It's Not Too Late

By Gobel Brockman

     I once 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.

By Gobel Brockman

“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” - Luke 7:36-39

   A Savior with a present once met a woman with a past.

   It was obvious this woman had a past, because the Scripture text specifically refers to her as “a sinner.”  But this “sinner” heard about Jesus, and was immediately aware both of her failures and His faithfulness. Her response was the perfect response: she came to worship at His feet. She would soon learn that His presence offered grace and forgiveness for her past.

   I can relate to this lady. There was a time in my life when the only thing I cared about was where my next beer, joint, or tab of LSD was coming from. I didn’t need anybody to tell me how bad my life was, because I had a front row seat for every moment of it. But when I finally came to Jesus, I instantly found both forgiveness and absolute freedom. But I had to come to Him the same way that lady did: humbled, repentant, and falling at His feet. The incredible thing is that Jesus will always accept humble, repentant worship that comes from the heart - regardless of the past.

   I’ve said all of that to simply say this: your “past” does not prohibit you from an absolutely amazing “present!” And when you begin to understand the vastness of the mercy and grace extended to you, there’s truly no other response but to worship Him. 

   No matter where you have been in life, the door is open to you to become a true worshiper of God in Spirit and in truth. Yes, that lady had critics - and so will we. But Jesus rose in her defense, and He will rise in our defense as well. We have a saying at our church: “What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Worship Him!” My message to both the critics and the criticized today is simply this: may we ALL come together to the feet of Jesus and worship Him. There’s room for all of us, it’s exactly where we all need to be, and there is no better place to be.

   Especially these days.

Don't Ignore Your Season

By Gobel Brockman

   Recently at our midweek service at church, there was a reference to Ecclesiastes 3 which says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” My mind immediately went to verse 4 which says, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh” and this thought came to me:

DON'T IGNORE YOUR SEASON.

   What do I mean by that? I’ll explain it this way. There are times when life gets difficult. Family issues, financial strain, difficult job situations, and a host of other issues can cause us pain. One of the problems we encounter in these times as Christians is the thought that we should suppress our feelings of concern because that might be seen as “a lack of faith.” We feel the pressure, either from ourselves or outside influences, to smile through our pain because “God is with us.” Yes, God is INDEED with us – always. We have this promise in Hebrews 13:5-6: “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

   On the other hand, that Scripture in Ecclesiastes also says that there is “a time to laugh.” Another problem that we sometimes face as Christians is the feeling of unworthiness when blessings come our way. God blesses us abundantly, but yet we convince ourselves that we don’t deserve those blessings. “I’m not good enough” thoughts fill our minds as we hit the rewind button to replay all of our sins, mistakes, and shortcomings. We recall the words in Nehemiah 8:10 that “The joy of the Lord is our strength” but yet we somehow convince ourselves that doesn’t apply to us, and we feel that we don’t deserve to laugh and express the very joy that God graciously pours out upon us.

   As I thought about this Scripture last night, I thought of how often we try to ignore our seasons. In our seasons of weeping, we put on a fake smile and attempt to convince ourselves and everyone around us that “all is well.” In our seasons of laughter, we allow feelings of unworthiness or thoughts of “this won’t last” to rob us of the joy that God wants to pour out upon us. With that in mind, this is my encouragement to you as a child of God today:

   If you are in a season of weeping right now, WEEP. God does not see your tears as a lack of faith. On the contrary, you can know that those tears have been seen by your Father, and you can claim the promise of Psalms 34:18: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Likewise, if you are in a season of laughter, LAUGH! Turn off the tape recorder of past failures and forget the feelings of “I don’t deserve this!” and allow the joy of the Lord to indeed be your strength. Recognize that Psalms 126:2 can be your reality: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them.”

   Finally, always remember that seasons change. For however many more days God gives each of us on this earth, there are going to be “seasons” of weeping and “seasons” of laughter. Things change, and that will never stop. Life will always include both grievous challenges and unspeakable blessings. The one constant in all of it is that as a believer in Jesus Christ, you won’t go through ANY of it alone. Whether your current tears are tears of sorrow or tears of laughter, the words of Jesus are your promise today:

   “Behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Get Fitted For Your Garment of Praise

By Gobel Brockman


Part of my Bible reading this morning included Psalms 147. Verse one says this:

“Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is FITTING.” Psalms 147:1 (Emphasis mine)

This reminded me of the Scripture in Isaiah 61:3 that says God will give us “a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” No one needs me to tell them that we are in “heavy” times right now. What I will tell you is that God can give peace in situations where in the natural, peace shouldn’t be found. There is power when we learn to praise God in the midst of our pain. Jentezen Franklin puts it this way:

“It works like this. When you begin to praise Him with a heavy heart, you experience a new sense of hope and joy. Through worship you are reminded that God is bigger than the situation you face; that He’s not only capable of managing your concerns but willing, wanting, and waiting to.”

With that in mind, let me encourage you with this thought. Today, let’s take a few moments and turn off CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Sign out of Facebook for a bit - it will still be there when we get back. Crank up some worship and praise music, and spend some time with Jesus. Take a few moments not asking for anything, just give Him praise for the simple reason that He deserves it. Jesus truly is Lord of all, and no earthly situation will change that. So lift your voice in song and prayer, and put on the garment of praise.

You will find that it “fits” you well.

Dealing with Day Nine

By Gobel Brockman

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” - Acts 2:1-4

   This past Sunday (as I write this) was Pentecost Sunday. We celebrated the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit and the birth of the New Testament church. There are many things I could address on this subject, but for today I want to focus on one thought. On the day of His ascension, Jesus told His disciples to return to Jerusalem and “wait for the promise of the Father.” (Acts 1:4) They obeyed and went to the upper room to pray and wait.

One day passed.
Two days passed.
Six days passed.
Nine days passed.

   I try to imagine how those men and women felt in that time of waiting. The were exactly where Jesus told them to go, and they were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do - WAIT. I can’t help but wonder if there was any uncertainty in their minds as the days passed. (I can picture one of them asking Thomas, “Do you think it will happen today?” with Thomas replying, “I doubt it!”) They were praying and waiting. And waiting....and waiting....

Then Day Ten arrived.

SUDDENLY.

   All the praying and waiting paid off. The promise arrived, and the world hasn’t been the same since! But here’s an interesting point: the Greek word for suddenly in that passage is aphno, which means “unaware, unexpected.” They were praying for the promise, and when it arrived it STILL caught them “unexpectedly unaware!” My question for today is this: the answer came on Day 10, but what would have happened if they had grown tired of waiting on Day 9?

   I ask simply because I know how I can be sometimes, and I know I’m not the only one. Waiting can be challenging. Microwaves and digital clocks have us programmed for instant results, but God operates on a schedule that totally ignores man’s impatience. Today I simply want to remind us all that when God promises God delivers, but He alone decides the delivery day. We no longer have to “tarry” for the promised Holy Ghost, we can simply ask and receive. But there are times in our lives when we are seeking an answer and God will tell us to “pray and wait.” So if you’re waiting on an answer from God, follow the “Day of Pentecost” example of the disciples: do what Jesus tells you to do, keep praying, waiting, and believing, and stay put. The Holy Ghost changed their lives, and He will do the same for you.

   Don’t grow weary on Day 9. Day 10 is worth the wait.

Do We Sometimes Treat God Like an Idol?

By Gobel Brockman


   Part of my Bible reading this past week included Psalms 115, and verses 4-8 grabbed my attention:

“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
eyes, but they cannot see;
they have ears, but they cannot hear;
noses, but they cannot smell;
they have hands, but they cannot feel;
feet, but they cannot walk;
neither can they speak with their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.”

   Many times we think of “idol worship” in terms of bowing down and/or praying to statues. That practice seems questionable at best: a man crafts a metal or wooden image, and then treats it as a supreme being? This statue is created with eyes, ears, and a mouth that cannot see, hear, or speak. For many people, this seems absurd. But before we get too critical of them, allow me to ask a question:

HOW OFTEN DO WE AS CHRISTIANS TREAT THE LIVING GOD LIKE AN IDOL?

   What do I mean? The Scripture quoted above speaks about an idol’s complete inability to interact with those who worship it. Yet in our current “COVID-19 world” are we guilty of accusing God of the very same things today?

“God, why aren’t You speaking life into my situation?”

“God, don’t you see what I’m gong through?”
“God, do you even hear my prayers?”
“God, isn’t the fragrances of my “sacrifices” reaching Your nostrils?”
“God, why aren’t Your hands working in my life?”
“God, why do You feel so far away?”

   Idols cannot assist their worshippers in any way, but sadly there seems to be many right now who are allowing their own pain, impatience, and frustration to cause them to feel as though their faith in God is just as invaluable. My message, however, is NOT intended to make anyone feel worse than they may already feel. I understand the doubt and uncertainty that some are feeling in these times. None of us have lived through anything quite like this before, and fear of the unknown can indeed be a challenge to our faith. My hope in writing this today is to encourage those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ with these thoughts:

God DOES see what you’re going through.

God IS hearing your prayers.
God’s IS speaking - His word is just as alive and powerful as it’s ever been.
God IS at work in your life and in the world.
Nothing - absolutely NOTHING - has ever caught God by surprise, and He never has and never will abandon His children.

   There is a Scripture in Isaiah 40:31 that can bring us tremendous peace and confidence in these times. The beginning of that verse says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...” One mistake we make in our relationship with God is a misunderstanding of what it means to”wait” upon the Lord. We think of waiting as standing with our arms folded, tapping our feet, and looking at the clock every 15 seconds waiting for the answer to our prayer to arrive. But in the original Hebrew the word for wait in that passage is “qawa” which has the implication of “binding together.” So with that thought in mind, think of it this way: “Lord, I wait upon you in faith. I know You are God and You will never leave me nor forsake me. In these times of waiting, I will bind myself together with You. I know You haven’t left me, and I’m not going anywhere either. You are NOT an idol; You are the living and true God, and You are indeed in control. I put my faith and my confidence in You.”

   In life and in death, He is God, He’s alive, and He’s in control. Jesus Christ is forever Lord, and if you know Him as Savior, you’re forever in His hands.

   And He’s no idol.

It's Not Too Late

By Gobel Brockman


   I once went to my bank to cash a check. One of the one dollar bills I received caught my attention (pictured). 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.

Celebration in the Isolation

By Gobel Brockman

“Quarantine.”
“Self-isolation.”
“Stay-at-home.”
“Social distancing.”

   These are just a few of the words and phrases that we have heard far too frequently in the past weeks. Some businesses have temporarily closed, while others have been forced to drastically alter the way they operate. Churches have had to embrace the concept of “online services.” Family and friends are being forced to keep their distance for the time being. While this has indeed been a challenging time for many, I have been thinking about a story in the Bible about two men who were “isolated” in a rather violent way. In their case, however, it wasn’t a health issue that caused their problems; it was a faith issue. We find this story in the book of Acts:

“The crowd rose up together against (Paul and Silas.) And the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them. After they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely. Having received such an order, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” - Acts 16:22-24

   We find Paul and Silas beaten, bloodied....and “quarantined” against their will, simply because of their faith in Jesus. But their reaction to their circumstance should touch our hearts with regards to where we find ourselves today:

“At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” - Acts 16:25

   Here they were - beaten, locked in a cell with their feet in stocks, at midnight, and yet what are they doing? “Praying and singing hymns!” I suppose we could understand the “praying” part, but SINGING? Well, allow me to make it a little more interesting. The word “hymn” actually means “to celebrate.” I’ll say it this way:

THERE WAS CELEBRATION IN THEIR ISOLATION!

   These men seemingly had every reason to complain, but instead they are singing songs of celebration! With blood probably coming from their wounds, with their bodies probably throbbing from the pain, they still found it possible to celebrate the goodness of God in their lives. If that doesn’t convict us enough, I’ll go a littler deeper: verse 25 says “...and the prisoners were listening to them.” With that thought in mind, I want to ask my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ this question: HAS THE WORLD HEARD US CELEBRATING IN OUR ISOLATION? In the midst of an incredibly challenging time in our history, have we been giving God praise for His goodness to us today?

   The story of Paul and Silas concludes with a powerful deliverance and an amazing story of salvation for the jailer and his family. I firmly believe that our circumstances today will conclude with the power of God ministering to many people all over the world. I am genuinely and enthusiastically expectant of an amazing display of the power of the Holy Ghost! The question I am asking myself today - and asking my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ - is this:

   Do we have the faith to trust God, lift our voices in prayer, and with joy in our hearts lift up a “celebration in our isolation” today?

God Was In Control

By Gobel Brockman

   The children of Israel were fleeing Egyptian bondage. When they reached the Red Sea, it was literally “a dead end” in their minds. The sea was before them and the Egyptians were on their heels. But the Israelites were soon to realize one thing: GOD WAS IN CONTROL.

   Years later, Israel was faced with a Philistine enemy named Goliath that defied not only the army of Israel, but the God of Israel as well. But it only took one teenager with a sling, five stones, and an unshakable faith to cause Goliath to realize one thing: GOD WAS IN CONTROL.

   Years later, an arrogant king named Nebuchadnezzar built an idol and demanded that everyone bow their knees to it. But three young Israelite men refused, and as a result were thrown into a fiery furnace. But all it took was a heavenly “plus one” to prove to Nebuchadnezzar what those three brave young men already knew: GOD WAS IN CONTROL.

   I tell you these stories to remind you of a simple truth: GOD WAS, IS, AND FOREVER SHALL BE IN CONTROL!

   This week I want to be as blunt as I know how to be: a virus that has literally brought the world to its knees has NOT brought God down to His. Yes, the world was blindsided by events of the past few weeks, but I assure you that our God was NOT caught by surprise. I have no problem with people taking common-sense precautions; I actually encourage them. But fear has NO ROOM in my heart, and I will not tolerate it, for as a child of God the promise of Philippians 4:7 is absolutely mine:

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Am I concerned for the health and safety of others? Of course.
Am I praying that God will quickly eradicate this virus? Absolutely.
Am I aware that many are hurting - both physically and financially - because of this situation? Yes I am, and may we be prepared to help each other out in the days ahead.
Will I allow fear to fill my heart and override my faith in Jesus Christ? Absolutely not.

   I join millions all over the world in praying that God will indeed bring a quick resolution to this crisis. I am also committed in my heart that fear will find no room to take root in my life. My prayer is that my faith in Jesus will remain strong enough that in the future, when I look back on this season of life, I can look back and know that I carried this confidence in my heart:

GOD WAS IN CONTROL.

Faith in the Face of Fear

Guest Author T.J. Hope

It was the spring of 2001, a warm Saturday. I was inside with our three youngest children, doing the mom thing. My husband was installing a new clutch in my car while our three oldest children played outside. One of my daughters rode her bicycle around the small parking lot of our apartment complex while two of our sons were dumpster diving. Yes, you read that correctly. They were dumpster diving.

Our neighbors were moving and throwing away their junk (our sons' treasure) into the communal dumpster. It was like Christmas for our boys. They retrieved their first ever roller blades and skateboards, among many other gems that day.

Meanwhile, I was in my kitchen with the wonder of dinner preparation heavy on my mind.
I was experienced at making something out of nothing. You know, those casseroles where you put a little of this and little of that and two weeks later the family wants you to make that dish again and you haven't a memory of what you put in it? Yep, I was one of those moms. On this day however, my resources were limited to one ingredient: flour.

I was in the early days of my walk with God and knew little of his nature, but I talked to Him often. "Lord, what am I going to make for dinner?", I asked. It was as simple a question as that and I din't wait for a response as I reached for the flour. "Johnny cakes it is", I thought as I fetched the cast iron skillet and placed it on the stovetop. (In case you're wondering, Johnny Cakes were the mixture of flour and water that soldiers survived on during the more difficult days of the Revolutionary War).

Before I had poured the flour in the mixing bowl to make a delectable paste, one of my boys came through the front door carrying a box. "Mom, look what I found!", he proclaimed with just enough enthusiasm to make me wonder if he somehow had an indication of my current dinner dilemma.

Inside of that box was a canned ham, two boxes of shells & cheese (you know, the ones that don't require milk or butter to prepare) and a box of Nutty Bars. We had dinner and dessert that evening and it was, to date, the best meal I've ever eaten.

For nineteen years, I've never feared hunger for my family. Each time I'm tempted to question whether or not God's provision will prevail, I picture that meal in a box on my kitchen counter.

Now, I'm not saying my faith hasn't since been tested in the arena of provision. I've been without electricity, opened canned goods with a screwdriver and feasted on cold Spaghettios in the dark.. However, my family has never known hunger...ever.

2020 has been a trying year in it's beginnings, to say the least. A blanket of panic and deception seems to cover the earth while I scramble to remain steadfast in faith. I've seen tragedy and done my share of nursing sick loved ones back to health many times, but I'm certain that this is a season for the ambassadors of Christ Jesus to rise above the whirlwind of today's terror.

I am human. I have been recently tempted to succumb to the concern of earthly pandemonium, but one thing forever remains:
God is still God and will never step down from his throne.
He is bigger than any blanket of fear,
stronger than any flu or virus,
more loving than a mother who nurses her sick child,
more compassionate than our dedicated medical staff...
shall I continue?
ok!
He is the defender of the weak,
my healer, my ever present help in times of trouble,
my anchor in unsettled waters,
my rock in shifting sands,
my hope,
my deliverer,
the way, the truth, the life,
the first and the last,
the beginning and the end,
powerful creator of every good and perfect thing who will provide for his children (even toilet paper which I will likely be asking Him for in coming days since I haven't followed the crowd in stockpiling).

In God alone I put my trust!

They Lost the Awe

By Gobel Brockman

“The children of Israel didn’t perish for a lack of wonders; they perished for a lack of WONDER.” - Rick Pino

   I write this a few hours removed from returning home from a one day Worship Conference. I was blessed, encouraged, and challenged. But the statement I quoted at the beginning absolutely resonated with me. Israel’s story in the Old Testament is incredible both for the power of God that they witnessed and the speed at which they seemed to forget what they saw:

*In Exodus 14, they had a front row seat to one of the greatest miracles God ever performed - the parting of the Red Sea. They literally saw the water part in the middle so that they could walk through it. Once their enemies followed them in, they also saw God release the sea to return to its place, and their enemies were destroyed. Just a few chapters later, they’re dancing around a golden calf that they had created while proclaiming “This is the god who delivered us from the hand of Egypt!”

*In the book of Judges, there is a repeated pattern of Israel turning from the Lord, being taken captive by their enemies, they cry out to the Lord, God sends them a deliverer, and many times uses miraculous means to save them. But what happened? Soon after their deliverance, they seemingly forget their prior bondage and return to very sin that would lead them to yet another catastrophe.

   

   These are just two examples, but you get the idea and that leads me to this thought:

   THEY SAW THE MIRACULOUS, BUT THE MIRACULOUS DIDN’T CHANGE THEM.

   But before we judge them too harshly, perhaps we should do a little self-examination. How often have we seen God move in undeniable ways in our lives, only to question His concern for us at the next problem? How easily do we allow our momentary challenges to cause us to forget the great, awesome power of our God? I’ve sadly been guilty far more than I care to admit., and I know many would say the same thing. The problem, I believe, is simple: WE LOSE THE AWE. Our thoughts and our lives can get so me-focused that we allow that to cause us to forget that our Savior has the power to hold the universe in the palm of His hand. We allow momentary afflictions to cause us to forget the times that God showed up in our lives in such an incredible way that all we could do was weep and say “thank you” for displaying His power to us. We love singing songs like “Our God Is an Awesome God” and yet we too easily forget just how awesome - and how loving - He truly is.

   My thoughts this morning are simultaneously simple and challenging: I never again want to lose the awe. Regardless of what’s going on in my life, I never again want to allow those things to cause me to focus inward to the extent that I lose my reverence for the God who has so much power that this universe exists simply because He said in Genesis, “Let there be...” May I always remember the words of another song that says, “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working; even when I don’t feel it, You’re working.”

   May I never again lose the awe.

Don't Let the Fire Die

By Gobel Brockman

     I’ve thought about how quickly things can change in our spiritual lives. It’s interesting to me that we can go from “on fire-red hot revival” to near apathy in what seems like a relatively short time. A prime example of that in Scripture is found in the story of the church at Ephesus. In Acts 19 we read of miracles and deliverance taking place by the power of God in Ephesus. Their response was instantaneous and drastic:

“The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.” Acts 19:17-20 (NLT)

     The power of the Holy Ghost was moving in Ephesus. People were turning from sin and turning to Jesus. Miracles were taking place. People were being set free and finding what true life in Christ was really about. In a relatively short time, however, we hear Jesus saying these words to those same Ephesian believers:

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV)

     The church of Ephesus went from burning their sinful possessions in the public square to being on the brink of losing their fire for the Lord altogether. The sad thing was that all the while they were still “doing church.” They were working, patiently enduring, and standing for the name of Jesus – and yet Jesus said, “I have something against you.” I submit to you that it’s no different today. We can still be active in church while having left our “first love” for Jesus Christ. The harsh reality is that Jesus wouldn’t accept it from the Ephesians, and He won’t accept it from us either.

     I can’t help but wonder just how widespread this is right now in our churches. How many prayer rooms that once blazed with the fire and zeal of the Holy Ghost are now little more than a pre-service formality? How many worship services that once touched the heart of our Father are now just “good music” that appeals to our ears? How many preachers that once preached with a palpable anointing are now delivering little more than motivational speeches that give us full pews but empty hearts? How many men and women of God who once grieved about their sin are finding themselves entangled by it again?

     How quickly it can happen. I have sadly learned that from experience over the years.

     My prayer for myself is that in those times I will heed the words that Jesus spoke to them: “Repent, and do the works you did at first.” May I fan into flames the fire that God has kindled in my heart. May what I do for the Lord be born out of my love and worship of Him. May our prayer rooms be filled with power and intercession. May our worship truly touch the Father’s heart. May preachers boldly proclaim the full counsel of God. May we see true, lasting revival touch this nation and the world.

     May we not let the fire die.

Waiting for a Move of God

By Gobel Brockman


"I don't wait for a move of God - I AM a move of God!" - Smith Wigglesworth

     We constantly hear things like, "The next revival is just around the corner!" or "The next 'Great Awakening' will soon take place." People are using different phrases to describe what they believe will be "the next move of God." I want to be very clear that I fully believe that is true - the Spirit of God is moving mightily all over the world, and I believe that it will only increase in the coming days. But what has been on my mind is what we see in the first two verses of the very first book of the Bible (Genesis). We read this familiar passage of Scripture in Genesis 1:1:

     "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

     But what catches my attention is what we find in the next verse:

     "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."(Genesis 1:2) 

     What I find interesting is that in verse 1 God creates, and immediately in verse 2 it says that He was "moving over the surface of the waters." This is my point:

     We talk about "a move of God" and sometimes fail to recognize that He has been "moving" from the very beginning.

     My point is that the issue isn't that God doesn't want to move; the issue is whether or not we want to move along with Him. We hear a lot about the need for "discipleship." I fully believe that new converts to Christ need to be taught and nurtured in their new faith, but I have a little different view on discipleship that many seem to have. We see several places in the Gospels where Jesus would tell someone, "Follow Me." What we DON'T see is Jesus sitting people down and telling them beforehand everything they would encounter if they chose to follow Him. (We also don't see Him showing up at their house every Saturday to make sure they were coming to church every Sunday.) Jesus simply said "follow Me" - and then He kept moving. It was up to each person to decide whether or not they were going to follow Him. I don't believe it's any different today. God is moving, and He is still inviting all to follow Him. It is up to each of us to decide if we will answer that call.

     There is a great promise for those who do indeed respond to the call to follow Jesus, and it's this: the next great "move of God" is indeed on the horizon! Peter, in preaching the first sermon of the New Testament church, tells us this in Acts 2:16-17:

     "But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..."

     That word is alive for us today. The same Holy Spirit that moved in Genesis 1:2 is still moving today! Those who will move with Him will be astounded at what He accomplishes in these days. By faith I am excited to see how God moves in these times - excited to see people born again, filled with the Holy Ghost, and moving in power as the Spirit of God moves in them and through them. I am eagerly watching to see how God moves in the days ahead.

     Because God is always moving.  

Child of God, Activate What's Already Yours

By Gobel Brockman


     There's a story in the Bible that most of you reading this will be familiar with. (If you're not, it's found in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel chapter 17.) The Philistine army was prepared for war against Israel. 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. 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.

     I see a lot of that going on today.

     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 Spirit, 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 is truly in control of every situation - and if you are His child, He's going to take care of you. You are in the palm of His hand, and you're safe there. No Facebook conspiracy post can change that. No election or politician will ever cause God to abdicate His throne. If you're born-again, then whether you live or die, you are the Lord's, and nothing can take you away from Him.

     I've been reading and studying about the life and ministry of the late English evangelist Smith Wigglesworth, and I've been profoundly impacted by his story. The stories of the miraculous that took place as a result of his faith have both encouraged and challenged me. One quote of his, however, really struck me with both conviction and hope. In talking about faith and power in the believer's life, he made this statement: "It is a sin to ask God to give you power if you've been baptized in the Holy Ghost. At that moment God has given you all the power you need." After reading that statement I thought of all the times I had been guilty of that very thing. I have been filled with the Holy Ghost, and with that infilling I have received from God everything that I need to live a victorious life. I don't need to ask God for something I do not have; I simply need to activate by faith what He has already given me. I was convicted by my lack of faith, while at the same time I was filled with hope upon realizing that God has given me His Spirit and His faith to live in all the power I need! I encourage you to surrender your life to Jesus Christ and to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and let your faith arise to believe for the miraculous!

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

A Life Worth Dying For

By Gobel Brockman

   There’s a verse of Scripture that many Christians can quote from memory. It is found in Revelation 12:11, and it says this:

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..."

   That is a powerful statement indeed. There is overcoming power in the blood of Jesus Christ that will cleanse us from all sin, as stated in 1 John 1:7. There is also power in the word of our testimony when we proclaim the greatness and the glory of what the Lord has done in our lives. But what I have been thinking about lately is how that there is another part to Revelation 12:11 that we don't hear quoted as often:

"...and they loved not their lives unto the death."

   Yes, there is power in the blood of Jesus. Yes, there is power in our testimony. But that verse - when read in its entirety - tells us of another power to be found: the power of the crucified life. As Christians, I believe we sometimes forget that the call of Christ involves a cross for us to carry. If I may be so bold, I'm going to make a strong statement here that I believe needs to be made:

   We Christians are sometimes far too attached to this world.

   German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated it well when he said, "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." Jesus said it even better in Luke 9:23:

Then (Jesus) said to them all, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."

   Note that He said "daily." In what we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer" Jesus told us to ask for "our daily bread." We seem to be quite OK with that, but I can't help but ask myself if I'm just as ready to accept "His daily cross" as I am "His daily bread." If I'm going to truly be His disciple, I can't separate them. You see, we are told in Hebrews 9:27 that "it is appointed unto man to die once, and after this the judgment." The simple truth is that this life that we are trying to hold on to will one day end. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, our hope will NEVER end. The Bible tells us that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 15:19 that "if in this life only that we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable."

   That's not to say that there is no hope or joy in this life for those who follow Jesus. In 1 Peter 1:8 we are told, "In (Jesus), though you do not see Him now, you believe and you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." I'm not sad, depressed, or discouraged in my walk with Christ - I have unspeakable joy! The power and presence of the Holy Ghost is with me every moment, and it is that joy that enables me to consider taking up my cross and following Jesus a worthwhile journey. There is great joy, peace, love, and hope in my faith in Christ - a hope that this world that I often try too hard to hold on to could ever give me. My prayer for myself - and for you - is that we will always remember that and be willing to live our lives for Jesus with absolute abandon and no reservation.

   It truly is a life worth dying for.

How Do You See Things?

By Gobel Brockman

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." - Psalms 34:3

   I know the accompanying picture looks a bit silly (OK -it looks VERY silly!) I included it because I want to ask a simple question:

Are both eyes in the picture the same size?

   Some might say “No” based on what they see. Others might say “Yes” based on what they know. The simple and obvious truth is that what you're looking at isn't changing sizes at all. So what's happening? The object isn't changing; your perception of what you're seeing is what's actually changing. An object that seems small can become much bigger in your eyes with just the slightest movement of the magnifying glass. In the Scripture quoted above, we are told to "magnify the Lord." For me, that poses an interesting question: how could we possibly make God bigger? Isaiah 66:1 tells us this:

   "Thus says the Lord: Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is the house that you could build for Me? And where is the place of My rest?"

   If Heaven and earth can't contain Him, then how can we make Him any bigger? The obvious answer is that we can't. So just what does it mean to magnify the Lord? Simple - we change the way we look at Him! So many people look at God as some kind of cruel taskmaster who can't wait for us to mess up so that He can destroy us. Others see Him almost as a "foster father" who only tolerates us for what He might receive from us. I say to you that God is nothing like that at all! He is loving, gracious, kind, and as II Peter 3:9 says, He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance." When the Bible tells us to "magnify the Lord" I believe that one aspect of that is simply to change the way you view Him.

   Whether we think of it in these terms or not, we're always magnifying something. The problem is that far too often we magnify the wrong things. We look at out financial situation and think it's way too big for us to handle. We may look at our health issues and think that our physical problems are too difficult for us to endure. Sometimes there may be a family member facing an addiction or difficult situation and we're tempted to think that it's hopeless. My point is that in those times we are magnifying the wrong thing. Rather than seeing our problems as too big, perhaps we should instead begin seeing our God as more than big enough to handle them, and big enough to give us grace to make it through them. Many times we come to God feeling as though we need some kind of miraculous breakthrough, when all we really need is to, if you will, "move our magnifying glass" and start seeing God differently. Instead of increasing our doubt and unbelief, why not begin to see God in His holiness and love and begin watching our faith grow? If you are a Christian and you're presently facing a serious situation for which you have no answer, my advice to you is simple:

   Move your magnifying glass. Point it in the right direction. God's already big enough to help - just start seeing Him that way.

"2020: The Year of...."

By Gobel Brockman

   At the end of 2018 I jokingly stated that I was giving everyone a year’s advance notice that if they labeled 2020 as “The Year of Vision” I would have a hard time taking it seriously. I know many have done so, and in all seriousness I have no problem with that whatsoever. I agree with them in praying that God will indeed increase our vision to see everything that He wants to do this year.

   At the end of 2017, I stated that 2018 was going to be “The Year of the Vanishing Comfort Zone” and, at least for me, it was truly prophetic. I’ve said all of that to say this: I have no label or title for 2020, but I do have some desires that I want to see come to pass for this year:

May 2020 be a year that the church rediscovers the joy found in the prayer closet.
May 2020 be a year that the church not only dives into the word of God, but may we live like we believe that it actually means what it says.
May 2020 find the church spending less time focused on things like trying to identify “Jezebel” and more time simply pursuing the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives.
May 2020 be a year that we grow in our understanding that “praise and worship” is more than the songs we sing.
May 2020 be a year that we’re willing to say “Yes” to Jesus before He even asks the question.

   Simply put, may 2020 be a year that the church proclaims the gospel of Jesus, and then lives like we believe what we’re saying. If that makes 2020 “The Year of Vision” then I’d be OK with seeing that happen.

And may it start with me.