faith

Steady as She Goes

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments
Image via A.I.

This post won’t appear for a few weeks from the time I am writing it. Today is a big day for America. November 5, 2024. The day we have the privilege of voting for our next president.

The candidates couldn’t be more different. For instance, one is pro-life, while the other is pro-choice. That one issue tells you a lot about the individual, mainly their views on whether there is a God and how much they value life and eternal life. For me, the choice was an easy one to make.

I have voted for a president ever since I was 18. That was many, many, okay, one more, many years ago. And the one thing I have learned is not to place my hope in the newly elected president. They’re not perfect, and they still have to work with other elected officials in order to get anything done, but that doesn’t always go well. Our country has become so divided that little seems to be done.

I pray for my country and its leaders. I ask God to lead them in doing the right things, the best things for the people. To make decisions that help us and not just make ones that make them richer.

Instead, I place my hope in the Lord. I keep my focus on him and not the president of the United States. I watch the news but pray for help in knowing the truth. You have to listen closely, but they love to use words like “allegedly,” ” supposedly,” and “according to.” They tell you what they want you to believe.

God also tells you what He wants you to believe. It is written in His word, the Bible. The difference between what He says and what the general media says is that He is not going to lie to you. It is the devil who lies to us. In fact, he is the father of lies.

Your father is the devil. You belong to him and want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He was against the truth, for there is no truth in him. He is a liar, and he is like the lies he tells. He is the father of lies. John 8:44 (ICB)

The devil will use anyone or any means he can find to mislead, misguide, and confuse you. If you struggle with knowing the truth and believing, then pray and ask God to help you. He will!

It isn’t easy to know who to trust and believe in this world. Without God’s gift of discernment, it’s challenging to know someone’s motive. Even presidents.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Prov. 3:5-6 (MSG)

Knowing who you can believe in and trust is comforting. If you struggle with trusting God, ask him for help with that, too. He will. Not bending back and forth in your faith is vital to living a comfortable life. He will keep you steady as she goes.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

“Just Lucky, I Guess”

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Image by G.C. from Pixabay

“By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here,” the former president said while addressing the shooting at his Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13. [Source: People]

I’m writing this post the Monday after the assignation attempt on former President, Donald Trump. A lot of people believe in luck. I don’t, but I do believe in the mighty hand of God. Many times, God will intervene in one’s life journey for his purpose. In President Trump’s case, God is not finished using him for America and or the world!

I met a man a couple of years ago. I don’t recall how the conversation was steered to this, but he begins telling me how he had survived falling off of three roofs, driving off the road and landing his truck up in trees, and not getting electrocuted after hitting an electrical line while digging a hole. He said, “I was just lucky, I guess.”

At first, I was shocked. I said, “Wow! God had his hand on you.” He said he didn’t believe in God. I replied, “Well, God certainly believes in you!” Later, I shared God’s plan of salvation with the man and how much God loved him. I told him, “It wasn’t luck. It was God giving you time and opportunity to accept him because He doesn’t want to see anyone perish.” Sadly, he listened but refused to accept God’s love for him.

It takes more faith to believe in “luck” than it does God!

What have you been through? What have you survived? Do you contribute it to “being lucky?” Are you sure? Isn’t there the slightest chance that God intervened? Is He giving you more time to accept him? Or He has a purpose for your life? I suggest you think about it. Or better yet, talk to God about it.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Prov. 16:33 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Prov. 16:9 (ESV)

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, EPH. 1:11 (ESV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pt. 3:9 (NIV)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

True or False?

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Especially on weekends, I will wind up catching many different ministers. I will watch them long enough sometimes to see if their message is something I need to hear or if they are preaching the truth. There are times when some of them are not or just enough to make what they are saying sound good. I know that because I try to see if what they are saying lines up with the Bible.

I have mentioned before that I don’t sleep all night. I will wake up, take care of the issue that woke me up, and then lay there, unable to go back to sleep. In those moments, I wish I could be productive. Get something done. But I am usually too tired. So, many times, I flip through TV channels.

The Bible talks about these types of individuals. It calls them wolves in sheep’s clothing or false prophets. Like Satan, they mix some truth in their message to trip you up, stir up your emotions, offer you false hope, or entice you to give to their ministry.

13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned. Mat. 7:13-20 (MSG)

One such fellow the other day said something like, “If you will plant a seed of $1000, THEN God will … in your life.” This is not true! What is true is the principle of sowing and reaping. This man knows there are people out there who are desperate for a healing, a job, a restored relationship, or any other serious need in their life. They will try anything to get an answer to get out of their current situation. Those same people probably think, “Why not? Why not send this man $1000? I don’t know what else to do.”

The problem with that is this: mankind thinks or feels as if he has to DO something. That he has to take action. When we pray, we are giving the situation to God. If you really believe that, then leave it in God’s hands and have faith that He has heard you and is acting on your behalf. That can take time, but if it is God’s time, then it is perfect. He is never late! I have often wondered, “How will God judge these ministers? Will they get a spanking but still enter heaven?” I don’t know, but I do know I should leave that up to God.

Don’t run all over creation chasing a minister who seems in our eyes to be successful or have great faith. It only takes a small amount to move mountains.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Mat. 17:20 (NIV)

I attended a service where the minister was preaching about faith. He not only used the above scripture but had the ushers pass out real mustard seeds. They are incredibly tiny! After he illustrated his point, I didn’t know what to do with the seed, so I ate it. It did not taste like French’s Mustard!

If you believe with your whole heart, then you have enough. God will see this and know this because He will see that you are leaving your request in his hands.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

To Know

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Image by Jupi Lu from Pixabay

To know unconditional love;
is to know God.
To know real forgiveness;
is to know Jesus.
To know perfect direction;
is to know the Holy Spirit.

To know pure laughter;
is to know true friends.
To know great joy;
is to know a child.
To know time;
is to know an elderly person.

To know gratitude;
is to feed the hungry.
To know security;
is to clothe the naked.
To know health;
is to visit the sick.

To know peace;
is to know contentment.
To know lasting hope;
is to know faith.
To know wisdom;
is to know the Word of God.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

God on the Spot

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I have said it before, but here it goes again. “God really does care about the little things in our lives.” The toilet upstairs in our house gets easily clogged if too much toilet paper is used, even if the paper is like that thin restaurant toilet paper.

It happened again, and I had been struggling to unclog it without removing the toilet from the floor. After several attempts using a plunger and a plumber’s snake, I was still defeated. The toilet could handle one but not two, if you know what I mean.

Today, I knew I needed to get it resolved, but we didn’t have the money to call a plumber. I started praying. I asked God, “What do I have in the garage that I can insert in the end of the plumber’s snake that has teeth?” Like a meat-cutting knife. I went into the garage and started looking around. Then I saw my jig saw. It uses small blades. I took the blade out and inserted it into the end of the snake. Then, it was too long to make the bends in the back of the toilet, so I had to break it in half.

Once the blade was where I thought the clog was, I turned the snake around and around and then back and forth. I removed it, and the toilet still didn’t flush smoothly. I heard in my spirit, “Plunger it aggressively.” I did, and it must have finished knocking the clog loose because it worked. The toilet now flushes normally.

Perhaps you are saying, “So what?” To me, it was a big deal and an answer to prayer. I love knowing that God hears us and cares enough to help us. “God knows all the answers to every question if man would only ask.” Bill Johnson from his book “Dreaming with God.”

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Pt. 5:7 (NIV)

I challenge you to tell God what is bothering you. See if, afterward, you don’t sense a loving warmth coming over you. Ask Him how to fix something or solve a problem that you are dealing with. Then, listen for Him to answer. He’s real, He’s alive, and He loves and cares so much about you and what you are going through.

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Gems

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16 Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name.

17-18 God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.” Mal. 3:16-18 (MSG)

A beautiful portion of scripture. Some have written that God treasures those who wholeheartedly live for Him so much it’s as if they are gems unto him. He values them.

Several years ago, I worked with a man who collected precious stones. He had a complete shop set up in his basement where he would spend hours sanding, shaping, and polishing those gems. They might have been rough when he started, but by the time he finished with them, they were beautiful.

Some of you may be good people. You do your best to help others with the resources you have. You show love to your neighbors. You serve God in whatever manner as He directs. Yet, privately, only a few see it, there is another side of you. One that you wouldn’t want your pastor to know of.

God loves you so much and can see all that you do. He knows it doesn’t take much effort to get you to show love to another in need. But He does know about that other side. I believe God puts people and allows situations in your life that irritate you. Give you a reason to go to that point where the light of God fades.

I struggled for years to understand why He would do that. Then, recently, I received wisdom and understanding of the matter. He puts those individuals in your life to act as sandpaper and to grind the rough edges of your soul away. If you yield to the process, you will become even more precious to God and pure. Thank Him for loving you that much!

6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. 1 Pt. 1:6-7 (MSG)

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady  All Rights Reserved

Sensing Jesus – Ears

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In the hustle and bustle of the times, people most likely didn’t notice the cry of a baby coming from the stable. Of if they did, their intellect convinced them that there was no way someone would have a baby there. A lot of Jesus’ story didn’t make sense, so why not where he was born?

Jesus came here with a message that people needed to hear and still do to this day. That word was of God’s plan to redeem us through the sacrifice of his Son. People’s brains had a hard time understanding, accepting, or believing it. God’s action would require “faith” and lots of it.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:17 (KJV)

Jesus also shared a message of acceptance and one of love. For instance, when He spoke to the woman at the well. (John 4:1-42) Or when He ministered to the man who was possessed by a demon. (Mark 5:1-20)

One can use their ears this holiday season to sense Jesus. Like the last blog, pausing, finding a quiet place to focus, and hearing what message Jesus would say to you. It may be a word of love, acceptance, inclusion, comfort, or guidance. It may be an invitation to accept him. His message may not make sense in your mind, but it is truth. No matter what message Jesus would love to give you, I hope you will hear it, believe it, and accept it.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady

My Favorite Phrase

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment
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Life brings its own set of challenges. Keeping on top of everything or ahead of it all is a full-time job. But what if God gives you a command or challenge to carry out? Do you blindly obey with all the faith you have? Do you say, “Okay, God, but help me.”? Or do you debate why He should probably choose someone else?

Earlier this year, April and I went to Texas on a mini vacation. The hotel we stayed at, of course, had a swimming pool. I talked April into joining me. The water was warm, but the air was a little cool, so as we entered the shallow end, we kneeled so the water would rise to our necks. We were having a good time when I suggested to April we go to the other side. She agreed and climbed onto my back as I swam to the deep end until she could grab the edge. April trusted me to get her to the other side even though she couldn’t swim. She remained calm and didn’t put up a fight or resist. She went for it.

A dear friend from one of my past churches I used to attend in another state told me God asked her to bake pies and to take them to her neighbors. It was a way for her to get to know them and to have an opportunity to share the gospel. Some of those neighbors lived on the other side of the street. She obeyed.

What is God asking you to do? Jesus once told his disciples, “Let us go to the other side.” They did.

35-38 Late that day he said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?”

39-40 Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: “Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?” Mark 4:35-40 (MSG)

The above is a popular portion of scripture preached a lot about faith. And it is good. I mean, Jesus told them they were going to the other side, so they should have known they weren’t going to drown. My favorite part is what happened next in Chapter 5. Jesus set a man free from the possession of a demon named Legion, for there were many demons in him. As a result, a whole town heard of Jesus and had an opportunity to accept Him.

So, if God is asking you to do something, obey. Don’t argue, don’t resist, believe and go, even if you can’t swim. He will calm the storms that may try to prevent you from reaching the other side, but have faith. For what is on the other side most likely has eternal dividends.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

It’s Inside You. Use It.

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Imagine yourself sitting at a table participating in a dinner party. Everyone is having side conversations while eating. You hear this gentle roar with the clinking of silverware on the plates. Waiters are moving about refilling drinks and ensuring everyone has what they need to enjoy their meal.

Suddenly, you hear a commotion and see people pushing back from a table and others jumping up. Still, a few gathered fine cloth napkins, and two kneeled on the floor. You’re not sure what happened.

6 We all have gifts. They differ according to the grace God has given to each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it according to the faith you have. 7 If your gift is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. 8 Is it encouraging others? Then encourage them. Is it giving to others? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully. Rom. 12:6-8 (NIV)

You now figured out what had happened. One of the dinner participants spilled their water. Almost immediately, you witness individuals reacting according to how they are gifted.

Those who serve gathered the napkins, and other servers got on the floor to soak up the water. A giver took an unused glass of water and cheerfully gave it to the now-embarrassed diner. Another diner, with the gift of prophecy, turned and said to the person next to them, “I knew that was going to happen.” Then, one with the gift of teaching turned to the one who spilled their water and gently suggested that they put their drinking glass behind their plate when they finished drinking a drink. Placing it near the table’s edge was an accident waiting to happen.

After people turned away from the incident, one encourager quietly moved in and encouraged the red-faced guest to forget about it and return to eating and having a good time. The head waiter came over to ensure the mess was cleaned up and then leaned in, showing mercy, and said, “Don’t worry about it. We all have done it at one time or another.” After the dinner, the main speaker went to the podium and, before giving her speech, said, “Let us all move our waters toward the middle of the tables as I move mine away from my speech.” Some laughed. She was a natural leader.

If you were at that dinner party, what would you have done? When you read this story, what was your natural reaction? Your first thought? Your answer to that question is a natural indicator of how you are wired. Or to your natural gifting.

That gift is from God. So I ask, “Are you using your gift?” More importantly, “Are you using it for the One who gave it to you?” I hope so, and I highly encourage you to. It would be a shame not to use a gift because gifts are made to be given away.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Another Trip Around Needed?

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Are you tired of sand in your britches? Do you long for an exit out of your desert? Do you honestly recall how you got there in the first place? Could it be because you did not take God at his word? You struggled to believe what He whispered into your spirit by his Spirit? So you didn’t obey in faith?

The good news is, you’re not the first. The bad news is you may have to make another trip around Mt. Sinai. God is waiting for that sand to do its job. To irritate you about your current situation so much that you give in. Until you are willing to surrender to his will. To take him at his word and go where He wants you to go. To do what He wants you to do. To say what He wants you to say.

Obedience to God opens doors. It defeats your enemies. It opens the door for God to meet your needs. Why? Because obedience pleases God! I think He gets excited and says to himself, “Oh, this is going to be fun!”

The better news is you don’t have to be prepared first before you start. You only have to be willing. He will train you and equip you either before you go or as you go, but regardless, if you lean on him, you will know what to do in every situation. If you can’t see the answer, then ask God for it.

There have been many times God has asked me to go, do, say. And I didn’t think I could, but I did it. In his strength, not mine. And when I obeyed, it always worked out. God proved himself faithful over and over. Stop ignoring what God has made you to do. Stop believing the lie that living life on your terms is going to bring you true happiness. Go with God. Go, do, and say. If you do, you will never look back with regret!

This blog was inspired by reading Psalms 106 from The Message translation.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.