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?