Month: April 2025

They’re God’s

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I spoke to a woman today who shared with me that the doctors found a polyp in her daughter’s colon that is 5cm in diameter. Anything 1cm or greater has a good chance of being cancerous. As she talked about what she has been through thinking about her daughter in the past few days, I teared up. It’s scary to think your child has a serious issue.

When my son was young, he had a lymph node in his throat die. As it was decaying, it was swelling, hence cutting off his airway. The doctors in the small town decided to have him moved to the children’s hospital in Chicago for the surgery to correct the problem.

I went home to get a change of clothes to spend the night with him in the hospital. While driving, I broke down and cried out to God. That is when I heard the Holy Spirit whisper into my spirit, “What are you worried about? He’s mine, and he is in my hands.” It was at that moment that I realized our children are Gods and that we are simply entrusted to raise them the best we can.

That night, my son told me he was too scared to have the surgery. I told him I understood and would leave the decision to him. Okay, I might have lied. I told him he would not feel anything during the surgery, and a few days later, he would be as good as new. But I went on to tell him, if you don’t have the surgery, you’re going to die in a few days. He looked around the room and said, “Dad, I’ll have the surgery.”

Why are we so afraid of death? I mean, I’m not because, as Paul said, “To die is gain.”

21 For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].
Phi. 1:21 (AMPC)

If you know God and have accepted Jesus, then there is nothing to be afraid of concerning death.

I told the woman I would join her and others in praying for her daughter. We would hope for the best outcome, but either way, she should trust her daughter to God.

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

God – No Matter What

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“They drove me away from the church because I was divorced.” — Kathryn Kuhlman

On one occasion, Kathryn Kuhlman was preaching in a church. Someone informed the pastor that she was divorced, which led the pastor to walk up to the front, grab the microphone from her, and apologize to the crowd for having a “false prophet” preaching. She was escorted by the ushers out of the church and ran out of town. SHE WEPT!

On a rare occasion when Kathryn would address her past, she made this comment about her peers during her crisis. “… You know, sometimes it’s a thousand times easier to die physically than to keep on living. You see, the Lord forgives, but people don’t. They’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in, and they’ll drive it in. And they’ll pierce your heart, and they’ll pierce it clear through.”

Kathryn Kuhlman Died! This was her popular phrase. She would go on to say it was the price she paid for the glory. Kathryn vividly remembers the days she died to carry God’s glory. “It’s much easier to die than to live, death to the flesh and the opinions of this world. Today, I feel it was part of God’s perfect will for my life.”

For Kathryn Kuhlman, her greatest anointing began to manifest from 49 to 59 years of age.

In those days, she walked past people, and they collapsed to the floor because of the heavy presence of the Holy Spirit she carried. Healings and strange miracles never before recorded accompanied her ministry till death.

Even though Kathryn Kuhlman was out of public ministry for almost 8 years, when she hit the platform again, the glory of the latter house surpassed the former. Suddenly, all the churches that attacked her because of her divorce opened their arms wide like they weren’t the ones that almost drove her into suicide.

The anointing was always there. All it needed was activation and constant use. God’s grace is irreversible. He does not change His mind about what He gives. He’s not two-faced. Your perspective or mindset about Him may change, but he does not.

So many may have left the ministry because of one thing or the other. You may have stopped pastoring, holding meetings, or whatever form of ministry because of pressures, financial, marital, or personal issues, but know that God uses these pressures to bring out His best in us.

The Apostle Paul says, “8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Cor. 4:8-12 (NIV)

From Kathryn’s example, we have learned that no one is too far gone, no one is out of God’s use, and instead of driving the word of God against people who are under pressure, let’s help them heal. Let’s get them back on track. Handle that brother or sister with care. God does not just want some individual spiritual giants; He wants to build His body! God is not just interested in your denomination; He wants to build His Church!

HER LAST MEETING….

As everyone left the auditorium, Kathryn walked quietly to the end of the stage. She raised her head and slowly scanned the balcony as if she were gazing at every seat. It seemed like an eternity. Then, Kathryn dropped her gaze to the second balcony, following every row and every seat with her eyes. Then, she looked at the ground floor, studying every seat.

We can only imagine what was going through Kathryn’s mind: the memories, the victories, the healings, the laughter, and the tears. Was it possible that Kathryn knew she would never return to the platform? Was it possible that, at that moment, she said goodbye to her earthly ministry?

In just a little over three weeks from that November date, Kathryn passed on into glory in the Hillcrest Medical Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma, after open-heart surgery.

(The author is unknown, but I saw this posted on Facebook and wanted to share it.)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

The Other Side of Love

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Image generated via AI.

You’ve heard it said, “There are two sides to every coin.” A true statement. But did you know there were two sides to love? Yep. It is easy to love those who love you. It is easy to do for them: go the extra mile and sacrifice because you love them, and they love you.

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Mat. 5:46-48 (MSG)

But what if you figure out someone is taking advantage of you?
Go the extra mile. Do more than what they ask.

But what about when they hurt you?
Turn the other cheek.

But what if they hate you?

But what if they persecute you?
Bless them.

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more payback. Live generously. Luke 6:28-30 (MSG)

Doing what Jesus instructed is so difficult! You don’t want to. In fact, it goes against everything that is within your flesh. But we are called to live by the Spirit of God. A lot of us find it easy to love when loving the other person is easy, but those same people probably find it almost impossible (including me) to love those who hurt us. If you can do this, you will be close to becoming like Jesus in ALL ways.

Our goal, as Christ’s followers, should be to be like Jesus, who only did what He saw His Father in heaven do. So, we should be like God. And God is love—perfect love—to every person, no matter what! That is living “both” sides of love!

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Crossroads

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When you are at a crossroads, it means you have a decision to make. Sometimes, what to do can be painful. Jesus faced such a time when he was talking to his heavenly Father about facing impending crucifixion on the cross.

He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face. Luke 22:41-44 (MSG)

Since the entire Christian faith is based upon Jesus dying on the cross, I can’t imagine what we would do if he hadn’t. As a human, I can understand why he wouldn’t want to. After all, he was an innocent man. But he knew taking on all the sins of the world was the whole reason he came to Earth, to begin with.

Jesus’ Father did indeed help him face the cross and continue up the hill to do His will.

What decision are you facing? Are you going to do God’s will, or are you going to decide what you want? Your heavenly Father is waiting to help you if you will only ask. Doing what God wants may be painful and challenging, or it may not make sense to you or others, but I assure you it is the right decision and could change the lives of others for the better.

Today is “Good Friday.” The day we recognize that Jesus died on the cross. Every person on Earth comes to their own crossroad where they face the cross. They have to make a decision: are they going to accept Jesus and his forgiveness for their sins, or are they going to turn and walk away? I pray you nail your sins to the cross and begin to truly live life the way God intended, with Him and His love. Do it today, and today will be your “Good Friday!”

“Thank you, God, for giving us your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for doing the hard thing and submitting to the cross. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for raising Jesus from the dead and for rolling the stone away from his grave. I will be eternally grateful.” – Mark

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

What a Horrible Way to Die

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I had been spending my devotional time reading the book of Isaiah (in the Old Testament). I read it from “The Message,” which is a modern-day English translation of the Bible. I enjoyed the words of encouragement and God’s promises. As I was finishing up, a high school friend posted the following on Facebook. (I edited parts of the post to shorten it.) I knew some of this information but not all of it. I was especially moved to learn that the prophet Isaiah was cut in half.

Isaiah – was cut in half for the gospel we are enjoying today.

How the Apostles died:

Matthew – suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.

Mark – died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.

Luke – was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.

John – faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern-day Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.

Peter – was crucified upside down on an X-shaped cross. According to church tradition, it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

James – The leader of the church in Jerusalem was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller’s club.

James, the Son of Zebedee, – was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded in Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James was amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

Bartholomew – also known as Nathaniel, was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present-day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia, where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Andrew – was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece, after being whipped severely by seven soldiers. They tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: “I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.” He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.

Thomas – was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continent.

Jude – was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

Matthias – the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.

Paul – was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero in Rome in 67 A.D. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the faith.

(Original source and author unknown.)

13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
Mat. 24:13-14 (NLT)

Did their murderers stop God by killing the prophets and apostles? No, and the servants of God have changed the world.  Are you changing the world? Am I? There may be, or there may come, persecution for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. For showing the world a better way to live. God’s way. A way that is based on love. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to tell others about Jesus.

Yes, as a servant of God, what a horrible way to die, but what a wonderful way to live!

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Speeding Ticket

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I like what the author, Jane Rubietta (www.JaneRubietta.com), an excellent writer and even better speaker, wrote concerning the picture included in this post.

“The no-hurry sunrise is always on time. I love the speed limit sign and the streetlights arching over the road. Just waiting.”

The photo speaks a thousand words, but I will try to keep it to 350 or so. First, it reminds us that another day is coming. The troubles of yesterday may get us down, but God says his mercies are new every morning. I would also add his grace, strength, and comfort, amongst other things that we need.

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,
    his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.
They’re created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He’s all I’ve got left. Lam. 3:22-24 (MSG)

The photo reminds us to slow down and not speed through the day. Last week, a guy got caught doing 125 mph in a 65 mph zone! Do you think he noticed any details in life? Or the State Trooper sitting on the side of the road? We need to pause or stop and look around. Notice God. See his hand active in our lives. Pay attention to the work He is continuing in your life to form your nature to be like his. One of love in all things.

Most of us, me included, get in a hurry for God to accomplish something in our lives.

There are times when the “journey” becomes more valuable than the end result.

God is active whether we see it or not. While you are waiting, see his handiwork with nature. It is Spring here in America right now. I don’t know the names of the trees, but some have been so beautiful! I told April, “Look. Aren’t they pretty? Enjoy them today because the blooms will be gone soon.” A few days later, they were. Okay. I have reached 350 words, so I will end this post. I think the message has been said.

Blessings!

(Okay, how many of you thought this post was going to be about me getting a speeding ticket?)

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Do You Really Believe I Don’t Exist?

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Have you ever noticed how easily people are persuaded to believe one thing over another? They hear someone who comes across as halfway intelligent, and they think they must know what they are talking about! Just because someone uses big words or overwhelms you with “so-called facts” doesn’t mean they are right! There are a lot of smart people out there, but the problem is they define “truth” their way. They will try to convince you that how “they” live is the right way to live. Then, some yell and scream to be heard over the crowd. Are they right?

“Who talked you into the pursuit of this nonsense,
    leaving me high and dry,
    forgetting you ever knew me?
Because I don’t yell and make a scene,
    do you think I don’t exist?
I’ll go over, detail by detail, all your ‘righteous’ attempts at religion,
    and expose the absurdity of it all.
Go ahead, cry for help to your collection of no-gods:
    A good wind will blow them away.
    They’re smoke, nothing but smoke.

“But anyone who runs to me for help
    will inherit the land,
    will end up owning my holy mountain!” Is. 57:11-13 (MSG)

It’s challenging to convince someone that God’s way to live
is the best way if they have never tried it!

They will often vomit their objections, and the truth is that they are sick. In fact, they are so sick they are dying. For not accepting God’s gift of salvation via his Son, Jesus is eternal death. So what do we do as those who have been enlightened? We keep praying for them, and we live our best lives with God in front of them. Almost obnoxiously so they can see how much better our life is with God than their life is without. Not that our lives are perfect, but we walk through it with God in front of us. Perhaps they will become jealous and give in. Then, they will say:

All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him, I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

All to Jesus, I surrender
Humbly at His feet, I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Saviour
I surrender all

Song – “I Surrender All” by Don Moen

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

She’s Poisonous

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When I was a teenager, I was hunting crawdads to go fishing with. I had knelt in shallow water so I could grab them. Then, I noticed the tail of a snake dangling near me. He was in a willow tree, which I knew they liked. To see if I was in real danger, I needed to find its head and see if its eyes were slitted or not. In Oklahoma, all poisonous snakes have slitted eyes. I spotted it, and it was about 6 inches from my nose. His eyes were not slitted, so he was just a regular water snake.

The older woman looked nice. Not an auburn hair out of place. No doubt due to the amount of hairspray she had used. Her clothing looked like an outfit purchased from Neiman Marcus. Sorry, I forgot to notice her shoes. In the last two weeks, April and I learned all we needed to know about this woman, even though our conversations only lasted a few minutes.

Every Sunday, she goes to the same Chinese restaurant right after church. The first week, I invited her to join us so she would not have to eat alone, but she responded, “Thank you, but whenever I dine with people, I focus on them, and I don’t get to enjoy my food.” The second week, I said, “Because you’re dressed so nicely, you must go to church before coming here.” “Of course, I go to church,” she responded rather sharply. “That’s good. Which one?” “I go to (name of church). It used to be called (old name of church). I don’t know. I guess someone got into the ear of the pastor and convinced him we needed to change the name of the church to attract younger people.” Then she went on to inform me that she plays the organ there and wanted me to know that she had for 57 years! I said, “You must be good.” “Of course I am!” It was at that moment I looked into her eyes. In my spirit, I heard, “She’s poisonous!”

When April and I got in the car, I told her what I heard in my spirit. Then I said, “I don’t want to be around her ever again. April, who has the gift of discernment, agreed. So why is she poisonous?

She doesn’t like or love people. She would rather sit alone and eat her meal.

She doesn’t like change. She likes things the way they are. Don’t you dare suggest she do something new or different. She will dig her heels in and give you an attitude like changing the name of the church.

She is full of pride. “Well, I’ve played the church organ for 57 years! I’m good at it!” Again, she doesn’t like change.

She is selfish. She wants everything to go “her” way.

She won’t listen to the Godly. She has heard messages from her pastor, yet she hasn’t changed. She has most likely ended relationships with people of God. Probably because they tried to encourage her to “love.” She hears God’s words preached, but they fall on hardened soil. A hardened heart. They take no root. They produce nothing beautiful in her life.

Sadly, she will never change. She will never become a vessel of God’s love.

In my life, I have come across others like her. One thing I have also learned is poisonous people hurt people. They will strike and bite you and feel they are doing it to defend themselves. Therefore, it is best to avoid snakes, poisonous people. I don’t know if she will make it into heaven or not. That is solely up to God, but I do know one thing: God doesn’t care much for snakes!

Copyright © 2025 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.