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2023 Survey

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The title makes it sound as if I conduct a reader’s survey every year, but the truth is, this is the first time I have ever done this. Every week, I share with you what I sense God would want to say to you if He wrote a blog. Now, I was hoping you could share whatever you want me and others to know. Post your concerns, fears, testimonies, or anything else in the comment section. Here are some possible comment starters:

  • What I ask God for the most.
  • What I wish others knew about my relationship with God.
  • What I fear the most in life.
  • What I face every day.
  • What I am most thankful to God for.

I think you get the idea. Your comments will help guide this blog site, and I promise to pray with you about what you face. The Bible instructs us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn.

Share the happiness of those who are happy, the sorrow of those who are sad.
Rom. 12:15 (Phillips)

Thank you! As your comments come in, I will review and approve them to post as soon as possible, and if they are appropriate for this website.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Go Do It

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This past Sunday, my local church started a new series. The series happens every year. It’s one of our favorite times of the year. It’s called “At the MOVIES.” Our senior pastor teaches biblical applications via a movie. He will show segments from the movie and then talk about them, much like Jesus told parables to illustrate the principles of living a life for God. The church lobby is also transformed and looks like a movie set. There’s even popcorn! It’s an easy time to invite others to join us at church who may not usually go.

This week’s movie was “Top Gun: Maverick.” Normally I’m not too fond of sequels, but I loved this one. It was amazing how Pastor Craig Groeschel inspired, taught, and encouraged us to teach others. He explained how time was our greatest adversary. Jesus is coming back soon for his church, and the end of life on earth will begin.

I started sensing the Holy Spirit nudging me. God wants me to keep doing what I’m doing. I was beginning to think about quitting. Stop writing. Stop blogging because I’m tired. Then, a scripture that has kept me going came upon the screen. It is called “The Great Commission.”

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat. 28:19-20 (KJV)

I was first challenged by this verse when I was a kid. I took it to heart. I wanted to do everything I could to fulfill it. I know I have to keep going. I had recently started praying that this blog would be read in Islamic countries. That is beginning to happen. This blog has now been read in 128 countries around the world. Why do I mention this? Because there are 195 countries. (Depending on the list you choose to use.) I can’t stop because there are 67 countries to go. I will keep writing, and keep praying for God’s help.

Is God calling you? Has the Holy Spirit been nudging you to get involved and do what you can to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or share your testimony with others? How God saved you from a life of destruction? Don’t feel like you are inadequate. God will help you, empower you, and even give you the right words. You can do it. Time is short, and many people still need to hear about the love of God and how He gave his Son to die on the cross so that they may live.

You can watch it online this week at You’re Welcome Here | Life.Church

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

How Long?

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I once took a youth group to a cemetery, and as we walked around looking at the different tombstones, I asked volunteers to make up a story of the life of the one who lay before us. Of course, some lived a long time while others not so much.

We have all heard it said that what matters in life is what you do with the dash! You know,

Here lies John Doe
September 3, 1962 “–“  April 4, 2029

What does one do while living the dash?

For me, it’s always doing what I can to help someone and encourage them to grow in their relationship with God. The second part is the purpose of this blog. I want to borrow the words from Psalms 71 from “The Message.” I promise to return them after I am done:

I’ll write the book on your righteousness,
    talk up your salvation all the day long,
    never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
    I post signs marking his right-of-way.

You got me when I was an unformed youth,
    God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
    I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.
God, don’t walk off and leave me
    until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
    news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
    ways, O God.

I’ll keep at this until I am, “old and grey” and no longer have a way to love on people as God has shown me love. I guess I am trying my best to do what the wisest man on earth stated is our responsibility:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecc. 12:13 (KJV)

I hope and pray that you are too!

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

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.

Why I Keep Posting

/ Mark Brady / 4 Comments

I have posted 525 blogs in the last eight years.  This site has been seen by over 20,000 people, which is humbling.  I do realize there are a lot of bloggers who have far exceeded these numbers.  New followers come along every week, and now are in the hundreds.  That’s doing great considering Jesus only had 12.  But I’m tired.

There is one stat that keeps me going.  This blog has been read in 120 countries out of 167. (Depends on whose list of countries you agree with.)  Why does this one fact affect me so much?  When I was a child, growing up in church, I heard the great commission:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat. 28:19 (KJV)

I wanted to do this, but I remember thinking, “How?  I’m just a kid in Oklahoma!”  I underestimated God, and of course I had no knowledge of the Internet, but in the late 60s very few did as it was still in its prehistoric state.

The fact that this blog could potentially educate someone in every country around the world about God, and the love of God keeps me going.  As well as some have told me these blogs have changed their life.  All I can say is, “Only God!”

Every post starts with the same question, “God, what do you want to say to your people?”  Then I do what I can to hear his reply and then write out that message.  I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read these blogs.  I pray for God to make himself real in your life.

Blessings

Copyright © 2021 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.