Telling The Truth Can Cost You

July 12, 2022July 9, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A father was acting out concerning a relationship. He was unhappy about how it was going, and the other person was not acting the way “he” wanted them to, which upset him to no end. There were some names spoken that were not flattering. The father talked about the situation over the phone with his son, and his son listened, but when he tried to correct his father’s attitude, the father got mad and hung up the phone. When the son called back again, he was rudely hung up on by his father.

The son’s motivation was pure as he wrote his father a letter. He tried to get his father to understand how he was treating people in several relationships and was pushing them away, and people did not want to be around him anymore. The son tried to tell his father the truth as lovingly as possible.

The father went ballistic and set out to get revenge on his son. He lied to his son and tricked him into going down to the bank to get him to sign a document that would remove him from all of his accounts and his safety deposit box. Then he removed his son from the deed to his house and even cut him out of his will. Apparently, he really did not like hearing the truth!

When Jesus walked the earth, he successfully told people the truth. Some heard him and accepted his message, changing how they lived, but others did not. They chose to get enraged.

People may not want to lose control over their life, so they will not accept the truth. Or they may fear not knowing what life will be like if they change. Others are deceived into thinking they are fine the way they are, and some feel they will lose status or power if they change. Then there are those who blame others for their actions instead of accepting the truth.

The truth is; the truth will set you free! (John 8:32)

I know of one pastor who won’t share with his wife what the word of God says about how marriage and the home should be set up. On this matter, he once told me, “You may be right, but you will be alone!” What he was saying is that “he” feared being alone if he dared to share the truth with his wife. The sad thing is the problem in their home of the wrong person being the head of the household transferred into their ministry. Whenever the home is not set up right, or the ministry, people get hurt! And in the case of their church, there is a very long list of people who have gotten hurt and have left. If the truth were accepted, their home life would be different, and the wall preventing their church from becoming a world leader would finally be lifted.

Yes, telling the truth can cost you. It could cost you thousands of dollars, your inheritance, a job, or family relationships It cost Jesus his life which is the ultimate price to pay for sharing the truth. Jesus wasn’t afraid of being alone. You may be isolated from friends and family, but you will live in freedom. If you find yourself alone, know that you are not, for you are in the company and presence of God.

Discarded

October 5, 2021October 4, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you easily discard things? Do you ever feel as though you have been discarded? In America, many things are thrown out without a second thought. We even have a phrase here of, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Some people have even started making a living by going around and collecting items that have been placed by the curb. They see that those items still have value. They will take them to a shop, clean them up and resell them.

There can be lots of good reasons to throw something out. It could truly be trash, or something that no longer fits, or an item that is no longer needed, or wanted. And instead of taking the time to find that item a new home it is simply discarded.

But what if the item no longer wanted is a person? “This isn’t working out. I want a divorce.” It seems these days that relationships are too easily discarded. Instead of staying together and lovingly trying to find the real root of the problem(s) people just give up. I suppose “working” on a marriage is too difficult or time consuming to some. The issue could be this; one partner doesn’t see the value of the other. That’s sad.

Every person has value. Yes, it can be difficult to see at times, but it is there. If you don’t see it then ask God to help you see it. I have a relative who is so hateful and mean to others. I admit I struggle to see their value, but I know it is there. I do know they help out financially a young family, so maybe that is it.

When Jesus Christ walked the face of the earth the religious leaders of that day wanted to discard him. Why? He spoke of love, he introduced God, he healed the sick, and not only taught, but demonstrated a better way to live life. When he grew in popularity they were “afraid” he would run them out of power and control of the masses. So they schemed to discard of him. Of course we know from the Bible that He got the last word. By showing them that even though they did all within their power, God’s power is greater and he arose from the dead three days after they killed him. They failed to see his value, or perhaps didn’t want to.

If you are feeling discarded today know this; you have value. God has placed something inside of you that only you can give away for free in your own unique way. Don’t believe those who have their own issues to overcome who show you hate, and please stop believing the lies of the devil! He will put thoughts in your head that could cause you to discard your own life. Don’t! If there is no one else around who can see your value know that God does, because He loves you and placed inside you a gift, a treasure, a heart of love to give away.

Jesus heard them and answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick. I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.” Mark 2:17 (GNT)

Do You See Him?

July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

There is an old story, yet true, of three Jewish teenagers. Their real names are hard to say, and spell, so let’s call them, Jerry, George, and Bob. Bob was kind of strange, but there were moments when he would say or do something that caused Jerry and George to laugh, so they accepted him.

Their country was currently controlled by a foreign government. Along with new rules to live by came a demand to conform to the foreign country’s religion. One that included worshiping before a golden idol of their god.

Jerry, George, and Bob believed in the one, true, God, but their faith was about to be put to an extreme test. When the king, of the foreign government, learned of their devotion to their God he demanded they bow down to the idol, or to be thrown into a fiery furnace.

“Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Said the king.

Bob spoke up with boldness in his voice and said, “King, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

This made the king so angry he ordered the furnace to be heated up seven times hotter. The three young men were tied up and when they were thrown into the furnace, three of the king’s guards died from the heat coming through the opening.

Then the king leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Yes, almighty God delivered Jerry, George and Bob from the fiery furnace, and from the hand of the king. As a result, the king ordered that all the land worship the one, true, God of Jerry, George, and Bob.

Last week I wrote about life’s problems, and your attitude toward them. I know that is easier said than done for some, or perhaps even most. But know this; when you are facing a storm, or even a trial that challenges your faith in God, look around for the Son of God who is in the fire with you.

He may say, “Peace be still” to your storm, he may extinguish the flames, or he may choose to walk through either with you. The bottom line is this;

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Your God has not forgotten you, or abandoned you. He has heard your prayers, and has counted every tear. He loves you more than you will ever know, and when you hurt, He hurts. We are created in his image, and so God does have emotions. Trust him.

(If you would like to read the above story for yourself, you can find it in the Bible; Daniel chapter 3.)

The Power of Praise

June 29, 2021June 28, 2021 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Okay. I’m going to go all Steven Furtick on ya now:
You think you are all ALONE, but God is right there with you!
You believe the lie that your MARRIAGE is over, but God says, “Commit it to me!
”You think your JOB is going nowhere, but God wants to show you why you are there!
You were promised a PALACE, but you are in a PIT, God says, “Its part of the journey!”

Yes, LIVING is hard, but God is greater!
Yes HEAVEN seems so far away, but it is closer than you think!
One way to overcome life is through the power of praise. It works. It lifts your spirit, it strengthens your faith. Whether you simply praise God with just words, or if you add music.

From the song, “Praise Him”
Let praise be a weapon that conquers all anxiety
We sing your name in the dark and it changes everything
Let it rise, let praise arise.
We’ll watch the giants fall

Fear cannot survive when we praise You
The God of breakthrough’s on our side
Forever lift Him high
With all creation cry,
God we praise You

Oh, we praise You, oh

Let faith be the song that overcomes the raging sea
Let faith be the song that calms the storm inside of me
Let it rise, let praise arise

This is what living looks like
This is what heaven sounds like
We praise You, we praise You

Try praising God despite what you see, or hear in the natural. Then witness the power that comes with it, or through it, for yourself. You will be glad you did.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

alone