, "...and he's not coming back."
I gave my life to Christ in 1981, and I had the same pastor for the first seven years of my Christian walk. This man helped me more than I can convey on a blog. When I felt called into ministry, he 'took me under his wing' and taught me so much. When he unexpectedly resigned from the church, I felt lost and unsure of what to do. Then God sent another man to lead our church. And a 'Godsend' he truly was. I learned so much from him as well, and it was obvious that he was who God had placed there. Sometimes it's the little things too. The church start singing new songs. The Pastor's sermons get more challenging. "We're not doing things like we used to." What I'm saying in all of this is that if you like things to always stay the same, your Christian faith will be challenging. People come into and out of our lives. People we respect will fail us sometimes. Things change - even in church. God decides to move in a different direction. Your 'Moses' is going to die. And then you're going to face the choice of following the 'Joshua' God gives you, or living in the past of what 'used to be.' That's no way to live.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11 that "By faith Abraham went, not knowing where he was going..." It's our call as well. Sometimes it's scary, but it's always exciting. And worth it. Abraham trusted God. The children of Israel trusted Joshua. If God has taken your Moses, follow the Joshua He'll provide and keep going.
Most of you know the story. God had delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Their journey to the Promised Land turned into a 40-year trip due to their disobedience. Just as they were about to enter, Moses himself disobeyed, and as a result was not allowed to enter the land. He was taken up to the top of the mountain to see the land, and there he died. In Joshua chapter 1, God spoke to Joshua and said, "Moses my servant is dead. Lead this people into the land I swore to their fathers..."
Which leads me to this: There comes a time when that which we are familiar with is no more. "Moses my servant is dead." For 40 years, Israel had followed him. Moses heard from God and then shared with them all of God's direction. There was no doubt who God had placed in charge, and the people followed him. And now he was gone. What would they do? We face similar situations sometimes. We get used to things. We know where God is leading us and where we belong. Then God takes our 'Moses' away from us, and we're unsure of our next step. We face a choice: do we follow the new 'Joshua', or do we go on an excursion trying to find where 'Moses' went? What I mean is this: I think the reason some Christians never move into the fullness of what God has for them is they spend too much time looking for what 'used to be'. Rather than follow Joshua, we want to go to the mountain top and find Moses's body so we can try to resurrect what 'used to be'. The problem with that is simple: "Moses my servant is dead." And the implication is, "...and he's not coming back."
I gave my life to Christ in 1981, and I had the same pastor for the first seven years of my Christian walk. This man helped me more than I can convey on a blog. When I felt called into ministry, he 'took me under his wing' and taught me so much. When he unexpectedly resigned from the church, I felt lost and unsure of what to do. Then God sent another man to lead our church. And a 'Godsend' he truly was. I learned so much from him as well, and it was obvious that he was who God had placed there. Sometimes it's the little things too. The church start singing new songs. The Pastor's sermons get more challenging. "We're not doing things like we used to." What I'm saying in all of this is that if you like things to always stay the same, your Christian faith will be challenging. People come into and out of our lives. People we respect will fail us sometimes. Things change - even in church. God decides to move in a different direction. Your 'Moses' is going to die. And then you're going to face the choice of following the 'Joshua' God gives you, or living in the past of what 'used to be.' That's no way to live.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11 that "By faith Abraham went, not knowing where he was going..." It's our call as well. Sometimes it's scary, but it's always exciting. And worth it. Abraham trusted God. The children of Israel trusted Joshua. If God has taken your Moses, follow the Joshua He'll provide and keep going.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Living In An iTunes World
By Gobel Brockman
As a teenager in the 70's one of my favorite bands was Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. They were, simply put, three of the best musicians around. I spent hours holding a guitar while listening to their music trying to learn Greg Lake's riffs, and Keith Emerson was one of my biggest influences in wanting to learn to play the keyboards. The reason I mention this is I had the chance to meet Keith and Greg in April of 2010 at a 'Meet & Greet'. A few of us were gathered with them talking, and one person asked Greg this question: "What do you think is the worst thing that has happened to music in the last thirty years?" His answer surprised us: "The iPod." He went on to explain: "People used to put on an album and sit down as a group of family or friends and listen to music together. Now, everyone grabs their iPods and headphones and shut themselves in their own little world. Nowadays, there can be four people in a car, and three of them will have headphones in listening to three different songs."
I don't mention this to tell you it's wrong to have an iPod (especially since I have an iPhone and headphones) but he did make an interesting point. We have become an increasing individualized people. I once heard a minister make the point that houses used to be built with front porches, but now are built with back decks. It's one thing to be introverted - that's a personality trait. It's another thing altogether to be isolated. We all need 'alone time' sometimes. Jesus Himself sometimes withdrew from people to pray. I think having some time to yourself is a necessity. But I also find it interesting that one of the first things God said after He created man is, "It is not good for man to be alone..." When Jesus sent His disciples out, He didn't send them alone, He sent them in pairs.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us to " not forsake the assembling of yourselves together..." For years I've heard some preachers use this Scripture to guilt people into coming to church. Yes, we definitely need church. We need to hear the Scriptures taught and explained. We need the fellowship of like-minded people. But I have trouble believing that Scripture was intended as a guilt trip. I believe it serves as a reminder to us as Christians that we need each other. Not just on Sundays, but Monday through Saturday as well. When we're down, we need their prayers and support, and when they're down, they need ours. As Christians, we're in a battle. Not with people, but with spiritual forces. (Read Ephesians 6.) And as the times we live in get increasingly difficult, we'll need each other even more.
I guess what I'm saying to you this week is this: Listening to your iPod is OK. Trying to be a Christian by yourself in a world that's opposed to what you believe isn't.
As a teenager in the 70's one of my favorite bands was Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. They were, simply put, three of the best musicians around. I spent hours holding a guitar while listening to their music trying to learn Greg Lake's riffs, and Keith Emerson was one of my biggest influences in wanting to learn to play the keyboards. The reason I mention this is I had the chance to meet Keith and Greg in April of 2010 at a 'Meet & Greet'. A few of us were gathered with them talking, and one person asked Greg this question: "What do you think is the worst thing that has happened to music in the last thirty years?" His answer surprised us: "The iPod." He went on to explain: "People used to put on an album and sit down as a group of family or friends and listen to music together. Now, everyone grabs their iPods and headphones and shut themselves in their own little world. Nowadays, there can be four people in a car, and three of them will have headphones in listening to three different songs."
I don't mention this to tell you it's wrong to have an iPod (especially since I have an iPhone and headphones) but he did make an interesting point. We have become an increasing individualized people. I once heard a minister make the point that houses used to be built with front porches, but now are built with back decks. It's one thing to be introverted - that's a personality trait. It's another thing altogether to be isolated. We all need 'alone time' sometimes. Jesus Himself sometimes withdrew from people to pray. I think having some time to yourself is a necessity. But I also find it interesting that one of the first things God said after He created man is, "It is not good for man to be alone..." When Jesus sent His disciples out, He didn't send them alone, He sent them in pairs.
Hebrews 10:25 tells us to " not forsake the assembling of yourselves together..." For years I've heard some preachers use this Scripture to guilt people into coming to church. Yes, we definitely need church. We need to hear the Scriptures taught and explained. We need the fellowship of like-minded people. But I have trouble believing that Scripture was intended as a guilt trip. I believe it serves as a reminder to us as Christians that we need each other. Not just on Sundays, but Monday through Saturday as well. When we're down, we need their prayers and support, and when they're down, they need ours. As Christians, we're in a battle. Not with people, but with spiritual forces. (Read Ephesians 6.) And as the times we live in get increasingly difficult, we'll need each other even more.
I guess what I'm saying to you this week is this: Listening to your iPod is OK. Trying to be a Christian by yourself in a world that's opposed to what you believe isn't.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Treasure In a Sandwich Bag
By Gobel Brockman
I recently had one of those "heart in your throat" moments. My Dad was a coin collector. I was recently looking for something else and found a bag with three coins of his that Mom had given me after he had passed. I had never looked up their value and decided it was time. So I got on Google and looked them up. The first one was worth between $30-150, depending on condition. The second was really worth little more than face value. Then I looked up the last one - a 1943S copper wheat back penny. The site said it was worth between $60,000-80,000. Here came the "heart in my throat". I started thinking about a new car, a new guitar, a new....
It was great - for about 10 seconds. Then the part of me that sees the glass half-empty kicked in, and I knew something had to be wrong, so I continued reading: "There are many 'fakes' of this coin. To tell if yours is real or fake, hold it to a magnet. If the coin sticks, it's not copper, but copper-plated steel, and fake." So I went to my fridge and got a magnet (since that's where everyone in America keeps their magnets), put the coin next to it, and...CLINK. The magnet drew the coin right to it, drawing my dreams of fortune along with it.
This got me to thinking about something: there's a difference between having hope and faith and having unrealistic expectations. What I mean by that is I've known people who've seemingly had the mindset that they should never be disappointed, and then when reality hits them, it hits them hard. I have faith in God. I know my eternity is secure in Christ. I know that He has promised to not only be with me every moment, but His Word says that I can have "joy unspeakable and full of glory..." I rejoice in that. However, I also know that I live in a fallen world. People get sick. Storms and fires can take things in an instant that we've spent years building up. People can and do let us down. Jobs that we've had for years can be gone with the stroke of someone else's pen. I'd love to tell you that God has promised a trouble free, worry free life. What He said instead is, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroys, and thieves break in and steal. But put your treasures in Heaven, where no moth or rust can destroy, and no thief can steal."
That's not to say that we shouldn't believe God for great things. I do - and He has amazed me time and time again. Things that I thought would never happen have been almost literally dropped in my lap. I know that however many more days I have on this earth, I'll see Him do great things for me and through me. I'm simply saying that we must never forget that we're not in Heaven yet. Sometimes we WILL be disappointed. It doesn't mean God has forgotten you. It's just a reminder to not put your faith in uncertain things, but in the living God. It's a reminder that we are, as the Bible says, "Seated in Heavenly places in Christ", so that's where our thoughts and dreams should be.
Let me put it another way: There's a very good chance your 1943S copper wheat back penny is a fake. You're still rich in Christ.
I recently had one of those "heart in your throat" moments. My Dad was a coin collector. I was recently looking for something else and found a bag with three coins of his that Mom had given me after he had passed. I had never looked up their value and decided it was time. So I got on Google and looked them up. The first one was worth between $30-150, depending on condition. The second was really worth little more than face value. Then I looked up the last one - a 1943S copper wheat back penny. The site said it was worth between $60,000-80,000. Here came the "heart in my throat". I started thinking about a new car, a new guitar, a new....
It was great - for about 10 seconds. Then the part of me that sees the glass half-empty kicked in, and I knew something had to be wrong, so I continued reading: "There are many 'fakes' of this coin. To tell if yours is real or fake, hold it to a magnet. If the coin sticks, it's not copper, but copper-plated steel, and fake." So I went to my fridge and got a magnet (since that's where everyone in America keeps their magnets), put the coin next to it, and...CLINK. The magnet drew the coin right to it, drawing my dreams of fortune along with it.
This got me to thinking about something: there's a difference between having hope and faith and having unrealistic expectations. What I mean by that is I've known people who've seemingly had the mindset that they should never be disappointed, and then when reality hits them, it hits them hard. I have faith in God. I know my eternity is secure in Christ. I know that He has promised to not only be with me every moment, but His Word says that I can have "joy unspeakable and full of glory..." I rejoice in that. However, I also know that I live in a fallen world. People get sick. Storms and fires can take things in an instant that we've spent years building up. People can and do let us down. Jobs that we've had for years can be gone with the stroke of someone else's pen. I'd love to tell you that God has promised a trouble free, worry free life. What He said instead is, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroys, and thieves break in and steal. But put your treasures in Heaven, where no moth or rust can destroy, and no thief can steal."
That's not to say that we shouldn't believe God for great things. I do - and He has amazed me time and time again. Things that I thought would never happen have been almost literally dropped in my lap. I know that however many more days I have on this earth, I'll see Him do great things for me and through me. I'm simply saying that we must never forget that we're not in Heaven yet. Sometimes we WILL be disappointed. It doesn't mean God has forgotten you. It's just a reminder to not put your faith in uncertain things, but in the living God. It's a reminder that we are, as the Bible says, "Seated in Heavenly places in Christ", so that's where our thoughts and dreams should be.
Let me put it another way: There's a very good chance your 1943S copper wheat back penny is a fake. You're still rich in Christ.
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