When Macedonia Isn't Calling

By Gobel Brockman

I'm sure almost everyone reading this is familiar with the story of Jonah. He was given a message from God to deliver to the people of Nineveh, but simply put, he didn't want to do it. So he ran the other way - and we all know how that ended for him. The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, was a radical missionary after his conversion to Christ. He was zealous in his efforts to reach people. So zealous in fact, that in Acts 16 he started to go to Asia but was "forbidden by the Holy Spirit." Paul and those with him then attempted to go to Bithynia, but the Bible says, "the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."

"Forbidden by the Holy Spirit" to go to Asia? "The Spirit of Jesus" wouldn't let them preach in Bithynia? To our natural minds that may seem like the epitome of contradictions. It's very possible that it felt that way to Paul. He felt commissioned to preach the gospel to everyone, and here was God telling him "no." Unlike Jonah, Paul was desiring to do everything he could to please God and tell everyone about Him. The "no" may have drove him crazy for a short time. 

As a Christian, have you ever been in that predicament? Your heart is burning with revival fire. God has been touching you with the Holy Spirit to the point that your heart is overflowing. You're more than willing to do whatever God asks, but yet seemingly every door is closed – or slammed – in your face. You're willing to preach, but get no invitations. You're willing to work for the church in any capacity, but no one asks. You're ready to offer whatever talents and abilities you may have, but it seems no one is interested. Just like Paul, the "no" from God can be quite confusing.

But little did Paul know just how enormous of a plan God had for him – and He has a plan to use you and me as well. It wasn't long before Paul received a dream from God in which a man from Macedonia said, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Paul immediately obeyed, and the results have changed history ever since. 

The message is clear: you may be in a place right now where you're deeply desiring to be used by God. That is a vital and necessary part, but it also requires a patience to wait on God to use you in the right place and at the right time. A famous preacher was once quoted as saying, "It is better to have zeal without knowledge than knowledge without zeal..." - which proves that even famous preachers can get it wrong occasionally. Proverbs 19:2 says, "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." A farmer doesn't plant seed one day and reap the harvest the next, but he does plant with the faith that at the right time the harvest will be ready. If God has planted a desire in you to be used, then trust me, at the right time your "Macedonian Call" will come. If you're willing to wait for it, you just might see some history changed as well. So stay prayed up and fired up for Jesus. Keep your relationship with Him fresh and current. Be faithful right where you are and be ready to go when your time comes. And trust me - your time will come.

Being faithful in the meantime has its advantages. It's awesome to watch a seed planted become a dream fulfilled.

'Tis the Season - To Give It All Away

By Gobel Brockman

Another Christmas is upon us. Once again we join with family, friends, and coworkers for food, presents, fellowship, and more food. It's also that time of year for the "Chreasters" - people who go to church twice a year; Christmas and Easter. Every year we hear about a star, a manger, wise men, and a virgin giving birth. But this year I want to look at the Christmas story in a way we don't often think about. It affected a lot of lives in ways that it also affects ours today:

*King Herod

He was king. His word was law. He then hears the news from wise men that a new king has been born. What that meant to him was simple: his kingdom was now in jeopardy. He made the horrible decision to have all the male children two and under killed in an attempt to keep this new king from his kingdom. However, his attempts were futile. Our attempts to keep His rule out of our lives will be futile as well. The Bible says in Philippians 2 that "every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord." That includes Herod - and you and me. He will be our Lord - whether we want Him to be or not.

*Joseph

The Bible describes him as "a just man." He finds out that his fiancé is pregnant, but doesn't want to publicly disgrace her. He was told that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph's life was turned upside down. He had to take his new family and flee into Egypt, and continually dwelled with uncertainty as God directed his life through dreams. The lesson he learned is a lesson we must learn as well: when Jesus comes into your life, your life gets turned upside down, and you become completely dependent on His guidance and provision. 

*Jesus

He was Immanuel - "God in the flesh." He was worthy of praise, admiration, and worship, yet He came in the form of a servant. Time and time again He stated that His desire was to do His Father's will - knowing that His will would ultimately lead to the cross. In spite of that, Jesus embraced the Father's will and fulfilled it. The Christmas lesson we really need to learn is that Jesus came to fulfill God's purpose, and we are called to do likewise. Jesus said in Luke 9 that to be His disciples we must take up our cross and follow Him. What He wants for Christmas is simple: everything you have and everything you are.

As much as we enjoy the food, the parties, and the presents, may we never lose sight of the undeniable truth that the message of Christmas is simple: when Jesus shows up, your life will never be the same. He messed up the lives of Herod, the wise men, Mary and Joseph, and He's been doing it ever since. He gave all to purchase our salvation, and demands all that we are to become His disciples. 

This year, may we celebrate Christmas as it was lived and intended - unconditional surrender to the will of God. 

That's a gift He'll enjoy receiving.

You Get To Be You

By Gobel Brockman

In the 1990's there were two major revivals that took place - one at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in Toronto, Canada, and the other at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. Both had major impacts that can still be seen today. Many people were saved, delivered, restored and healed during these revivals. Men and women were called into ministry during these meetings, and many of them are still active in ministry today. While I never got to visit Toronto, I did make it to the Brownsville Revival on three occasions, and all were incredibly powerful times.

The reason I mention them this week is that I'd like to talk about the ministers involved in these revivals. The Toronto revival was pastored by John Arnott, and the Brownsville Revival was led by Pastor John Kilpatrick and preached by the late Evangelist Steve Hill. John Arnott and Steve Hill were about as different as different gets. Charisma Magazine once published an interview with Pastor Arnott, and in the preface of the article the writer stated that his first impression of John Arnott was, "This man wouldn't raise his voice if his pants caught on fire!" Steve Hill, on the other hand, was likely to shout and blow a shofar during the morning announcements. Yet both of these men, completely different in personalities, were mightily used by God to bring revival and renewal to an entire generation.

My point? Simple - regardless of your unique personality and talents, there's a place for you in the work of God. While these revivals were equally powerful, they were also completely different. Toronto was more of a restoration of joy and peace, and that type of revival called for a fatherly figure like John Arnott. Brownsville was more of a call to salvation and a life of holiness, which required the fire and passion of Steve Hill. These revivals were successful because God placed the right ministers in the right revivals. I'm convinced that John Arnott in Florida or Steve Hill in Canada would not have had the same effect.

God has given each one of us unique personalities, gifts, and talents. He didn't create you to be an imitation of someone else; He made you to show His love and power through you just as He created you. We also need to understand that God not only knows how to get the best out of us, but where those gifts and talents will be the most fruitful. If you are following Jesus, then He will lead you exactly where He wants to use you. Be faithful where you are and allow God to be seen in your life. Trust that if He has a different place for you, then in the right time and in the right way He will get you there.

I guess what I'm saying is this: if you're a John Arnott, don't try to be a Steve Hill. Even if your pants catch on fire.

"Carpe Diem" ("Seize the Day") While You Still Can

By Gobel Brockman


       "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." I Peter 5:8

Less than a month ago I was on this devotional talking about the mass shooting that took place in Paris, France and the incredible loss of life that transpired. Now, sadly here we are yet again, talking about yet another mass shooting in San Bernardino, CA. In taking some time to think about this, there is plenty to say about the causes of these events, but that's not what's at the forefront of my mind right now. What I'm thinking about is how the victims in these tragedies were simply going about their day-to-day lives - attending a concert, eating or having coffee at a local cafe, or enjoying the company of their co-workers at a Christmas party. Without warning, they were ushered into eternity. This got me to thinking of the simple fact that every single day we face that same possibility. It doesn't take a deranged person with a semi-automatic to bring us to the end; any number of accidents, injuries, or illnesses can accomplish the same thing.

In the Scripture quoted above, the apostle Peter told us to "Be sober, be vigilant." That doesn't mean that we are to live our lives in constant fear - fear is an enemy within itself, and I refuse to give it place in my life. It simply means that we are to be aware that we do indeed have an enemy, and our enemy takes the battle much more seriously than we often do. Phillip Doddridge, a contemporary of the great preacher John Wesley, is quoted to have said the following:

       "Since we continually see so many around us suddenly surprised into the eternal world, and fixed in that state in which judgement will find them, let us be very careful that the day of the Lord will not overtake us as a thief. We must maintain a continual watch. How many are at this hour speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads instantaneous destruction is hovering?"
       "Let us endeavor to awaken ourselves and each other. Let us rouse ourselves, and be on guard against the most sudden attacks from our spiritual enemies."  

My point in this is to remind us all that we do indeed have an enemy, and he's playing for keeps. For the Christian, our call is to be on guard against his attacks, and as the apostle Paul said in II Corinthians 2:11 to "not be ignorant of his devices." But I also remind you that as a child of God, Jesus Christ has already permanently defeated him. Yes, we are to be watchful, sober, and vigilant, but we are to do so in a spirit of victory - a victory that Christ has already won for us. We can live in joy and peace because we know that Christ dwells in us, Simply put, I am a child of God. I am saved by the blood of Christ and I live in the power of His Spirit. My life is in His hands and I am continually in His care. As Paul also said in Romans 14:8: "So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." So while I will be on guard against the attacks of the enemy, I will also choose to live in joy and expectation that God is going to do great things in me and through me while I'm here. Yes, when this life is over I know that I shall stand in the presence of the Lord, and I know that as Proverbs 27:1 says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." But until that day comes, I am going to be about my Father's business. I'm going to preach, sing and play music, and write about Jesus with every opportunity I can take. I want to live out my faith so that others may see "Christ in me, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) I want to be an example of what Jesus can do with a life surrendered to Him. I will indeed be watchful, but I will also indeed be joyful. Jesus is with me, and He shall be for eternity. There's no room for fear in that knowledge.

I will indeed "Carpe Diem." How about you?

God Is Up To Something

By Gobel Brockman


I'm typing this while watching a crusade on GodTV from Nuremberg, Germany where thousands are worshipping God at an outdoor soccer stadium. This is on the same day that the Pastor of our church and his wife, along with several others, returned from a short-term missions trip to the Philippines where literally thousands gave their lives to Jesus Christ. They also recently took part in a conference in Ireland where they said the presence of God was overwhelming. This got me to thinking about a Pastor friend of mine who recently took a group to the Darien jungle area of Panama for a missions trip. This got me to thinking about another friend of mine who went on a missions trip to Honduras with a group from her church to help provide clean water to the people there. Which got me to thinking....

....about what the prophet Joel said in Joel 2:28-29: "And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams; and also upon my servants and my handmaidens I will pour out My Spirit."  In Acts 2, after the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the 120 in the upper room, Peter quoted this very Scripture in what was to be the first sermon of the New Testament church. They are powerful words indeed - the very Spirit that the Bible says in Genesis 1 "hovered over the face of the waters" in the beginning of creation is now not only WITH us, but can indeed dwell WITHIN us. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told the disciples that the purpose of this infilling was so that they would be "witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." As I watch all that is going on right now, I realize that the words of Jesus are continuing to be fulfilled - God is pouring out His Spirit upon all who will receive. We need to be reminded that when we receive this outpouring, is for a reason: so that we would take the power that has been poured into us and share it with others.

Sometimes I check the stat tracker on this blog and I'm pleasantly surprised at the number of people from different countries who have read this devotional from time to time. If that applies to you right now I want you to know that the message I have for you isn't an American message - I'm not here to preach America to you. I'm here to tell you about a Jewish carpenter who lived on this earth 2,000 years ago. He had an earthly mother, but He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was Immanuel - "God in the flesh." He was given the name Jesus. The Bible says that He didn't come to destroy the law, He came to fulfill it - and that He did. In doing so, He was able to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He willingly laid down His life on the cross for our sin, and on the third day God physically raised him from the dead. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead can raise you from the death of sin and despair, and can fill you to overflowing with a power that I do not have words to sit here and describe to you. God truly does love the world (read John 3:16) and what He's doing in the life of others, He will do in yours as well.

God is indeed up to something in these last days. He is pouring out the Holy Ghost on all who will receive. It's life, hope, and contentment. Yes, there is a price to it. Gaining the acceptance of God will rarely gain you the praise of man. Some will leave you and think you crazy for following this Jesus. In the Scripture I quoted from Acts 1:8 when Jesus said, "You shall be witnesses" the Greek word for witnesses is martys, where we get our word martyr. This "last days outpouring" calls us to lay down our lives and take up His cross. But as Jesus once said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

Yes, God is up to something in these last days. Get in while you can.  

A Lot To Be Thankful For

By Gobel Brockman


(A portion of this week's devotional is taken from Chapter Two of my book "But If Not")

"I was raised in church. My parents became Christians when I was four years old, and church was a way of life for me. On Sunday mornings, there was no debate about what we were doing: we were getting up, getting dressed, and going to church period. Any arguments on the subject were brought to a quick and decisive end. My Dad was also a musician who played in several Gospel groups over the years, so not only was I in church on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings, I also sat through many Friday night and Saturday night "Gospel Singings." If you've ever seen the movie The Apostle starring Robert Duvall, you've had a glimpse into what my childhood was like. I spent a lot of time swatting flies and mosquitoes in tent revivals. I spent countless hours listening to loud, screaming preachers in hot churches with only paper fans with pictures of Jesus on them to keep you cool. "All day singing and dinner on the ground" services that seemed like they would never end. (In a couple of cases I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the meeting was still going on!) I was sung to, preached at, yelled at, and pressured to "come to the altar" more times than I can begin to remember. But as I look back on it all, my thoughts are simple: 

I thank God for every moment of it. 

Why? Because in those times, I also saw a lot of things that I knew had to be "God moments." I saw men stagger into church drunk, get hit by the power of God, and sober up instantly. I heard people sing and I knew that they weren't just singing songs, but they were truly worshipping a God that they had a relationship with. I heard preachers preach with power and conviction, and I knew that what I was feeling in those moments was coming from above. For a few years I strayed away from all of this, and as a result I ended up in some pretty horrible situations. I sadly got heavily involved in drugs and alcohol, and on more than one occasion I literally came close to losing my life. But during that time with every drink of beer, every toke from a joint, and every tab of LSD, I was remembering all of those moments in those pest-filled tents and stifling hot churches when God had proved Himself real to me. Finally, in January of 1981 I stopped running and surrendered my life to Jesus. He has proven Himself to be real time and time again. In my darkest moments His light has seen me through. Now, it doesn't matter whether I'm around fellow believers or complete scoffers, I know that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be."

As I recently read over this, remembering that this is Thanksgiving week, I'm simply thankful that during my time of rebellion and running from God that He never gave up on me - especially since I gave Him every reason to. The Bible says in Psalm 103:8: 

       "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." 

That's reason enough for me to be thankful. How about you?

Come Quickly, Lord Jesus

By Gobel Brockman

In the past few days we have witnessed yet another senseless massacre of human life, this time in Paris, France. As of this writing there are an estimated 129 dead and over 350 injured. It seems as though it is now impossible to turn on our TVs or log on to the Internet without hearing/reading of another mass shooting or terror attack. News commentators and political pundits on both sides of the aisle sound off afterwards with their opinions of both causes and cures of these problems. But every time I hear about a situation like this, my mind goes in a bit of a different direction:

1) It's always been this way

God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden of Eden. After they disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were banished from the garden. As they continued their lives they soon had two sons - Cain, their firstborn, and his brother Abel. The Bible goes on to say that in time Cain eventually murdered his brother. The lesson in that story cannot escape us: 

The very first human being born of woman into this world was a murderer, and human beings have been harming each other in one form or another ever since. 

I know that our world is filled with anger, rage, hatred, and violence. My point is simply that it has been since the fall of man. In Genesis 1 God created the heaven and the earth; by Genesis 6 He's telling Noah that He's going to send a flood and destroy mankind because He saw that "the land was filled with violence." What we're seeing on the news today is not a new thing; sin has caused mankind to do immeasurable damage to itself from the very beginning.

2) We do not have the ability within ourselves to change things 

With every mass shooting or terror attack there are calls for everything from gun control to all-out war. I know that what I'm about to say may be disagreed with by some, but neither will work. Why do I say that? Because human laws cannot change sinful hearts, and because Jesus Himself told us that in the last days there would be "wars and rumors of wars." (Matthew 24:6) The apostle Paul also told us in II Timothy 3:13 that in the last days "evil men would wax worse and worse." So what do we do? 

*Surrender our lives to Christ completely, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and make us the men and women of God that He wants us to be. 

     "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

*Pray for revival. We can't change people, but a genuine move of the Holy Spirit in this world can. 

     "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn on their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)

*BE revival in our world. 

     "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

I believe the simple truth in all of this is that there will be no true, lasting peace on earth until the Prince of Peace returns, so I think the best way to end this is with the same words that the Bible ends with (Revelation 22:20-21):

"Even so, come Lord Jesus. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all."

You Are Not a "Justa"

By Gobel Brockman

It's interesting how often we identify ourselves by what we do. The problem with that is that if we perceive what we do to be minimal or unimportant, it can cause us to view ourselves - and life in general - in ways that we're not intended to. In these times we may get what may be referred to as "Justa Syndrome:"

"I'm "justa" retail employee."

"I'm "justa" janitor."

"I'm "justa" fast-food worker."

"I'm "justa" housewife."

"I'm "justa" pastor of a small church."

When we begin suffering from "Justa Syndrome", it can cause us to go through our days feeling as though our lives and our contributions to the world are insignificant. Many times we may be tempted to feel as though we can easily be replaced. The problem with all of this is that it flies in the face with what is probably the most well-known Scripture in the entire Bible:

     "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I'm sure most of you reading this can quote that Scripture from memory, but when we're very familiar with something we can sometimes forget the power and significance behind it. In the case of this verse, we can't let the message escape us:

The Creator of Heaven and Earth; the eternal, powerful God, loved you and me enough to come to this world in human form and lay down His life for us. Let me say it in simpler terms: 

God doesn't consider you a "justa." 

So how does God view those who believe in Him and surrender their lives to Him? We are:

"A child of God." John 1:12

"Justified by faith." Romans 5:1

"A chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." I Peter 2:9

"More than conquerors." Romans 8:37

"Never left or forsaken." Hebrews 13:5

I could go on (and on) but you get the idea. In the eyes of God, you are not a "justa". You matter to Him and you are loved by Him. But we must also remind ourselves that all of the promises available to us have one thing in common: they are all free gifts from the Father that we could never earn or deserve on our own. We are not "justas" only because God has chosen to freely share His love and goodness with us. In Exodus 33:18 Moses asked God, "Show me Your glory." God's response in verse 19 is interesting: "I will cause My goodness to pass before you..." Moses asked to see God's glory, and God showed Moses His goodness. It is that goodness that gives us hope and helps us realizes that regardless of how we view our position in life, He desires to show His glory to us as well. However, we must also remember that to receive this glory and goodness, we must respond in faith and obedience to the God who extends them to us.

The point in all of this is simple: we may make our livings scrubbing floors and toilets, typing away on computers, making sandwiches, stocking shelves, working with our hands, or doing our best to serve in our roles in our churches, but if Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life, those things are simply what we do - they're not who we are. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. We're recipients of the grace and goodness of a loving Heavenly Father. We have an inheritance from God that the Bible calls incorruptible and that can never be stolen from us.

That's "justa" lot of great news.

It Takes Good News to Fix Bad News

By Gobel Brockman

John Newton (1725-1807) was a former captain of slave ships. After his conversion to Christ he later became ordained as an evangelical Anglican cleric and served Olney, Buckinghamshire for two decades. During his ministry he once said this:

     "There is no fool like the sinner, who prefers the toys of earth to the happiness of heaven. He is held in bondage by the foolish customs of the world, more afraid of the breath of man than the wrath of God."

     "Again, man in his natural state is a beast. He looks no higher than to sensual gratifications. What shall we say of mothers destroying their children with their own hands, or of the horrid act of self murder! Men are worse than beasts, likewise in their obstinacy; they will not be warned. If a beast escapes from a trap, he will be cautious how he goes near it again. But man, though he be often reproved, hardens his neck; he rushes upon his ruin with his eyes open and can defy God to His face and dare damnation."

Very strong words - and very true words. There is little room for misinterpretation when messages are this plain and this direct. But what really makes the above quote interesting to me are some other words that John Newton wrote that are immeasurably more famous:

     Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

     That saved a wretch like me;

     I once was lost but now I'm found

     Was blind but now I see!

     'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

     And grace my fears relieved;

     How precious did that grace appear

     The hour I first believed.

What a contrast! In the first quote, we are confronted with the sinfulness of man. In the second, we read lyrics to a song that is still sang in churches every single week and see the graciousness and love of our God. In these two quotes we see not a contradiction, but a truth that we all must confront: we are all born into sin. Not weaknesses, not shortcomings, but sin. It's a word we don't like to hear or talk about much, but it is just as real as it has ever been. In this day of seeker-sensitive religion where the last thing we seemingly want to do is offend people, we need to hear the truth – sin has consequences, both in this life and in eternity to come. Mankind suffers the painful results of our sin in this life, and Hell (another truth we rarely hear of anymore) is just as real as it's ever been.

But that is only part of the truth. The other part is immeasurably more beautiful. The holy God who will be the judge of all mankind is also a loving God who extends grace to all who will accept it. You see, mankind left to himself is wretched, and only God can take a wretch and turn him into a new creation. Only God can open spiritually blinded eyes and cause them to see the goodness of God. Only God can set men free from the ravages of sin – in this life and for all of eternity. As the Lord said in Isaiah 1:18:

     "Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it." (MEV)

If you're trying to "straighten yourself up" let me assure you that it's a futile endeavor. If your life right now matches the first John Newton quote above, I encourage you with everything within me to take full advantage of the second John Newton quote above. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ in 1981, and I can tell you both from Scripture and from my own experience that you will find out that His grace is quite amazing.

Good news indeed.

Sometimes It's Good to Reminisce

By Gobel Brockman

       II Timothy 4:6-7 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

When we reach the end of certain times or seasons in life, we tend to go into a time of reflection. Sports channels replay highlights of the best (and worst) plays at the end of the season. TV shows usually have episodes that "reminisce" about prior episodes. Family and high school reunions are usually made up primarily of remembering "the good ol' days." When writing his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wasn't just reaching the end of his ministry; he knew he was facing the end of his very life. He reflected on the path that God had called him to walk, and as he did he was able to say the words quoted above. His words at this time in his life should be a lesson for us:

"I have fought a good fight."

The Christian life is indeed a battle. The problem is that many times we forget who it is that we're really fighting against. He told the Christians in Ephesus that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) Paul not only knew this battle well, but he fought it well. How can I say that? Because almost 2,000 years later we are still reaping the benefits of the victories that he won.

"I have finished my course."

It's often said that "Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon." I agree with that, but I take it a step further and say that it's also an obstacle course. In Matthew 7:14 Jesus said, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." The Greek word for strait is stenos which means "Narrow (from obstacles standing close about)." The enemy threw many obstacles in Paul's way as he endeavored to finish his course, but Paul navigated his way through every one of them as he was guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of his life. He didn't allow the enemy's obstacles to distract him from the finish line that God had set for him. 

"I have kept the faith."

Time does not permit me to share all of the difficulties that Paul went through in his life, but through it all his faith in Christ remained unchanged. Neither hunger, exhaustion, betrayal and abandonment, physical attacks, nor intense spiritual opposition could deter his faith in Christ. God had proven Himself real to Paul time and time again, and there was nothing that could change his conviction that Jesus Christ was exactly who He claimed to be. His beliefs didn't swing like a pendulum with each trial or adversity; regardless of any situation he faced he "kept the faith."

I find it very interesting that Paul wrote these words knowing that his execution was imminent. One of the first things he said in this letter is, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) Simply put, Paul was able to face death with power, love, and a sound mind. Why? Because no matter what life or the devil had brought against him, he was able to "fight a good fight, finish his course, and keep his faith."

As I reflect on this, my question is simply this: Will the same be said about us?

May Your Vessel Be Broken

By Gobel Brockman


There's an incredible story in the Old Testament book of Judges about a man named Gideon. He was directed by God to attack the Midianites, who were oppressing the people of Israel. For the sake of time I need to jump to the end of the story. (The whole story of Gideon is found in Judges 6–8; I encourage you to read it.)

At the outset there were several thousand men marching with Gideon. However, God whittled his army down to 300 men, for God told Gideon that when the victory was won, He wanted all of the glory. When his army was down to 300 soldiers, Gideon broke them up into three groups and gave each soldier three things: a shofar (a ram's horn used as a trumpet), an empty vessel, and a torch to place inside the vessel. He gave the command to the other two groups that when he and the men that were with him sounded their shofars and broke their vessels that they were to do likewise. When the vessels were shattered, the lights inside could be seen. The Bible says they then all shouted, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" At that point the Midianites went into confusion, began attacking each other, and tried to flee. The Lord won the battle for Israel that day.

There are many lessons to be learned in this story, but this week I want to focus on just one: the light in their vessels couldn't be seen until the vessels were broken. In II Corinthians 4:7 Paul said that "we carry this treasure in earthen vessels." In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, "Men do not light a lamp and place it under a basket, but instead they place it on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house." Here's my point:

The light of Gideon's army could not be seen until the vessels were broken. The light of Christ won't be seen in us until we are broken as well.

What do I mean by that? First, let me say what I don't mean: being "broken before the Lord" does not mean that we think of ourselves as scum, trash, and people that God tolerates – and probably wishes He didn't have to. No, I Peter 2:9 says that He has made us "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." John 3:16 does not say "For God so tolerated the world..." it says that He "loved the world." That's right – God loves YOU.

So what does being "broken before the Lord" mean? I think Paul summed it up in Romans 7:18 when he said, "I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, there lies no good thing." It simply means that we recognize and acknowledge that we do not have the power within ourselves to set a captive free, heal a sick body, or shine light into someone's darkness. If I didn't have the power to save myself, I certainly don't have it to save anyone else. But if we are born again and filled with the Spirit of God, there is a light within us. Being broken before the Lord simply means that we get ourselves – our thoughts, our opinions, and our efforts – out of the way, and allow the Holy Spirit to move through us so that people can see the light of Christ in us.

It's rather obvious that we are in a world that is filled with darkness. People are helpless and hopeless. Crime rates are rising while hope is dissipating. It is time for the church to rise up in holiness and purity and allow the light of Christ to shine through us. For that to happen, we must remain humble before the Lord and realize that any good accomplished through us is simply "Christ in us, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) When we start thinking that we have it all together and figured out, what we're actually doing is trying to put pieces of that broken vessel back together. The more we do that, the more people will see us again instead of Christ. 

No good can come from that.

There's only one Light that will pierce this world's darkness. May our vessels always be broken, and may the light of Christ always shine through our brokenness. 

Yes, God Wants to Use YOU!

By Gobel Brockman


(This week's devotional is adapted from Chapter 8 of the book "But If Not")

I know many of you reading this have a desire to be used by God. You want your Christian experience to be so much more than just going to church on Sunday morning, singing a few songs, putting a tithe envelope in the basket, and hearing a good sermon. You want your life to count for Jesus. You want those around you to see the power and glory of God in your life. You've been told that the God of the book of Acts is still the same - and you were told correctly. He still desires to see the lost come to know Him. He still wants to do the miraculous. He still wants to prove to those who are filled with pride and rebellion that one word from His throne can change everything in an instant. And yes, He wants to do His work through you and me. 

However, there's something that you and I must be willing to do. In Matthew 25 Jesus told a parable about three men who were given talents to work with according to their abilities. Two were faithful with what God entrusted to them and were given more, but the one who did nothing with his talent had it taken away from him. God desires to promote us and give us more and greater opportunities to serve in His kingdom, but we must first be willing to be faithful, work with what He's already given us, and stand boldly in a world that hates what we're standing for. 

I want to end this week by both challenging you and encouraging you: 

I challenge you to commit every aspect of your life to Jesus Christ - your heart and soul, your family, your career, your finances, your everything. 
I challenge you to make up your mind that you are going to follow Jesus Christ regardless of what life or the devil brings against you. 
I challenge you to proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ boldly, and live a lifestyle that proves that you believe what you're saying. 
I challenge you to never, ever back down from what you know to be the truth, regardless of what you're faced with. 

If you will commit to doing these things, let me encourage you with these truths: 

God will faithfully guard every aspect of your life that you commit to Him. 
God's Spirit will help us live a life that pleases Him as He continually works in our hearts and lives. (Philippians 2:13: " For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. ") 
God will always stand with and stand up for all who will stand for Him. 
As we are faithful in the little things, God will give us greater opportunities to proclaim His goodness and His power.

Those who are willing to stand boldly for Christ are the ones who are given greater opportunities to be used in His kingdom. They are also the ones that usually end up changing the world around them. So be bold, stand for Jesus, and prepare to see Him move in your life! Yes, God wants to use YOU!

"What Would Your Answer Be?"

By Gobel Brockman


We have watched as yet another senseless mass shooting has recently taken place, this time in Oregon. The details are still sketchy and I'm sure some specifics may change, but the early reports are troubling. Witnesses are stating that the shooter told the people he was about to shoot to "stand up and state their religion." The witnesses claimed that when someone said "Christian" that he responded, "Good, because you're going to see Him in about one second." and then shot them. Again, the reports are early and specifics may change, but if these reports are indeed true, I agree with what someone said about the situation:

"The bravest person that day was the second person to say "Christian" after they saw what happened to the first person."

For some reason the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found in the third chapter of Daniel has been burning in my mind a lot lately. These three were faced with a simple choice: betray their God and bow to an idol, or stand firm for their God and die. They chose to stand for their beliefs, and God miraculously delivered them.  But the lesson in that story is that they were committed to stand for God whether He delivered them or not. With that thought in mind I would like to ask you a few questions this week:

*Who/what are the most important people and things in your life?
*Have you ever held your child and/or grandchild in your arms and began tearing up simply because of your love for them? (I'm not ashamed to admit that I have.)
*Does the very thought of losing someone in your life who means more to you than life itself cause the same reaction? (Guilty again.)

Now, I have one more question for you:

*Jesus Christ (not church, not religion, but Jesus, the Son of God) - do you love Him more than them?

The first of the 10 Commandments (found in Exodus 20) is a short and simple one: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." I'm also reminded of the words in Revelation 12:10-11:

       "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death."

"They loved not their lives unto the death." That simply means that there was nothing or no one on this earth that meant so much to them that denying their faith in Jesus Christ was a price worth paying to hold on to them. You see, when you have found the greatest treasure that is only found in Christ, all else pales in comparison. Jesus put it another way in Matthew 10:37-38: 

       "He that loves his father and mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Strong words indeed. You see, "taking up your cross" is a one-way trip: when someone took up a cross, they weren't coming back. I end by asking all of us a simple question that some reportedly had to answer just a few days ago: If someone holding a gun asked you to "state your religion" would the thought of losing your life or the things that you hold dear cause you to have an instant conversion away from what you say you believe?

We should probably think that through. These days, you never know when it might actually happen.

Have You Prepared a Place For God? (Hospitality)

By Rodney Burton


Have you ever walked into a place and immediately felt that you were not welcome? It is definitely an uncomfortable feeling. One night, following a late service at our church with a guest evangelist, we were going out to eat. There were going to be ten or twelve of us together for the meal, therefore we chose a nearby place that was open twenty-four hours and could easily accommodate our group. My wife (fiancée at the time) and I were the first to arrive. When the hostess asked how many in our party she was clearly appalled by our answer. I can still hear her relaying the information to the kitchen, and then hearing the reply from the kitchen. Due to crude and harsh language alone I will not quote the response from the kitchen. We were clearly not welcome. I was tired and chose to go home. The rest of the group found another place that was more than happy to serve them and earn their business. The next day my father-in-law visited the manager of the unwelcoming restaurant to make him aware of the lack of hospitality we had received. He took along the receipt from the restaurant that did accommodate the group. The restaurant manager was given a clear picture of the value of hospitality. The same rings true in terms of our being hospitable toward God. We stand to lose many benefits of His presence if we choose to not welcome Him in His fullness. 

Elisha was God’s chosen prophet in his day. A read through his life as recorded in 2 Kings reveals many great things accomplished through his life and ministry. He was well known, highly respected, and greatly feared as a man who represented God powerfully. In the fourth chapter of 2 Kings we read the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman. The first time Elisha passed through Shunem, a prominent woman met him and provided him something to eat. It became customary that any time Elisha would pass through the area; he would eat food at the home of this woman and her husband. He became a frequent visitor at their place. Elisha was more than a visitor to this family. After one of Elisa’s visits we find the woman sharing her feelings with her husband in the following manner: 

       “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.” 2 Kings 4:10-12 

The Shunammite woman determined that she was going to be hospitable toward the man of God. Throughout this chapter Elisha will serve as a type of God Himself. I want us to see that the Shunammite woman was ultimately making room for God. Her approach and plan was specific, not haphazard. When we determine that God’s presence is worth being sustained and not just entertained, we will find ourselves making plans to accommodate Him in an ongoing manner.

The motives of the Shunammite woman were pure. She was looking to be a blessing to God and not to be blessed by God. Regardless of anything else we do, if our motives are wrong our actions will lose their meaning. Never once do we read of Elisha asking for a meal or for a special room. This woman simply saw a need and an opportunity to be hospitable toward the man of God. When it came time to design the room she wanted to be sure that it created an atmosphere that was welcoming.

The more you and I desire for God to not just visit but to dwell, the more we will do to make the atmosphere welcoming to Him.

"Well, That Was Fast..."

By Gobel Brockman


When I was a kid I remember my Dad talking with someone about how fast time seems to go, and I remember him saying, "The older you get, the faster time goes." As a youngster that didn't really make sense to me.

It makes sense to me now.

I'm reminded of this every time I hold one of my grandchildren in my arms and realize that it really wasn't all that long ago that I was holding their parent in the same way. I'm reminded of it when I see my high school classmates post pictures of their grandchildren and remember that it wasn't all that long ago that we were in high school running around and getting into trouble. Most of all, I'm reminded of it every time I look in the mirror. (That's when I'm also reminded that time can be a cruel beast indeed.)

It's also interesting to me how quickly things can change in our daily lives. Things can be going fairly normal when one phone call or text, one knock on the door, or one "Breaking News" story on TV can change everything - sometimes in a good way, and sometimes in ways that can leave us feeling devastated. There's an excellent example of this in the fourteenth chapter of Matthew. In verses 13-21 we read of one of the greatest miracles that Jesus performed - feeding over 5,000 men (plus their wives and kids) with five loaves of bread and two fish. I try to imagine how the disciples felt that day - not only were they witnessing an incredible miracle, but Jesus was allowing them to be a part of it. In my mind I can see them on that sunny hillside smiling and laughing as they helped pass out this miraculous meal. Jesus then instructed them to gather the leftovers, and it took over twelve baskets to hold them. It had to have been an incredible sight.

However, the disciples were soon to learn that you can go from a sunny hillside to a raging sea in a matter of minutes.

After this miracle the Bible says that Jesus constrained (commanded) His disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the sea while He sent the multitudes away. It wasn't long after they began their journey that the winds became turbulent and the boat was being tossed around in the sea. Again, in my mind I try to picture their thoughts. Mere moments earlier they were experiencing an undeniable miracle, and now here they were in a stormy sea fearful for their very lives. They were in the middle of the sea - meaning that they were in the center of God's will, because it was the very place Jesus had told them to go. The Bible goes on to say that in "the fourth watch of the night" - meaning that they had been out there for most of the night - Jesus walked out on the water to them. Simon Peter asked for and received permission from Jesus to join Him on the water, and was he was indeed able to walk on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the waves. Jesus reached down and saved him, and then they joined the others and Jesus saved them all by calming the storm.

My point in all of this is to tell you something that I know you don't need me to tell you: life can change in an instant. We can go from a "sunny hillside" to a "raging sea" in no time flat, and the interesting thing is that as Christians many times that raging sea is the center of God's will for us. But the way I see it, Jesus was proving to His disciples - and to us - that the same power that can provide for us on the hillside can protect us in the sea. Time may move fast for us, but it's nothing to Him who is eternal. While we're fighting for our lives in the boat, He's taking a casual stroll on the water towards us. I say that because if you'll notice, the Bible doesn't say He was running on the water. He wasn't worried and He wasn't panicked. The changes that time can bring in an instant may catch us completely off-guard, but time has never snuck up on Him or surprised Him. He knew that His disciples were safe.

Wherever you are in life right now - on a hillside or on a sea - I remind you that neither time nor circumstances can impede His power. Trust Him.

Do We Boycott the World or Light It Up?

By Gobel Brockman

If you know me very well at all, you know that I’m pretty much a “Javaholic.” If you see me without a cup of coffee, just stick around for a few moments because you won’t see me that way for very long. I also have a favorite brand – Starbucks. I’ve yet to find a coffee that has the same aroma or flavor, and I enjoy it very much. If you know me very well at all, you also know my opposition to gay marriage. You may also know that the powers that be at Starbucks have been vocal in their support of gay marriage. A few years ago one of their stockholders raised issue with this, and was promptly told that if he didn’t like it, “…there are other companies you can invest in.” There was a call at that point for Christians to ‘boycott’ Starbucks. It is time, we were told, to “take a stand”. This is nothing new – I’ve heard these calls my entire Christian life. We’ve been called to boycott everything from television programs to bleach. I fully understand the desire for Christians to stand up for their beliefs - in this day, the need to be bold for Christ is greater than ever - but I’ve always had a bit of a problem with doing it with boycotts, for one reason:

It’s far too easy to be hypocritical with them.

Let me explain what I mean. If we’re going to boycott one company because we disagree with their stand on an issue, and if we’re going to be faithful to the ‘boycott mindset’, we need to boycott EVERY company that feels the same. For example: if you get on your iPhone and post on Facebook that everyone should boycott Starbucks because they support gay marriage, there’s a problem, because both Apple and Facebook have indicated their support of gay marriage as well. So have ESPN, Walt Disney resorts, General Motors, eBay, The Jim Henson Company (aka "The Muppets"), Kraft Foods, and a seemingly innumerable list of others. My point is that if we’re going to stand for our faith via boycotts and be consistent with it, we have a lot of investigating to do.

But let’s not stop there. I battled with alcohol abuse before my conversion to Christ. After giving my life to Christ and entering ministry I spent six years as a Chaplain at an alcohol and drug treatment center. I’m of the opinion that alcohol has done much to damage this country. We are confronted with the physical abuse, divorce, and death that alcoholism brings to this country on a daily basis. If I’m going to boycott the things that are contrary to my Christian beliefs, do I need to avoid every grocery store, restaurant and convenience store that sells booze? Most airlines sell it on their flights – do I need to stay on the ground?

What about pornography? Almost every time I’ve heard someone who’s been convicted of a sexual crime speak, they have mentioned that their sexual issues began with or were exacerbated by porn. You may or may not know this, but in America there are more places to buy pornography that there are McDonald’s. I wonder how often people drive past Hardees’s and complain about their racy commercials (and I agree, they're horrible), but then stop to get gas at a convenience store that has magazines behind the counter that are immeasurably more graphic?

My point is simply that if we are going to boycott every establishment that takes positions that are contrary to ours, or sells products that we don’t approve of, we’re pretty much going to have to stay in our houses and hope we can find a mail order company that carries everything we need, nothing that we disapprove of, and does home delivery. The simple fact is this – it’s not possible. Whether we like it or not, we live in a sin-cursed world. As soon as we step out of the front door, we’re going to be confronted with things that are not in harmony with our convictions. Like it or not, we are in the minority. (Read Matthew 7:13-14.) As Christians, we ARE called to be separate from the world (and I don't back down from saying so) but we are also called to be a light to it. We can curse the darkness or be a light in the midst of it. So rather than avoiding a coffee shop and feeling like I’m accomplishing something, I’m going to go enjoy a Pike Place and pray that God will give me an opportunity to let someone there see the light of Christ in me. I figure that’s where the sick and the lost are, and they need to know that there’s hope and healing. It's not the well that need a physician, it's the sick.

I seem to remember Jesus saying something about that.

The Worst Is Yet to Come. So Is the Best.

By Gobel Brockman

The following are excerpts from the introduction to my book "But If Not" Raising a Generation of Fire Walkers:

     "I believe that we are simultaneously living in the most dangerous, the most confusing, and yet the most exciting time in history:

Dangerous because our adversary the devil knows that his time is short, and we see his evil schemes and devices increasing at an alarming rate. At the same time the truth of the gospel is being ridiculed and opposed by those who do not believe, and even more tragically, it's being watered down and compromised by some who say that they do.

Confusing because those who truly follow Jesus Christ and desire to see Him glorified in the earth seem to be facing increasingly intense opposition. We see decisions in our government that are undermining the very moral foundation upon which this nation was built. We're also seeing growing attempts to silence our message, and at times they seem to be working, so much so that we sometimes may be tempted to feel as if God isn't doing anything about it.

Exciting because I'm firmly convinced that it's all about to change. I am totally convinced and stirred in my spirit that a Third Great Awakening is on the horizon that even the harshest critic will not be able to deny or resist. As someone once said, "God will not long allow His name to be dishonored on the earth." The Lord Himself said in Ezekiel 36:23:

       "And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes."

The fiery trials of opposition and persecution are coming against the true followers of Christ. In this story we see what it means to become a "Fire Walker." By the end of the story my hope and prayer is that we all will have a burning desire in our hearts to become "Fire Walkers" for Jesus Christ." (Endquote)

What I want to focus on this week is the line, "God will not long allow His name to be dishonored on the earth." We may look at current events and be tempted to feel as though things are looking gloomy for the church of Jesus Christ. I want to remind us all that we've had about 2,000 years advance notice that the last days would be filled with dangerous times. Things are about to become increasingly difficult for the true followers of Christ. We must expect it and be prepared for it. But there's something else the Bible says about the last days that we must also prepare for:

       "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:17-21) (ESV)

Yes, difficult times are ahead for the church - but so are exciting times. Throughout the New Testament and throughout church history, God has not long allowed His name to dishonored on the earth. He has indeed promised an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and God has yet to break a promise. Don't be dismayed by what you see in the news right now - the worst is yet to come. But so is the best. It's going to be fun ride - are you ready?

Love Hurts. So Does Dropping Melted Metal On Your Foot.

By Gobel Brockman


When I was 19 I worked at a factory in a foundry area. My job was to melt this material called babbitt and pour it into bearings as they spun in a machine. The babbitt had to be melted to 700 degrees before it was ready for use. I would take a metal ladle, dip it in the babbitt, and pour it into a funnel leading to the inside of the bearing. One night while doing this I accidentally bumped the ladle against the side of the machine, spilling some of the melted metal, and a small portion of it hit my left foot. It immediately burned through my pant leg, my sock, and all seven layers of my skin. (I hopped around and "danced like no one was watching" for a minute or two.) I didn't go to the clinic (guys don't go to clinics for stuff like that) and to this day I have a nickel-sized scar on my foot.

I mention this because it reminds me of some interesting words from John the Baptist found in Matthew 3:11:

       "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He (Jesus) who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

"Baptized with fire." I can tell you that after my experience of dancing around with a hole burned in my foot that the thought of being baptized with fire really doesn't sound all that appealing. There are many directions I could go with this, but this week I only want to focus on one. The babbitt came in gold metal bars that had to be put into a pot and melted. Once the pot reached 700 degrees, an interesting thing happened: all of the dross (the "junk") that was in the babbitt rose to the top, and it looked disgusting. Before I could use the babbitt I had to use another ladle and scrape out all of the dross. But here's the part that was interesting to me: once you did that, the babbitt looked like a golden mirror, beautiful and shiny. You could clearly see your reflection when you looked at it.

Why does God not only want to baptize us with the Holy Spirit, but also with fire? That's a multi-faceted topic, but for this week let's focus on this: we all have a lot of "junk" in our lives. Bitterness, doubt, self-pity, the holding of grudges, and many other disgusting things that I'm sure that you're already aware of in your life. Being baptized with "the fire of God" will cause those things to come to the surface - which gives God the opportunity to get them out of our lives. The great thing about that is that once that happens, God can begin to look at our lives and see His reflection in us. I Peter 1:7 says this:

       "That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Do you feel like you're "going through the fire" right now? If so, don't panic, just let the Holy Spirit baptize you with that fire. I know it's not pleasant, it can indeed be painful, and I know it can bring some ugly stuff up, but it's necessary if we want those ugly things gone. I don't know about you, but the thought of being a reflection of God's character sounds pretty amazing to me.

As an added bonus, it just may make you "dance like no one's watching" too. Only this dance will be a joyful one that won't leave a scar on your foot.

"Listen With Your Face!"

By Gobel Brockman


There's a passage of Scripture that we love to quote that's found in Jeremiah 29:11:

       "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (NKJV)

That is a great Scripture that contains a great promise. God has awesome plans for His people. He desires to restore, bless, and encourage His children. He desires that we have hope in Him and His promises. The problem is that we usually end our reading with that verse, when there is an undeniable condition that follows in verses 12 and 13:

       "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Emphasis mine.)

"All your heart." What does that mean? It's simple - He wants more than just your occasional attention and circumstantial dedication. He wants you. God isn't looking for people who will say, "God, I will follow You as long as You provide for me, bless me, and make me happy." He already has more than enough of those kind of followers. What He is looking for is people who will simply say, "Lord, where You lead me I will follow, and I won't delay our journey by asking why we're going there." He's looking for people who will listen when He has something to say, and will put all distractions aside and give Him their full, undivided attention. I once heard a story about a little girl who was trying to talk to her Dad while he was in the middle of working on something in his garage. She kept saying, "Daddy, listen to me!" More than once he answered, "I am listening, honey." Finally she walked over to him, took his face in her hands and turned it toward her, and then said in her innocent little voice, "No Daddy, listen with your face!" What was she asking for? 

She wanted his full, undivided attention.

In our case, the roles are reversed. Our Father is trying to get OUR attention because He has much to say to us. He wants to speak words of life, healing and hope. Words of direction that if heeded, will bring us to the center of His will and help us avoid heartbreak and disappointment. The question is, will we put down our distractions long enough to "listen with our faces?"

Another verse that we've been hearing a lot lately is II Chronicles 7:14: 

       "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

An interesting thing to me is that the Hebrew word for "pray" in this verse is "palal" and a variant of it means "to make or wear a path." My prayer for myself and for all who claim Jesus as Savior is that we will take our prayer lives to a new level - that we would in the Spirit "wear a path" to the Father. I love feeling the presence of God. I love watching people be blessed in "The River" (what our church refers to as the manifest presence of God) as we corporately worship Jesus. But may God take us to a place where He has no problem getting our attention because our consecration to Him will allow for nothing else. While our hearts are enjoying His presence may our faces always be turned towards Him.

As we commit our lives to prayer, fasting, and seeking God, may we lay aside the distractions, devote ourselves completely to the Lord, be willing to "listen with our faces" and obey, and go deeper in "The River." There's so much more waiting for us there!