blessed

Another Blog Post?

/ Mark Brady / 4 Comments

When I started writing blogs, I posted them on Blogspot. I probably wrote over a hundred or so. The site was free to use. Then I heard about the features of WordPress. I knew I had to make a switch. Then to keep ads out of my post, I decided to pay. The other day, I noticed I have now posted over 700 blogs on that site, so all together, over 800 blog posts.

I don’t struggle coming up with content because I ask God for help, and He is faithful to do so. He will quietly speak a word in my spirit, or He will point something out.

I generally take it from there. I love writing because I love creating. I enjoy turning a blank page into something that can encourage, help, or highlight the love of God. Being creative is my favorite thing about being made in the image of God. Blogging would be easier if I could speak them into existence, but I’m okay with the writing process. I get more out of the post by doing the work.

I have shared this before, but these humble blogs are fulfilling the great commission. Taking the gospel to the world. There are roughly 167 countries around the world. Give or take, depending on whose list you use. Some countries don’t recognize others as countries. (Like Hong Kong or Taiwan.) These blogs have been read by at least one person in 128 countries. Only God could have made that happen. I remain humbled and in awe of what He can do.

What’s my point of all of this? That’s easy to answer. Take what is in your hand and give it to God. If it is a pen or a staff like Moses, allow Him to use you and the gifts He put in you as He knows best. What we hold on to may be simple and plain, but when placed in God’s hands, it can be blessed and multiplied, even if it is only five loaves and two fish. (Mat. 14:17)

Our job is to become as good as we can using our gifts. To be faithful and obedient.

Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Ps. 9:10 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied. Exo. 4:2 (NIV)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

It’s a Secret

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Secrets can be fun, and they can be powerful as well. Most like knowing them, and yet others would instead tell them. It’s not always a good thing to know one. Somebody told me one the other day that freaked me out, and I wish it had never been spoken. I can never share that secret, for if I did, it might ruin the person’s life.

 A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret,
    but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence. Prov. 11:13 (MSG)

The revelation of a secret has been known to bring down presidents, governments, CEOs, families, and individuals. Some have used the power of knowing someone else’s secret to gain wealth, threatening blackmail.

“Never secrete a secret if it is not your secret to secrete!”

Josh Brady

Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, Prov. 25:9 (ESV)

The other day, a friend and I discussed watching “YouTube videos.” I revealed to him I knew how to watch them while avoiding the commercials. Then I said, “I should reveal how to do that on social media.” As soon as the words left my lips, I felt a “check” in my spirit, but I didn’t know why. He quickly said, “Mark, don’t do it! I feel like God has shared a secret with you to bless you and save you time.” I knew at that moment that he was right.

I am in no way perfect. Just ask, April, But I strive to walk with God, and I desire to have an intimate relationship with him and for that relationship to continue to grow deeper. I’m thrilled knowing the God of the universe would share a secret with me.

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 (ESV)

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deut. 29:29 (ESV)

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jer. 33:3 (ESV)

Copyright © 2022 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

If You Only Knew

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Charlie 69.jpg“No!  I won’t give it to him,” cried out the six year old.

“But it will please God.  It’s better to give than to receive, and you get lots of toys from McDos.”  (What they call McDonalds in the Philippines.)

He shakes his head indicating, “no.”

“And you know what?  I bet if you give your car to him it won’t be long before you get blessed in a bigger way.  Okay?  Let’s go over to the next table and give him the car.”

“No!”

It’s hard to teach a child something that goes against what his culture screams, “Take care of yourself first!”  If he only knew.  We were at the mall, and I wanted like crazy to see the bewilderment on my little friend’s face when the other young man received something he didn’t earn, or even ask for.  There is something about “unexpected joy”.  It looks right, and I know, it feels right.  Then, if my young friend had given the toy away, I was going to take him to the gaming area where you play games of chance to get tickets, only to cash them in on cheaper toys, because he likes it.

I suspect God is the same way with us.  “Come on, give, and it will be given to you.  Trust me in this.”  But it defies our human logic, and we hang on to something that is cheap.  It’s so hard for us to imagine that we will have enough or more than enough when we are already hurting.  If you only knew, there is freedom, and tremendous joy in giving.  God knows of this joy, because He gave us his only Son, Jesus.  Now you know.

Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Blessed and Highly Favored!

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“Hi Mark.  This is Cathy.  Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.  Why?”
“We’re slow at the restaurant and I was wondering if you wanted to come eat here today?”
“Oh, I see.  Because I’m a generous tipper?”
“You’re not that good of a tipper,” Cathy said while laughing.
I laughed too.  “Okay.  Then why do you want me to come eat?”
“I don’t know why, but I’ve noticed that whenever you come to the restaurant, we get slammed with business, and yes, I have more opportunities to earn tips.”

charlie 63The above conversation was changed a bit, but is true.  It’s something I had noticed as well, but didn’t know anyone else had.  Several years ago I begin to see that after I walked into a place of business, any business, they started getting very busy.  One day I had understanding as to why.  It is because I am a child of God and I am blessed and highly favored.  Therefore, the places I visit are blessed as well.  The blessings don’t stop there either.  I find favor among men in many ways and at many times, and am blessed.

I’m not boasting in this, you can be as well.  Mary, the mother of Jesus was blessed and highly favored and she knew it, because the Angel of the Lord told her she was.  You gain this by drawing close to God.  Know that you are his adopted son or daughter with privileges.  You have all the blessings of heaven at your disposal.  Ask for them.  Tell your Abba Father (Daddy God) what you need, and even what you want.  You might just be surprised.  A scripture says, “You have not, because you ask not!”  That is so true.  God is just waiting to hear from you.  He’s not Santa Clause, or your credit card, for He is so much more than that, but He is love, and He loves you so much!  Love him back.

Get to know him, and spend time with him.  One of the best ways to know God is to read his word, the Bible.  God reveals himself and his character throughout the scriptures.  Also look at the life of Jesus.  Jesus even said, “If you have seen me then you have seen the Father.”  Get intimate with Jesus, for you are the bride of Christ, after you accept him.  Live like you know it!  Walk around professing, “I am blessed and highly favored,” because as a child, who draws close to God, you are!

Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.

Are You?

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20181123_232007I was playing cards the other night with some friends.  One lady kept getting great hands.  I said, “You are blessed, and highly favored!”  We all laughed, but then the very next round she got another great hand.  I said it again.  After realizing that she was doing great, I quit saying it about her and begin professing it for myself.  I started getting good hands.

Yes, I know, it was a card game, but I sensed truth was again revealed to me.  We have power in the words we say.  Blessings and curses can come from the same source, our mouths.  Being blessed and highly favored is more than mere words.  It’s a way of life.  It’s being with the Lord and the Lord being with you.  It’s desiring him more and his will for your life above all other things.  That’s how Mary, the mother of Jesus lived.

“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” (Luk 1:28 KJV+)

Are you blessed, and highly favored?  I hope so.

Copyright © 2018 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Thank You

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment

It’s good to tell people, “Thank you”, but it’s powerful when you give them one they can hold in their hand.  Write a “Thank you” note to someone who has done something good in your life lately.

 

Copyright © 2018 Mark Brady, All rights reserved