God is Not Religious

May 18, 2019 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Charlie 230 Satan is religious. He loves churches that try to get you to follow a list of dos and don’ts knowing when you fail, you will probably hate yourself and possibly hate God. Satan religiously tries to get you to believe the lie that you have to follow a list of rules. The problem is simple: you are trusting man to tell you what God desires from you instead of finding out for yourself.

If God wanted us to be religious, he would have not sent his Son, Jesus to be a perfect sacrifice for our sins, but instead would have stayed in the temple, behind a curtain. When Jesus died that curtain ripped from top to bottom. God doesn’t want religion from us, but a relationship with us.

When you get to know God for yourself, you’ll fall in love with him, and because you don’t want to hurt the One you love, you change your behavior. Even if you slip up, out of love He forgives, comforts, encourages, and helps you. This paradigm is a much better way to live.

A friend once said he didn’t have a relationship with God. I said, “Sure you do! It’s just not a good one.” Everyone has a relationship with God. He loves you, and if you haven’t talked to him in a while, then I’m sure he misses you! God knows where you are, what you are going through, and he still knows your name. Can you hear him whispering it?

WARNING!

May 10, 2019May 9, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 106 Here in the Philippines, they print pictures on the packages of cigarettes, that show what could happen if you smoke. Is it effective? I don’t know, but I don’t see a lot of smoking going on. Of course that could be due to the cost of cigarettes.

God told us, in his word, what would happen if you sin – death! Is it effective? I don’t know, because I see a lot of people sinning, including me from time to time. God also showed us what our sin cost – the death of his only Son, Jesus. You can pay for your sins, or accept Jesus’ payment. It’s up to you.

”For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23 AMP)

There’s No Formula!

May 8, 2019May 6, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 110 Because it worked for an individual, a certain way, in a certain amount of time, doesn’t mean it will for you. I’ve noticed over the years, people will flock to hear a person tell how God moved in their life to reach others. Or to hear what they did before God healed them. There is nothing wrong with listening to someone give their testimony, but people think if they duplicate what the person did, it will happen for them, so they take notes, and list each step as if it’s a formula or a recipe. They think, “Well, if I pray as much as they did, or quit my job to fully devote my time to God.” The danger is this; if the individual does all the same steps, but doesn’t get the same result then they can get discouraged, dissatisfied, disgruntled and disappointed with themselves or even with God.

Have you noticed in the Bible there is only one Noah, one Samson, one King David, and only one Paul? God is creative, and he loves to do a fresh thing in the life of a hungry believer. There may never be another mega church builder like Joel Osteen, evangelist like Billy Graham, or philanthropist like Warren Buffet!

When I started writing, I was imitating one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado. One day God whispered to me, “Mark, what are doing?” I replied, “I’m writing God.” “But why are you trying to write like Max Lucado?” Asked God. “Because, he’s successful.” Then he said, “Mark, I already have a Max Lucado writing for me. I want you to write like you. The way I made you.”

So what does one do when they desire to be used of God, healed, married, or anything else? Simply focus on being the bride of Christ. Become intimate with him. You know how it is said a married couple starts to look alike? Well, start looking like Jesus. Act like him, love like he does. Abide in Christ. Stay connected to the vine, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV) Also, Matthew 6:7-13 (MSG) “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.”

God made you specific, and unique. Do what he wants you to do, the way he wants to do it through you, and it will be great, because it will be for his Glory!

When Quitting Isn’t an Option

May 1, 2019January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Have you ever said, “This is too hard. I can’t do this anymore!”? Or something similar indicating you were giving up? I have. But what happens when you quit something God has chosen you to do?

I read that when Billy Graham started preaching there were two other young men who had been called about the same time. One of those men was an excellent preacher. I read he could preach up a storm. So what were their names? I don’t remember either. You think Satan didn’t attack Rev. Graham, and do you think he never got discouraged, or thought for a minute, “Why am I doing this?” He kept at it because God called him to do a task, and Rev. Billy Graham was not going to stop until his body did, and he knew what would happen if he did, Satan would win.

Are you in a position or place and you know you were there because God put you there? If so, please don’t stop. Be encouraged, that you are anointed, for what you are doing, for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14) And yes, if you quit, people will get hurt, until God raises up someone else to do what He has already chosen you to do. So put your big boy pants on, and just do it!

Strength Helping Weakness

April 26, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 80 The words break free of my mouth, before I can think them through,
before I remember, the words of God, that tells, of the damage they will do.
As the last word, in the long ranting, damaging train does its part,
the sorrow, the remorse is already being felt inside my heart.

I don’t want to hurt, and I certainly don’t want to be mean as well,
so why then do I do this over and over again? Can you tell?
If only there was some way to stop, and think, before I spoke,
then perhaps, the other person, wouldn’t feel as if they’re being choked.

I pray, and ask God to forgive, and then to help me not to do,
I feel better as if it will never happen again, and I will never again hurt you.

I know the great apostle Paul struggled as well. In 2 Cor. 12:7-10,
He told us that Satan did his best to get him down again.
He begged God to remove this thorn in his flesh,
but God only replied “My grace is enough.” In other words, rest.

Then, “My strength comes into its own in your weakness” so let it be,
so Paul accepted it, realizing that when he is weak, “God works in me!”

So the truth is, on my own, I will never overcome,
but when I am weak, God and I, can become one.
Then, in that moment, before I speak, God’s power will take over,
my response will be of love and peace, and His grace will bring closure.

Still Looking?

April 24, 2019April 23, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 75 Do you know the first thing Jesus said, when he exited the tomb? “Ta-Da!” Answered a third grader in a Sunday school class one Easter. He probably didn’t, but should have. Perhaps he said, “I told you!” I don’t really know, but it doesn’t matter. What does count is what he did for you and me by dying, being the perfect sacrifice for our wrong doing, and then defeating death at its own game.

Something I had never thought of before; the word “tombstone” probably came from Jesus’ tomb stone. Although his never got engraved with something like:

Here lies Jesus Christ
Son of God, and Mary
0 – 33

Luke 24 ^1-3At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

^4-8They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.

^9-11They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn’t believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.

¹²But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head. (MSG)

I love when the angel said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery?” Are you still looking for answers to your life? Are you looking for them in a cemetery? Why? Jesus, is the One you are searching for, or for more of, even if you don’t realize it. Your spirit is crying out to be reunited with God and that is only possible through accepting Jesus.

So where is Jesus then? He is right there with you now. Waiting for you to turn to him either for the first time, or again. Everything else in life, and every other place will be empty. As empty as the tomb Jesus borrowed for three days. Stop looking, and start accepting that Jesus Christ has risen, and is alive, and he’s been pursuing you, waiting for you to believe.

Devoted to Devotions?

April 19, 2019April 16, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 70 How many times have you beat yourself up for not doing your devotions? Me? I used to constantly be black and blue! I didn’t like it. Am I not serious about serving God? I used to ask myself. I wanted to make God happy with me, so why did I constantly feel as though I was disappointing him?

It took a while, okay years, but one day I realized being devoted to devotions was not the same as being devoted to God. I begin to walk in freedom, because now I was devoted to God, and I knew I could talk to him anytime I wanted to. I could worship, read his word, and praise him throughout the entire day, and not just at a particular time of day. There may be those that like having a set time each day, but that didn’t work for me. Some people, I’m afraid, do their devotions, but then forget what they read or said to God as soon as they are done. They experienced time gone by, but fail to experience God.

Just like I can’t make you mad, I can’t make God have an emotional response to me as well. We choose our reactions to others and God chooses his reactions to us. I’m sure it’s an easy choice for him though when we talk to him and are mindful of him all day long. God, no doubt, wants to hang out with his children and listen to them, and have them listen to him. God has a lot to say.

^“Therefore, your hearts are to be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as [you are doing] today.” (1 Kings 8:61 AMP)

If You Only Knew

April 17, 2019April 13, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

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.

Looking for Me?

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 67 How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion,
a stone you can’t get around.
But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me,
you’ll find me on the way, not in the way. (Rom. 9:33-39)

When Life doesn’t Look Anything like the Brochure!

April 10, 2019April 9, 2019 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

travel brochure template printable e To Canada A travel brochure using typical Canadian Well, here you are. In the middle of life, and honestly, it’s not what you expected. What do you do? Give up? Run away? Get a divorce? The attraction is; wherever I go has to be better than this! Disappointing job, house, spouse, church, etc. doesn’t really matter. It sucks!

Some look for the answer at the bottom of a bottle, only to find it’s empty. Others turn to substances that only dulls the pain, but never removes it. Some fight. They fight society, the government, churches, and worse yet, other people. You want to know the truth? Whenever any of this happens, Satan sits back and laughs. John 10:10 says, “Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy…” What you might ask? YOU! He’s still mad at God for not letting him have his way, and he is using you to get even.

You want to know the Truth? The rest of John 10:10 says “…but I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” Jesus said that, and He is Truth. He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Accepting Jesus and living his way is not a cliche, it is truth, and it works. He doesn’t promise you a perfect life with a perfect job, house, spouse or church, but He says He will be there with you through it. The reason you keep hearing this is because it is truth, and it will set you free. Pastor Linda Budd, of RiverGate Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma said last Sunday, “Jesus doesn’t speak the problem, he speaks the answer.” Jesus didn’t say, “Oh my. It’s stormy out here. We could be in danger. Perhaps we should go back.” No! He said to the storm, “Peace be still!”

I needed to write this today, because I needed to remind myself of the truth, about Truth, and what He says to storms, disappointments in life. I say to my storm, “In the name of Jesus, peace be still!”