Misty Eyed

November 15, 2024October 29, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Where do you want to eat lunch?” asked Charlie. “I don’t care,” said his wife. They wound up at a taco place all the way across town from where they live. While in the middle of their meal, several people jumped up and started looking out the windows. Charlie got up to see what they were looking at. A homeless man and woman were fighting. The man left and the woman started crying and walking toward the restaurant with her bike.

Another couple, Justin and Emily, ran out the door to the woman. Her name was Misty. She was in hysterics. “He stole all of my money,” she said. They started calming her down and invited her inside the restaurant. Justin went to get her some food and a drink. Emily talked to her.

Charlie and his wife wanted to help. Later, Justin went back up to the counter. He was trying to purchase Misty a gift card so she could get more food later. Charlie said he would pay for it, but he learned the machine wasn’t working. So he told Justin he would go down the street to a convenience store to get a gift card. That way, Misty could buy food and drinks later.

When Charlie returned, he gave the card to Misty. She started crying. Charlie hugged her and then said, “God wanted to love on you today. You see, my wife and I could have gone anywhere to eat lunch, but we came here, and we live all the way on the other side of town. God wanted to show you that He knows you and cares about you and what you are going through.”

Justin led them in a prayer for Misty. Charlie hugged Misty again, even though she smelled as if she could use a shower. Emily continued making out a list of items Misty could use to make life a little easier.

On the way home, Charlie asked his wife why she didn’t join in ministering to Misty. She said, “I didn’t know what to say, and you all were handling it.” Charlie paused and then said, “Just being there says a lot. And you could have also hugged Misty. A lot of homeless people miss the feeling, the connection of a human touch. You go to Bible studies, but today was an opportunity to apply it.”

Look around in life. See the needs. Have compassion and do whatever you can to alleviate the need. That’s what the word “compassion” means in the Greek language, and that is what Jesus did.

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Mat. 9:36 (NKJV)

John 11:35

November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“And Jesus Wept” statue in Oklahoma City.

As a child growing up in church, there were often scripture memory challenges. The first scripture most kids learned was “John 11:35.” “Jesus wept.” Let’s face it, it was easy. I struggle today to remember the reference to where a scripture is, but at least I know what is in the Bible and what is not. I think knowing that for myself is more important than the location. Besides, I can type the portion of scripture I recall, and my computer will find the reference for me.

But back to this verse. If you recall, Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick, and the family sent word to Jesus to come and heal him. Instead, Jesus continued to teach and do miracles while he ministered to others.

When he arrived at Lazarus’ home, they told him he was too late. That Lazarus had already died. There was much sorrow, and the family was stricken with grief. When Jesus saw how great their sorrow was, he wept. He didn’t weep because his good friend Lazarus had died because he knew what he was about to do, but instead, he was overcome with their pain and sorrow. I believe that is why he wept.

Jesus cares for us when we are sad and grief-stricken today, too. He wants us to lean on him to get through those times. At least long enough until the sting of death starts wearing off.

I once wrote about Lazarus from his point of view. My editor asked me with a snarky tone, “How do you know Lazarus wanted to come back to life?” Her question stumped me for almost a week. Then I received the answer from on high (God). I told her, “It didn’t matter if Lazarus wanted to come back to life or not. He just wanted to be obedient to the Lord Jesus!” So when Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth,” he obeyed.

Funny thought: If Jesus had only said, “Come forth,” I think all of the dead in that area would have come back to life. I’m not sure, but I could see it happening.

Jesus waited four days before traveling to Lazarus’ home. He wanted everyone to know that he had power over death, too. And he didn’t want anyone to say something like, “Well, Lazarus wasn’t really dead.” The fact of the matter is, he was so dead, he stunk!

Takeaways: Know for yourself what is in the Bible. You do that by reading it. Know that Jesus has power over death. That is how he can promise us eternal life if we accept him into our lives. And know that Jesus hurts when we hurt. He truly cares about us and what is important to us.

If you want to read the whole story for yourself, turn to John 11:1-44.

24/7/365

October 29, 2024October 7, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

April and I were discussing one of her friends recently. They were going through something. Sorry, I don’t recall what it was. I suggested April do something for them. She didn’t respond. I enquired. Finally, she admitted that she didn’t want to do that for her friend. After a few minutes, she asked, “Am I a bad friend?” I thought for a moment, trying to find some words of wisdom. Then I responded, “You’re a friend. You’re just not a good friend.”

Maybe you are a good friend to others. Perhaps you give them as much time as you can when they call and are upset. You provide them with a ride to the airport no matter the time of day. When they are sick, you stop by their house to give them a helping hand or to provide a meal. In other words, you are always there for them. They know they can count on you.

A few days later, I was sitting at a traffic light. I looked up and saw the billboard pictured here in this post. It made me think of Jesus. Then I thought of the above conversation with April. One of Jesus’ characteristics is that he says he is a “friend” who never leaves you.

There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24 (RSV)

But Jesus is one part of three. They are one yet individual, and together, they take complete care of you.

God.

“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deu. 31:6 (MSG)

And nothing you can do can separate you from the love of God.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Rom. 8:38 (MSG)

The Holy Spirit is there to comfort you and to give you power when you are ministering to others. He can give you words to say when you have no idea what should come out of your mouth. He also has a list of supernatural gifts that he gives out to whoever he wants.

Being in a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is the best. They are our God, our friend, and our comforter. Jesus isn’t “just” a friend but a good friend. They are always there for me. I love doing life with them. They are with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

I’m Not a Robot

October 1, 2024September 2, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

According to Isaac Asimov, there are three laws of robotics:
1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Would you want to be a robot? Life might be easier if you were. You would be programmed, so there would be no decisions to make. You would have no soul and, therefore, not be responsible for your actions. Robots do not have free will. God didn’t make robots because He wanted a group of people to choose to love him back freely.

If humans were robots, according to the First Law, there would be no murders, and everyone would watch out for others and do whatever they could to help or protect them. A robot would never “sin” because of the Second Law. And there would be healthy robots who would never get depressed and commit suicide.

When God made mankind, He, too, established some Laws for us to live by. We know them as the Ten Commandments:

You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall make no idols.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.

These commandments weren’t established to make your life miserable but, in reality, to make all of our lives good. Living according to the above list is a great way to live. “No. I am not a robot.” I have accepted God and His Son, Jesus. I believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I do my best to live by these commandments. I worship God and praise His Holy name. I do all of this of my own free will, out of love for the one true God who first loved me.

My Oscar Moment

September 24, 2024August 21, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Do you ever daydream? I do. I have ever since I can remember. Especially in elementary school, when I was bored with the lessons I should have been learning. I found it entertaining to “play” or “dream” in my mind.

As I was writing my novel, “Kill the Preacher Man,” I would sometimes share with others what the book was about. Several would comment that it sounded like a movie. I then started daydreaming about winning an Oscar and what I would say in my acceptance speech. That dialog changed after meeting April and telling her about the book.

“I would like to thank the academy for this honor and, of course, God and my lovely wife, April. When I first met April, I told her about my novel and that some had said it should be a movie. I told her, ‘Who knows? Maybe it would be up for an Oscar?’ She replied, ‘Would I be able to attend the ceremony, and do you think Keanu Reeves would be there?’ I replied, ‘Yes. You can go, and Mr. Reeves would probably be there.’ After a brief pause, she said, ‘Okay, Mark. I will marry you!’” (True story!)

The below description is from the back cover of the book:

“Kill The Preacher Man” is a modern-day novel about 30-year-old Jeremiah Crowley, whose gift of faith and healing launches a revival in America. Like Jesus, signs and wonders follow him when he ministers. A Chicago news reporter, Caroline Roberts, is dispatched to investigate why a church meeting is causing a traffic jam. Her coverage of the incident propels her to disprove this modern-day Jesus. When that attempt failed, her disdain for God reached a boiling point, erupting in her putting out a contract on his life. Will she succeed in killing the preacher man, stopping the revival, and stopping God?

Awards and accolades are great. They can serve us with encouragement and as a testament to help others to keep working on achieving their dreams. God will give those who endured tests and temptations and came through it victoriously a “Crown of Life.”

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Jam. 1:12 (AMPC)

Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life. Rev. 2:10 (AMPC)

But when it is all said and done, we will lay those crowns at the feet of Jesus. For without his sacrifice on the cross to die for our sins, resisting temptation would not even be possible.

¹⁰The twenty-four elders (the members of the heavenly Sanhedrin) fall prostrate before Him Who is sitting on the throne, and they worship Him Who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, crying out,

¹¹Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created. Rev. 4:10-11 (AMPC)

Jesus alone is worthy, and in praise and thankfulness to Him and in acknowledgment of Him, the saints cast the symbols of their victory at Jesus’ feet. Any awards and accolades received on earth are temporal. They will be consumed by fire in the end, so we should all focus on receiving “The crown of life.”

“Kill the Preacher Man” can only be purchased via Books | brady, mark a. (bradymarka.com)

Happy Birthday!

September 3, 2024August 10, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Whenever your birthday rolls around, and it seems like they appear every year, do you reflect upon your life? I tend to. I think about what I have achieved, my regrets, and where I want to go in the future. I thank God for what I have achieved, and I appreciate his grace and forgiveness, which covers my regrets. Then I pray for my future.

The one thing I don’t regret about my life is trying my best to maintain a good relationship with God. Relying on him for strength, comfort, wisdom, understanding, and guidance. I sometimes trip up and struggle to keep an appropriate attitude toward God. This means that, at times, I get angry about how life is going at the moment and even have the audacity to blame him. Knowing full well He gives us freedom to make our own choices, and if those decisions don’t work out, then it’s my fault.

Birthdays are great for reflecting and celebrating. They’re also good for making course directions in your life. You’re never too old to start over, start new, or get back on track in your walk with God.

So be very careful to act exactly as God commands you. Don’t veer off to the right or the left. Walk straight down the road God commands so that you’ll have a good life and live a long time in the land that you’re about to possess. Deu. 5:32-33 (MSG)

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Mic. 6:8 (MSG)

Birthdays should make you mindful of God’s grace and goodness. He has allowed you to survive another trip around the Sun. It could be to show his blessings upon your life., or it could be to give you another opportunity to accept His Son, Jesus, into your life so that your sins are forgiven and you spend eternity with him in heaven. Don’t think you will live forever because you won’t! Don’t put off another day without accepting God’s free gift, no strings attached, salvation. Your life came with an expiration date. “Best if used by: ??/??/????.

And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” James 1:13-15 (MSG)

Decision 2024

August 30, 2024August 30, 2024 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

It’s another election year. Both candidates are making promises of what they are going to do for the people, me. I have often wondered, if the incumbent has these great ideas to better our lives, then why didn’t he/she do it in his/her first term? There is a people group in America that is usually featured. They are starting to realize that the party they traditionally vote for never seems to come through on those promises! It has come to this writer’s observation that a lot of people are putting their trust in men to solve their problems and to make their lives better.

We have a lot of serious issues in America! Each candidate says they can fix them. I will certainly vote, but I’m not going to hold my breath, and I am certainly not counting on them! The portion of scripture below from Amos chapter 5, verses 5 – 15 (MSG) comes close to describing our country today and, honestly, our world.

“Seek me and live.
    Don’t fool around at those shrines of Bethel,
Don’t waste time taking trips to Gilgal,
    and don’t bother going down to Beer-sheba.
Gilgal is here today and gone tomorrow
    and Bethel is all show, no substance.”

⁶So seek God and live! You don’t want to end up
    with nothing to show for your life
But a pile of ashes, a house burned to the ground.
    For God will send just such a fire,
    and the firefighters will show up too late.

Raw Truth Is Never Popular

^7-9Woe to you who turn justice to vinegar

    and stomp righteousness into the mud.
Do you realize where you are? You’re in a cosmos
    star-flung with constellations by God,
A world God wakes up each morning
    and puts to bed each night.
God dips water from the ocean
    and gives the land a drink.
    God, God-revealed, does all this.
And he can destroy it as easily as make it.
    He can turn this vast wonder into total waste.

^10-12People hate this kind of talk.
    Raw truth is never popular.
But here it is, bluntly spoken:
    Because you run roughshod over the poor
    and take the bread right out of their mouths,
You’re never going to move into
    the luxury homes you have built.
You’re never going to drink wine
    from the expensive vineyards you’ve planted.
I know precisely the extent of your violations,
    the enormity of your sins. Appalling!
You bully right-living people,
    taking bribes right and left and kicking the poor when they’re down.

¹³Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic.
Decent people throw up their hands.
Protest and rebuke are useless,
a waste of breath.

¹⁴Seek good and not evil—
    and live!
You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    being your best friend.
Well, live like it,
    and maybe it will happen.

¹⁵Hate evil and love good,
then work it out in the public square.
Maybe God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
will notice your remnant and be gracious.

Do you want to make a decision in 2024? Decide on God! Accept him through his Son, Jesus Christ. Put your trust in him. You won’t regret your decision!

This Old House

August 27, 2024August 3, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

While April and I were working on remodeling another portion of our house yesterday, I was reminded of how God remakes us. Today, I am tired and sore! Making something new again takes commitment to finish the task and a lot of hard work. But in the end, the result is worth it. With God, though, it’s not about how the outside looks but how the inside is.

Like a house, God starts with our foundation. We must be built on solid ground.

^24-25“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

^26-27“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” Mat. 7:24-27 (MSG)

Then He addresses the condition of the walls, the doors, and the windows of our soul. He straightens walls, fortifies doors, and replaces broken or worn-out windows. Why? Because He wants us to walk straight, upright. The door, because He is concerned about what or who, we are allowing in our lives and the influence they may have upon us. The windows, because He is aware of what we see and how much it affects us. Our eyes are the channel that makes an impression of what we think.

^22-23“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! Mat. 6:22-23 (MSG)

And let’s not forget the roof. God wants to be our covering. Providing safe shelter in the stormy times of our lives. A place where we can rest and sleep instead of being up all night worrying. A place where there is an atmosphere of the Fruit of the Spirit of God. Love, joy, peace, etc.

Our house is getting closer to being completed. But there is one room that still has the old color of paint. I called it beige, but April corrected me and said it was camel or tope. That room is the garage, and it still has a popcorn ceiling. It’s ugly! I will address it, too, someday. Some people will always leave a portion of their old life intact. As if they are afraid to totally let go of the “old man” or the way they used to be. Perhaps they like to look back, like Lot’s wife. I can recall fine where I came from and what I used to be like before God started His remodeling project of my life.

I hope you will be willing to allow God to remodel you. The good part is the project won’t cost you a thing. It is already paid for by His Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, it not only provided you the forgiveness of your sins but also a relationship with the Master Contractor, God. And Jesus knows a thing or two about being a carpenter.

So Help You God

August 9, 2024July 11, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” A phrase we are familiar with that is asked of witnesses about to be questioned in court. You see, if they tell the truth, then it could set someone free or help convict the guilty. The truth is powerful!

I had a friend who once told me a story about getting into some serious trouble at work. The problem was what he told me didn’t make sense. When I prayed for them and about the situation, I asked God what the truth was. He told me. Later, I asked my friend if I could share what God had told me, and he agreed. When I shared God’s truth about the situation, he got outraged and hung up on me, and he hasn’t spoken to me since.

Even though the truth was embarrassing for them, I didn’t judge. I wanted to see them get the victory over the underlying problem. As I continued to pray for them, God showed me more truth and how they had lied and deceived me on many occasions.

I once shared the truth with my pastor that God had shown me about him and his home life. I started the conversation with two pieces of knowledge that I could only have known if God revealed it to me. The supernatural shouldn’t be awed but used to get one’s attention for what God wants to do or say next. The problem was that the command structure in their home followed them into the church, and it did not please God at all! In fact, it was preventing God from pouring out His Spirit upon the church and using that church in a mighty way! When one’s leadership isn’t right at home, people get hurt!

What was worse was, out of fear of being exposed, the pastor and his wife told many lies about me to the congregation. Yep! That was the day I had to fire my pastor! He knew what God said to him was truth, but he was afraid of being alone! In other words, he was fearful if he put things right, then his wife might divorce him.

The truth can attract some while it repels others. Thousands heard Jesus teach the truth and saw him perform many signs and wonders, but only a few radically changed how they lived and followed him. Sad, but many don’t want to be around one who represents the truth, tells the truth, and lives with the truth. Even some family members may no longer talk to you or want to be around you. Their consciousness may be seared when you are around!

But if they are ready to drop their defenses and accept the truth, then they will begin to enjoy a life of freedom. Look at the drastic turnaround when Saul encountered the Truth, Jesus, on the road to Damascus. He didn’t stand there and try to justify himself or his actions. He confessed he was wrong and went on to set others free with the truth he had encountered in his life.

Yes, the truth can be challenging to accept, but if it is, then there truly is freedom and no more condemnation. Try hearing it, and better yet, try telling it, so help you God.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion: Acts 9:1-19
⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

Crossroads

July 26, 2024June 27, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Are you stuck? Lost? Find yourself in the middle of nowhere or at an intersection, and you have no idea which way to go? It happens to all of us at one time or another. Life was going good as if on cruise control and then one day you woke up and thought, “What am I doing?” Or you may be at a juncture in your life you didn’t expect. Like after getting divorced, losing a job, or the death of a family member.

Newsflash: You do not have to navigate life alone! There is one who is ready and able to help you, guide you, point the way, and give you the encouragement and strength to get there. And his name is JESUS!

The word of God has scriptures that say He will lead us:

The very steps we take come from God;
otherwise how would we know where we’re going? Prov. 20:24 (MSG)

By your words I can see where I’m going;
    they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
    from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
    put me together again with your Word.
Adorn me with your finest sayings, God;
    teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
    but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
    but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
    what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
    I always have and always will. Ps. 119:105 (MSG)

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]. Ps. 37:23 (AMP)