Your Permanent Record

permanent-record“This is going on your ‘Permanent Record’ young man!”  Remember hearing that in school?  Has anyone ever seen their “Permanent Record”?  I haven’t.  Was that a threat to get us to have better behavior and grades?  Perhaps.

God sees and hears everything we say and do.  He also knows the attitude of our hearts when our behavior is on display.  Now if anyone was going to keep a permanent record it would be Him, and in fact He does.  There will be a day when EVERYONE will stand before God, and give an account for how they lived their life, attitudes, words toward others and everything.

At the end of that time before God He will simply look in a big book (The Book of Life) and see if your name has been “blotted” out, or if it still remains.  If your name remains that means you had accepted God’s son Jesus, and his death on the cross paid for all of your wrong doing.

Rev 20:11-15   I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth.  And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there–before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived.  Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived.  Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death–Lake Fire.  Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire. (MSG)

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Because You Are Different

yellow-in-purple_oregonYou try so hard to do what is right.  You even think you are doing what Jesus would do.  You’re honest, you’re loyal, you’re trust worthy.  Yet you are misunderstood, mistreated, not trusted.  You feel picked on.  Whenever something happens you are the one people turn to first to find out what “you” had done.  It’s not right, it’s not fair, but it continues to happen to you over and over again, and it hurts, and you just don’t understand.

Can you relate?  I can.  In the past few years I have been asking God to help me understand, and perhaps He has been trying to tell me, but I couldn’t hear it.  Tonight, while watching a movie, I heard it.  I heard the reason I have been searching for that would help me understand why.  Here is what I heard straight from the movie, “The Accountant”.

“You think if you don’t fight back they will like you?  They don’t like you, they don’t dislike you.  They’re afraid of you.  You’re different.  Sooner or later different scares people.”

I know, right?  I paused the movie, wrote those words down, and pondered them.  They are certainly profound words.  Then my thoughts turned to the life of Jesus Christ.  He was different, and there certainly were those who were afraid of Him.  So much so they wanted Him dead, and they got what they wanted.  Because you act differently than they do, they may not understand that you are trying to do your best to be like Christ.  They don’t know this, because they don’t know Jesus.  Do your best to share Jesus with them.  By getting to know, and accepting Him, they will one day accept you.

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

 

False Accusations

False-stampBeing accused of something is difficult to handle, but when those accusations are false it really hurts.  Each assault can cut really deep.  What makes these accusations even worse is when the truth is staring the accusers in the face, and yet they choose to ignore it.

Last night, on my train ride home, my thoughts turned to Jesus.  One week people were singing his praises, and the following week amidst false accusations some of those same individuals were screaming for his death.  The thing we must realize is this; he was, and still is, the Son of God.  He is Truth, and being such, he had the capability to prove his innocence, but he chose not to.  If he had of, we would not have salvation, and the hope of living in heaven for eternity.

I guess I can find comfort in knowing that if it wasn’t for individuals refusing to believe the Truth, who was standing right in front of them, I wouldn’t have salvation.  Another thing I can find comfort in is knowing that God sees all truth, and one day will reveal truth to all.

1Co 3:13  The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. (AMP)

 

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

To: You

jesus-gift-tagMy child, know that on this Christmas morning, I have given you my greatest gift.  It may not be what you wanted, but I know, it is what you need.  I have given my all to you.  I have not held back anything for myself.

Oh how I desire that you could see, or measure how much I love you, but even infinity is not big enough to contain it.  My hope is that you will accept my gift.  Please don’t put it away and forget about it, or never read the instruction book that I provided, and please don’t try to return it!

Know that if you accept my gift then we can be together forever.  Also know that everything required to be with me for eternity I have provided.  There is nothing you need to do, or can do.  No rules to follow, no level of goodness required, and it doesn’t matter what you have done in the past.  I made you.  I know you.  I want more than anything to have a relationship with you, and I can, if you will simply unwrap the gift I have given you and accept it.

What is this gift?  My son.  My only son.  It’s the gift that reads, “To: you    From: God”

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

The Greatest Plan…Ever!

gods-planThe greatest love story.  The greatest gift.  The greatest promise…kept.

Who, but God could have come up with a plan to place his son Jesus, in a young virgin.  Very few looked there.  The politicians didn’t, the religious leaders didn’t, and most of the people didn’t either.

God, through his word, told what He was planning on doing, so it wasn’t a secret, but people have a tendency of not knowing God, or his word.  This causes them to take God’s plans and play them out as they understand, or worse, want.

How all of this life on earth ends is also part of God’s plan.  It’s not a secret, or mystery.  Yet people still do not get to know God, and believe how they want to.  Read God’s word.  All of it.  Even Revelation.  Though you may not understand, believe it will happen…according to God’s plan.  So far, God’s plan has worked out perfectly.  Remember this, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)  Faith…use it.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Close Gifts

red-crossMary held him close enough to hear him breath.  To feel his chest move in and out.  To see every radiant color of his eyes.  Her heart melted when he smiled.  Just think what an honor it must have been to be that close to God.  To hold God in your hands.

Jesus said, “For the Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)  Mary held God.  Today, God can hold you.

When it hurts, when you’re scared, when you’re confused, run into God’s arms.  Because God gave us His son, His son gave us God.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Jesus is Lord!!

jesus-is-lordA young lady in my church, who hides behind a recliner to talk to her parent’s bible study group stands up with boldness in front of her class.  The 15 year old shared with them why God should be allowed back into schools.  She revealed students have a right to proclaim “Jesus is Lord”.  She stood there in the power of the Holy Spirit as He enabled her.  In her own might it would never happen, but she loves God and wants to be used by Him.

We are in full blown Christmas mode right now.  This is the easiest time of the year to share “Jesus is Lord”.  After all, Jesus is the reason for this season.  People are hungry for truth and Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  All, who know “Jesus is Lord”, should be watching for opportunities to share their faith.  Ready to give an answer to those searching.  The Holy Spirit has been drawing them to God.  Now we need to be asking the Holy Spirit to help us to be ready and bold, like the young lady in my church.

This holiday season give more than an earthly gift.  Give the gift God gave us.  His son Jesus.  Share with all, why Jesus is the answer to their needs.  Give a gift that hopefully no one returns.

 

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

“You missed Christmas, Jack”

empty-mangerYou know it’s the season, you feel the rush.  You’re reminded the clock is ticking, but you say, “Hush.”  So much to get done, so many people to see.  Only a few days till Christmas, can it really be?  There’s family and friends, and co-workers too, so many to buy for, what do you do?

One way or another December 25th will arrive.  One way or another you will survive.  This Christmas will come and go, but at what cost?  This Christmas may go by, but what will be lost?  Will you take time to pause, or sit?  Or will your heart take a huge hit?

Will you unwrap the greatest gift that has ever been given?  The gift from God, the gift from heaven?  The gift of his son to set free your heart?  The forgiveness of sin on Jesus’ part?  Enjoy your friends, and family too, but don’t miss the real reason for Christmas, so here’s what you do.  Stop the craziness, resist the pressure, take in Jesus, He is a permanent treasure. Don’t be like Jack from the movie, “The Family Man”.  Enjoy this Christmas by having a Jesus plan.

Copyright © 2016 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Is it 10:00?

“Betty, what are you doing?” asked the caregiver.

“I have to get dressed.  I have a 10:00 appointment.”

“Its 2:00 Betty.”

“Morning, or afternoon?”

“Morning.”

She helped Betty get back into her hospital bed.  Betty tried this again two more times.

“But I have an appointment at 10:00.  I need to get dressed.”

“Betty, you don’t have an appointment today at 10.”

“Yes I do.”

“Here, let me help you get comfortable in your bed.”

Betty went to be with Jesus at 10:24 AM.

This is a true story.  Betty was my great aunt.  I wrote about her on her 97th birthday this past January.  I once told her that she has lived so long her friends, already in heaven, might think she passed and went the other direction.  In another conversation, “Your place, that Jesus promises to make for us in heaven, must really be something, because it has taken a long time to get it ready.”

We all have an appointment to keep one day.  When we too will stand before God.  I hope you’re ready like my aunt was.

“I love you Aunt Betty!  I’m going to miss you, but I’m glad you are home.”

Aunt Betty 97

Betty

To Know

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.