Month: March 2024

Talking to God

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Some may not even know they can talk to God. Others may have learned as children to do it every night before going to sleep. How many genuinely believe that He hears you? A bigger question may be, how many believe that He can answer you?

God can answer in many ways. He can respond immediately with a supernatural act. Or He may use someone else to provide the answer on his behalf. The one way most dislike is with silence. In a world where we are used to “instant” anything, we may find it challenging to wait for his answer.

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jer. 33:3 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered what in the world He is doing while we sit in silence? He could be getting us, or our hearts, ready to receive his answer or action. He could be moving certain people into places that He desires to be a part of his master plan.

There was an elderly lady in the Walmart parking lot who was struggling to get 12 packs of soda out of the bottom of those mini carts. I was heading to Walmart but got mad when I didn’t go the route I had wanted to. I realized later that if I  had gone the way I wanted to, I would have arrived too early. As it turned out, I was right on time, God’s time to help the lady.

She let me help her but asked, Where did you come from?” I immediately answered, “God sent me!” The look on her face was priceless. She didn’t say if she had asked him for help or not, but she needed help. God does care.

God wants to hear from us. He loves us. Remember, before the fall, Genesis tells us that God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He wants to know what is on our hearts and minds. There are times when His Spirit will whisper an answer into our spirits. You can learn how to hear and recognize his voice.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 (NIV)

It’s comforting to hear God speak, but when He doesn’t, we have to trust Him. Know that He has heard us and is working on our behalf. Some may talk to God without even knowing for themselves that He is real and alive. If an individual is on a plane that is going down, they will cry out to God to save them just in case.

I recall the story of Beth. She was in distress over her home life. One day, when she got home from school, she found herself alone in the house. She sat at the kitchen table and said out loud, “God, if you are real, move this cup.” The cup didn’t move. Nine years later, she was sitting on a school bus talking to the driver. The driver had a great relationship with God. She paused the conversation and then said to Beth, “I feel like God wants me to tell you that the cup just moved.” when she witnessed Beth’s reaction of tears, she knew, somehow, the message made sense.”

God could have physically moved the cup, but how much more powerful was his demonstration of revealing that He is real? It was to use a friend who didn’t know what Beth had asked. Sometimes, people will refuse to believe in God no matter what they see or hear.

Talk to God. See and know that He is real and that He really cares for you. He already knows what you are going through and may be simply waiting for you to invite him into the situation.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Satisfaction Guaranteed

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Do you fill out satisfaction surveys? Take the time to let companies know how satisfied you are with their service? Do you only fill them out when you are not happy? What about if you are pleased with how your interaction with them went?

I usually don’t fill them out. Even though some say, they will enter your name in a drawing for a cash prize. I guess I am skeptical that anyone ever wins. I do feel convicted, though, to take the time to mention when an individual resolves an issue to my satisfaction.

Would you consider filling out a satisfaction survey on your spouse? Anonymously, of course! What about your other relationships? Children, friends, pastor, or boss? Would you dare fill out one for God?

Perhaps people don’t actually sit down and fill out a form, but how they are responding to what God is trying to do in their life may be a “living form.” For instance, if they drop out of going to church, stop tithing, or discontinue inviting others to attend church services with them. Or they might even press pause on reading their Bible because they are not happy or satisfied with God.

When one who believes in God doesn’t receive the answers they want to their prayers, or if the timing is taking longer than they expected, they can become disgruntled. In a relationship with God, it is vital to maintain total trust in Him. That is why the scripture says, “with all thine heart,” per the King James Version. If you can do this, your satisfaction with God will be guaranteed!

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this. Prov. 3:5-12 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

It Sure Would be Easier

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Some things in life come with “Warning” labels, like cigarettes. In fact, in the Philippines, they print photos of what “could” happen to you if you smoke. (see the attached photo.)

Wouldn’t it be nice if people came with warning labels? So, it wouldn’t take days, weeks, months, or even years to see what demon(s) they fight. And when they are fighting their battles, you get wounded. You would know what buttons not to push. Sometimes, when I get on an elevator with others, I ask, “What floor?” Then, I will calmly say, “I like pushing people’s buttons!” Most people who get it laugh but then hurry off when their floor arrives. The truth is, I don’t. I would rather avoid confrontations.

If people came with warning labels, you would know how to pray for them. There is a way to know what they are dealing with before it comes out or they tell you. It is called “Word of Knowledge.”

The word of knowledge is a spiritual gift that allows the believer to supernaturally know something about a situation or a person.

I wrote a few weeks ago about getting a “Word of Knowledge” concerning a young lady I had never met before. I asked her, “Why are you so sad?” She was surprised I knew and asked, “How in the world did you know that?” I explained to her that God revealed it to me. She was amazed and marveled until I stopped her.

I explained to her that the supernatural was only to get her attention, but the thing to focus on was what God wanted to do after getting her attention. In her case, He wanted her to know that He knew her and cared about the situation she was going through, which made her sad.

If you can know what someone is going through, then you can pray for them. You may even engage them like I did the young lady. At least you will know want buttons “not” to push that could make matters worse! One thing I have noticed about getting a “word of knowledge” for someone and sharing it with them and that is this: they don’t argue with you. They don’t throw out weak excuses as to why God wouldn’t work for them, and they don’t try to cop out with “religious” crud. Like, “If God is so loving, then why do children die?” One should seek to be given this gift by the Holy Spirit because, well, it works!

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,”
1 Corinthians 12:7-8 (emphasis added)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

The Greatest Con Artist

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con art·ist
noun
a person who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true

I have been conned more than once in my lifetime. Afterward, when I realized it, I felt so stupid for being so gullible. The problem is I want to think the best of people. I also thought that no one who cared about me would take advantage of me.

I once heard that the more details the person gives you, the bigger the lie. There was one person who would tell me a story, and I purposely wouldn’t respond. It’s like they got nervous and would begin to add details to their lie. I don’t think they ever figured out how I always seemed to know when they were lying to me.

But a con artist is a little different. It’s as if they have practiced their craft until they have perfected it. Like they have learned what words work and which ones don’t. They also seem to paint in some sad portions so that you will feel sorry for them. Another trick of a good con artist is they will insert a time element into what they are asking you for. Like, “I have to have the money tomorrow, or I could be arrested under false pretenses!”

No matter how sophisticated their work is, it is still based on a lie or a series of lies. I think some con artists get so good they begin to believe their cons are true. The greatest con artist is Satan, and yes, I think he believes what he says is true. He will tell you anything to get you to do wrong, sin. He will even tell you partial truths if it serves him. He hopes that his lie will keep you from God or pull you away from God. He likes to use guilt, too.

Genesis 3: 1-6 (NIV)

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

If something someone or the devil says to you doesn’t sound or feel right, then it probably isn’t. If you walk away and say, “I need more time to think about it or to check it out, it will most likely frustrate the con artist! They might even get mad. I mean, what if Eve had said to Satan, “Well, the next time God is talking to us in the cool of the day, I will ask him about what you have said.”? If she had done that, perhaps we would all still be living in a garden the way God first intended.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

What Others Think

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Image by ha11ok from Pixabay

One of the things that kept me from writing for many years was “the fear of men.” I didn’t want to be judged, made fun of, or laughed at behind my back. (Or to my face, for that matter.) It didn’t help either having someone close to me ask, “What makes you think you’re a writer?” I would have thought they would have, instead, been my biggest fan! A cheerleader encouraging me to pursue writing with everything I’ve got as if on fire. That wasn’t to be.

But their words, as hurtful as they were, didn’t extinguish the flame that God had placed inside of me to be a writer. I shared my desire with a friend, and he encouraged me. I told him, “I know I may not ever be the best writer, but I was going to do it and try my best.” After all, writing is an art form, and any art is subjective to an individual.

People, for whatever personal reason, jealousy, past hurts of their own, or any other many reasons, can be so cruel when they pass judgment on another person. Even though we know this truth, it can be challenging to look past it. I mean, let’s face it: even though we want to be liked, accepted, or famous, why do we put so much weight behind the words of someone else?

Instead, we should only be concerned with what God thinks of us.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat. 10:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luk 11:28 (NIV)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7 (NIV)

True happiness is doing what God has called us to and being content knowing we have done our best with His help. Even if we have challenges or difficulties, we shouldn’t let them define us; rather, we should let God write our success story.

So, child of God who has been called, do it! Go and be the person you were meant to be. The one He has specifically made to do a specific task in a specific way. True, there may be someone else who is perhaps more qualified than you, but they’re not you. They don’t have the past, the experiences, the heart that you have. I have this knack for remembering stories and events from the past and then drawing from them when I need to. Others may not have that ability. And know that you may seldom or even never get a satisfaction survey that speaks truthfully about how God used you in someone’s life, but you will one day hear God say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

To Know

/ Mark Brady / 4 Comments
Image by Jupi Lu from Pixabay

To know unconditional love;
is to know God.
To know real forgiveness;
is to know Jesus.
To know perfect direction;
is to know the Holy Spirit.

To know pure laughter;
is to know true friends.
To know great joy;
is to know a child.
To know time;
is to know an elderly person.

To know gratitude;
is to feed the hungry.
To know security;
is to clothe the naked.
To know health;
is to visit the sick.

To know peace;
is to know contentment.
To know lasting hope;
is to know faith.
To know wisdom;
is to know the Word of God.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Profoundness

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments
Image by PDPics from Pixabay

I don’t particularly appreciate going somewhere because I know there are bad, aggressive, dangerous drivers out there. I don’t “fear” them, but I know I have to be extremely careful while trying to reach my destination in one piece.

I sort of take a lot of pride in my driving. I am courteous, especially to semi-truck drivers, because I know it is challenging considering their length. I give them space to get over or merge into traffic. I learned a lot by watching my mother and comparing her driving to my father’s. Before getting in a vehicle with my father, I would always make sure I was right with God! (Kidding, sort of.)

The other day, April and I were out running errands. I sat behind another driver, waiting to turn right. I watched as the one in front of me missed several opportunities to make their turn. I got very frustrated. They finally turned. I Iooked and made my turn. I said to April, “See. It’s not hard!”

April looked over at me and said the most profound statement. She said, “Maybe it’s hard for them.” Ouch! What do you do when you become aware of the truth? Hopefully, as I decided to do, accept it. I must say, since she said that, I have been more tolerant of other drivers.

Profound – having or showing great knowledge or insight

You might say profoundness is “truth,” and the Bible says the “truth” will set you free. April’s insight is setting me free from frustration while being out there among them driving. What can “truth” set you free from? What “profound” wisdom or insight do you need to hear? Another way to ask this question is: What do you need freedom from?

You can ask God for profoundness in your own life. I would also suggest reading God’s word, the Bible. And I would start with the book of Proverbs. It is full of profound statements and wisdom that, if applied, can change your life. Below is a small sampling.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Where Storms Go to Die

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I was watching the weather the other day. They were showing what was happening across the entire United States. There was one storm system on the East Coast that would be exiting during the day. I thought to myself, I wonder where storms go to die?

I mean, what happens to them after they leave America? Do they stay together and go to Iceland? Europe? Perhaps somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, they simply dissipate. I really do not know and have never enquired. I know things like land mass or warm ocean water can feed a storm.

What about the storms that come up in your life? Are there conditions that feed them? I mean, do certain things cause these storms to take place? Last year, and I will admit for selfish reasons, April and I made a decision and acted upon it. That single decision brewed a storm that we are okay from now but still paying for.

Once we realized what we had done, we humbled ourselves, repented, and cried out to God for help. His love and grace are indeed amazing. It’s as if He stood up and said, “Peace be still,” and showed us a path to exit from underneath the dark clouds, and the storm went off to die.

What are you facing in your life? Is it one of the scariest storms you have ever encountered? I live in Tornado Alley. Sometimes, we get storms that set off the sirens telling us to take cover. The part of those storms that makes the hair on the back of my head stand up is the sound of the wind. After the average storm passes, I check to see if there is any damage. I might find a limb and some leaves or trash, but no real damage.

What I am saying is there may be a lot of wind blowing in your life. Cry out to God to calm the storm. To keep you safe and to minimize any damage. Then trust Him. God is faithful, and He is good all the time. I have learned it doesn’t really matter where storms go to die. It’s reassuring to know they do!

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Ps. 107:29 (NIV)

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all; Ps. 34:17-19 (NIV)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)

God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved