Knowing How God Works

October 20, 2026August 26, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Winding stone path through a lush flower garden at sunset — Image generated via AI.

Paul’s words in Colossians 1 (The Message) hit with a kind of spiritual clarity that feels both grounding and electrifying. In that chapter, he says something that every believer eventually wrestles with:

“We want you to be filled with the knowledge of how God works and how He wants you to live.” (Colossians 1:9, MSG — quoted briefly)

That line is a compass. It’s Paul praying that believers wouldn’t just believe in God, but actually understand how God operates — His patterns, His rhythms, His ways. And that’s the heart of spiritual maturity: learning to recognize God’s fingerprints in your everyday life.

God Works Through Growth, Not Instant Results

Paul continues by describing what happens when we begin to understand God’s ways: “As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.” (Colossians 1:10, MSG — quoted briefly) God rarely rushes. He grows us.

This echoes Jesus’ teaching in Mark 4:26–29, where the Kingdom of God is compared to a seed growing slowly, quietly, invisibly, and then suddenly producing a harvest. God’s work in us often feels hidden until one day it becomes undeniable. If your life feels slow, stalled, or quiet, it doesn’t mean God is absent. It may mean He’s growing roots.

God Works Through Strength You Don’t Have Yet

Paul also says: “His strength in you gives you power to endure anything.” (Colossians 1:11, MSG — quoted briefly) God doesn’t ask you to manufacture endurance. He supplies it. This mirrors Isaiah 40:29–31, where God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. Those who wait on Him “renew their strength”, not by trying harder, but by trusting deeper. Knowing how God works means recognizing that spiritual strength is received, not achieved.

God Works Through Jesus — Always, Completely, Perfectly

Paul shifts the focus to Jesus, reminding us that everything God does is centered in Him:

Jesus reveals who God is (Colossians 1:15)
Jesus holds everything together (Colossians 1:17)
Jesus reconciles us to God (Colossians 1:20)

If you want to understand how God works, look at Jesus. His compassion shows God’s heart. His authority shows God’s power. His sacrifice shows God’s love. His resurrection shows God’s victory. Everything God does in your life will look like Jesus — restoring, healing, guiding, strengthening, and transforming.

Knowing How God Works Changes How You Live

Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1 is simple but life-altering: Know how God works. Know what God wants. Live a life that reflects that knowledge. When you understand God’s ways, you stop panicking when life shifts. You stop assuming silence means abandonment. You stop interpreting delays as denials. You begin to trust the slow work of God. You begin to see purpose in the pruning. You begin to recognize His voice in the quiet. And you begin to live with a confidence rooted not in circumstances, but in understanding.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, fill me with the knowledge of how You work. Teach me Your rhythms, Your patterns, Your ways. Help me recognize Your hand in my life, and live in a way that reflects Your wisdom, Your strength, and Your love. Amen.

The Secret

October 16, 2026August 21, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Paul says something stunning in Colossians 2:2–4 (MSG) — that God wants us “woven into a tapestry of love,” and that as we grow in Christ, we “get in on the riches of this mystery.” The Message paraphrases it as “the secret is Christ himself.” That’s the heartbeat of this passage: the more clearly we see Jesus, the more clearly we see everything else.

The Secret That Brings Peace

Paul explains that God’s desire is for us to have a mind settled by truth, not shaken by fear or confusion. In Colossians 2:3, he writes that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, meaning every answer our hearts crave is found in Him.

When we try to carry life with our own understanding, anxiety becomes normal. But when we lean into the wisdom of God, the wisdom found in Christ, our minds begin to rest. We stop scrambling for control because we realize we already have access to the One who knows everything. Jesus doesn’t just give wisdom; He is wisdom, God’s wisdom, Christ’s mystery – Spiritual peace.

Knowing Everything by Knowing Him

This doesn’t mean we become all‑knowing. It means we’re connected to the One who is. And that connection changes how we think, how we respond, and how we rest.

When we don’t know what to do, His wisdom steadies us.
When life feels uncertain, His knowledge reassures us.
When fear whispers lies, His truth anchors us.

Paul warns in Colossians 2:4 that smooth‑talking arguments will try to pull us away from this peace. But when Christ is our center, deception loses its power. We don’t panic at every new idea or cultural shift because our foundation is unshakeable.

A Mind at Peace

The wisdom of God doesn’t just inform us; it forms us. It shapes our reactions, calms our thoughts, and settles our hearts. This is the secret Paul wanted the church to grasp: peace isn’t found in knowing everything; peace is found in knowing Him. And when you know Him, you begin to see everything else with clarity.

He Knows

March 4, 2025February 20, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

He’s learned it all from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who knows everything about when and how and where.
Isa. 28:29 (MSG)

This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel [and] excellent in wisdom and effectual working.
Isa. 28:29 (AMPC)

This lesson comes from the Lord of heaven’s armies. He gives wonderful advice. He is very wise. Isa. 28:29 (ICB)

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. Isa. 28:29 (NIV)

This also comes from the Lord of armies, Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great.
Isa. 28:29 (NASB)

This also comes from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom. Isa. 28:29 (NET)

Have you got it yet? No matter what version of the Bible you read, you learn in Isaiah 28 verse 29 that God knows, and He doesn’t mind sharing with you what He knows – IF YOU ASK! God knows everything about everything.

Just yesterday, I was putting up wood panels that interlock on a wall and struggling to get two pieces to go together. After getting frustrated, I paused and asked God what to do. Instantly, I got the inspiration to use my mini crowbar and lift the edge of the panel strip already attached to the wall. Of course, it worked! I got wisdom from God.

I know remodeling a wall is so minor compared to serious issues in the world, but at that moment, it mattered to me, and God cared. He knows what you are facing and going through. He cares! If you want his help and ask, He will give you what you need to know about “when,” “how,” or “where.” And I would add “what” as well. Why? Because He loves you so much.

To Know

March 8, 2024February 24, 2024 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

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.

Ask God

February 15, 2022February 12, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

I just finished editing my novel, with its cover design, and got it successfully sent off to the publisher. A huge undertaking to say the least. There were more issues that I ran into than there were tissues in the box. “Honey, we need more tissues!” Sorry, but I think she was making out the shopping list for the week. Yes, quitting, or giving up came to mind, more than once.

You see, this novel has been a seven year journey. I enjoy the story every time I read it. And even though I know what is coming next it still makes me laugh, or tear up. Knowing how I felt about the story I didn’t just want to throw it away.

So how did I get it completed? I asked God for help, a lot! He gave it to me too, It came in the form of wisdom not to run and buy software in order to load a tool I was in need of using, but He directed me to go to April’s computer and it had the necessary system requirements. He guided me who to reach out to for technical help. Not buying new software saved us money and that was a great thing! There was several other ways He helped as well.

I believe in “asking” God for help. In fact, it is one of the subjects in my next book I am going to start working on and finishing. I have been making this principle a part of my renewed mind in order to “ask” quickly, so I am not wasting my time struggling on my own.

He has even directed me to the internet to seek out answers. Isn’t that cool to know God knows about the internet? He will also help you find things that are lost, or misplaced, and you just can’t seem to find them. There seems to be a special anointing on items that are lost. I even asked God why He helps us find things that are lost and immediately I sensed in my spirit, “Because you were once lost!”

So the next time you need to know something, seeking wisdom and understanding, or are looking for something you can’t find, ask God for help! You will be amazed at the results. This is just another way God demonstrates how much He loves us and cares about the everyday things that matter to us. Also, remember to ask God to help your friends, and family members, loved ones to come to know him and accept him, for until they do, they are lost.

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.” James 1:5-8 (MSG)

Seeing

January 25, 2022January 24, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

For children of God, we have another set of eyes. “Spiritual Eyes”. These eyes are connected to our heart. They are a lot more powerful than our physical eyes. They help us have clearer vision. You see the retina of these eyes that I am writing about are connected to God.

Powered by His Spirit, it is possible to see into the future, or to visualize individuals the way God sees them. With these eyes the Holy Spirit can show us things that we would otherwise have no knowledge of. We can gain wisdom and understanding, knowledge and power. We can look at events happening around us as God sees them, and with that kind of vision obtain peace.

With this knowing, we may be led to speak to an individual, and share what we have seen. This is often called being prophetic. Shawn Bolz proclaims,

“The prophetic is to be used to connect the heart of man to the heart of God.”

With this knowledge comes responsibility as well. Before we share what we have seen we should first ask God, “Why have you shown me this?” God sometimes only reveals these things so you will pray. The focus should not be on the supernatural that has transpired, but instead what God wants to say, or do in a person’s life. In other words, someone knowing something about you, that there is no other way they could know except God revealed it, should get your attention to listen to what comes “after” the prophetic word.

But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort. 1 Cor. 14:3 (TPT)

Having this kind of vision can be very beneficial. It comes by being connected to God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and staying close to God, walking with him on a daily bases. If God uses you in this way remember; you are only responsible to give the word. If the person receives it or not, is not on you. If you see something, or hear something about someone, and you feel it is okay to share than by all means do it. For you have nothing to lose, but they have everything to gain.

Where Does Real Wisdom Come From?

October 12, 2021October 11, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

There have been times when I have sat in awe of some of the stuff that comes out of the mouths of the old. I’m talking about those that are supposed to be smart, experienced, and relatively wise in their field. I don’t want to name, names, but some are billionaires, politicians, and one was a renowned theoretical physicist who once said, “There is no God.” Of course the Bible says that only a fool says there is no God. (Psalms 14:1) So really old age, intelligence and certainly not money determines wisdom. So where does real wisdom come from?

“I’m a young man,
    and you are all old and experienced.
That’s why I kept quiet
    and held back from joining the discussion.
I kept thinking, ‘Experience will tell.
    The longer you live, the wiser you become.’
But I see I was wrong—it’s God’s Spirit in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.
The experts have no corner on wisdom;
    getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense. Job 32:6-9 (MSG)

Therefore, honestly, anyone who is filled with the Spirit of God can have wisdom. Ask God questions. Tell him you want understanding of people, and of situations. God wants to tell us things. He is just waiting for people, who will use the knowledge for his purposes to start asking.

I have found this profound truth to be quite useful, and helpful. In a couple of cases where people, who I thought would be the very last people to hurt me, have and I didn’t understand how, or why. I asked, and in one case I was directed to a TV minister for the answer that came in his message. The other, the Spirit of God showed me instantly a picture of how a minister has surrounded himself with others who are deceived in the same manner as he is. Now I know how to pray for these individuals.

Yes, you can learn some things from the old and experienced, if it aligns with the truth from God’s word, but you can also go to God directly and simply ask, but don’t act so surprised when He answers you.

Roll the Dice

May 28, 2021May 27, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

The title of this blog post, “Roll the Dice” is a phrase that comes from gambling. A similar phrase is, “Let the chips fall where they may.” Both of these phrases were spoken to me today by a believer in God. I shared with my friend, who said them, “I don’t like either phrase.” He replied, “Why not?”

I know he meant well, but he was talking about a situation that he does have authority over, because God gave it to him. You see, when you are walking in the will of God, and He places you in a position that He wants you to have, and you pray giving the situation over to God, to be God in, then it is not up to “chance”!

Things will not fall where they may, or be decided by the roll of dice, or by any half hazard means of chance, but will work out for good for those who love God. This brings glory to God. His word says so.

^“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,” Rom. 8:28 (NET)

This verse is well known, so why don’t those who know it, believe it? And better yet, why don’t they live according to that knowledge? It’s powerful! Its life changing, and situation changing as well.

So the next time you are in a pickle, or dealing with a difficult situation, pray! Give it to God! Then walk with your head up, knowing, and trusting God has heard you and that it will work out just the way He wants it to in order to do a good and perfect work in the lives of all who are involved.

“Amen!” Now that’s good preaching if I do say so myself. Where’s the offering plate? This message is worthy of an offering!

I Want to Speak to the One in Charge

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 / Mark Brady / 8 Comments

071120 “I demand a new pair of jeans,” said the man holding a pair of Levis.

I had to ask, “What’s wrong with those?”

“Their flawed. The fabric has come apart. See?” he replied.

I looked at the spot he was pointing to. “Sir,” I responded, “Those are ripped. You must have gotten them caught on something.”

“I did no such thing,” he insisted as he started stomping around displaying his anger.

I was about to enlighten this man that when denim rips, it does so in an “L” pattern, like the one on his blue jeans. But before I could get the words out of my mouth I heard, “Mark, I’ll take it from here.” The words were spoken by the store manager, Jim.

Jim looked at the jeans. His fingers rubbed across the ripped area feeling the loose strings. He then looked at the tag over the right back pocket taking in the waist size and the length. He looked at the man square in the eyes, and said, “One moment.” Jim walked over to where we kept the Levis and he retrieved a brand new pair. When he returned to the sales counter he placed them in a shopping bag and handed them to the man. He smiled at him and said, “Here you go sir. Thank you for your business.”

I didn’t understand and started to ask Jim, “Why”, but Jim said to me, “Wait.” After the man left the small clothing store, in the small town, Jim turned and said to me, “Sometimes it is better to give a customer what they want, even when you know they are lying. You see, that man is satisfied. He knows he made a mistake, but he didn’t want to pay for it. He will return to do more shopping here.” I stood there, letting the words sink in, and then Jim said, with an old, wrinkled smile on his face, “And besides, I can send those jeans back and get refunded.” Jim was the man in charge, and Jim knew what could be done, and when.

Here’s the thing, all of us have made mistakes we don’t want to pay for. Some even deny it. God is the one in charge of everything. He will run his finger over the rip in your life feeling the loose disconnected strings. He will walk you over to a shelf where your new life sits. He will smile and offer it to you. You may be wondering how you can pay for it. Will your good deeds be enough? No, so how can you take it?

God will tell you how he gave his only son, Jesus to die on a cross and how his death pays for your new life. Then he will encourage you to accept this free gift. So if you are feeling lost, depressed, forgotten, or hopeless ask to speak to the one in charge. Receive his free gift of salvation. After doing so, I assure you, things will look up, and you will feel satisfied.

To Know

December 21, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 219 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.