False Accusations

False-stampBeing accused of something is difficult to handle, but when those accusations are false it really hurts.  Each assault can cut really deep.  What makes these accusations even worse is when the truth is staring the accusers in the face, and yet they choose to ignore it.

Last night, on my train ride home, my thoughts turned to Jesus.  One week people were singing his praises, and the following week amidst false accusations some of those same individuals were screaming for his death.  The thing we must realize is this; he was, and still is, the Son of God.  He is Truth, and being such, he had the capability to prove his innocence, but he chose not to.  If he had of, we would not have salvation, and the hope of living in heaven for eternity.

I guess I can find comfort in knowing that if it wasn’t for individuals refusing to believe the Truth, who was standing right in front of them, I wouldn’t have salvation.  Another thing I can find comfort in is knowing that God sees all truth, and one day will reveal truth to all.

1Co 3:13  The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. (AMP)

 

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Time for God?

clockYou sleep, you wake, usually before you are ready.
You don’t want to be late, for this job is steady.
Your spouse deals with the kids, their lunches and more.
The kids go to school, do homework and then their chores.

The goal is to all meet back home and try together to eat,
but there are athletic games, practices, and people to meet.
There’s the business of living, and paying the bills,
of finding repairmen to fix the houses’ ills.

And on that rare evening when home you are found,
there are shows to catch up on with, or without others around.
Then weekends arrive, and you work around the house during the day,
so you can make it to the party invitations that come your way.

Sunday morning is here, to church do you go?
You’re so tired from your week, it’s too easy to rollover and say, “No.”
Shouldn’t God get your tithe, your worship and time?  Your call.
But without Him there’s no life worth living, at all!

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Looking Your Best for God

big-hatThere was an emphasis on wearing your “Sunday best” when I was growing up.  Every week at church most would be decked out in the nicest piece of wardrobe in their closet.  “You should look your best when going to church,” was often heard.  Believe it or not, in some churches, the hats worn on Easter are so large one cannot see the pastor when sitting behind such monstrosities.

Now there is certainly nothing wrong with looking nice when one attends a church service, but note that wearing your best is on the outside.  God probably appreciates the effort, but what is likely more important is someone coming into God’s house looking nice on the inside.  In other words, having a contrite heart, or a heart after God’s heart.  A heart that is concerned for others, and where they will spend eternity.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.”  Psa. 51:10 (AMP)

Knowing this, perhaps here at the beginning of a new year, it is time to clean out your “spiritual” closet.  Get rid of all of the things that make you look good only on the outside.  Let God examine your heart, and guide you in where changes need to be made.

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

What Living is Meant to Be

dirty-shirt-500It’s December 31, 2016 as I am actually writing this.  In a few minutes, 2016 will end, die, and the “new” year will begin.  Some like new.  New opportunities, new hope, a fresh start, but there are those who hang on to the old.  It’s kind of like someone continuing to wear an old, worn out, dirty shirt, instead of putting on a new, clean shirt.  They probably are not comfortable with something they don’t know how it will fit, or feel, so they continue to wear the old worn one.  The same can go for when people accept Jesus.  They know He has replaced their old rags (life) with something new, and that they “should” let go of the old life, but they struggle in doing so.

Have you ever realized if Jesus hadn’t of died there would be no new?  Without his death, there would be no resurrection.  God’s plan of salvation would have been nothing more than a nice gesture, or a generous thought.

2Co 5:17  “Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!” (MSG, italics mine)

It can be very difficult, but in order to truly live, our old flesh has to die.  All of it.  So as this new year begins, make a fresh commitment to let God work on you, inside and out.  Let the old things pass away, and let new things in.  May you learn to get comfortable in how God dresses you.  Who knows?  You may finally realize what living is meant to be.

 

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

To: You

jesus-gift-tagMy child, know that on this Christmas morning, I have given you my greatest gift.  It may not be what you wanted, but I know, it is what you need.  I have given my all to you.  I have not held back anything for myself.

Oh how I desire that you could see, or measure how much I love you, but even infinity is not big enough to contain it.  My hope is that you will accept my gift.  Please don’t put it away and forget about it, or never read the instruction book that I provided, and please don’t try to return it!

Know that if you accept my gift then we can be together forever.  Also know that everything required to be with me for eternity I have provided.  There is nothing you need to do, or can do.  No rules to follow, no level of goodness required, and it doesn’t matter what you have done in the past.  I made you.  I know you.  I want more than anything to have a relationship with you, and I can, if you will simply unwrap the gift I have given you and accept it.

What is this gift?  My son.  My only son.  It’s the gift that reads, “To: you    From: God”

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

The Greatest Plan…Ever!

gods-planThe greatest love story.  The greatest gift.  The greatest promise…kept.

Who, but God could have come up with a plan to place his son Jesus, in a young virgin.  Very few looked there.  The politicians didn’t, the religious leaders didn’t, and most of the people didn’t either.

God, through his word, told what He was planning on doing, so it wasn’t a secret, but people have a tendency of not knowing God, or his word.  This causes them to take God’s plans and play them out as they understand, or worse, want.

How all of this life on earth ends is also part of God’s plan.  It’s not a secret, or mystery.  Yet people still do not get to know God, and believe how they want to.  Read God’s word.  All of it.  Even Revelation.  Though you may not understand, believe it will happen…according to God’s plan.  So far, God’s plan has worked out perfectly.  Remember this, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)  Faith…use it.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Close Gifts

red-crossMary held him close enough to hear him breath.  To feel his chest move in and out.  To see every radiant color of his eyes.  Her heart melted when he smiled.  Just think what an honor it must have been to be that close to God.  To hold God in your hands.

Jesus said, “For the Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)  Mary held God.  Today, God can hold you.

When it hurts, when you’re scared, when you’re confused, run into God’s arms.  Because God gave us His son, His son gave us God.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Jesus is Lord!!

jesus-is-lordA young lady in my church, who hides behind a recliner to talk to her parent’s bible study group stands up with boldness in front of her class.  The 15 year old shared with them why God should be allowed back into schools.  She revealed students have a right to proclaim “Jesus is Lord”.  She stood there in the power of the Holy Spirit as He enabled her.  In her own might it would never happen, but she loves God and wants to be used by Him.

We are in full blown Christmas mode right now.  This is the easiest time of the year to share “Jesus is Lord”.  After all, Jesus is the reason for this season.  People are hungry for truth and Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  All, who know “Jesus is Lord”, should be watching for opportunities to share their faith.  Ready to give an answer to those searching.  The Holy Spirit has been drawing them to God.  Now we need to be asking the Holy Spirit to help us to be ready and bold, like the young lady in my church.

This holiday season give more than an earthly gift.  Give the gift God gave us.  His son Jesus.  Share with all, why Jesus is the answer to their needs.  Give a gift that hopefully no one returns.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

“You missed Christmas, Jack”

empty-mangerYou know it’s the season, you feel the rush.  You’re reminded the clock is ticking, but you say, “Hush.”  So much to get done, so many people to see.  Only a few days till Christmas, can it really be?  There’s family and friends, and co-workers too, so many to buy for, what do you do?

One way or another December 25th will arrive.  One way or another you will survive.  This Christmas will come and go, but at what cost?  This Christmas may go by, but what will be lost?  Will you take time to pause, or sit?  Or will your heart take a huge hit?

Will you unwrap the greatest gift that has ever been given?  The gift from God, the gift from heaven?  The gift of his son to set free your heart?  The forgiveness of sin on Jesus’ part?  Enjoy your friends, and family too, but don’t miss the real reason for Christmas, so here’s what you do.  Stop the craziness, resist the pressure, take in Jesus, He is a permanent treasure. Don’t be like Jack from the movie, “The Family Man”.  Enjoy this Christmas by having a Jesus plan.

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Choose to Live

20161119_112851A young man hid in the bushes.  When he judged the train was too close to stop in time he ran out and dove onto the tracks.

I was riding that train on my way to work this past week.  I have been commuting in and out of Chicago for 23 years, but this was the first time I have actually been on the train that struck a pedestrian.  They ruled it a suicide immediately.

While the investigation was proceeding I thought about this person and wondered, how bad was his life that he decided he had no more hope?  What was going on?  Satan won a victory that morning.  John 10:10 tells us, “Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy.”  Anything God has created, or made, including mankind, Satan wants to get rid of it.

Pastor Robert Morris, of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas once said, “As long as you are alive, you have hope.”  If you are hurting, if the pain is more than you think you can bare, then please talk to someone.  Please, I beg you.  There are numerous organizations that are set up to help in all kinds of ways, but you must contact them.  Depression, and mental illness is not something that shows up on the outside.  Most people may not ever know, until you speak up.  And if someone speaks up to you, I pray you will love and care about them enough to listen intently, and help them.  Life, can be a beautiful thing.  Choose it.

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved