Looking For Jesus (Part 5)

December 15, 2020December 8, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The shepherds. The evening started as normal as any other. The shepherds had done their duty of setting their night watches over their sheep. Then, out of nowhere, an angel stood among them, and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 (MSG)

Soon after, they no doubt, took a selfie of them with the angel to post on Biblebook, then decided to go over to Bethlehem as quick as they could to see for themselves what God had revealed to them. Sure enough, seeing was believing, and they told everyone what the angel had said to them.

They left looking for Jesus. Not believing, at first, what God had revealed to them, but after seeing Jesus they praised and worshipped him.

There are several truths here:

God shows up with good news when least expected. On the normal days.
God can show up when you are going about your regular duties.
There are times when his presence will catch you off guard. When you are not looking for Him.
God will use the least expected to do his work.
Jesus’ birth was meant for everybody, worldwide.
Some people have to see Jesus to believe, but it was still faith that got the shepherds to go to Bethlehem in the first place.

And the greatest truth in this post:

All, everyone, even you, will praise and worship Jesus when he is seen. In that moment, everything you or they have heard, all their life, about God, and his son Jesus will be confirmed.

In everyday life, do what you need to do, but always be looking for Jesus to show up, to give you a message, forgiveness, an answer to prayer, or a gift. And most important, be willing to share what Jesus gives you with others.

Looking For Jesus (Part 4)

December 11, 2020December 3, 2020 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

King Herod. He was not looking for Jesus, at first. But after the wise men came to him asking, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” King Herod became interested. In fact, the scriptures say, “he was alarmed, and all of Jerusalem with him.” They must have liked things the way they were.

This is one of the main reasons why people don’t look for Jesus. They like things the way they are.

King Herod gathered all the chief priest and experts in the law. They knew the scriptures, the Old Testament and told the king exactly where Jesus would be born. He then schemed to use the wise men to be his spies, and after finding the Christ child to report back. Even as a child, Jesus threatened the status quo. When the wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem they were warned not to return to the king, so they went back home via a different route.

An angel warned Joseph to take his family to Egypt so he did. Soon after King Herod saw he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He then sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under.

So now King Herod was looking for Jesus, but only because he was influenced by Satan. The devil did not, and still doesn’t know God’s plans, but because he was once in heaven he knew the name of Jesus. Satan, the devil used Herod to apply a shotgun approach to kill Jesus before he could grow up and do the will of God, and that was to defeat sin and death.

Satan will never win over God. And he doesn’t know what God is doing in your life either. Life with God is so much better than without him. When you surrender your life to God, and ask him to lead you and guide you, I assure you, life will be so much better. This season, look for Jesus for the right reasons. You will soon be glad you did.

Looking For Jesus (Part 3)

December 8, 2020December 2, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Elizabeth. The Virgin Mary’s cousin. Elizabeth and her husband, Zachariah were quite old, and childless. They lived honorably before God, yet while on a normal day, at work, when an unannounced angel appeared to him in the temple of God, he was frightened. Of course the angel said, “Fear not.” The angel went on to inform Zachariah that his wife would become pregnant with a son, and he was to name him, “John”. Then the angel continued and gave him instructions for John and told his life cause was to prepare the people for God. He returned home, and I’m sure he had a difficult time getting his wife to join him in the bedroom, but soon after Elizabeth got pregnant.

I love how God takes everyday, ordinary people to join him in doing some of his most extraordinary work. “How?” you ask. “Really? You don’t think God can use you, that you have nothing to offer? Watch God. You’re never too old, too short, too tall, too under resourced, or too anything. All God needs from you is a willing heart. One that has been given to him.

I had a similar experience when I was married to my first wife. In a dream I was told our first “born” child would be a boy, and that we were to name him, “Joshua David”, and he was to be a spiritual warrior. We lost our first child after 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy, and sure enough, our first born was a son. You can bet we had no problem picking out his name. And I am holding God to his word that my son will be what God has called him to be.

Zachariah, being a priest of Judah, had to have known the heart of God’s chosen people were turning away. He and his wife had been waiting for so long for God to answer their prayers for their nation and for their own lives, but God did. They certainly had no idea God would use them and their son to set people free from sin. In fact, I love what Elizabeth says.

Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!” she said. Luke 2:25 (MSG)

Mary went to see Elizabeth and to announce her own pregnancy. I’m sure Mary knew what had happened to her cousin, and would have no problem believing her own testimony, because of it. The scriptures say that when Elizabeth heard the news of Mary the baby she was carrying leaped.

Elizabeth was not only looking for her own son, John, but now of a greater one her son would later say he was not worthy to untie the straps of his sandals. She too was looking for Jesus.

It seems some people have a hard time accepting and believing Truth. When they hear how much God loves them and that He gave his only son to die on a cross for them. I think the reason is they try to figure out God with their natural minds, but God is spiritual.

This Christmas season, and always, look harder for Jesus. Expect and believe even when it doesn’t make sense. Look for your healing. For the salvation of your family and friends. For the future of your children, or for the financial miracle you desperately need. Who knows? You may soon be responding like Elizabeth, “So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!”

Looking For Jesus (Part 2)

December 4, 2020January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Joseph. A good man, in fact, a righteous man. “Righteous”, a $12 dollar word which means, in right standing with God. A smart man, reasonable in his dealing with people. How do I know this? Simple. By reading the scriptures.

You see, when Mary told him she was pregnant, he of course was shocked and bewildered. How could she do this to him? And before they were to get married. Did she truly love him, or was she marrying him for some other reason? Men seem to have a hard time trusting women ever since the fall of Adam and Eve. Due to the curse of sin men and women have had issues relating.

Back to him being a good man, he decided to end the engagement privately hoping it would save Mary and her family public embarrassment, but people talk and would have found out anyway. Especially when Mary would start showing from her pregnancy. But then:

^20-23While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

^24-25Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. Mat. 1:20-25 (MSG)

Because Joseph was a God fearing man, he obeyed, and he too begin looking for Jesus. Can you imagine what he was going through? A new husband to a woman who has found favor with the God of the universe and is now carrying His son. I’m sure Joseph had more questions than answers. What do I do with him? Do I teach him how to be a carpenter, like me? Teach him about wood and nails? Many people have questions when they accept Jesus, and that’s okay, but Joseph accepted Jesus, and he accepted God’s plan.

Look for Jesus. You will find him, because He has already found you. Don’t get hung up on the details. Don’t try to figure out God’s plan with your mind, because you never will fully understand it, but trust me, it’s all about love. Love for the people of the world. Love for you.

Looking For Jesus (Part 1)

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Mary. Singing. Dreaming of her upcoming life as the young bride of Joseph. Tending to the laundry. What would have been another typical day, of her life, turned into the most extraordinary day of her life. An angel appeared. “Fear not.” Yeah, right. If it happened to me I would have had to do some more laundry.

“You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant with a Son, and you will name him, Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. God will give him the throne of his father, David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

Mary questioned God’s plan, considering she had never been with a man.

But the angel explained, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy, in fact he will be called, the Son of God.” (Luke 1)

From that day forward, Mary found herself looking for Jesus. As he grew inside her, when he turned, kicked, and did all the things babies do inside the womb, she had to have wondered, what will he look like it? Will I see the face of God, or will he look like me? Time would reveal that Jesus looked just like God in all ways. For he always said, “I only do what I have seen my Father in heaven do.”

I’m sure Mary wasn’t the perfect parent, but Jesus forgave her for that. His death on the cross not only forgave her, but all of us who accept him for who he is, the Son of God. And guess what, he’s coming back. He’s coming to gather those who believe and call him, Lord. To take us to his home now, heaven to be with him forever. I’m living my life in a manner to be invited for the second greatest coming in the history of the earth! I’m looking for Jesus, are you?

Why Do You Love God?

November 27, 2020November 25, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A true story:

One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. God singled out Satan and said, “What have you been up to?”

Satan answered God, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.”

God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.”

Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose!

“But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.”

God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of God.

Sometime later, while Job’s children were having one of their parties at the home of the oldest son, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing in the field next to us when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them—burned them to a crisp. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”

Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth.
God gives, God takes.
God’s name be ever blessed.

Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. Job 1:6-22 (MSG)

Wow! What would your response be if this happened to you? Many people blame God for evil, and pain in this world, but we can see here God doesn’t cause it, the devil does. 2020 has been a very painful year for a lot of people around the world. Have people, or you blamed God, or the men that created the virus for evil? Do those who on January 1^st, 2020 who praised God and confessed their love for Him still do? Do you only love God when He is good to you?

It is so important, no, it is vital that we keep our perspective true when facing difficult times. To know God didn’t bring, or cause the pain although He did allow it knowing that if we keep our focus on him we will get through it. Job loved God simply because, He is God!

We don’t know when the events of 2020 are going to end. We don’t know who will still be above ground and the totality of it all, but don’t for one second take your eyes off of God. Know He is still God, and love him accordingly.

The end of Job’s story:

God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. Job 42:12 (MSG)

You Are What You Eat

November 24, 2020January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This is not a Thanksgiving post! You will not be a turkey because you ate turkey this coming Thursday! This is funny; I was asked if I would come over for Thanksgiving one year. When I accepted, my friend said, “Oh good. Now we have a turkey!” Some friend, right?

Anyway, what I am addressing is being what you believe, what you accept to be true, even though it may not be. Why the eating tie in? Because people will digest something, and then they become that.

For example, people will become a worrier, simply by spending time worrying about something that most likely won’t even come into existent. They are accepting lies as if they are truth and it affects them. It shapes them into who they are, because of what they believe.

I told a lady the other day, “You worry a lot, and let anxiety overcome you.” She agreed and said, “I always have, and I always will.” What a lie from hell! The devil has convinced her of this, even though it doesn’t have to be that way. It certainly is not the life God wants for her, and every time she gets hurt, or believes these lies and it hurts her, it breaks the heart of God. He loves her so much, and desires for her to be set free from this self-built prison! This is not the life He intended for her to live.

The word of God teaches how to overcome such a life:

“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.” 2 Cor. 10:5 (TPT)

In case you missed it; we should analyze every thought and ask, “Is this true? Is it a good thought that lifts us up, or is it a negative thought that tares us down?” If the thought isn’t going to do us any good, then dismiss it. Throw it out! Quick! Get rid of it, don’t entertain it one more second, and definitely don’t believe it. If you will learn to do this, overtime you will change. You will become the person God designed you to be, and live the life He intended for you to live.

Now the truth above is something to be thankful for! Perhaps this is a Thanksgiving post after all?

Two Things that Make Me Cry

November 20, 2020May 23, 2022 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Yes, I still own a “Man Card”! Stopping and asking for directions doesn’t make me any less of a man. In fact, it demonstrates I don’t have an issue with pride. So there! LOL Admitting I cry doesn’t make me any less of a man either. So what are the two things that will almost guarantee I will reach for a tissue?

When I begin thinking about God’s goodness, and blessings to me and my wife I get misty eyed. Like the other day we received three unexpected checks in the mail. They really helped us out, and before you ask me for a loan they went to pay off some debt. They were nice checks. When I opened the envelopes and saw them I sat down and cried.

A few weeks ago I wrote about sowing into someone else’s financial needs. I helped a friend work on his condo. He offered to pay me and I wanted to accept the money, but God whispered, “No. Sow into their need.” They didn’t need to spend any more on the condo.

God has established certain universal laws, and one of them is “sowing and reaping”. If you sow, give time or money it doesn’t always come back to you in the same form you gave it, but it does come back. But you have to be willing to give without expecting it to come back, which has to do with the attitude of your heart.
The other thing that gets my eyes to leaking is sensing the presence of God. When his Spirit comes over me and hovers, and I know I am in the company of God it over whelms me. To think, the God of the universe wants to spend time with me. I can’t see him, but I know He is there. I can’t see the wind, but I know when it blows. Lately, when this happens, I have been saying, “Come a little closer, stay a little longer. I can’t get enough of you.”

Okay, in full disclosure those are the words to a new worship song I just discovered the other day. “Just Like Heaven” by Brandon Lake. When I hear this song on the radio it ushers me into an attitude of worship. Expressing my love and admiration to God for who He is, for his holiness. Worship, does a lot for us, even though we are giving it to God.

So yes, there are times I cry, but they are good tears not bad ones that flow out because of hurt, or pain. Tears are a release of emotion, and God gave us that capability, and I am so grateful He did. I can’t imagine what would happen if I didn’t cry. I’m no expert in biology, but I have a feeling my emotion would come out somewhere, somehow, in some form. I choose tears.

You Were That, but Now You Are This

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“You’re such a nice person,” said the new co-worker. The woman had been hurt by many men in the past and so naturally she was leery of any man who seemed, “nice” in the beginning of a new relationship. Evidently, trusting a nice man and letting her guard down has put her in the position to get hurt in the past, but this guy was different. His attitude seemed real, genuine. She wondered how this could be.

After meeting Jesus Christ, and accepting who he is as God’s son, that encounter should change you. It changed Saul, who was later named “Paul”. You see after Saul’s salvation, or conversion he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and into him entered the fruit of the Spirit.

^13-14Ananias protested, “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man [Saul] and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”

^26-27Back in Jerusalem he [Saul] tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him, told them how Saul had seen and spoken to the Master on the Damascus Road and how in Damascus itself he had laid his life on the line with his bold preaching in Jesus’ name.

^28-30After that he was accepted as one of them, going in and out of Jerusalem with no questions asked, uninhibited as he preached in the Master’s name. Acts 9:13-14, 26-30 (MSG)

So what changes a person so drastically? It’s the fruit of the Spirit. Each attribute of the Spirit replaces one(s) in the flesh:

Love replaces hate.

Joy replaces sadness, depression.

Peace replaces nervousness, anxiety, fears.

Longsuffering replaces quick tempers. Gives time for understanding.

Gentleness replaces anger, rage.

Goodness replaces selfishness.

Faith replaces worry, and hopelessness.

Having the fruit of the Spirit within you provides life, real life, the way God intended it. People will see the difference and be drawn to you, but what they are really being drawn to is the heart of God. If you have not been filled with the Spirit of God then ask God to fill you with his Spirit. Then allow it to perfect your walk with God, and affect the world, the people around you.

You Have to do Something!

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

God sent **ONE** angel to defeat the entire Assyrian army.

Whenever we are in a rough spot, and our backs are up against the wall, there is something innate within that forces us to want to find our own way out. We will do just about anything, and it seems the more desperate the situation the more radicle our action will be. Most people seem to have a fight mentality when we are in a corner.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 32, we read that Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrian army, a horrible group of men, who had no respect for mankind, and they had no fear of God. This army would first send tablets into a town they were set on over taking. These tablets showed detail pictures of how they were planning on torturing their captives in savage ways, which struck ultimate fear in their hearts. The people of Jerusalem knew for sure life was all over. There was only one thing they could do,

pray.

King Hezekiah, joined by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, responded by praying, calling up to heaven. God answered by sending an angel who wiped out everyone in the Assyrian camp, both warriors and officers. Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, tail between his legs. When he went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him. 2 Chr. 32:20-21 (MSG)

You pray. You commit the situation to God and then you wait. That’s right. There are times when you have to trust God, like in Psalms 46:10a

“Be still, and know that I am God…”

It’s hard not to do anything. My wife has been stuck in the Philippines for several months now. She is done with the immigration process and only needs her interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. It’s difficult to be separated for so long. It hurts!. I have tried everything I could think of, but nothing has happened. I surrendered it to God, I’m being still. Another version of this verse says, “Stop striving…” That is what I have had to do.

In 2 Chr. 32 above, it says they prayed, and God answered, and sent one angel who wiped out the entire army. God may need to send more than one angel to deal with the U.S. government, (kidding) but I do know the answer to my prayer is on the way.

Whatever situation you may be facing, painful, dreadful, frightening, or whatever, pray. Give it to God and then be still and watch him answer as He sees fit to do so.