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It’s Not Until

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“It’s not until you know how to die that you begin to know how to live.”

April and I were watching the movie “I Can Only Imagine” when the words above spilled into my heart. I have been thinking about them ever since.

Jesus knew how to die; therefore, He knew how to live. And He came to Earth as a baby, no less to show us. In a few days, we will be celebrating that birth. The birth of Jesus. He quietly entered the world, and only a few noticed. But his death shook the Earth and is still making headlines in the hearts and lives of people all over the world today! Jesus knew how to die.

Between the start of his life and his death, He showed us how to live. He laughed with us, cried with us, accepted us no matter what we had done in the past, and loved us. It was with love he lived, and it was in love He died. It was because of love and the love of His Father in heaven that He came in the first place; He did not want us to die eternally. Jesus knew how to live.

You see, it’s how you live your life that will determine where you spend eternity after you die. If, in your ever so brief life, you decide to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation and ask him to forgive you of your sins, then you will live forever in heaven with him and probably a lot of your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. But only if they accepted Jesus as well.

I know I’m not perfect. I have made a lot of BIG mistakes in life. I have hurt a lot of people, and I feel bad about that. The only thing that helps that pain is knowing that God has forgiven me through Jesus’ death on the cross. And every morning that I wake up, I have another opportunity to try my best to get that day right. That is what makes life worth living. So, I, too, know how to die, and I know from God’s word how to live, and that is with love.

16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 (MSG)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady

My Lowest Point

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

I was still sobbing, but nothing more was falling out of my eyes. The stain of tears on the church carpet was about 18 inches in diameter. After an hour or so, I got up and accidentally stepped in the puddle, and the salty discharge rose, almost covering my toes. I was genuinely sorry for what I had done. To the church, to the group I had led, to my pastor, to the married woman I had fallen in love with but mainly, to God.

From that day forward, I felt connected to King David. And the words of Psalms 51 would forever ring in my heart. I was 23 and single but had allowed the devil to deceive me without realizing it. If he had come straight at me, I would have quoted scriptures and commanded that he leaves me in the name of Jesus. His attack came from behind. He used the strong desires of my heart to be loved, causing me to stumble and fall.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

I wanted so badly to be forgiven!

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”

I knew God would judge me for my actions. It was only fitting.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.”

I, too, asked God for a clean heart. For a fresh start.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

To me, hell is being absent from the presence of God. So I pleaded. And I also asked Him to let me keep His Holy Spirit inside me. For that was my source of true power in ministry.

“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

I wanted God to allow still me to minister and teach people. He has, but to be a pastor and shepherd of a church I will never get to.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

God answered my prayer. Throughout the following years, He was faithful to His promise to rebuild me. He gave me a ministry in writing, which is one reason I do my best to seek Him every week and post a blog to encourage others to grow in their relationship with God. And every once in a while, I have the pleasure of being someone’s pastor. Thank you, Father God. You are truly good.

The portions in quotations are from Psalms 51 (KJV).

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

People Landmines

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Photo by: Tumisu via Pixabay

I don’t like them in the rain. I don’t like them on a train. I wouldn’t like them if they had a fox. I wouldn’t like them in a box. I don’t like them at all, Cam. I don’t like them, Sam, I am! (Thank you, Dr. Seuss, for the inspiration.)

Life can be challenging without them, so what are we to do with our enemies? The ones whose lives, how they live and act, we can’t stand. The ones we should be able to be around in peace and safety, but their words or actions hurt us anyway, usually when we least expect it. They attack us. And sometimes, these are the ones we share blood with. How should we respond?

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. Mat. 5:43-47 (MSG)

God’s word instructs us to pray for them. That can be hard to do, especially when we want to fight back. When we want to get revenge on them, God says it is his. Honestly, getting even doesn’t do anything but make matters worse.

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Rom. 12:17-19 (MSG)

I have written about revenge before. (Have You Considered? ) In a nutshell, when God gets revenge on someone who has hurt us, He slowly removes his hand from their life. His hand protects from the devil. He does this in hopes that it will move them to Him and not further from Him, like Job in the book of Job. If an enemy accepts God and His love, they might begin to act like Him. They might start acting in love.

Praying for your enemy will help you put things in perspective, and it also helps adjust your attitude toward them as well. Giving the hurt and pain to God is the best place for it. He will deliver you, and before you know it, you will be eating a six-course meal in front of them. (Psalms 23:5 MSG)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Finding Home

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We were recently gifted a Roomba. I’ll confess I have sat on the sofa with my feet up, watching it vacuum our floors. The device we now call “Berta” supposedly comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI). If I understand what I have heard, the appliance learns the layout of each room of your house. A few days ago, we rearranged the furniture, so I guess it had to start all over again.

The one thing it does know is this; where “home” is. Home is where it docks to rest and reenergize its batteries.

As I am out and about in this world, driving April to work, buying groceries, running errands, or whatever, I see many people that don’t seem to have any intelligence. Artificial or otherwise! I can tell by how they treat ya, drive, or lack of, and conduct their business. I have also noticed there seems to be an underlying issue of anger.

I feel sorry for them because they appear to be so lost. I have been saying the following phrase lately when encountering them: “I’m sorry. I forgot it is your world, and I just get to live in it.” But the truth is, it is God’s world, and He made them to live in it, hoping they will do it with Him and His help and love.

The individuals I encounter, and I do pray for them, need to find “home.” Like Berta does, even when life has been rearranged. They need to know where to dock to empty the dirt (sins) from their life they collected, rest, and power up.

That’s where we come in. As ones who have found our “home” in Jesus Christ, we can lead them and help them find their way. We can point them to the amazing power of the cross and the liberty that comes with it when accepted. Keep in mind; someone most likely showed you the Way.

If you are feeling lost, you can find your way home. You can pray the following prayer:

“Father in Heaven, I confess to you that I have sinned against you. Thank you for sending your Son to die in my place. Thank you for raising Him from the dead so I could have eternal life. I give you my life now and ask you to come and live in me and make me your child. I love you and want to live for you from now on. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Welcome home. Find a Bible-believing church and go there to find others like you who have taken the same step. Read God’s word (The Bible) for yourself. Learn what it says. Start in the New Testament in the Book of John. Then get to know God by spending time with Him and talking to Him as you would a friend.

If you want to know more, read the following from: “What is the Romans Road to Salvation?” GotQuestions.org. https://www. .gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin looks like in our lives.

The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23b, teaches us about the consequences of sin: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!

The third verse on the Romans Road to salvation picks up in the middle of Romans 6:23: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus’ death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ death as the payment for our sins.

The fourth stop on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins – and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The final aspect of the Romans Road to salvation is the results of salvation. Romans 5:1 has this wonderful message: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins. Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

God’s Love Reflected

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Photo by: srkcalifano via Pixabay

I quietly walked into the bedroom and positioned myself to see through the partially opened bathroom door. April was getting ready to go out. She was busy and didn’t notice me standing there watching her. I was admiring my beautiful wife while she was using the mirror to apply stuff (I have no idea what it was) to her face.

Then, somehow, she noticed me, and without turning to face me, her eyes glistened, and she smiled. I hope I remember that moment and image for the rest of my life because it was the warmest, softest look of love I have ever seen. That one look melted my heart, and I felt loved.

April knows God, and God is love. (1 John 4:8) Therefore, April knows how to love because God first loved her. Even when she was still a sinner, God loved her. April displays a lot of the characteristics of true love. She is patient, kind, forgiving, and understanding, among other things. God watches all of us all the time. I imagine the look of love I saw April share is expressed on God’s face when we stop and look at Him.

The world needs true love these days more than ever! People need to see unselfish love in action. Love, God’s way, takes time but speaks volumes when it is said. The world is hurting and in so much pain. They’re desperately looking, searching for one to love them unconditionally. That is why revealing the source is so important for us who have found that kind of love. Stop hiding it from people. You have nothing to lose by sharing God’s love, but they have everything to gain.

The Way of Love

13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. 1 Cor. 13:1-7 (MSG)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Understanding Others

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Photo by: Kaique Rocha

I got a phone call last night that bewildered me. In full disclosure, I struggled to accept the situation. I don’t think I can even begin to understand how the events expressed by my caller would put one in a hospital.

After the call, I sat and pondered what was told to me. I eventually had to ask God to help me understand. He didn’t. But He did help me remember that all of us are individuals, and we all have our weaknesses. We all have areas where we are strong and weak. What doesn’t take me out can devastate another. It’s all because of sin in the world. It’s like attracting a disease in a way. One illness that can harm another may not affect me at all.

One thing that immunizes me against being affected is my relationship with God. I spend time with him. I talk to him during the day, and I read his word. I call out to him for help when I struggle with an issue and ask him to take the weight off of me when I stumble.

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble. Ps. 46:1 (NIV)

So understanding the truth about people and how or why some are affected by events in life more than others leads to one conclusion. And this is what God did reveal to me. It’s not about understanding others but accepting others.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Oh No, They Didn’t!

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment
Photo by: Andrea Piacquadio

One of the most challenging things about life is having relationships with people! I haven’t been shy about my allergy to people. If given a choice, I avoid them, but that can be hard to do when you work, have friends, or have a love life. It doesn’t matter if that love is within a marriage or if one is dating.

I recently became aware of a person who is dating, and the relationship hit a major snag. I understand the feeling of being cheated on (I should insert here, not by my wife, April.). But when we get hurt by a relationship, what’s the appropriate reaction?

Should we curl up and die? Do we withdraw from life, turn off the lights and hide? Press the pause button?

Some might seek revenge and physically harm the other person or their property, or worse, hook up with someone else. That saying, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” is undoubtedly true.

Jesus was cheated on, betrayed, so He knows the pain you are going through or have gone through. We should look at how He reacted when his friend, Judas-Iscariot, his co-worker, hurt him. First, Peter got angry and went for revenge by cutting off the ear of one there to arrest Jesus. Jesus commanded him to stop, and then Jesus healed the man’s ear and went peacefully with them. (Matthew 26:47-56)

Judas no doubt knew that Jesus still loved him and forgave him but could not handle the guilt. And that is why I think he committed suicide. Sad! Loving and forgiving sets you free. It doesn’t tell the other person, “What you did to me was okay.” it does tell them, “I’m not going to allow your actions to stop me from living life!”

I, too, know it’s hard, and fair warning, it will take time to get over it. And you will have to make that decision many times to forgive and to go on living and loving. It’s not a “one-time” decision.

Keep in mind responding inappropriately can not only hurt you or put you in jail, but it can hurt those around you. How you decide to respond can have life-changing and long-lasting results. Forgiving and loving is best.

Prayer: Father God, if someone reading this post is currently living with this kind of pain or has and hasn’t dealt with it, then I ask you to help them. Comfort them, Father, and help them to ask you for assistance in dealing with the pain and respond in a forgiving and loving way. Help them remember your Son, Jesus, has “been there!” Assure them that life will go on, and they will be a survivor. Thank you, Amen.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Out of Order

/ Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Sermons can come in different forms and formats. Today’s came from the First Church of Hollywood. Yep, a movie. It was about a man who followed the rules and insisted others do. He would get upset when they took a “flippant” attitude toward them and dismissed him when he pointed out their misconduct.

Some got annoyed at him. For them, the rules didn’t seem to take on the same importance. The man often got frustrated. I can identify with the man who followed the rules and expected others to do so as well. The man found peace when things were in order and went as ordered. Like for me, it creates a sense of peace. I want to think I get that from my heavenly Father!

For He [Who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order. 1 Cor. 14:33 (AMPC)

The man also suffered from the medical condition “Cardiomegaly.” I didn’t know either, but it means an enlarged heart. At one point, when one of his neighbors heard he had a big heart, she laughed. She and her family had been one of his violators.

As the movie played, the man realized that “order” was still good but that people were more important than “order.” He quit judging others as to why they didn’t have order in their lives or struggled to follow the rules. He stopped the condemnation, listened, and sought ways to help them. Perhaps he had a big heart after all.

No spoiler alerts here. I only give away the endings when begged to. I will tell you, though, that the Holy Spirit brought conviction upon me. I want “order” in my life, but instead of giving “orders” as to how others should live, I, too, need to focus on the person. I need to listen and find a way to bring peace into their life.

Prayer: God, help me to identify the needs of others and to have the compassion needed for the situation. Help me take the time to listen and find ways to bring “order” and “peace” into the lives of others. Thank you, Father. Amen

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Inside Out

/ Mark Brady / 1 Comment
Photo by: Pexels

“I never wanted you to see The darkest part of me.” A line in a song by Red. I have said that many times. I don’t like it when I lose self-control, and someone gets hurt. I don’t mean it to happen, and I definitely don’t want it to happen, but it does sometimes.

The darkest part of me is big, loud, mean, and ugly. It violates the scripture of Eph. 4:29. (Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, Amp.) Whenever it happens, I am embarrassed and immediately feel guilty. The Holy Spirit quickly convicts me of my sin, and I seek out the person I offended to apologize.

I was thinking about this the other day and wondered, what if I put on God’s armor? I know in Eph. 6:11-12 we are taught that it helps protects us against external attacks by the devil. But could some armor also protect others from the darkest parts of us getting out and hurting them?

If I was to put on a “Helmet of Salvation,” it might remind me I am saved from death. Therefore, I am in Christ and a Christian. Called a, “Christian” means being Christ-like. If I am an authentic Christian, then I need to act like Christ. Jesus Christ would not and didn’t hurt others by any means. Yet he did face frustration and anger but stayed in control while dealing with it.

If I do this and make it a regular practice in my life over time, I think I will change. As I become more like Jesus, the love in him will be in me. That love shining inside will be light that will cast out the darkness. That’s what light does. Eventually, what’s on the inside that comes out won’t hurt people but will cause them to feel loved.

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

What Do You Say?

/ Mark Brady / 6 Comments

I have heard it said several times the shortest story is this; For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn. This week, I have witnessed that short story come true. It has broken my heart, yet I am not even related to the child. The sadness has consumed my thoughts. I have prayed for the parents and the family a lot.

What do you say to someone personally connected to this tragic event or any other gut-wrenching life situation? Words are so hard to come by. I asked April for help, and she replied, “You’re the writer!” I admit everything that came to my mind seemed so empty.

I read in Richard Exley’s book, “Blue Collar Christianity,” that sometimes, just being there is enough. Touching their arm, placing yours around their shoulder, or holding their hand if appropriate speaks volumes. It tells the individual walking waist-deep in grief, hurt, or pain that you are there with them and that you wish they weren’t going through this experience, but at least they are not going through it alone.

Of course, God is right there with them as well. And the Holy Spirit is the greatest comforter, but people can’t see them, and some fail to realize they are there. They can see people who care, though, so they find comfort in knowing that people care. Another reason to express your concern the best you can. Some will cook a meal, and others will send a card or flowers. Some might show up in person and give a hug. As I wound up doing, you can always ask God what to say. Regardless of whether the words were correct doesn’t matter; they know I care.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— John 14:16 (AMPC)

Prayer: “Father God, be with the family that has suffered this traumatic loss. Holy Spirit, comfort them. Help them today and in the days to come. As they search desperately for a reason and for someone to blame, may they not blame you, God, but understand this happened because we live in a world of free will and, therefore, of sin. May they run closer to you, God, and not from you. And God, I pray this for anyone in the world who is struggling, hurting, and needing you. Amen.”

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.