How Much per Gallon?

April 21, 2026April 20, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Robotic arm accepting Japanese yen bill at a gas pump — Image generated via AI.

It’s hard to miss the sting of higher gas prices. Every time we fill up, the numbers climb faster than we’d like, and for many, that extra cost means cutting back elsewhere. While the economic impact is real, there’s also a deeper, spiritual layer worth exploring.

1. The Test of Trust

When expenses rise, our first instinct is often anxiety. We start calculating, worrying, and wondering how we’ll make ends meet. Yet Scripture reminds us that our ultimate security isn’t in our bank accounts, but in God’s provision. Rising gas prices can become a modern-day test of trust—an opportunity to lean into the truth that “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

2. The Call to Contentment

Higher costs can tempt us to grumble or compare our situation to others. But contentment isn’t about having everything we want—it’s about recognizing that what we have is enough for today. This season can be a reminder to simplify, to be grateful for the transportation we do have, and to see every mile as a gift rather than a given.

3. The Invitation to Compassion

When prices rise, those already struggling feel it the most. As followers of Christ, we’re called to notice and respond. Maybe that means offering a ride to a neighbor, helping someone cover their commute, or simply listening to their concerns without judgment. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Jesus, who always moved toward those in need.

4. The Shift in Perspective

Gas prices may be out of our control, but our perspective isn’t. We can choose to see this moment not as an inconvenience alone, but as a spiritual checkpoint—asking ourselves: Am I trusting God with my daily needs? Am I using my resources to bless others? Am I letting gratitude outweigh frustration?

Final Thought:

The numbers on the pump may keep changing, but God’s faithfulness doesn’t. If we let it, even something as ordinary as filling our tank can become a moment of worship, trust, and generosity.

Your Faith

April 17, 2026April 2, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A detailed reproduction of the Shroud of Turin resting on a wooden table. — Image generated and edited via AI.

I was in a Bible study group once, and one subject came up that kind of surprised me. Before I get into the topic, I want to say how much I appreciated and respected those guys in the group. We all had walked with God for various lengths of time and have come from different backgrounds and denominations.

One guy brought up the Shroud of Turin, which was allegedly the cloth that Jesus Christ’s body was wrapped in after he died. He was really into it and talked about how some scientists have proven that it is real and dates back to the age when Jesus was on Earth. (Some scientists have disproven it as being authentic.) Some of the other guys had never heard of this cloth before. I, for one, am a skeptic.

First of all, it’s okay if you have a different opinion than I do. Believing in the Shroud of Turin or not has nothing to do with whether you will make it into heaven or not. I asked the gentleman who believed it was real if it helped his faith or strengthened his faith. I was surprised when he responded that it did.

I’m not a “super saint” or anything, but I believe in Jesus Christ and that he is the Son of God and walked this Earth to show us a better way to live, and that his death on the cross gives us forgiveness of our sins. I believe that without any physical proof. I mean, I have evidence of the changed lives of others and of who I would be without his love in my heart. Only God’s love and his Son could change the heart of man. I have seen all that God has done in my life, the miracles, etc. I believe, period!

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29 (MSG)

There has been a lot of analysis and study of the shroud, yet the results remain inconclusive. Some scientists place the cloth at the time of Jesus, while others don’t.

My point is this: either believe in Jesus from the word of God or not. Don’t be wishy-washy, for that will only make you weak. Physical evidence shouldn’t matter. It’s intriguing or interesting, but it shouldn’t be necessary. Look how many followed Jesus and saw miracles right in front of their eyes, yet after they left, they most likely allowed the limitations of their mind to reason the miracles away. The result is they stopped believing in Jesus.

Jesus didn’t do miracles to “prove” that he was indeed the Son of God. He did them because people needed them. Remember, God does the supernatural when the supernatural is needed. Jesus’ main mission was to be a savior for the lost, because that was our greatest need.

God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor. Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!” Luke 4:18 (MSG)

Some people are “poor” in spirit, others are prisoners of their sins, and the blind are spiritually blind.

I used to work with a guy, and he didn’t believe that God was real. After some discussion, I finally asked him, “What would you have to see to believe?” He sat there and thought about how to answer the question for what seemed like eternity. I broke in and said, “Nothing comes to mind, does it? And here’s why: no matter what God did for you to prove his existence, it wouldn’t be enough. Your mind would then try to reason the proof away.” He turned to me with sadness in his eyes and responded, “You’re right.”

Now faith means putting our full confidence in the things we hope for, it means being certain of things we cannot see. It was this kind of faith that won their reputation for the saints of old. And it is after all only by faith that our minds accept as fact that the whole scheme of time and space was created by God’s command—that the world which we can see has come into being through principles which are invisible. Heb. 11:1-3 (Phillips)

Don’t Jump

April 14, 2026March 26, 2026 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

I was attending a retreat many years ago. I was a young man at the time and preparing to enter the ministry. During our free time on Saturday afternoon, I went for a hike. The trail took me to the top of a cliff that overlooked some woods below and, further out, the lake.

As I was admiring the beauty of it all, I suddenly heard a voice in my head that said, “If you have so much faith in God and trust him so much, then take a step off this cliff. God will save you” Honestly, it scared me. I wanted to do it to prove I believed in God and by how much.

I inched forward, making my way closer to the edge, and I raised one foot off the ground. I hesitated, but I almost did it. Then I thought that’s nuts! I felt bad as I made my way back down to the retreat center, as if I had failed God.

When I entered my cabin, I saw my friend, Brian. He noticed the strange look on my face and asked, “What’s wrong?” I didn’t want to admit what I had done, but he kept insisting I share with him, so I told him what had happened. Then he told me one of the most profound statements (Steve) I have ever heard. He said, “Mark, God does the supernatural only when the supernatural is needed!” I have never forgotten those words. In short, I would have gotten hurt if not killed, and I’m sure that would have pleased the devil a lot.

Brian’s words are true, and you can see that when you read the Bible. Like when the Israelites walked across the Red Sea on dry ground to escape Pharaoh. (Exo. 14:29) Or when Phillip was transported to another city after baptizing the eunuch. (Acts 8:39) And don’t forget when Jesus calmed the storm by speaking to it. (Mark 4:35-41)

Those were just a few of the supernatural things God did in the Bible. Also, Jesus warns us not to tempt God. In other words, don’t purposely put yourself in a situation tempting God or “testing” God to do something.

The scripture “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” is found in Deuteronomy 6:16. In the context of the New Testament, this verse is referenced in Mathew 4:7, where Jesus responds to the devil during His temptation, emphasizing the importance of not testing God. This principle is crucial for believers, as it teaches that true faith does not require testing or proving God’s existence but rather trusting in His divine authority and promises. (Source: Bible Hub.)

God will take care of you. Consider Psalms 91. Trust him but also use wisdom and common sense when walking with your God.

Life on the Side of the Road

April 10, 2026March 26, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When I was working and living in the Chicago area, I was away from my family. So, I would periodically call my father to check in with him. He was always up to something, so there was never a dull moment.

During one such phone visit, he complained about having two flat tires in a one-month period of time. I laughed, and he wanted to know why I was laughing. Truthfully, he got a little upset. I said, “Dad, I’m sorry you have had to deal with that, but honestly, I’m not surprised.” “Why is that?” he responded. “Because when you drive, you are always looking for a new fishing spot or reminiscing about a large one that got away from that pond. Or you are watching for deer, or a hawk, or something. You are doing something other than keeping your eye on the road and driving! As a result, you are constantly driving on the side of the road or in the gutter where all of the trash, debris, and garbage is.” He didn’t like what I said, but it was the truth. The whole family and his friends who rode with him knew it.

I have observed how some people live. Instead of staying on the straight and narrow, in their lane, they meander off the path. They believe they can live for God and still do the things that other people do who are not yet Christ followers. As a result, they fall “flat,” get hurt, and are frustrated with how their life is going. They are up one minute and down the next.

You probably know someone like this, or perhaps this is you. If it is you, know this: God knows, and He cares very much. One thing that would help is spending more time with the one who made you and understands you. You do that by talking to God as if he is your friend because He is, and reading his word, the Bible. There, you will learn about human nature and the enemy who wants you to fail. He’s the one who puts debris, nails, so to speak, and other things in your path to hurt and keep you down. “Life” on the side of the road is not fun! Better to do life with the One who is rooting you on, and that is God.

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6 (NIV)

“Guilty, as Charged”

April 7, 2026March 23, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I have a friend, and whenever they are exposed of doing something wrong, they immediately have an excuse. It took me some time to notice their behavior, their pattern. I’m not saying it’s sometimes, but it is all the time! I haven’t quite discovered their need to defend themselves, as I didn’t study psychology in depth, but I know there is something deep inside of them that projects this behavior, this need to defend themselves, to blame another or situation.

I, on the other hand, sometimes say, “I’m sorry” before my offense has even registered with an individual. The Holy Spirit brings conviction quickly to me, and I feel the need to ask God for forgiveness, soon! It is freeing to be able to say, “Guilty, as charged,” and to then take care of it.

One of the best things that came about from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was that the veil in the temple was ripped from top to bottom. What once separated us from going to God directly is gone because Jesus was a pure sacrifice for our sins.

Walking around with sin still attached to us can weigh us down and even bring depression. Charles Oswald put it like this:

“Whenever the Spirit of God detects something wrong, he doesn’t ask you to make it right; he asks you to accept the light so he can make it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and stands naked before God. A child of darkness is defensive and says, “Oh, I can explain that away.” When the light breaks and you feel convicted of having done wrong, be a child of the light. Confess, and God will deal with it. If you try to excuse or vindicate yourself, you will prove yourself a child of darkness.”

Some people are so perfect in their own minds that they will even try to stand before God and blame others for how they lived their lives. Spoiler alert: It won’t work! I tell my friend, “It’s okay to make mistakes. Notice I didn’t say, “Do wrong.” Then I tell them, “Just admit it, apologize, and ask God to forgive you, and then move on. No one will think badly of you. And if they do, then they have a problem.” Live in the light of forgiveness.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8:1-2 (NIV)

Where Jesus Is

April 3, 2026March 20, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I know a guy who has had the privilege of traveling in and around Jerusalem. Many times, during our men’s Bible study group, he will give us insight into certain places where Jesus has allegedly been. He will describe the scene to us. I’m sure some of the places are accurate, and Jesus was certainly there, but I have to think that some of the other places are nothing more than wishful thinking, or to get a few bucks out of tourists.

Perhaps I am weird or something, but I have never been one to want to be where someone else has “once” been. I mean, I have seen where the Wright brothers first took flight, been in the church where Paul Revere saw how many lanterns were hanging to know if the British were coming by land or by sea. I have been to other places, too, where famous people once allegedly walked, but I wasn’t really moved.

What would excite me is if I were at those famous locations “with” the individual or persons who made it famous! I can’t imagine the expressions on the Wright brothers’ faces when their theory on how to make an airplane fly worked. Can’t you just see Lazarus when he hobbled out of the tomb alive again? Or the tears as they flowed from the woman caught in adultery, and she realizes she has been forgiven? What about eating fish and bread that Jesus blessed, and it multiplied?

I guess what I am saying is I would rather be “with” Jesus and walk beside him than be where He might have been so many years ago. There is nothing better than being in the presence of God and feeling Jesus by your side. I desire to always be where Jesus is, for I know, and am confident that He is always with me. Now that moves me!

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mat. 28:20b (NLT)