ENOUGH!

September 15, 2018September 14, 2018 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Hate, is like cancer, it kills!

The other day, I heard another story of hate. What got me was, this hate took place in a church. Has hate, in our country, spread that far? I’m beginning to decrease watching the world news every evening because of the hate. The hate they call, “news”!

Growing up, the rule was, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.” Yes, I’m old, but it wasn’t a bad rule. These days, people not only speak their hate, but share it on social media, and then start a movement to spread it. Hate is a cancer, and some people can’t bear the weight of it, so they take their own life instead of trying to face another day. Bullying, is hate, and even adults are sometimes bullied.

Since all this hate hurts me, I realized this week, it must really hurt Jesus. He died for the one hated, but he also died for the hater. When he came to earth, one of the things he did was show us how to live, walk, and speak in love. I met a lady last weekend, traveling across America, trying to spread love and motivate others to pass it on. I pray she is successful, and she makes America great again! Can we join her? Instead of hating, can we try to love? It is a better way. If you do choose to spread love, I know it will cause Jesus to smile, for you will never hear anyone say, “Stop! That’s enough love.”

God’s Top Ten List

May 5, 2018May 4, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The Ten

No other Gods before me.
I’m to be your first priority.
Nothing should be your idol.
Keep your life pure.
Don’t use my name when cussing.
Understanding this can bring humility.
Keep Sundays Holy.
Resting one day a week is a wonderful thing.
Honor your father and mother.
Doing so will bless your life.
Killing is not good.
Love is a much better way.
Committing adultery tears people apart.
Learning intimacy will bring people together.
Don’t take what isn’t yours.
If you do, you’ll never learn to trust.
Lying is a bad idea.
Honesty is always the way to go.
You shouldn’t want what isn’t yours.
Contentment brings peace to your life.

God didn’t come up with these 10 commandments to make your life miserable. He didn’t do it so we would become “religious”, and start a bunch of denominations with a list of “rules” to live by. He gave us these principles, to live by, so we could relate to him better, and with each other.

A Better Way to Live

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

sin

NOUN

an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law:
“a sin in the eyes of God” ·

synonyms: immoral act · wrong · wrongdoing · act of evil/wickedness · transgression · crime · offense · misdeed · misdemeanor
· trespass · wickedness · wrongdoing · wrong · evil · evildoing · sinfulness
· immorality · iniquity · vice · crime

In a time where one’s, thought to be hidden sins, are being exposed like an uncontrollable leak in a dam. In a time where an accusation brings quick judgement and sentencing handed down before all the facts are known. You would think realizing that everything done in darkness will be exposed, would spur one to find a better way to live.

The truth though is we are sold a big fat lie by the devil. That lie is: You won’t be the one that will get caught. Guess what? The devil is probably the one that will tell on you. Why? Because he wants to hurt you beyond belief. I write about it often: John 10:10 – Satan comes to kill steal and destroy! Satan HATES you! He can’t stand you, because YOU are made in the image of God, and he hates God.

A better way to live? Sure. Don’t sin. It’s that simple. Okay, it’s not, but you can actually learn, or train yourself to sin less.

Capture every thought and bring it into captivity. In other words, if a thought is about doing something wrong (sin) then realize it, and choose not to. Love instead. Do the right thing. Say the right thing.
Put on God’s bullet proof vest. (Ephesians 6:11-18) Imagine a policeman these days not wearing his bullet proof vest.

Eph 6:11 So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.
Eph 6:12 This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Eph 6:13 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.
Eph 6:14 Truth, righteousness,
Eph 6:15 peace,
Eph 6:16 faith,
Eph 6:17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
Eph 6:18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. (MSG)

These are just a couple of purposeful things to do to live a better life. Here are a few more: Turn away wrath with love. When one speaks out against you, smile and love them anyway. When someone proclaims they are living a life you know is not pleasing to God, please don’t judge and sentence them, but accept them, and love them. That is not the same as accepting their wrong doing. Calling out sin on Facebook isn’t going to show anyone there is a better way to live either. The world needs to see Love. Jesus is Love.

Are You Nothing?

August 12, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

My co-worker was questioning how someone could not give a particular race respect. Even think they are stupid animals. As the conversation continued we came to one conclusion. This attitude toward others can only be a result of “hate”. Unfortunately, “hate” doesn’t just stop with people groups, but can actually be focused on coworkers, friends, and oh my goodness, family. Wait, did I just say family? Yes. I did. And what will surprise you the most is, this “hate” can even come from those who consider themselves Christian. Guess what, going to church does not make one a Christian. And we wonder why some people don’t like Christians.

1 Corinthians chapter 13:4-8 tells us what pure love is, but I have realized it also shows us what pure hate looks like:

Hate gives up.
Hate cares more for self than others.
Hate wants what it doesn’t have.
Hate struts, has a swelled head,
Forces itself on others.
Is always “me first.”
Flies off the handle.
Keeps score of the sins of others,
Revels when others grovel.
Takes pleasure in spreading lies,
Doesn’t put up with anything.
Never trusts God.
Never looks for the best.
Always looks back.
Hate always kills.

1Co 13:1-3 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (MSG)