In the hustle and bustle of the times, people most likely didn’t notice the cry of a baby coming from the stable. Of if they did, their intellect convinced them that there was no way someone would have a baby there. A lot of Jesus’ story didn’t make sense, so why not where he was born?
Jesus came here with a message that people needed to hear and still do to this day. That word was of God’s plan to redeem us through the sacrifice of his Son. People’s brains had a hard time understanding, accepting, or believing it. God’s action would require “faith” and lots of it.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom. 10:17 (KJV)
Jesus also shared a message of acceptance and one of love. For instance, when He spoke to the woman at the well. (John 4:1-42) Or when He ministered to the man who was possessed by a demon. (Mark 5:1-20)
One can use their ears this holiday season to sense Jesus. Like the last blog, pausing, finding a quiet place to focus, and hearing what message Jesus would say to you. It may be a word of love, acceptance, inclusion, comfort, or guidance. It may be an invitation to accept him. His message may not make sense in your mind, but it is truth. No matter what message Jesus would love to give you, I hope you will hear it, believe it, and accept it.
24-25 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.” But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” 27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.” 28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” 29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:24-29 (MSG)
Perhaps Thomas was from Missouri – “The Show Me State.” He just had to see Jesus before he could believe that though He had died, He had risen and was alive. The hardest thing about faith is not being able to see the one you believe in. If it were easy, it wouldn’t be faith.
When Jesus was born, so many were right there near the stable but failed to see him. Perhaps they were busy dealing with life and with the census that was going on at the time. The devil will always try to keep you busy with something in life that keeps you from seeing Jesus in your life. And with this being the beginning of the Christmas season, there is so much that can distract us from seeing Jesus.
Celebrate this season of your life with purpose. Purposely, slow down, take a moment to stop and reflect on Jesus. Seek out your favorite spot in the house, sit with a warm drink, and consider how Jesus is alive and active in your life. Look for the moments Jesus has been involved in your life. If you have never accepted Jesus, you might see how He has lovingly pursued you.
My uncle was moments away from entering heaven. My cousin, who was a minister at the time, was sitting beside his bed. His last days were spent with family at home. All of a sudden, my cousin said he opened his eyes big and, with a bigger grin on his face, started exclaiming, “I see Him! I see Him!” My cousin looked to where he was pointing, not seeing anything but sensing the presence of God. My uncle then passed away peacefully with a smile on his face. He got to see Jesus as He came to usher my uncle home. Coincidently, my uncle was from Missouri.
Jesus can be seen if you look intently. You may see his nail-scared hands as He guides you. You may see Him lift you as He carries you through a personal trial. It is possible to see Jesus if you look. You will enjoy this Christmas season better after seeing Jesus, the reason for the season.
I have been watching an individual live their life this year the way they want to. It has not gone well. They have been controlled by a game-playing, conniving, lying woman. That caused him to drink himself into a drunken stupor. As a result of spending time in the hospital to dry out, he lost his job. Because of not being able to pay his rent, he was evicted.
Soak, wash, rinse, repeat. After struggling, he managed to get his job back but then repeated the same pattern, the only difference being with a different girl. To add to the injury, he did all this while being separated from his wife and ignoring his children. What kind of life is that?
As I was thinking about his life, I realized one thing: he does not feel as if he is accountable to anyone! Not to his wife, his children, his mother and father, his girlfriend, his friends, his boss, his landlord, or God. No one. He is accountable to God, ultimately, but he fails to see that. You could say he has no fear of the consequences of his actions.
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Rom. 14:12 (NIV)
We should be accountable to people but especially live our lives accountable to God. You will make mistakes, but if you have accepted Jesus, you can ask for forgiveness. Then, it is also a good idea to ask others for forgiveness if you hurt them. Knowing you have to give an account of how you live will cause you to live differently, or at least it should.
“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.” Mat. 10:28 (MSG)
Whether you admit it or not or live accordingly, you are accountable to people and God. If you are not living that way, you will continue to suffer. Did I mention he also totaled his car? So get with the program, or we will have to speak to your supervisor, God.
In your best movie voiceover, “In a world where finding encouragement can be next to impossible.” Do you ever feel that way? The nightly news will try to end on a high note, but the majority of their broadcasts are negative. You go to work, you listen to your coworkers complain about, well, everything. You get home, and you hear complaints from your family, and the emails you open are bills.
I decided to reread the book of Psalms this year. But this time, I am reading it from The Message. I read an article the other day where the author ran this version into the ground. Yes, it is a translation, paraphrased from the original language into modern English. I like it, though. I have really enjoyed The Psalms, especially Chapter 119. It is so relatable to how we live today. In the Psalms, I have found encouragement.
I was inspired to try my hand at writing a modern-day Psalm.
See me, Lord. Here, praising your name. For I am nothing without you. When I follow your ways, my life works out. In your word, I find wisdom.
You are right. Love is a better way to live. And it is better to ask you, ‘O Lord, to revenge my enemies. May they find you in the midst of it all, and turn from their wicked ways.
I enjoy it when I have opportunities to show your love to others. It delights my soul. Especially when they know it’s from you. And there is no greater joy than when they accept you. When they begin to fall in love with you as I have.
Help me, Father, to keep my heart pure. To respond to others with pureness and love. Guide me to know what is on your heart, as I work to write words that will help others.
All to you, “O Lord, and to your glory! May your name be famous in all the earth. Only in you is all hope, encouragement, and happiness. Only in you is an authentic life. Psalms 1:1-5 (MBV) (Mark Brady Version)
There’s a lot of debate these days concerning what Israel should do with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Usually, I don’t write about political issues, but I can’t ignore this one. It’s my humble opinion that Israel should completely remove the Palestinians from their land. Not kill them but drive them out. Why do I say that?
50-53 God spoke to Moses on the Plains of Moab at Jordan-Jericho: “Tell the People of Israel, When you cross the Jordan into the country of Canaan, drive out the native population before you, destroy their carved idols, destroy their cast images, level their worship-mounds so that you take over the land and make yourself at home in it; I’ve given it to you. It’s yours. Num. 33:50-53 (MSG)
God knew if the Israelites didn’t obey Him and remove the people who occupied the land He was giving them, then they would be tempted to become like them and serve their gods. It can be difficult sometimes to worship and serve a God you can’t see. That is one reason the people who did not know God built idols of their made-up gods so that they could see them. In reality, it takes more faith to worship a god that is dead!
There is no difference with some people today. They have an innate desire to serve a god, and so they worship all kinds of things that are dead and can’t do anything for them. And those who do know God and even live according to his word, if they do not remove the things of the world from their land, territory, home, and life, they, too, will turn from God eventually.
Some are easily influenced or persuaded by what appears to be successful people who don’t know God. They too easily give up on God or grow impatient with Him to move in their life. So, the same principle God told Israel of removing anything that would come before Him from their land applies to our lives. That is why Israel should remove the Palestinian people from their land. Otherwise, they will always be a thorn in their side. They will continue to cause trouble for Israel. That is the ONLY way to bring real peace to the land.
There is a ministry on TV every weekend, usually in the middle of the night. These days, I am up at that time because I can’t go back to sleep. I’m not sure why I even give the program a minute of my time because I know that no matter what they are saying when I tune in, they will eventually ask viewers to give money.
I have watched enough to know they ask for a donation of $1000. They call it a “seed offering.” The speaker assures me that God will take my offering and bless it, and I will receive many times more than what I gave. I have wondered Why does it have to be $1000? I did notice during the COVID pandemic, they only asked for $333, and then it went down to 58 dollars a month! Their plea must work because they keep doing it. I think many people are so desperate for money that they will try anything.
I have also pondered I wonder what God thinks of this so-called ministry. How will He judge them? I mean, couldn’t there be a “Dollar Tree Church?” And why is giving money to them all they ever talk about? I respect the TV ministries that never directly ask for money. They might give you an opportunity to support them, but they don’t use their expensive TV time, only asking for money.
“If God is in it, He will fund it.”
Bill Gothard
Here is what I know for sure is true: God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) He will bless you if you give, for the right reasons, especially if you do it his way. According to Malachi 3:10. You can never outgive God. Giving is about the attitude of your heart and not about getting something back. With that said, I started tithing at the age of eleven. I give credit to God that I have never gone lacking for a job. I also gave Him praise when I was able to retire at age 55. Trust me, it wasn’t due to me being a financial expert when it came to investing.
The next time you are up in the middle of the night, and you come across a TV minister asking you to send him a $1000 seed, resist the urge. If you still want to sow a financial seed, plant it into your local church that you know is building God’s kingdom and not their own.
It turns out people can have a fear of anything. Most seem to have a fear of something. Me? Arachnophobia. A common one is the fear of spiders. It is so bad the other day I tried to kill a thick, black mark on the back of where some curtains were cut off! I suspect April suffers from Zuigerphobia. The fear of vacuum cleaners. Oh, Phobophobia is the fear of phobias.
A phobia of some things, like snakes, might keep you from getting hurt. Honestly, though, so does a healthy respect. You see, some fears can cause some people to seize up. The fear can definitely control their behavior. Fear is not of God, and God is love.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
The one fear some have that I want to focus on is the fear of the quiet. You can spot the people who suffer from this phobia because they are always in motion. They must be somewhere with others or have people at their home, but you will seldom find them alone.
They don’t want to be alone because that can lead to them having to think about the current situation they are dealing with and how they got there based on the good or bad decisions they have made. Usually, their current situation is not favorable. They find themselves lacking contentment or peace.
Unfortunately, when a person is alone, they tend to turn to mind-altering substances to assist them in leaving their life on the side for a while. If they are not careful, they will become addicted to the substance.
Knowing Jesus can be the cure for addictions, loneliness, and the fear of the quiet. He can help you turn your life around, heal you of your fears, and give you confidence, contentment, and peace to go with it. You’ve tried everything else to no avail. Try Jesus. If you don’t think you need him, then you probably have Redeemedphobia!
For fun, I am including a list of phobias. My favorite was: Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia: Fear of long words
Ablutophobia: Fear of bathing
Achluophobia: Fear of darkness
Acrophobia: Fear of heights
Aerophobia: Fear of flying
Algophobia: Fear of pain
Agoraphobia: Fear of open spaces or crowds
Aichmophobia: Fear of needles or pointed objects
Amaxophobia: Fear of riding in a car
Androphobia: Fear of men
Anemophobia: Fear of air
Anginophobia: Fear of angina or choking
Angrophobia: Fear of anger
Anthrophobia: Fear of flowers
Anthropophobia: Fear of people or society
Aphenphosmphobia: Fear of being touched
Arachibutyrophobia:Fear of peanut butter
Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders
Arithmophobia: Fear of numbers
Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning
Astrophobia: Fear of outer space
Ataxophobia: Fear of disorder or untidiness
Atelophobia: Fear of imperfection
Atychiphobia: Fear of failure
Automatonophobia: Fear of human-like figures
Autophobia: Fear of being alone
Bacteriophobia: Fear of bacteria
Barophobia: Fear of gravity
Bathmophobia: Fear of stairs or steep slopes
Batrachophobia: Fear of amphibians
Belonephobia: Fear of pins and needles
Bibliophobia: Fear of books
Botanophobia: Fear of plants
Cacophobia: Fear of ugliness
Catagelophobia:Fear of being ridiculed
Catoptrophobia: Fear of mirrors
Chionophobia: Fear of snow
Chrometophobia: Fear of spending money
Chromophobia: Fear of colors
Chronomentrophobia: Fear of clocks
Chronophobia: Fear of time
Cibophobia: Fear of food
Claustrophobia: Fear of confined spaces
Climacophobia: Fear of climbing
Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns
Cyberphobia: Fear of computers
Cynophobia: Fear of dogs
Daemonophobia: Fear of demons
Decidophobia: Fear of making decisions
Dendrophobia: Fear of trees
Dentophobia: Fear of dentists
Domatophobia: Fear of houses
Dystychiphobia: Fear of accidents
Ecophobia:Fear of the home
Elurophobia: Fear of cats
Emetophobia: Fear of vomiting
Entomophobia: Fear of insects
Ephebiphobia: Fear of teenagers
Erotophobia: Fear of sex
Equinophobia: Fear of horses
Gamophobia: Fear of marriage
Genuphobia: Fear of knees
Glossophobia: Fear of speaking in public
Gynophobia: Fear of women
Haphephobia: Fear of touch
Heliophobia: Fear of the sun
Hemophobia: Fear of blood
Herpetophobia: Fear of reptiles
Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia: Fear of long words
Hydrophobia: Fear of water
Hypochondria: Fear of illness
Iatrophobia:Fear of doctors
Insectophobia:Fear of insects
Koinoniphobia: Fear of rooms
Koumpounophobia:Fear of buttons
Leukophobia: Fear of the color white
Lilapsophobia: Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes
Lockiophobia:Fear of childbirth
Mageirocophobia:Fear of cooking
Megalophobia: Fear of large things
Melanophobia: Fear of the color black
Microphobia: Fear of small things
Mysophobia: Fear of dirt and germs
Necrophobia:Fear of death or dead things
Noctiphobia: Fear of the night
Nomophobia: Fear of being without your mobile phone
You know how we joke after having a bad dream about what we ate the night before? That is what I was asking myself the other day. The dream had me sitting in a classroom. Somehow, I knew it was a college class. I was sitting in the back of the room, which was usually my custom when I did attend college.
A humorous part of the dream was when the professor entered the classroom. Wallace Shawn portrayed that role. Don’t recognize the name? He is an actor who has played Dr. John Sturgis on the sitcom “Young Sheldon.” His role in the show is that of a nerdy professor.
In the dream, he walked into the room and asked, “What is the cost of a man?” After a few students attempted to answer his question, he began to write a series of formulas on the chalkboard. There were at least four rows of them. That is where he lost me! He came up with the solution of “0.02.” I’m not sure what that means. I woke shortly after that.
Whenever I have a dream that I remember, I will usually ask myself, what does that mean? I have taken a class on dream interpretation. Most of them are about yourself and tend to reflect what is currently going on in your life. In this case, I had to answer the question from God’s point of view before knowing why I had the dream. When that happened, I knew I had to share the answer in a blog post.
The cost of a man is “Jesus.” What? You see, God made man, and therefore man belonged to God, but God gave that ownership to man when He gave him “free will.” When man sinned by disobeying God, man transferred that ownership to Satan. God did not want man to die in a sinful state and, therefore, perish forever.
So God gave man His only Son. Jesus came to Earth as a baby. He matured in the word of God and the ways of God. Jesus walked the area teaching others about His Father, about real love, and a better way to live. He promised those who believed in Him and asked for forgiveness eternal life. Then, after the religious leaders became fearful that Jesus’ popularity would take away their power and control, they killed him.
The cost for a man to have eternal life again was the brutal death and then resurrection of Jesus Christ. His death purchased the right for man to live eternally. But once again, God has allowed man, via free will, to decide for himself if he wants to accept His gift of His Son. Jesus’ selfless action of love is the only way to have the hope of true life, eternal life.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)
Let’s get right to it. I hate carrying groceries into the house! I have owned this disdain ever since I was a kid. I think my mother had a lot to do with the development of my attitude. I would try to carry everything all in one trip. My mother didn’t trust me not to smash, crush, or break things, so she worked hard at controlling how I accomplished this awful chore. I was not too fond of that.
My case for getting it done expeditiously suffered a setback when some glass Coke bottles fell out of their carton and broke on the sidewalk, creating a big, sticky mess. Of course, she blamed me and wouldn’t listen to my defense when I tried to show her that the cardboard carton was wet. Therefore weakening it and allowing the bottles to break through.
Even after escaping her controlling parenting habits, I still found myself hating this chore. I would go grocery shopping as little as possible. Some of the places I lived as an adult did not make this activity any less frustrating.
So why am I boring you with one of my favorite pet peeves? To illustrate a point as to how much God loves us and cares, even about the things we don’t enjoy doing. Prove it? I will. As I was about to retire from AT&T, I studied my options and decided it was best to move back to my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Housing is reasonable, and my father was sick, and I knew he would need help.
I started looking at houses online from Chicago. I found one I liked immediately, as to where it was located and how it looked. I studied the seven photos of the interior and finally figured out the floor plan. My architectural background helped. I got so excited when I realized that the kitchen door opened to the garage. My real estate agent tried to talk me out of purchasing the house because it had a lot of little issues. But something inside my spirit kept bringing me back to it.
When the seller lowered the price $16,000, I told my agent, “I want this house!” I signed a contract without even looking at the house in person. When I did walk through it, I loved it. After I closed, I felt so blessed by God. This house was about to become my favorite home. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, when I come home with groceries, I back the car into the garage. After I open the kitchen door and the trunk, I grab my groceries, turn my body, and place them right into the kitchen. It doesn’t matter if they are in paper or plastic; there are no steps involved! God truly blessed me.
God cares so much about you and your life. Even what may seem like small things. And He loves to give his children good gifts. Even a house that will eliminate your favorite pet peeve!
But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows. Luke 12:7 (AMPC)
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)
Life brings its own set of challenges. Keeping on top of everything or ahead of it all is a full-time job. But what if God gives you a command or challenge to carry out? Do you blindly obey with all the faith you have? Do you say, “Okay, God, but help me.”? Or do you debate why He should probably choose someone else?
Earlier this year, April and I went to Texas on a mini vacation. The hotel we stayed at, of course, had a swimming pool. I talked April into joining me. The water was warm, but the air was a little cool, so as we entered the shallow end, we kneeled so the water would rise to our necks. We were having a good time when I suggested to April we go to the other side. She agreed and climbed onto my back as I swam to the deep end until she could grab the edge. April trusted me to get her to the other side even though she couldn’t swim. She remained calm and didn’t put up a fight or resist. She went for it.
A dear friend from one of my past churches I used to attend in another state told me God asked her to bake pies and to take them to her neighbors. It was a way for her to get to know them and to have an opportunity to share the gospel. Some of those neighbors lived on the other side of the street. She obeyed.
What is God asking you to do? Jesus once told his disciples, “Let us go to the other side.” They did.
35-38 Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”
39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” Mark 4:35-40 (MSG)
The above is a popular portion of scripture preached a lot about faith. And it is good. I mean, Jesus told them they were going to the other side, so they should have known they weren’t going to drown. My favorite part is what happened next in Chapter 5. Jesus set a man free from the possession of a demon named Legion, for there were many demons in him. As a result, a whole town heard of Jesus and had an opportunity to accept Him.
So, if God is asking you to do something, obey. Don’t argue, don’t resist, believe and go, even if you can’t swim. He will calm the storms that may try to prevent you from reaching the other side, but have faith. For what is on the other side most likely has eternal dividends.
brady, mark a. 