The Key to Your Life

KeysCurrently, I only use two keys.  It feels good.  It means I am not responsible for much.  I do not unlock a church anymore or even a desk.  So, in a way, the keys on your key ring tell others about you, about your life.

Most will have a house key, but you could also have a key to a cabin.  A car key, or two.  A key to your company’s building, company’s vehicle, your office door, or just your desk.  You could have a boat key.  One for your gym locker, gun locker, school locker, or even a foot locker.  But what if your key ring had one to your lover’s apartment, or to a lock box that no one else knew about?  Are there secrets to your life that require a hidden key?

Jesus knows about every key you poses.  Hidden or otherwise.  Jesus has keys too.  Rev 1:18   “I’m Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death’s doors, they open and lock Hell’s gates.” (MSG)  The only key that really matters in this life is the one that unlocks your heart.  Who, or what, have you given that key to?  I hope you have given it to Jesus.  Doing so, says you trust him with everything that is important to you.  Everything you value, even your very life.

 

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

 

Life’s Speed Bumps

speedbumpMy daughter once said, “Squirrels are God’s little speed bumps.”  I’m not saying I agree.  I realized something this past week as I talked to some people.  They were telling me of the trouble they are currently having in their lives.  I felt bad for them.  Then I thought it seems as if there is always so much drama in their lives that they don’t have time to focus on the important things in their life.  Maybe another way to say it is this; they are so busy putting out fires, they never spend time preventing them.

I once told a friend concerning my failed marriage, “I was so busy repairing I never got time to build.”  A good marriage is something important in life.  Teaching your children how to live life right is important as well.  But of course the most important thing in life is deciding where you want to spend eternity.  Yes, it is your decision.

So where does all this trouble come from?  Circumstances; sure.  Most likely as a result of poor decisions.  But consider another source; the devil.  In John 10:10 Jesus said, “Satan has come to kill, steal, and destroy.  That means steal your time, destroy relationships, and includes killing your soul.  Then Jesus said, “But I have come so that you may have life.  Abundant life.”  He doesn’t want you to live life on earth suffering.  Jesus wants to help you with living life.  He can and will once you accept him as God’s son and invite him to be the Lord of your life.  Once you do that read about him, study him in the Bible.  He will help you get over life’s speed bumps more smoothly.

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Something’s Fishy

I went fishing with my father this past week.  In a few hours we caught 50 sand bass.  As we were catching them we discussed how many there must be in the lake, and how random they must be swimming in order to find our lures.  Catching them seemed too easy.

The next day I was reading from Habakkuk 2 (yes that is a real book of the Bible found in the old testament) where it talked about fish “swimming without direction, swimming, but not getting anywhere.”  It made me wonder about people and the lives they live.  Is there purpose in their lives?  Is there purpose in your life?  Direction?  I hope so.

God made each of us for a reason and a purpose.  If you don’t know yours then ask Him.  Seek his will for your life.  He has a reason for gifting you the way he did.  No one can do what you can.

Copyright 2017 Mark Brady

Do You Trust Me?

Trust.  It’s hard to trust someone else, and sometimes even ourselves.  God, throughout the centuries has asked people to trust Him.  Some did, others didn’t, but most did so with some fear and trepidation.  Another thing that is difficult is change.  Either change a job, a living location, but the hardest thing to change is yourself.  Putting the two things together will just about overwhelm you!

Whenever God calls you to change an area of your life, take it from me, it is best to blindly believe, and then obey.  Will you know how it will all work out?  Probably not.  Will you know ahead of time how you will make it?  No!  But the point is; God does.  That is where the trust comes into play.

One thing I have learned, the hard way, is God loves obedience.  When you figure out a direction God wants you to go, and then you go when the time is right He blesses you like nothing you have experienced before.  So when God asks you that question, say, “Yes”.

copyright 2017 Mark Brady

 

The Best Day of My Life

070315_26I used to think the best day of my life was the day I retired.  I no longer have to work.
Then I thought the best day of my life was the day my granddaughter was born.  I experienced such joy.
The day my daughter was born was a great day too.  She smiled, my heart melted.
The day my son was born, wow, I beamed as he held my finger when I took his hand.
My wedding day was awesome.  This beautiful woman accepted me, and said, “I do.”
Graduating college was a good day.  A little more meaningful than finishing high school.

Those were good days of my life, but the best day, was the day I accepted God’s free gift of salvation through his son, Jesus.  For it was God who got me to those great days, and through them, and all of the ones that weren’t so great.

In reality though, the best day of my life will be my last one.  The day I die.  (Don’t worry, I’m not rushing it.)  You see, on that day, because I gave my life to God, and have done my best to live according to his word, and have asked for forgiveness for the times I didn’t, when I die, I will enter into heaven.  No more pain.  No more hurts, disappointments, or tears.  That, will be the best day of my life!

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Where Are You Going?

20170819_205542“Recalculating.”  Seems to be her favorite word.  I get frustrated with her at times.  Ladies, please don’t get mad, but a man doesn’t like to be told what to do by a woman.  It’s not our fault, it’s just the way we are wired.  So I recently put my GPS in the back seat, and it felt natural.  At times, I still try to get where I think I am supposed to be going, on my own.

That happened this year.  My plans were taking me in a completely different direction.  If I had not felt in my spirit “Recalculating”, I would not currently be going where God needs me to be.  Yes, God uses GPS.  “God’s Positioning System”

It’s important to seek God’s will for your life.  You were created for a reason and a purpose.  If you submit to God’s GPS you will be happy and not frustrated when you arrive at your final destination.  I hope and pray your final destination, is heaven.

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

 

Would You?

Dying for someone elseHow far would you go for someone else?  Would you take a bullet for someone, like the secret service men who protect our president?  Would you volunteer to be put to death so someone else could live?  The answer to these questions probably matter on who the one escaping death is, and how much they mean to you.

What if the one going to die was your spouse, parent, or your child?  Would you die for them?  What if it was more than just dying?  What if you were asked to die and then to spend eternity in hell on behalf of the one you choose to take their place of?  Would you do that?  Knowing hell is a place of utter darkness where individuals are tormented constantly.  That makes the decision a lot harder.

I had a situation this past week come up where some people close to me hurt me very bad.  First I had to use a lot of “Satan Spray” (see last week’s post) and then I started earnestly praying for those individuals.  I prayed they would come back to living a life pleasing to God and not the devil.  Then I had the thought, if they don’t change their lifestyles they could very well wind up in hell!  I wasn’t judging them, I was only comparing their lives to the word of God.  I began to pray for them even harder, and a new thought hit me.  I said, “God, I don’t want to see them die and go to hell.  I love them so much.  Could I take their place?”  Now tears flowing.  I know I can’t take their place, because everyone will be judged on their own.

Then I was reminded, this is exactly what Jesus did.  He loves us so much he told his Father he would die for us and go to hell on our behalf.  So that those who choose to believe in him and ask him to be their Lord would be saved from eternal death.  The difference is Jesus had the power to break through the utter darkness.  His light overcame Satan, and now there was a way for those who believe and accept him to live.  WOW!  What love!

Joh 3:16  “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (MSG)

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Satan Spray

satan sprayThe other day someone said something that irked me to no end!  Even several hours later I was still upset.  Then I realized, Satan was using what was said to hurt me.  I decided to get out my “Satan Spray”.  I started singing songs of praise and worship.  Next thing I knew, he was gone.  I guess he doesn’t like hearing songs that lift up the name of Jesus.  Either that, or he doesn’t know the words.

Jam 4:7   So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. (AMP)

Keep in mind Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy.  YOU!  He will use anyone, at any time, to bring harm to you, God’s own creation.  The contents of your “Satan Spray” could include quoting scriptures, prayer, listening to a sermon, etc.  The key to “Satan Spray” is this:  Use often, and don’t use it sparingly, because Jesus purchased enough through His death and resurrection to last for eternity.

 Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

 

Does God Blink?

eyesWhen there are people in your life who seem to enjoy making you hurt, miserable, or angry you begin to wonder if God indeed has His eye on you or, if He blinked for a moment?  You think to yourself how could He let this happen to me over and over again?  Where is His revenge on these people?  I gave it to Him as he instructs us to.

The truth is, He never takes His eyes off of us.  Not even for a split second to blink.  Pro 2:8  He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

Another truth is you don’t know what is going on in that person’s life that you don’t see.  God has never liked it when someone willfully hurts one of His own.  To the ones who do He has some very harsh words:

Mic 2:1-3  Doom to those who plot evil, who go to bed dreaming up crimes! As soon as it’s morning, they’re off, full of energy, doing what they’ve planned.  They covet fields and grab them, find homes and take them. They bully the neighbor and his family, see people only for what they can get out of them.  GOD has had enough. He says, “I have some plans of my own: Disaster because of this interbreeding evil! Your necks are on the line. You’re not walking away from this. It’s doomsday for you.

If you feel you are being treated unfairly, take heart.  God sees, and knows, and He will deal justly with those who are not just.  If you are one of those hurting others, beware!  God sees you too, and He will avenge the innocent.  If you are the innocent, pray God’s judgement will turn the heart of the guilty to God.

Copyright © 2017 Mark Brady, All rights reserved

Sight Unseen

052012_47JBWould you buy a house sight unseen?  Probably not.  On the other hand, have things or people always been as they appear?  Most likely no.  So why is seeing so important?  Why is one state, I traveled through today, called the “Show me state”?  We put so much infaces on seeing before believing, that when it comes to God we want the same thing.

I asked a coworker some years ago this question, “What would it take for you to believe God was real?”  He thought long and hard and finally could not give me an answer.  Possibly in his mind anything God would do for him, would still trigger doubt, and disbelief.  Knowing how He made us, I think that is why God asks us to accept Him by “faith”.  Faith, is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

It can be difficult, somethimes, to believe in God.  Especially when life is tough, but given the chance, and time God has proven Himself to me over and over.  He also promises to prepare a home for me in heaven.  I’ll accept that home, “sight unseen”!