Stay With It to the End

October 21, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

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“Behold! The coming of Jesus is so soon, it’s as if He is standing up now getting ready to go gather his church home!” I was about 8 years old, when that word of prophesy sure got my attention. I thought dang! I had better tie my shoes! I was ready then to stand before God and to give an account for how I had lived my life. After serious soul searching and one more prayer asking God to forgive me of all of my sins I can say right now I am ready to stand before God.

In these last days, one has to be intentional about staying focused on the prize of eternal life. Satan is working overtime, and with the help of the Russians putting out “fake” news to keep Americans stirred up (okay, kidding), but honestly, it can be extremely difficult to maintain a straight path toward heaven.

Mar 13:4-13 “Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?” Jesus began, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what’s coming. “And watch out! They’re going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’re placed there as sentinels to truth. The Message has to be preached all across the world. “When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don’t worry about what you’ll say. When the time comes, say what’s on your heart–the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you. “It’s going to be brother killing brother, father killing child, children killing parents. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. “Stay with it–that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved. (MSG)

All one has to do is read the above verses, and then turn on the world news. Am I predicting a date of Jesus’ return? NO WAY! If you read further down chapter 13 it goes on to say that only God knows the exact day and hour. Therefore, I beseech you, okay a little too much King James, but I urge you strongly to keep your focus on God, hold Jesus’ hand, and listen to the Holy Spirit, and you will make it home.

Do You Know My Father?

October 14, 2017October 14, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Sen_MO I was visiting the small town, in Missouri, my father was born and reared in. A woman walked out of the convenient store, looked over at me and came to an abrupt halt. “You’re a Brady!” She exclaimed. “I don’t know who your father is, but you, you are definitely a Brady.”

I would rather people, who see me, say, “You’re a child of God!” This is certainly one of my goals here on earth. The way to see that happen is to imitate Christ. In other words, “LOVE!”

1Jo 3:2-3 But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him–and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. (MSG)

Love, and accept, not judge, and reject.
Love, and help out, not turn away and doubt.
Love, and my gifts share, not hoard, or not care.

So, if you see me and don’t know who my Father is, I would be more than happy to introduce you. Oh, but don’t get embarrassed when He already knows your name.

One Man’s Sin

October 7, 2017October 7, 2017 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

As we saw this past week, in a very visual way, one man’s sin, hurts another human being. It doesn’t have to be a mass killing either. It can be a lie, but when found out another is hurt for they got deceived. A cheating spouse, a wayward leader. Someone else will get hurt.

Unfortunately, as long as there is sin in this world, there will be hurt. There is sin in the world because of evil spirits that rule over this world. When Adam and Eve sinned (disobeyed God) it opened up the door for evil to come over us.

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

But there is hope! For those who have accepted God’s free gift of having their sin’s forgiven, by accepting that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. There will come a day when God’s Spirit rules over a new earth, and that will cause peace, and no more pain, and no more tears.

My heart ache’s for those that were affected this week by one’s man sin, but I do not get discouraged, or want to give up, because I know, without a doubt, God’s word is true, and one day there will be peace.

Life’s Speed Bumps

September 23, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

speedbump My daughter once said, “Squirrels are God’s little speed bumps.” I’m not saying I agree. I realized something this past week as I talked to some people. They were telling me of the trouble they are currently having in their lives. I felt bad for them. Then I thought it seems as if there is always so much drama in their lives that they don’t have time to focus on the important things in their life. Maybe another way to say it is this; they are so busy putting out fires, they never spend time preventing them.

I once told a friend concerning my failed marriage, “I was so busy repairing I never got time to build.” A good marriage is something important in life. Teaching your children how to live life right is important as well. But of course the most important thing in life is deciding where you want to spend eternity. Yes, it is your decision.

So where does all this trouble come from? Circumstances; sure. Most likely as a result of poor decisions. But consider another source; the devil. In John 10:10 Jesus said, “Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy. That means steal your time, destroy relationships, and includes killing your soul. Then Jesus said, “But I have come so that you may have life. Abundant life.” He doesn’t want you to live life on earth suffering. Jesus wants to help you with living life. He can and will once you accept him as God’s son and invite him to be the Lord of your life. Once you do that read about him, study him in the Bible. He will help you get over life’s speed bumps more smoothly.

Something’s Fishy

September 17, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I went fishing with my father this past week. In a few hours we caught 50 sand bass. As we were catching them we discussed how many there must be in the lake, and how random they must be swimming in order to find our lures. Catching them seemed too easy.

The next day I was reading from Habakkuk 2 (yes that is a real book of the Bible found in the old testament) where it talked about fish “swimming without direction, swimming, but not getting anywhere.” It made me wonder about people and the lives they live. Is there purpose in their lives? Is there purpose in your life? Direction? I hope so.

God made each of us for a reason and a purpose. If you don’t know yours then ask Him. Seek his will for your life. He has a reason for gifting you the way he did. No one can do what you can.

Do You Trust Me?

September 10, 2017 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Trust. It’s hard to trust someone else, and sometimes even ourselves. God, throughout the centuries has asked people to trust Him. Some did, others didn’t, but most did so with some fear and trepidation. Another thing that is difficult is change. Either change a job, a living location, but the hardest thing to change is yourself. Putting the two things together will just about overwhelm you!

Whenever God calls you to change an area of your life, take it from me, it is best to blindly believe, and then obey. Will you know how it will all work out? Probably not. Will you know ahead of time how you will make it? No! But the point is; God does. That is where the trust comes into play.

One thing I have learned, the hard way, is God loves obedience. When you figure out a direction God wants you to go, and then you go when the time is right He blesses you like nothing you have experienced before. So when God asks you that question, say, “Yes”.

The Best Day of My Life

September 2, 2017 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

070315_26 I used to think the best day of my life was the day I retired. I no longer have to work.
Then I thought the best day of my life was the day my granddaughter was born. I experienced such joy.
The day my daughter was born was a great day too. She smiled, my heart melted.
The day my son was born, wow, I beamed as he held my finger when I took his hand.
My wedding day was awesome. This beautiful woman accepted me, and said, “I do.”
Graduating college was a good day. A little more meaningful than finishing high school.

Those were good days of my life, but the best day, was the day I accepted God’s free gift of salvation through his son, Jesus. For it was God who got me to those great days, and through them, and all of the ones that weren’t so great.

In reality though, the best day of my life will be my last one. The day I die. (Don’t worry, I’m not rushing it.) You see, on that day, because I gave my life to God, and have done my best to live according to his word, and have asked for forgiveness for the times I didn’t, when I die, I will enter into heaven. No more pain. No more hurts, disappointments, or tears. That, will be the best day of my life!

Amazing Love

August 26, 2017August 23, 2017 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

c2gpic2 I would turn all the lights green when I drive. I would make people act right when I am in their presence. I would make them drive according to the rules of the road too. Nothing would ever go wrong in my life. This is what I would do if I had the powers of God.

Funny thing really. God has the power to do what I would and more. But God doesn’t use His power for selfish reasons. He never has, never does, and never will. He uses His power to bless us. To provide a perfectly balanced in the solar system place to live called, “Earth”. He provides food, and water. The things we need, and occasionally He spoils us, and blesses us with something we want.

Why does God do this? Because He loves us. He loves you. If you could see how much He loves you, how much He cares. God’s love cannot be measured, weighed, or exhausted. So what’s keeping you from believing it? Or a better question, what’s keeping you from accepting it? God’s love is available despite you. You can’t out do it, hide from it, or stop it. Really, there is no other word for God’s love except, “Amazing”!

Where Are You Going?

August 19, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

20170819_205542 “Recalculating.” Seems to be her favorite word. I get frustrated with her at times. Ladies, please don’t get mad, but a man doesn’t like to be told what to do by a woman. It’s not our fault, it’s just the way we are wired. So I recently put my GPS in the back seat, and it felt natural. At times, I still try to get where I think I am supposed to be going, on my own.

That happened this year. My plans were taking me in a completely different direction. If I had not felt in my spirit “Recalculating”, I would not currently be going where God needs me to be. Yes, God uses GPS. “God’s Positioning System”

It’s important to seek God’s will for your life. You were created for a reason and a purpose. If you submit to God’s GPS you will be happy and not frustrated when you arrive at your final destination. I hope and pray your final destination, is heaven.

Does God Blink?

July 22, 2017July 22, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

eyes When there are people in your life who seem to enjoy making you hurt, miserable, or angry you begin to wonder if God indeed has His eye on you or, if He blinked for a moment? You think to yourself how could He let this happen to me over and over again? Where is His revenge on these people? I gave it to Him as he instructs us to.

The truth is, He never takes His eyes off of us. Not even for a split second to blink. Pro 2:8 He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

Another truth is you don’t know what is going on in that person’s life that you don’t see. God has never liked it when someone willfully hurts one of His own. To the ones who do He has some very harsh words:

Mic 2:1-3 Doom to those who plot evil, who go to bed dreaming up crimes! As soon as it’s morning, they’re off, full of energy, doing what they’ve planned. They covet fields and grab them, find homes and take them. They bully the neighbor and his family, see people only for what they can get out of them. GOD has had enough. He says, “I have some plans of my own: Disaster because of this interbreeding evil! Your necks are on the line. You’re not walking away from this. It’s doomsday for you.

If you feel you are being treated unfairly, take heart. God sees, and knows, and He will deal justly with those who are not just. If you are one of those hurting others, beware! God sees you too, and He will avenge the innocent. If you are the innocent, pray God’s judgement will turn the heart of the guilty to God.