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.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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.
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