Proverbs 16:2 from The Message
Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
God probes for what is good.
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
Tuesday Truth
The Greatest Con Artist
con art·ist
noun
a person who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true
I have been conned more than once in my lifetime. Afterward, when I realized it, I felt so stupid for being so gullible. The problem is I want to think the best of people. I also thought that no one who cared about me would take advantage of me.
I once heard that the more details the person gives you, the bigger the lie. There was one person who would tell me a story, and I purposely wouldn’t respond. It’s like they got nervous and would begin to add details to their lie. I don’t think they ever figured out how I always seemed to know when they were lying to me.
But a con artist is a little different. It’s as if they have practiced their craft until they have perfected it. Like they have learned what words work and which ones don’t. They also seem to paint in some sad portions so that you will feel sorry for them. Another trick of a good con artist is they will insert a time element into what they are asking you for. Like, “I have to have the money tomorrow, or I could be arrested under false pretenses!”
No matter how sophisticated their work is, it is still based on a lie or a series of lies. I think some con artists get so good they begin to believe their cons are true. The greatest con artist is Satan, and yes, I think he believes what he says is true. He will tell you anything to get you to do wrong, sin. He will even tell you partial truths if it serves him. He hopes that his lie will keep you from God or pull you away from God. He likes to use guilt, too.
Genesis 3: 1-6 (NIV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
If something someone or the devil says to you doesn’t sound or feel right, then it probably isn’t. If you walk away and say, “I need more time to think about it or to check it out, it will most likely frustrate the con artist! They might even get mad. I mean, what if Eve had said to Satan, “Well, the next time God is talking to us in the cool of the day, I will ask him about what you have said.”? If she had done that, perhaps we would all still be living in a garden the way God first intended.
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
What Others Think
One of the things that kept me from writing for many years was “the fear of men.” I didn’t want to be judged, made fun of, or laughed at behind my back. (Or to my face, for that matter.) It didn’t help either having someone close to me ask, “What makes you think you’re a writer?” I would have thought they would have, instead, been my biggest fan! A cheerleader encouraging me to pursue writing with everything I’ve got as if on fire. That wasn’t to be.
But their words, as hurtful as they were, didn’t extinguish the flame that God had placed inside of me to be a writer. I shared my desire with a friend, and he encouraged me. I told him, “I know I may not ever be the best writer, but I was going to do it and try my best.” After all, writing is an art form, and any art is subjective to an individual.
People, for whatever personal reason, jealousy, past hurts of their own, or any other many reasons, can be so cruel when they pass judgment on another person. Even though we know this truth, it can be challenging to look past it. I mean, let’s face it: even though we want to be liked, accepted, or famous, why do we put so much weight behind the words of someone else?
Instead, we should only be concerned with what God thinks of us.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Mat. 10:28 (NIV)
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luk 11:28 (NIV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7 (NIV)
True happiness is doing what God has called us to and being content knowing we have done our best with His help. Even if we have challenges or difficulties, we shouldn’t let them define us; rather, we should let God write our success story.
So, child of God who has been called, do it! Go and be the person you were meant to be. The one He has specifically made to do a specific task in a specific way. True, there may be someone else who is perhaps more qualified than you, but they’re not you. They don’t have the past, the experiences, the heart that you have. I have this knack for remembering stories and events from the past and then drawing from them when I need to. Others may not have that ability. And know that you may seldom or even never get a satisfaction survey that speaks truthfully about how God used you in someone’s life, but you will one day hear God say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
To Know
To know unconditional love;
is to know God.
To know real forgiveness;
is to know Jesus.
To know perfect direction;
is to know the Holy Spirit.
To know pure laughter;
is to know true friends.
To know great joy;
is to know a child.
To know time;
is to know an elderly person.
To know gratitude;
is to feed the hungry.
To know security;
is to clothe the naked.
To know health;
is to visit the sick.
To know peace;
is to know contentment.
To know lasting hope;
is to know faith.
To know wisdom;
is to know the Word of God.
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
Profoundness
I don’t particularly appreciate going somewhere because I know there are bad, aggressive, dangerous drivers out there. I don’t “fear” them, but I know I have to be extremely careful while trying to reach my destination in one piece.
I sort of take a lot of pride in my driving. I am courteous, especially to semi-truck drivers, because I know it is challenging considering their length. I give them space to get over or merge into traffic. I learned a lot by watching my mother and comparing her driving to my father’s. Before getting in a vehicle with my father, I would always make sure I was right with God! (Kidding, sort of.)
The other day, April and I were out running errands. I sat behind another driver, waiting to turn right. I watched as the one in front of me missed several opportunities to make their turn. I got very frustrated. They finally turned. I Iooked and made my turn. I said to April, “See. It’s not hard!”
April looked over at me and said the most profound statement. She said, “Maybe it’s hard for them.” Ouch! What do you do when you become aware of the truth? Hopefully, as I decided to do, accept it. I must say, since she said that, I have been more tolerant of other drivers.
Profound – having or showing great knowledge or insight
You might say profoundness is “truth,” and the Bible says the “truth” will set you free. April’s insight is setting me free from frustration while being out there among them driving. What can “truth” set you free from? What “profound” wisdom or insight do you need to hear? Another way to ask this question is: What do you need freedom from?
You can ask God for profoundness in your own life. I would also suggest reading God’s word, the Bible. And I would start with the book of Proverbs. It is full of profound statements and wisdom that, if applied, can change your life. Below is a small sampling.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Proverbs 4:23
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
Where Storms Go to Die
I was watching the weather the other day. They were showing what was happening across the entire United States. There was one storm system on the East Coast that would be exiting during the day. I thought to myself, I wonder where storms go to die?
I mean, what happens to them after they leave America? Do they stay together and go to Iceland? Europe? Perhaps somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, they simply dissipate. I really do not know and have never enquired. I know things like land mass or warm ocean water can feed a storm.
What about the storms that come up in your life? Are there conditions that feed them? I mean, do certain things cause these storms to take place? Last year, and I will admit for selfish reasons, April and I made a decision and acted upon it. That single decision brewed a storm that we are okay from now but still paying for.
Once we realized what we had done, we humbled ourselves, repented, and cried out to God for help. His love and grace are indeed amazing. It’s as if He stood up and said, “Peace be still,” and showed us a path to exit from underneath the dark clouds, and the storm went off to die.
What are you facing in your life? Is it one of the scariest storms you have ever encountered? I live in Tornado Alley. Sometimes, we get storms that set off the sirens telling us to take cover. The part of those storms that makes the hair on the back of my head stand up is the sound of the wind. After the average storm passes, I check to see if there is any damage. I might find a limb and some leaves or trash, but no real damage.
What I am saying is there may be a lot of wind blowing in your life. Cry out to God to calm the storm. To keep you safe and to minimize any damage. Then trust Him. God is faithful, and He is good all the time. I have learned it doesn’t really matter where storms go to die. It’s reassuring to know they do!
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Ps. 107:29 (NIV)
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all; Ps. 34:17-19 (NIV)
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)
God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (MSG)
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
Tuesday Truth
Wedding Vows
Most of us have either heard or said traditional wedding vows. There was my nervous cousin who said, “Till death do we fart.” Of course, we all laughed, especially me and my father. At least until my mother rib punched both of us. His twin brother kept shaking as he tried to maintain his composure.
In case it has been a while, here they are:
“I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Some of us would prefer these vows:
“I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for richer, and in health, to love and to cherish, happily ever after.”
But life isn’t a fairy tale, and there are ups and downs. Do you realize that after you accept Jesus into your life, you become the Bride of Christ? It’s true.
One of the Seven Angels who had carried the bowls filled with the seven final disasters spoke to me: “Come here. I’ll show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.” Rev. 21:9 (MSG)
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints. Rev. 19:7-8 (MSG)
So here is my point to today’s blog post: When we accept Jesus, we enter into an intimate, personal relationship with Him. In sickness and in health. For richer and poorer. For good days and bad days. He helps us get through all the days of our life. But here is the best part: we don’t separate at death but actually come face to face for eternity!
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
Tuesday Truth
God on the Spot
I have said it before, but here it goes again. “God really does care about the little things in our lives.” The toilet upstairs in our house gets easily clogged if too much toilet paper is used, even if the paper is like that thin restaurant toilet paper.
It happened again, and I had been struggling to unclog it without removing the toilet from the floor. After several attempts using a plunger and a plumber’s snake, I was still defeated. The toilet could handle one but not two, if you know what I mean.
Today, I knew I needed to get it resolved, but we didn’t have the money to call a plumber. I started praying. I asked God, “What do I have in the garage that I can insert in the end of the plumber’s snake that has teeth?” Like a meat-cutting knife. I went into the garage and started looking around. Then I saw my jig saw. It uses small blades. I took the blade out and inserted it into the end of the snake. Then, it was too long to make the bends in the back of the toilet, so I had to break it in half.
Once the blade was where I thought the clog was, I turned the snake around and around and then back and forth. I removed it, and the toilet still didn’t flush smoothly. I heard in my spirit, “Plunger it aggressively.” I did, and it must have finished knocking the clog loose because it worked. The toilet now flushes normally.
Perhaps you are saying, “So what?” To me, it was a big deal and an answer to prayer. I love knowing that God hears us and cares enough to help us. “God knows all the answers to every question if man would only ask.” Bill Johnson from his book “Dreaming with God.”
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Pt. 5:7 (NIV)
I challenge you to tell God what is bothering you. See if, afterward, you don’t sense a loving warmth coming over you. Ask Him how to fix something or solve a problem that you are dealing with. Then, listen for Him to answer. He’s real, He’s alive, and He loves and cares so much about you and what you are going through.
Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady All Rights Reserved
brady, mark a. 