If you have tried everything, does that list include Jesus?
Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. (John 14:6 MSG)
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
Author: Mark Brady
No One Ever Treated Me That Way
tricycle
I am a middle aged man, and have been driving a tricycle in Baliuag, Philippines for many years, but today, today I experienced something for the first time. I’m not sure what to call it, but it felt good. You see, this couple, I picked up for fare, while on their way to their destination wanted to stop at 7 Eleven and get something to drink. Just before the man entered the store he stopped, turned to me, and asked, “Would you like something to drink?”
I didn’t know how to respond, and before I could think about it, I responded with a, “Yes. Whatever you are getting.” When he returned he handed me a large bottle of a soft drink. In fact, my drink was larger than his. I was shocked, stunned, and didn’t know what to think or say. “Thank you,” I finally said.
As I dropped them off at their final destination, the man asked me, “How much?” I wanted to say, “No charge,” but the truth is I really needed the money for my family. He said, “I’ll decide how much.”, and he handed me a lot more than the fare should have been. I watched with stunned feelings as the nice couple walked away. His last words still echoing in my head, “Sir, I bless you today, because God blesses me. He loves me, and he loves you too!” Perhaps I should get to know such a loving God.
We never know who we will encounter each day. It is important to be lead by the Holy Spirit to know what to say, or do, when He prompts us to, and then to be obedient. James 3:10 refers to curses and blessing coming out of the same mouth and how this shouldn’t be, but also be aware that the same hands can hurt, or give blessings. Let’s bless others with our mouths, and with our hands.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
Meeting God
I was praying for my neighbors the other day, for I have just moved into their neighborhood.
Me: “God, I pray my neighbors meet you.”
God: “They already have.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
God: “They have met you.”
Jesus said to him, “… Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9 AMP)
So, since we are to be like Christ, and we too are the children of God, then we can say the same thing as well.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
IR
I got remarried yesterday evening, after being divorced for twenty-three years. I no longer have to check that dreaded little box, “Divorced”. I married a wonderful woman of God who is a Filipino. The only problem is, I’m an American, and she is not allowed to enter the United States without a Visa, which could take a year or longer to arrive. When she said, “I do,” she became an “IR”. Instant Relative. This status gives her priority over everyone else trying to enter America by any other means. Work Visa, Student Visa, Fiancé Visa, etc. It also gives her access to a “Green Card” and two weeks after she arrives in America she will get her Social Security card. Being an “IR” has instant privileges.
When one accepts God’s free gift of salvation, through his Son Jesus, they instantly become an “IR”. They become a son or daughter to the God of the universe. You will walk around, with a smile on your face, knowing whose you are, that you belong to God, and He is your Abba Father. (Daddy God) That status brings instant privileges as well. Like having access to the throne of God. Being able to walk with him and talk about anything. God will guide you, Jesus will be with you, and the Holy Spirit will comfort you. You have a free Attorney, Jesus, to defend you against Satan’s accusations. Also, there will be free of charge, to you, accommodations in heaven that have no check out date or time, and who could argue with the blessing of eternal life? Yes, being a child of God is good!
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? (Mat. 7:11 MSG)
There are so many reasons to accept Jesus, mainly, because He first loved us. If you are not currently, my prayer is that you will become an “IR” with God.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
My Rights
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”
Above is the “Miranda Rights”, which you have heard on TV or in a movie. In heaven, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, these rights will go something like this:
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in the court room of heaven by Satan. You have a right to an attorney. You cannot afford the One True Attorney, but He, Jesus, will be appointed for you.”
Jesus, has already paid the full penalty, death, for your wrong doing. Case dismissed. You are free to go.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
Enough?
When is enough, enough? Have you had it with an individual, or a workplace? What about a country? You scream so loud on the inside you’re surprised that dogs don’t howl! Why do people, work rules, or a countries procedures have to be ridiculous? If they made sense, or had a justifiable reason behind them, then fine, so be it. For someone to say, “But that’s the rule,” or “that’s the way it is,” over and over doesn’t help either. It hurts, beating your head against the wall repeatedly, trying to find a sliver of logic to it all when the truth is, there is none!
I imagine there will come a day, when God says to his Son, “Enough.” God is patient, and long suffering, but He too can only take so much. He did it in the days of Noah, and with Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus will know what his Father is saying is, “Go, and bring my people home. Deliver them from the sin, the injustices, from the insanity, from those who “think” they are in control, the hypocritical, from those that oppress, and from the work of the evil one.” Jesus will stand up and make his way to earth, and the trumpet will sound.
“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36 MSG)
Be encouraged. The way this world is going where right is wrong, and wrong has become right, it won’t be long before God will say, “Enough!”
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
Confessing Sin
I am guilty of expecting perfection of others. I know, it’s wrong. When someone disappoints me and I express it, they are instantly hurt to the core. I hate it when I do it, because I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially the ones I love.
I am trying, by asking God to help me replace expectation with mercy. Then, when one makes a mistake, I will express mercy, and they will feel love. Our Heavenly Father does this very thing for us.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36 NIV)
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
When God Kills You
I once wrote, the act of dying doesn’t hurt. I am learning it does, when you die, while you are still living. What in the world am I saying? I thought I had fully surrendered everything to God, and then I moved to the Philippines following his direction. Now, he is requiring more of me. To give up my self-reliant attitude. Living in a foreign country, where they speak some English, but not fluently, and I only know about 12 Tagalog words.
Now I am reliant on others to help me know what is being said, where to go to purchase basic needs, etc. I am not used to this, nor do I like it very much. I have grown accustomed to doing what I want, how I want which I think is very productive and effective. I’m dying. I believe God is asking me to give up, give in, and give way to his Holy Spirit. To be humble, ask for help, and when things don’t go as I think they should, to smile graciously and be thankful that someone cares enough to try to help me.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Do I have to die? No. I can go on living as I am and probably hurt more people along the way. God is most likely removing this from me, so when the next chapter in my life starts, I will be ready. In that case Lord, kill me.
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
The Only One
The only one, you need to ask, is the One who already knows what you have need of. “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Mat. 6:8 NIV)
Copyright ©2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
When Others Say, “What?”
Whenever you sense God leading you into a new direction, and more questions rise than answers, it can be difficult to say, “Yes” to him. If you share the plan with some others, their lack of knowledge of the power of God can cause them to react in a negative way. Don’t be offended. Don’t let them discourage you. If by now you have walked with God and you know his voice than by all means head it. No matter how crazy it may seem.
Their reactions come from not knowing God’s voice for themselves, or their fears, projected on you, probably stem from a lack of trust, perhaps from young faith. Never-the-less be obedient to God, and let your success be a testimony to them of God’s mighty hand.
My pastor, Joel Budd, of RiverGate Church in Tulsa, OK., has taught me a couple of things regarding this:
- Be wise in who you share what with. You do not have to tell everyone what God has directed you to do.
- Come up with short phrases to share the plan, or mission. For instance, when I recently moved to the Philippines, I told people I was getting married. Yet I believe there is a whole lot more God wants me to do while I am here than to only cultivate a young marriage.
Following God, no matter what, and letting the results speak for themselves, is wisdom. A healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10)
Copyright © 2019 by Mark Brady All rights reserved.
brady, mark a. 