It Sure Would be Easier

March 22, 2024March 11, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Some things in life come with “Warning” labels, like cigarettes. In fact, in the Philippines, they print photos of what “could” happen to you if you smoke. (see the attached photo.)

Wouldn’t it be nice if people came with warning labels? So, it wouldn’t take days, weeks, months, or even years to see what demon(s) they fight. And when they are fighting their battles, you get wounded. You would know what buttons not to push. Sometimes, when I get on an elevator with others, I ask, “What floor?” Then, I will calmly say, “I like pushing people’s buttons!” Most people who get it laugh but then hurry off when their floor arrives. The truth is, I don’t. I would rather avoid confrontations.

If people came with warning labels, you would know how to pray for them. There is a way to know what they are dealing with before it comes out or they tell you. It is called “Word of Knowledge.”

The word of knowledge is a spiritual gift that allows the believer to supernaturally know something about a situation or a person.

I wrote a few weeks ago about getting a “Word of Knowledge” concerning a young lady I had never met before. I asked her, “Why are you so sad?” She was surprised I knew and asked, “How in the world did you know that?” I explained to her that God revealed it to me. She was amazed and marveled until I stopped her.

I explained to her that the supernatural was only to get her attention, but the thing to focus on was what God wanted to do after getting her attention. In her case, He wanted her to know that He knew her and cared about the situation she was going through, which made her sad.

If you can know what someone is going through, then you can pray for them. You may even engage them like I did the young lady. At least you will know want buttons “not” to push that could make matters worse! One thing I have noticed about getting a “word of knowledge” for someone and sharing it with them and that is this: they don’t argue with you. They don’t throw out weak excuses as to why God wouldn’t work for them, and they don’t try to cop out with “religious” crud. Like, “If God is so loving, then why do children die?” One should seek to be given this gift by the Holy Spirit because, well, it works!

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,”
1 Corinthians 12:7-8 (emphasis added)

Telling The Truth Can Cost You

July 12, 2022July 9, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

A father was acting out concerning a relationship. He was unhappy about how it was going, and the other person was not acting the way “he” wanted them to, which upset him to no end. There were some names spoken that were not flattering. The father talked about the situation over the phone with his son, and his son listened, but when he tried to correct his father’s attitude, the father got mad and hung up the phone. When the son called back again, he was rudely hung up on by his father.

The son’s motivation was pure as he wrote his father a letter. He tried to get his father to understand how he was treating people in several relationships and was pushing them away, and people did not want to be around him anymore. The son tried to tell his father the truth as lovingly as possible.

The father went ballistic and set out to get revenge on his son. He lied to his son and tricked him into going down to the bank to get him to sign a document that would remove him from all of his accounts and his safety deposit box. Then he removed his son from the deed to his house and even cut him out of his will. Apparently, he really did not like hearing the truth!

When Jesus walked the earth, he successfully told people the truth. Some heard him and accepted his message, changing how they lived, but others did not. They chose to get enraged.

People may not want to lose control over their life, so they will not accept the truth. Or they may fear not knowing what life will be like if they change. Others are deceived into thinking they are fine the way they are, and some feel they will lose status or power if they change. Then there are those who blame others for their actions instead of accepting the truth.

The truth is; the truth will set you free! (John 8:32)

I know of one pastor who won’t share with his wife what the word of God says about how marriage and the home should be set up. On this matter, he once told me, “You may be right, but you will be alone!” What he was saying is that “he” feared being alone if he dared to share the truth with his wife. The sad thing is the problem in their home of the wrong person being the head of the household transferred into their ministry. Whenever the home is not set up right, or the ministry, people get hurt! And in the case of their church, there is a very long list of people who have gotten hurt and have left. If the truth were accepted, their home life would be different, and the wall preventing their church from becoming a world leader would finally be lifted.

Yes, telling the truth can cost you. It could cost you thousands of dollars, your inheritance, a job, or family relationships It cost Jesus his life which is the ultimate price to pay for sharing the truth. Jesus wasn’t afraid of being alone. You may be isolated from friends and family, but you will live in freedom. If you find yourself alone, know that you are not, for you are in the company and presence of God.

Cross That Line

March 1, 2022February 19, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The best I can recall, most stories in the Bible involved a person who wasn’t qualified, had a natural defect, or an attitude. They didn’t know how to do what God had asked of them, felt they weren’t good enough to accomplish the task, or didn’t want to.

When God called me into the ministry, I started out as a youth minister. I had been in a couple of youth groups, but had never led one. I didn’t feel qualified, and believe it or not, I felt as though I was too short to be respected. After all, some in the high school group were taller than me. Even some of the girls! At the age of 21, after accepting who I was in height, I actually grew two more inches. I was told that was impossible.

Since I felt so unqualified I realized I needed God, a lot! I once prayed for two hours, one morning, a very long request of God to help me at anything I may encounter in ministry. I titled it my, “Oh God” prayer. Boy, did I pray it often. I would find myself in situations I was either uncomfortable, or simply just didn’t know what to do or say. I would pray under my breath, “Oh God”. He knew I had asked him to honor that two hour prayer any time I said those words. He did then, and still does to this day, honor that prayer!

David was short, but slew a giant. Joshua led a generation into the promise land who had heard from their parents and grandparents, probably more than once how the land was filled with giants. Jonah had an attitude. Moses stuttered. Peter denied Christ. Noah endured years of ridicule to build a boat when it had never rained. The prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven. There are so many more.

You see, the one thing all of these individuals had in common is this, they couldn’t say, “No.” to God, and they then accepted and believed that He would help them, and He did! He helped them and He will help you as well. God will help you accomplish the task and cross the finish line.

He Speaks

October 22, 2021October 21, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“Or, God might get their attention through pain…” Job 33:19a (MSG)

God has a hierarchy to many things, and not to be old fashion but that applies to marriages as well. Why? And what does that mean? In any type of union, marriage, business, ministry, etc. there has to be one individual who has the final say so. BUT, that one individual is also the one who is accountable for the results of making those decisions, and the one they are accountable to, is God.

In a marriage situation when the man steps into his role of leadership, and as the one who is accountable, his spouse is then under an umbrella of protection, EVEN if she disagrees with her husband. But, when the woman tries to fulfill the role of the man, people get hurt! I have witnessed this first hand.

In the course of one year, I had to go through two very hurtful situations. In both cases, the husbands allowed their spouses to cause great pain in my life, and they wouldn’t say anything to them about how wrong they were. You see, those husbands have allowed their wives to fill their roll. “Head of Household.”

I wound up praying for the couples and asked God to deal with the men and to speak to them. There’s no reason why people should continue getting hurt, and then I distanced myself from them. Later that year, I found out that both of those men were down while they were recovering from knee replacement surgery. I wondered if God allowed that to happen attempting to get them on their one good knee to pray and seek him concerning how things are going in their marriage, in their life.

In any marriage, business, union, and especially ministry, if God has given you the keys to authority, then don’t give anyone else those keys. Who you give them to is not the one who will stand before God and give an account for the results, you will.

This isn’t about equal rights, equality, or glass ceilings, but about order, accountability, and individuals not getting hurt.

If your ministry, union, business, or marriage is “Out of Order” and isn’t working then go to God and ask Him to show you. God will speak. He probably has been for many years, but you haven’t been listening. Each time you get hurt and there is not instant healing, perhaps its God trying to get your attention through pain.

222

May 21, 2021May 21, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Just three little numbers, right? Yeah, I thought so too the first time I noticed them. That was the number of my room at the Chiara Center in Springfield, IL. Chiara is, “Grounded in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, Chiara Center offers a peaceful, inspirational setting for individuals, couples and groups who seek Christ’s healing presence.” I stayed there for a couple of days, about a month after my father passed away, three years ago.

I did indeed find peaceful solitude and had some great moments with God. Most people there take on a vow of silence while on the grounds. I like to talk, so that was difficult for me to abide by, but in the long run, helped me.

After leaving Chiara, I slowly started noticing the number “222” popping up in all kinds of places. It was so odd that I begin searching out, why, and what does it mean? A friend helped me learn it meant “New Beginnings”. Four months later I met my Filipino wife April. That certainly was a new beginning, perhaps that is what God had in mind all along. Then I wound up moving to the Philippines and living there for seven months. Living in a foreign country was new to me. Could that be it? But I kept seeing the number, even after these big events took place.

I saw the number everywhere, and almost all the time, as addresses, on the clock, house numbers, as part of phone numbers, and even “order” numbers.

Then recently, my wife and I were invited to go to a lakeside resort, about an hour from our house, to pray with the team restarting the lodge, and creating a new ministry. We arrived and fell in love with the place, and the location. The lodge is close to where my father and I used to catch a lot of fish. We listened to their vision over dinner and then went to our room and continued to pray, seek God. We caught a hold of a vision of one way the place could be utilized. The idea caught on and sparked further discussion by others. At the end of the meeting, Saturday morning, we were excited about what all God wanted and could do at this location.

We stayed a second night with our neighbors, the host of the meeting and the cooks. While sitting around a bon fire and April eating her first S’more, hearts and past experiences were shared. Something started to grow inside April and me. That next week we found ourselves back out to the lodge to take pictures for social media. We were now volunteering. To make things easier for us, we were given a room where we could leave some things and not have to pack everything, every time we went there.

Yep, you have probably guessed by now, our room key was to room “222”. Tears swelled up in my eyes, and my heart flooded with joy. This was what God was bringing April and me to, all along. We are so excited, to now be a part of the ministry that will be happening here. Lives will be changed. Souls will be added to the kingdom of God. Hearts will be reunited with others and with God. Callings will take place here, and others will be strengthened. The tired will find rest, and then the strength to go on.

As April and I begin our lives together and after we were married there were a few times when it almost all ended, and it felt like heaven and hell were warring, one side trying to keep us together, and the other side trying to pull us apart. It was at those times, after the heat would die down, I would look at April and say, “Ya know, God must have something big for us to be a part of, because the devil is working really hard to tear us apart!”

Turns out, I was right, and we are so thankful God worked so hard to help us get to the day we found out that “222” was for this new beginning.

What Does Your Sign Say?

January 26, 2021January 27, 2021 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

She’s 19 years old. Engaged to the man of her dreams, so she thinks, but the longer our conversation went it became obvious to me she’s marrying this guy to escape her mother’s prison. She’s not happy, not satisfied, and not fulfilled. I tried to, in a gentle way, point out the flaws in her plans,

but I had forgotten;

19 year olds know everything.

I was asked how my weekend went, and I replied, ”Good. I enjoyed it. How was yours?” “Oh, not so good,” said my friend. I was surprised. On the outside his life looks as if it is going well. Apparently it’s not. Who knew? Later I offered to get together and be a sounding post if he wanted to vent, or share. He said he appreciated that.

It seems, as if most of my life, others have shared with me what is going on in their lives. Especially when it is not going well. I was perplexed by this phenomenon for several years until one day I was told that it seems as if I have a shepard’s heart. I should have known for many people have asked me if I was a pastor. The truth is, I was supposed to be. I was on the path to becoming one when I took a wrong turn in that fork in the road of life.

I could have taken the road on the right, and kept going, but I didn’t, and, well, the consequences took me out of ministry, but it didn’t change my heart. I repented, and tried to get back on track, but it didn’t happen, but I digress.

I ask you today, “What message are you giving others?” When someone meets you what are you saying to them? Are you open to listening? Does your sign tell them that you are only interested in your plans and goals?

There are people all around us that need hope, light in their dark world, they might just need someone to listen, to know someone cares, or more importantly, they might need God.

I try to imitate the life of Christ, and one thing I noticed is this; he took time for people. I hope you do too. I hope the message on your sign says, “Welcome.”

A Promise Fulfilled

January 4, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Carlie 04.2 Many years ago, like 33 of them, I left full time ministry. I had been a youth pastor in two different churches. I left under circumstances that should have never taken place. I then entered my own desert and had my own version of Mt. Sinai to march around.

I was so mad for allowing Satan to deceive me into thinking my sin was right, but after all, that’s his specialty. Thinking I would never again get to minister to people, hurt beyond belief, and one of the things I enjoyed the most was preaching from behind a pulpit.

A friend wrote me a letter as I was entering the desert. She said she was praying for me and she shared a word she got from God for me. Jeremiah 31:4 It says, “I will rebuild you and you shall be rebuilt.”

I hid that word from God in my heart for those many years waiting and wondering how God would fulfill his promise.

Tomorrow, at First Baptist Church in Prue, Oklahoma, I will get to stand behind the pulpit once again and minister to God’s people. I am a little nervous, but excited at the same time. I trust this is the first of many opportunities to minister around the world.

I am so grateful to my loving God, for caring so much for me that he would not leave me wondering in the desert, but showed me the exit. After all, the gritty sand had done its work. I was ready!

I am also thankful to Pastor Garry McDevitt for listening to God, trusting me and giving me this opportunity. He is doing a great work for God in the community, as people are accepting Jesus and getting baptized almost every week.

Be encouraged, you have not done so much that God can’t use you. He loves humble, willing, remorseful, ordinary people to do his work. Oh, and he will help you get the sand out of, well, everywhere!

Church Cookies

May 25, 2019 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

“ Charlie 237 Why are we the only ones providing a snack each week for the children? Can’t someone else do it this week?” Asked the man.

She was young, and living in a country where the simplest things you want, cost too much. So when she visited the church down the street, and after they shared the hope of Jesus, they passed out cookies and a fruit drink. She couldn’t believe it. She thought the pastor must have been the richest man in the world! She went back, week after week. In fact, she told her older sister, and she started going. This continued, but then one day, the message became the nourishment she wanted and she asked Jesus into her heart.

“I will gladly buy cookies and fruit drink every week,” repented the man.

What are you willing to do for someone else, so that they might hear the good news of Jesus Christ dying on a cross for our wrong doing, and the hope of eternal life?

⁹Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.” (Gal. 6:9 AMP)

Spiritual Heart Murmurs

July 28, 2018July 27, 2018 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Doctor: “Sit up straight and breathe normal.” The doctor moved his stethoscope across my chest, and then around my back. “Deep breaths.” He listened. For what? Did he hear anything out of the ordinary? Perhaps a murmur? Was there reason for concern?

God: What if God did that? Listened to our hearts, and actually He does. What would He hear? A murmur? Would there be any reason for concern? So what would be a spiritual heart murmur? Hatred? Un-forgiveness? Idolatry? Lying? A hurt? Someone wronged you?

Search me, O God, and know my heart: (Psa 139:23 KJV+)

Us: What if we, God’s people, were walking around with spiritual stethoscopes? Meaning; if we were talking to someone, we would take time to listen to their heart. To actually hear if and what is causing them pain. Then, what if we prayed with them right there, or promised to at a later time, and actually did?

Ask God to help you detect murmurs. Your clue to stop and ask, “What’s wrong?” Or, “How are you really doing?” Doing this simple act might reduce the number of walking wounded around us. Even better, would be to detect the problem early enough to prevent more serious heart damage. Will you try? Doing so, would show the other person you care, because God cares.

What Makes a Good Bridge?

March 3, 2018March 2, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Bridge 2 “Look, I’m not hurting anything. I just want to sit here and rest,” he said. To his right my church had a sign that stated, “No Loitering”
“It’s okay,” I replied in a gentle voice.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“Yes.”

I went and got him a sack of food we keep for such occasions, and some water.

“Here ya go.”
“Thank you.”
“Your welcome. You mind if I hang out with you for a while?”
“Suit yourself,” he said as the sack crinkled while he checked out the food.
“What’s your name?”
“John,” he replied. His eyes, piercing, as if searching my soul.

The small talk started. It became clear he was a philosopher who didn’t have a place to hang his diploma. He also had a sense of humor. He shared he had made a mistake with his wife and kids, and she wasn’t willing to forgive. I felt that was my que to talk about God’s forgiveness. I tried hard to get him to come inside and sit in on the church service.

“I stink,” he kept saying.
“I assure you John, no one inside will care.” He was right about the odor too, but he insisted on attending the church service there on the sidewalk.

We talked for another 30 minutes or so. Before I left I offered to pray with him.

“You can do that in private, but not in front of me,” he said.

I didn’t understand, but respected his wishes. I’ve looked, but have never seen John again. Though thought of him often, I have prayed for him even more. I regretted not taking him to a restaurant to get something hot to eat. I also wish I had been brave enough to invite him to my house. He could have showered, I could have washed his clothes, and he could have slept on a soft, warm surface, even if for one night. I have consoled myself with knowing I did something, but I know I could have done more. Perhaps next time I will.

Since I have never seen an episode of “Bridge Hunters” on HGTV he replied, “One that has a flat surface to sleep on, and that isn’t facing into the wind.

Check it out: God never intended heaven to be served from earth. heartland church

brady, mark a.

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