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.