Looking Your Best for God

January 8, 2017January 9, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

big-hat There 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.

What Have You Abandoned?

October 2, 2016 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

from Pinterest

I can’t explain it really, but I have this unusual attraction to places that once were. A place that once was for fun, work, family, or God. An old amusement park, an abandoned factory, a dilapidated house, but especially a deserted church.

from Pinterest

I can understand an amusement park fails to draw crowds. A factory used to make things that are no longer needed, or wanted. A family leaves a house for any number of reasons, and the house never catches the eye of a new owner. But a church? Yes I know a church is truly its people, but there is something very sad to me when I see a church building that has been abandoned.

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Did God fail to draw a crowd? Did He stop providing what people needed? Has He not caught the eye of a new convert? The answer is, “No.” God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8) So if God did not fail then what happened?

Did the people that once entered its doors, and gathered inside abandon

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God? I hope not. There are lots of things worth abandoning in life, but God? Never. A destructive life pattern, although it may be fun, yes. A job that doesn’t fully meet your needs? Yes. A house you or your family have out grown? Perhaps, but God? No. It is when you need to abandon other things in life, you need God the most. To lead you, guide you, and help you. I pray you never abandon God, for He will never abandon you.

To Be, or Not To Be?

July 23, 2016 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

I have recently noticed some people will “be” at church, but not “be” the church. There is a definitely a difference. You see, there are those that think “being” at church is all that is required to get into heaven. Unfortunately, for them, God doesn’t take attendance. The only reason he said it was good to “be” with other “believers” is to share life with them. To hear His word and to grow in his image with others who “believe” like you do. To encourage each other. To comfort each other. This is hard to do from your couch.

If you are going to “be” at church then “be” the church. Be the light of the world. Be a true reflection of Jesus Christ. Be honest, be giving, be faithful, be hopeful, be loving, be forgiving, and be true to the word of God.

To Be, or Not to Be? This is not the question.