When There's a Hole in Your Safety Net

By Gobel Brockman

     I’ve spent the last few months preparing for an upcoming ministry trip to another country. There have been many things to do in the preparation for this trip. There has been paperwork to fill out and submit, finances to arrange, and schedules to be planned. This has been a well-planned journey indeed. One thing I have taken away from this experience is a new respect for what the disciples faced in Matthew 10. Jesus was about to send them out two by two, and we read this in Matthew 10:5-10:

 ^“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Take no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.”

     I simply find it interesting that Jesus sent them out on a mission, a mission that would have them doing things they had never done before, and then sent them out with the instructions, “Take nothing for your journey.” He didn’t tell them, “Pack light” - He told them “Don’t pack at all!” No backup plan, no “Emergency Fund”, no $20 hidden in the wallet “just in case.” He simply told them, “Go.” That seems strange to people (especially here in America) who like having our “safety nets” to rely on. But here’s the interesting thing: Later on, Jesus reminded the disciples of their experience and we read this in Luke 22:35:

“And (Jesus) said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

     They TOOK nothing for their journey, but it’s interesting to note that they LACKED nothing either. There is a lesson in that for us. One Scripture that I often mention is Hebrews 11:6 which says this:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

     The disciples learned a valuable lesson in their experience that the Lord wants us to learn as well today: we must have faith that HE is the “safety net” for His children! This Scripture in Hebrews reminds us that it is impossible to please God without faith, and as I have said many times before, faith doesn’t seem necessary when we think we have everything we need. Jesus sent those disciples out with nothing, and yet they carried out His work lacking nothing. Please understand that I am NOT at all saying that it is wrong to plan, to save, and to be prepared for the future. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, however, I am asking you to be honest with yourself as to where your faith lies. Our “safety nets” can develop holes - or vanish completely - in an instant. If that happens, are we secure in our faith that just as those disciples lacked nothing, neither will we? I close by reminding you that the one and only thing they took on their journey was the promise of their Savior that He would provide as they went in faith. He makes that same promise to His children today.

     That safety net will NEVER develop a hole.    

Put a Little Light on the Subject

By Gobel Brockman


     It's a warm, sunny day. The urge to clean the house has hit. (At least I hear it does for some.) Furniture is moved, floors are vacuumed, windows are washed. With a can of polish and a rag in hand, the task of dusting begins. Soon the tables and counters are clean and shiny, and the dusting is complete. Then you open the blinds to let the sunlight in, and what do you see floating in the air? DUST. That feeling of accomplishment vanishes as quickly as the dust appears. But here's what to keep in mind:

     The light didn't CAUSE the dust - it simply EXPOSED it.

     In John chapter 8:12 Jesus said this: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

     I have always found it interesting that the very first word Jesus said in Matthew when He began His ministry was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 4:17) REPENT. Pointing out to people that they're going the wrong way. Exposing the fact of their sins. If you will, He pulls back the curtains, let the Light in, and lets us see what was really going on. He didn't cause the sin in our lives, He just brought it to our attention. Which is something most folks don't like.

     Have you ever had someone confront you about something you were doing wrong? Have you ever been in a church service where the preacher seems to have been watching your life, because he's talking about the way you've been living? Just think of it as God turning the lights on - letting you see what's really going on. Not to make us feel horrible about ourselves and cause us to give up hope, but simply to let us see that He has a bit more "cleaning" to do. You see, this side of heaven, there's always going to be some dirt flying around because we live in a dirty world. What I mean is we're still human, and we still have a sin nature. God's Spirit is continually working in us to bring us to a place of being like Christ, but part of that process is allowing Him to "pull back the curtains" and confront what's really going on. The problem with keeping the curtains closed is that it may keep you from seeing the dust flying around, but it doesn't keep the dust from building up. If we refuse to allow God to help us deal with the things in our lives that need dealing with, our lives will just continually get more cluttered and unappealing. Allow me to say it directly: sin, if we do not repent of it and allow the power of the Holy Ghost to work in our lives, will only lead to sorrow, death, and destruction. 

     So, we have two choices: Keep the curtains closed, or allow the Holy Ghost to shine the light of Christ into our lives and deal with the things that need to be changed. A dusty house is one thing - a dusty soul is quite another. Open the blinds, see what's there, and allow God to begin His work. He's pretty patient and efficient to get the job done.

Don't Go Through Life on "E"

By Gobel Brockman

     Several years ago I was working night shift in Indianapolis. On one night in particular, I was flat broke; I had no money at all. Not even enough for a Snickers for lunch. I was OK with that, but the problem came when it was time for the drive home. The gas gauge was just above "E" and it was a 33 mile drive from the parking lot to my driveway. I spent those 33 miles with one eye on the road, one eye on the gas gauge, and one eye looking to Heaven praying for help. My prayer was simple: "God, if you can turn water to wine, surely you can turn air into gasoline!" As I passed each exit -  Raymond St, Keystone Ave, Southport Rd. - I was thankful that I had at least made it that far. I was steadily getting closer to home, but the gas gauge was refusing to cooperate, creeping closer and closer to the danger zone. As I passed the last exit before the one I needed I thought to myself, "Well, at least now I'm close enough to walk." I sang my praise to the Lord as I finally took my exit, almost incredulous that I had made it home.

     I went straight to bed. When I woke up that afternoon, a startling thought occurred to me. I checked my wallet, and I could do nothing but laugh at myself. I don't do this anymore, but I used to cash my paycheck, then take a $20 bill, fold it up, and hide it behind my driver's license in case of "emergencies" - like, say, needing gas money to get home from work. Sure enough, I looked and the $20 was there. Not only did I have gas money, I could have gotten that Snickers that I so desperately needed. The lesson that day was simple - I'm an idiot.

     But that got me to thinking - how often do we as Christians go through our lives like that? We sometimes struggle just to get through the day, thinking we'll make it only by the skin of our teeth, when the whole time we have access to the abundant blessings that our Father has for us. We pray, "God, give me strength for the day!" while His Word says in Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." We struggle with temptation, feeling like we will never be victorious, when Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us, "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need." There are many reasons for this, but I believe one of them is the simple fact that we fail to realize that God has already given us many of the things we think we have to beg Him for. God doesn't want us going through life praying in fear that we make it; He has given us great and precious promises that we can live a life that's filled with joy, peace, and victory - even in those times when we feel like we're "running out of gas."

     Child of God, He is for you. The Bible says in Romans 8:31, "What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" You don't have to go through life on "E" hoping you make it home. Stop and "look in your wallet" - if you are a child of God, you have more than what you need to make it. Victory, peace and joy can be yours. Now enjoy the trip home.

     You can even have a Snickers while you're at it.

We're Losing Our Heads When Goliath Should Be Losing His

By Gobel Brockman


     

     I post this week's devotional knowing that some may possibly misunderstand my point. I hope to clearly articulate what I'm feeling in my heart. In 2 Timothy 1:7, the Apostle Paul made this statement:

     "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."

     I listen to people speak about current events in our country and in the world, and I notice a lot of fear, doubt, and worry. The sad part for me is many times this fear and worry is found in the hearts (and words) of born-again Christians who have the promise from God that "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) I see people chasing down every conspiracy theory they read on Facebook, and in the process they convince themselves that there's an antichrist under every rock. I see near panic in some people as it relates to current events, and particularly when it comes to the current political climate in this country. Before I continue, I want to be clear that I DO believe that we should be paying attention to what is going on around us. I do realize that we are indeed living in perilous times. However, I also believe in some simple yet profound truths:

NOTHING happens without God's foreknowledge.
NOTHING has ever caught God off-guard.
NOTHING - absolutely NOTHING - will ever cause God to lose control of this world or His plans for it.

     There's a story that most of you reading this will be familiar with. (If you're not, it's found in I Samuel 17.) The Philistine army was prepared for war against the Israelites. Their greatest warrior was a giant named Goliath. He told the army of Israel to choose a man to fight against him, and the winner of that fight would determine who would reign. The Bible says that this went on for many days, and the Israelites were terrified at the thought of facing Goliath. But David - a young, ruddy shepherd boy - came to visit his brothers who were part of the army, and he was infuriated that this giant would dare defy the God of Israel. As I said earlier, most of you are already familiar with the story. With a sling, a stone, and a solid faith that God was with him, David killed Goliath and took off his head - all while the army of Israel was "losing their heads" with fear.

     There's a lot of that going on today.

     As I mentioned, I know that these are difficult times. I know the Bible tells us to "not be ignorant of the devil's devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) We are also told to "be sober, be vigilant, because our adversary the devil roams about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) My point is simply that there is a substantial difference between being aware and being fearful. I want to be aware, but I refuse to be fearful. How can I say that? Because God has given me the Holy Ghost, who is NOT a spirit of fear, but IS a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Simply put, regardless of what's going on the natural and political world, I refuse to be afraid. Despite what may be going on in your life right now, rest in the knowledge that God's got this because He's got YOU. You are in the palm of His hand and you're safe there. No Facebook conspiracy can change that. No election will ever cause God to abdicate His throne. The news wants to keep us in a constant state of worry and fear, but I refuse to give them that much influence in my life. I am born again, I am filled with the Holy Ghost, and I am "more than a conqueror through Christ" (Romans 8:37) so I refuse to play along with the constant game of "here's what to be afraid of this week" that the enemy wants to engage in. The power of God is available to those who put their faith in Him, and we should refuse to be afraid of an enemy that He has already defeated. 

     So don't lose your head. Live in the power and peace of God and watch Him deliver "the head of the Goliath" in your life to you instead.

It's Not Too Late

By Gobel Brockman


     

     This past Friday (as I write this) I went to my bank to cash a check. One of the one dollar bills I received caught my attention. It was printed in 1988. On both sides of it, people who’ve had this dollar bill in their possession over the years have written their location on it:

Portland, Maine – 1992
Edgewater, Maryland – 1992
Mount Vernon, Ohio - 1993
Lexington Kentucky, Winchester Kentucky – 1993

     There are more locations written on it, and I’m sure it’s been in many other places as well.

     My mind began to imagine all of the things this dollar bill has been used for over the years. I pictured a mother in Maine giving this dollar bill to her child so they could buy a candy bar. A college student in Maryland using it to help pay for a Venti Cappuccino to get them through an “all nighter” preparing for a test. A basketball fan in Lexington using it to help buy a Coke at Rupp Arena. What a journey this dollar bill has been on. I can’t imagine all of the things it has been used for. What I do know is that it is showing signs of its age. It is worn and tattered. It wouldn’t take much to tear it, and it has obviously been folded up more times than I could imagine. The Federal Reserve definitely got its dollar’s worth out of this piece of paper.

     That got me to thinking about my Christian life. I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ in 1981, and it has been an incredible journey! I know many of you reading this can say the same thing in your Christian life as well. We have seen a lot, and we have done a lot. The journey has taken us places we couldn’t have imagined. God has used us in ways we never dreamed possible. But just like that dollar bill, perhaps we’re beginning to feel our age. There are some days I look in the mirror and feel that I could pack my entire wardrobe in the bags under my eyes. In the past, I could rarely take a nap. Now I can take them without even planning on it (which is especially unhandy while driving!) But here’s my point: this dollar bill, for all of its signs of age, is worth just as much as the newest one dollar bill that just rolled off the printing press. It has lost some luster, but it hasn’t lost any value.

NEITHER HAVE WE.

     I have said all of this to simply speak a word of encouragement to those who may need it today: it’s not too late for you. You are not too old. You still have value, and God can still use you mightily in His kingdom. If I feel tattered and torn, it is just a sign that I have lived a well-lived life. And even if I do feel tattered and torn, it doesn’t mean that I have lost my value - and neither have you. We are still in circulation, and there is still “Kingdom of God business” that we get to be a part of. There is still much work to be done, and we still get to be part of it. Jesus said this in John 4:35:

     "Do you not say, 'There are four months, and then comes the harvest?' Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest." 

     As long as I have breath in my body, I want my life to bring honor to Jesus Christ. I want to be used for His glory in any way He deems best. Like that dollar bill, I may be showing my age, but I still want to be "spent" as God desires for as long as possible. I know many of you reading this feel the same way. So stay in circulation, stay in the hand of Jesus, and be ready for the next time He wants to "spend" you for His glory. He always makes wise investments.