Looking for Me?

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 67 How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion,
a stone you can’t get around.
But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me,
you’ll find me on the way, not in the way. (Rom. 9:33-39)

Meeting God

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 54 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.

Fashionably Late

December 8, 2018November 30, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

red-cross I have always said, “I would rather be one mile behind God than one inch in front of him!” But recently, I feel as though I am trying to catch my breath doing my best to keep up with him. It’s as if I am running late to the party, God has been inviting me to all year. I just didn’t see it. He was orchestrating a new season in my life, and I didn’t even notice him hanging the decorations.

God wants to bless his children. He desires to give them good gifts. Our responsibility is to be in a place in life to receive them. In step with God, desiring God, and no matter what happens around us continuing to focus on God. Not getting caught up in the everyday sludge that tries to pull us down and overcome us.

“Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven.” (Jam 1:17 MSG)

Watch your door step. It’s the season of gift giving. God could be trying to give you a gift. Don’t allow it to be taken by the devil’s porch piracy program!

Three Days of Darkness

October 17, 2018October 15, 2018 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

dispel There is nothing like the fear that comes from physical, or emotional darkness. When you can’t see your way, and you have no clue on when and where light will come. Your heart can pound like a concert bass drum.

Exo 10:21-23 MSG GOD said to Moses: “Stretch your hand to the skies. Let darkness descend on the land of Egypt–a darkness so dark you can touch it.” Moses stretched out his hand to the skies. Thick darkness descended on the land of Egypt for three days. Nobody could see anybody. For three days no one could so much as move. Except for the Israelites: they had light where they were living.

Another time, when there was darkness on the earth, for three days, was when the Son of God, Jesus died. You talk about your only ray of light going out and sickness settling in, to the very depths of your being. Jesus had once said, “I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.” (Joh 12:46 MSG) Three days of darkness, until Jesus was resurrected from the dead, then Light once again walked on the earth.

Are you stumbling around in life desperately running your hand along the wall, panicking as you look for the switch? Has your darkness lasted much longer than three days? Don’t get angry, as Pharaoh did. Don’t let your heart be hardened, as his did, and definitely don’t shake your fist at God. He may be allowing the darkness, to move you toward Him, who is Light. Accept Light. Accept God. Try living in a way, where you can see your way, by believing in God’s way.

Practice God

October 13, 2018October 12, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

life Life isn’t scripted, so when its not going as you want it to, know it’s a great time to practice what you believe about God.

Word:

October 3, 2018October 2, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Heavenhelps “Do you have more confidence in Satan’s desire to attack you than in God’s ability to protect you? Look back at your resume’ with God. You’ll find that He never let you down, and He never will. God delivers, Satan destroys.”

From the obedient servant of God: Valerie Thomas

God’s Opus

September 22, 2018September 21, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Opus Who’s standing at the podium of your life waving the wand? Who’s directing you? Who is orchestrating every step you take? Who’s responsible for the sound coming from your life? God, you, or someone, or something else? If you believe in God and you see in your life things just seem to work out, look up, and smile at the conductor. God is doing everything you will allow him to, in guiding your life.

I do see some, who say they believe in God, or even who have accepted him, whose lives are a constant struggle. Yes, I know, it rains on the just and the unjust, and bad things happening does not always point to a life that is less than full devotion to God!

Then there are those who have not accepted God’s free gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus. Some of those people seem to have very happy and successful lives. I would dare say something else is directing their life, the devil, perhaps to keep them from thinking they need God at all.

I didn’t even know what an “opus” was until I saw the movie, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”. I like the following definition: any artistic work, especially one on a large scale. I would say that is what God has, is and will be doing until his master piece is complete. I believe we are in the last days here on earth. Can you feel the crescendo coming? I hope you are allowing God to direct your life. You’re an instrument in the hands of the Almighty who knows how to take what you give him and make a beautiful sound with it. Even if it’s not the life you wanted, it’s great, because God is in it. Oh! I got to go. My solo part is coming up.

In the Last Year

September 8, 2018September 7, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Yesterday, I celebrated being retired for one year. I also had a birthday this past week. In reflecting back upon both, it didn’t take long to see God’s goodness. His mighty hand, his gentle kindness, his correction, his presence, but in all of it, his love!

I know his love has been there my whole life, but now, I am more sensitive to recognizing it, in my life, and in the life of others. So I had to ask myself, “Why is that? Why do I see it clearer now, and not as much before?” I don’t want to come across as “spiritual”, or “more special” than anyone else, but in the last year I have desireed and strived, in all times and situations, to be just like Jesus, who is, Love.

It’s like recognizing an Armani suit, which I wouldn’t know if it bit me. You’re so familiar with the original, it stands out. Oh, trust me. It’s much easier to be me, but I have seen enough of what I can be with and around people. Yuk! Who wants more of that? I don’t, and I’m so sure no one else does either.

So, what’s the plan for this next year? Going deeper into the things of God. Having the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and the spirit of counsel and might in my life. I want to journey closer to the source of “Living waters”. I want to constantly be in the presence of God, which is why I choose a picture of the arc of the covenant. Until the moment Jesus died, on the cross, the arc is where God’s presence resided. Now, I want His presence to reside in me.

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; (Isa 11:2 KJV+)