Blessed and Highly Favored!

April 5, 2019April 1, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Hi Mark. This is Cathy. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat. Why?”
“We’re slow at the restaurant and I was wondering if you wanted to come eat here today?”
“Oh, I see. Because I’m a generous tipper?”
“You’re not that good of a tipper,” Cathy said while laughing.
I laughed too. “Okay. Then why do you want me to come eat?”
“I don’t know why, but I’ve noticed that whenever you come to the restaurant, we get slammed with business, and yes, I have more opportunities to earn tips.”

charlie 63 The above conversation was changed a bit, but is true. It’s something I had noticed as well, but didn’t know anyone else had. Several years ago I begin to see that after I walked into a place of business, any business, they started getting very busy. One day I had understanding as to why. It is because I am a child of God and I am blessed and highly favored. Therefore, the places I visit are blessed as well. The blessings don’t stop there either. I find favor among men in many ways and at many times, and am blessed.

I’m not boasting in this, you can be as well. Mary, the mother of Jesus was blessed and highly favored and she knew it, because the Angel of the Lord told her she was. You gain this by drawing close to God. Know that you are his adopted son or daughter with privileges. You have all the blessings of heaven at your disposal. Ask for them. Tell your Abba Father (Daddy God) what you need, and even what you want. You might just be surprised. A scripture says, “You have not, because you ask not!” That is so true. God is just waiting to hear from you. He’s not Santa Clause, or your credit card, for He is so much more than that, but He is love, and He loves you so much! Love him back.

Get to know him, and spend time with him. One of the best ways to know God is to read his word, the Bible. God reveals himself and his character throughout the scriptures. Also look at the life of Jesus. Jesus even said, “If you have seen me then you have seen the Father.” Get intimate with Jesus, for you are the bride of Christ, after you accept him. Live like you know it! Walk around professing, “I am blessed and highly favored,” because as a child, who draws close to God, you are!

Everyone Has a Mountain to Climb

March 30, 2019March 27, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Golgotha

Life can be tough, especially when there are people in it. We are all challenged to face life, deal with life in the midst of people. Life can come with mountains. It seems as if everyone has one to climb. While trying our best to scale the mountain in front of us we, many times, will stumble over someone else. That’s when someone usually gets hurt.

Keep in mind, this wasn’t God’s idea, plan or intent, and it still isn’t. He made man and placed him in a garden. Typically, a garden is a mountain free zone. This doesn’t mean God is allergic to mountains. He has used mountains, or hills to do some of his best work. From Mt. Sinai, He gave us The Ten Commandments, which if followed, helps us live a better life. Jesus taught about his Heavenly Father, life, and many other important issues to help us from many hills, or mounts around Jerusalem. Of course it was the hill of Golgotha, where Jesus died for our sins, that gives us life eternal.

So what do we do with mountains? We should name them for what they are. Face them with boldness, but the most important thing to do is to ask Jesus to guide you through it, around it or over it. Even Jesus had a mountain (Golgotha) to face, but didn’t want to. He asked his Father to remove it from him, but then he went on to say, “Not my will, but your will be done.” When mountains are conquered, you can stick a flag in it that waves in the wind declaring to all that someone made it. It might just encourage them to keep climbing, to keep hanging on, and take another step where the Master has stepped before us.

“This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.” (1 Pt. 2:21 MSG)

House Rules

March 23, 2019March 19, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 58 It can be challenging, trying to blend two cultures, but it can also be fun. For instance, I grew up in America where my mother and father had a lot of people over to play card games, eat, and laugh. I thought it was pretty cool. Something I have tried to emulate as an adult.

In the last week, I have been teaching my Filipino wife, American games and card games. Today, I taught her a new card game and while going over the rules, I mentioned they can change depending on whose house you are playing at. It’s called, “House Rules”. Meaning, if you are at one friend’s house, then you play the game according to how they play it there. Sometimes you may not agree with how they play the game, but you are at their house, so it is their rules, that rules the game.

That got me thinking about how we are in God’s house. Not in church, but on his earth. “for the world is mine, and all that is in it.” (Psalms 50:12 NIV) He has made things simple. You can live on his earth, according to your rules, if you want to, but if you want to live forever in his heaven you must acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and accept him into your life. To do so otherwise means you spend eternity, dying forever, in hell. It’s his rule, which, should, rule your life.

If you haven’t, consider accepting God’s rule of your life. Doing so helps you get through it, hopefully, with lots of love, friends, family and laughter.

Being Noticed

March 20, 2019January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I now know what an animal in a zoo exhibit feels like! The other day I thought I heard a little boy ask his mother if he could feed the American. I have mentioned a few times, that I am now living in the Philippines. Now that I have been here for a while, I forget when I go out, and am near my home, that I am not in America, so when someone stares at me, I start thinking Is my zipper down on my pants? Did I forget to shower and my hair is a mess?

The point is; I stand out! I’m noticed! It’s impossible for me to blend in. It happened again tonight, as I was walking down the street, to the convenient store. I smiled and sometimes I wave or say, “Hi.” I am conscious of the fact I am representing America. Some have actually told me that I am the first American they have ever seen in person.

This got me thinking, shouldn’t I have the same awareness about being a follower of Jesus Christ? Shouldn’t I be thinking What if I am the first Christian they have ever met in person? Or, I am representing God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. The truth is, it should be my nature and not a thought I have to keep in mind. And my response? Smile, wave, say “Hello”, be love. I know I mention this theme of being love often, but the first two commandments mention love, so it must be important to God.

Love God, and put him first in our lives.
Love others as we love ourselves. (And some of you really do love yourselves a lot, as do I sometimes!)

When you walk around being love, you’re being like God. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 JN. 4:8 NIV) Please stop trying to blend in, and rather, desire to be noticed!
Copyright © 2019 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Knowing You Are Loved

March 16, 2019March 14, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 58 I had a friend that once stated she doesn’t want to hear her spouse say, “I love you” every day. Somehow, she feels it cheapens the words. I asked her, “Well, how do you want to know you are loved then?” She replied, “Just knowing someone is thinking about me makes me feel loved.” Yes, the next question I had to ask was, “How do you know you are being thought of if that person doesn’t express it in some form?”

I like hearing I am loved. I like better knowing that I am. My new spouse left me the note that is pictured here. A wave of love flowed over me when I found it hanging on my desk. Expressing our love to others doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but goes a long way in building strong bonds in a relationship, family, friends or otherwise. Another aspect to expressing your love is there are so many ways to do it, and one can get very creative.

God was extremely creative when He expressed his love to us. Who else, but God would have thought of giving us his only son and that son coming to us in a small package of a baby. As that baby grew, so did his love for mankind. In fact, it’s Jesus’ love for us that caused him to say, “Not my will Father, but yours be done.”

Today, I can read God’s love notes to me all through his word. The Bible is full of them. Like Romans 8:37-39 describes how nothing can separate us from God’s love. He won’t allow it. Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. To sum it up:

God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing. ~ Rick Warren

KNOW THAT, YOU ARE LOVED!

Everything?

March 13, 2019March 11, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 56 If you have tried everything, does that list include Jesus?

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. (John 14:6 MSG)

No One Ever Treated Me That Way

March 9, 2019March 8, 2019 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

tricycle

I am a middle aged man, and have been driving a tricycle in Baliuag, Philippines for many years, but today, today I experienced something for the first time. I’m not sure what to call it, but it felt good. You see, this couple, I picked up for fare, while on their way to their destination wanted to stop at 7 Eleven and get something to drink. Just before the man entered the store he stopped, turned to me, and asked, “Would you like something to drink?”

I didn’t know how to respond, and before I could think about it, I responded with a, “Yes. Whatever you are getting.” When he returned he handed me a large bottle of a soft drink. In fact, my drink was larger than his. I was shocked, stunned, and didn’t know what to think or say. “Thank you,” I finally said.

As I dropped them off at their final destination, the man asked me, “How much?” I wanted to say, “No charge,” but the truth is I really needed the money for my family. He said, “I’ll decide how much.”, and he handed me a lot more than the fare should have been. I watched with stunned feelings as the nice couple walked away. His last words still echoing in my head, “Sir, I bless you today, because God blesses me. He loves me, and he loves you too!” Perhaps I should get to know such a loving God.

We never know who we will encounter each day. It is important to be lead by the Holy Spirit to know what to say, or do, when He prompts us to, and then to be obedient. James 3:10 refers to curses and blessing coming out of the same mouth and how this shouldn’t be, but also be aware that the same hands can hurt, or give blessings. Let’s bless others with our mouths, and with our hands.

IR

March 2, 2019February 26, 2019 / Mark Brady / 1 Comment

Charlie 7 I got remarried yesterday evening, after being divorced for twenty-three years. I no longer have to check that dreaded little box, “Divorced”. I married a wonderful woman of God who is a Filipino. The only problem is, I’m an American, and she is not allowed to enter the United States without a Visa, which could take a year or longer to arrive. When she said, “I do,” she became an “IR”. Instant Relative. This status gives her priority over everyone else trying to enter America by any other means. Work Visa, Student Visa, Fiancé Visa, etc. It also gives her access to a “Green Card” and two weeks after she arrives in America she will get her Social Security card. Being an “IR” has instant privileges.

When one accepts God’s free gift of salvation, through his Son Jesus, they instantly become an “IR”. They become a son or daughter to the God of the universe. You will walk around, with a smile on your face, knowing whose you are, that you belong to God, and He is your Abba Father. (Daddy God) That status brings instant privileges as well. Like having access to the throne of God. Being able to walk with him and talk about anything. God will guide you, Jesus will be with you, and the Holy Spirit will comfort you. You have a free Attorney, Jesus, to defend you against Satan’s accusations. Also, there will be free of charge, to you, accommodations in heaven that have no check out date or time, and who could argue with the blessing of eternal life? Yes, being a child of God is good!

“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? (Mat. 7:11 MSG)

There are so many reasons to accept Jesus, mainly, because He first loved us. If you are not currently, my prayer is that you will become an “IR” with God.

My Rights

February 27, 2019February 26, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

20171209_162330 “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

Above is the “Miranda Rights”, which you have heard on TV or in a movie. In heaven, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, these rights will go something like this:

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used against you in the court room of heaven by Satan. You have a right to an attorney. You cannot afford the One True Attorney, but He, Jesus, will be appointed for you.”

Jesus, has already paid the full penalty, death, for your wrong doing. Case dismissed. You are free to go.

Enough?

February 23, 2019February 22, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

charlie 3 When is enough, enough? Have you had it with an individual, or a workplace? What about a country? You scream so loud on the inside you’re surprised that dogs don’t howl! Why do people, work rules, or a countries procedures have to be ridiculous? If they made sense, or had a justifiable reason behind them, then fine, so be it. For someone to say, “But that’s the rule,” or “that’s the way it is,” over and over doesn’t help either. It hurts, beating your head against the wall repeatedly, trying to find a sliver of logic to it all when the truth is, there is none!

I imagine there will come a day, when God says to his Son, “Enough.” God is patient, and long suffering, but He too can only take so much. He did it in the days of Noah, and with Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus will know what his Father is saying is, “Go, and bring my people home. Deliver them from the sin, the injustices, from the insanity, from those who “think” they are in control, the hypocritical, from those that oppress, and from the work of the evil one.” Jesus will stand up and make his way to earth, and the trumpet will sound.

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36 MSG)

Be encouraged. The way this world is going where right is wrong, and wrong has become right, it won’t be long before God will say, “Enough!”