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?
Saturday, June 29, 2013
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.
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