Three Men, One Opinion

January 27, 2023January 21, 2023 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Recently, I shared with three different men, at three different times, what was going on lately with April and me. Meaning, what God has us doing and why, as best as we understand it. I will admit it is not conventional, but when did God do things that made sense to us anyway?

In their own way, they proceeded to comment, share, or lecture me with their opinions on the matter. Needless to say, I didn’t like what they said, but I found it funny when one concluded with, “But the bottom line is between you, April and God.” If that’s the bottom line, then why did he feel the need to comment? Another said, “This is just a suggestion as a brother in the Lord.” It didn’t feel like it! The difference with the third one was that I could tell he wanted to comment on the situation, and I gave him an opportunity to by inviting him to speak into my life. He did. I still didn’t like what he said, but it didn’t hurt or offend me because I gave him an invitation.

The truth is this, none of them are walking in my shoes. What they see on the outside looks bizarre to them, and they don’t understand it perhaps. But why they felt they had to comment bothered me, so I asked God why. I woke up in the middle of the night, and their comments were still on my mind. Then, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “They commented because what you have they want. They are jealous of your situation.” I couldn’t believe it.

If God has directed you to do something, then it is best to be obedient no matter what it may look like to others. No matter if they understand it or not. They may criticize you out of jealousy but continue to walk in the way God leads. God loves obedience, and he rewards it by blessing you by, at times, making your path easy.

“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Sam. 15:22 (NIV)

What Makes God Smile

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

We call God “Father,” and He calls us his children. Many scriptures talk about this relationship, this connection we have with the creator of the universe and with the One true God. It is a bond that encompasses security, true love, and joy. At times it can be overwhelming when you sense his presence. Many times it will be so strong I will tear up. It often feels like God hugging me.

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

Like our earthly parent-child relationships, there are times when other emotions rise up. Sometimes, God gets angry with us, usually if we are acting out. You know, trying to do things our way. Or if we are blatantly disobeying him. We might be angry at God. Like in times when we feel He is not listening to us. And it’s okay to express that anger with him. But there are other times when we laugh with God and express tremendous joy, especially when we see him answering our prayers. I felt this emotion yesterday as I realized God was moving on my behalf in a relationship that has been challenging.

Sometimes, God needs to discipline us, but He does so with perfect love. And because He loves us, He takes the time to correct us.

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Prov. 3:12 (AMPC)

But God can smile too. Like a loving parent, it is when we, his children, obey his commandments, which are only there to guide us into a better life. What makes Him smile big is when we walk in faith. When we dare take Him at His word and step out to do something we don’t think we can do, accomplish or overcome.

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Heb. 11:6 (AMPC)

It pleases him because He knows we believe him, believe in him, and trust him. Obedience shows we are mindful enough of his power, authority as God, and might to act on what He speaks into our souls. Our action with him to do of his will and good pleasure. To actively advance the kingdom of heaven and watch it prevail. Being witnesses and testifying of his greatness.

This is what makes God smile! May you make him smile daily as you walk in your relationship with him.

There’s No Other Way!

March 29, 2022March 12, 2022 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

It happened before I knew it. Facing a trying time, where facts were present regardless of having an understanding as to why, was very difficult for me. When you have to do another withdraw from your savings when in your mind you keep saying, “But, God, I know for sure we heard you!” I don’t understand why this venture has cost us financially, when it should have grown our finances.

By Saturday, while sitting in front of a warm fire, I realized I had not read from my current devotional, “Jesus Calling” all week. I went to get it. Ironically? No, but smacking me in the face was the overall theme for the week was, regardless of the circumstances, keep trusting me, and obeying also.

I needed to read that message every single day of this past week, but I wasn’t. Funny how quickly we take ownership of our situations in our minds. Then what’s odd is we seem to allow those situations to take ownership of us.

There are SO many good stanzas in this old hymn. Words that need to be taken to heart, and lived by.

“Father, I repent for taking my eyes off of you this past week. Please forgive me. I know and believe, that you are sovereign and you do know what you are doing in my life. I gave it to you. Help me not to take it back again. Thank you, God. Amen.”

Only God

December 3, 2021December 3, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

“God, you want me to do what?” What in the world does a kid from Oklahoma know about hosting a writer’s conference? I mean, I have been to a few, but put one on? One thing I have learned, the hard way, is simply be obedient and do what God is telling you to do, whether you know how, or not! Truth is, sometimes it’s better if you don’t know what you are doing, because then you are more likely to rely on God.

So, for the last several months my neighbor, Janice Buswell and I have come together, fasted and prayed, listened to the voice of God, developed a writer’s conference, built a website, and formed a company. I give you, “Experience Writing”.

At the conference, Janice Buswell, Jane Rubietta, Tara Lynn Thompson, yours truly, and the legendary, Jared Buswell will share what the writing experience can be, could be, and should be. Through our combined journeys we will share the truth concerning publishing. There are a lot of people who will tell you how to write, what to write to be successful, and what they feel is the only path to getting published, but each writer needs to discover their own story, and find the personal method to put that story on paper and present it to the world, who is just waiting to read it.

If you are a writer, or have ever thought about getting that story in your spirit out then you should consider attending the Experience Writing Conference. All the important information is included in the website:

expwriting.com

As Jared Buswell would say, “It’s going to be epic!”

Go

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This past week, William Shatner boldly went where no other 90 year old had gone before. When asked, “What do you want to do when you get there?” Shatner replied, “Come back down!”

It got me to thinking, Am I where God wants me to be? Have I gone where God has asked me to boldly go? Being obedient to God’s calling can be challenging some times. It may also offer opportunities to be scared. I can’t announce it yet, but He has recently asked me to go do something that in the natural doesn’t make sense. The few close friends I have told have been greatly surprised, and are probably secretly wondering if I am qualified.

But I am going. I have found over the years that when I am obedient in an area I do not feel naturally comfortable that it is in those times I rely on God all the more. I lean not to my own understanding. As a result, I am happy that I obeyed. I generally realize the task was easier than it first seemed in my mind. And when made known to me, I am excited with the results of what God did through me.

God is speaking to some of you right now. Reading this post has brought to your mind something God’s Spirit has whispered to your heart to go do. It may not be to go to the mission field, but possibly go across the aisle in your office, or across the street. Go. Go boldly. You don’t always get to know the results of your obedience this side of heaven, but you should go anyway. Don’t judge the results by what your eyes see, or don’t see. You are not responsible for the results. You’re simply asked to be obedient.

You are to follow only God, your God, hold him in deep reverence, keep his commandments, listen obediently to what he says, serve him—hold on to him for dear life! Deu. 13:4 (MSG)

What If?

May 4, 2019May 3, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 106 I almost blew it! What if I hadn’t of done what I had committed to God to do? I had told him a few years ago I would do my best to never miss a deadline to writing a blog. If I had what would have happened? I know one thing, the end result wouldn’t have been the same.

So why didn’t I want to write the blog? I enjoy writing the blogs twice a week, even though I don’t always know the results of the words I type. We had been swimming all day in the hot sun and I was tired. The blog was already three hours late in posting. I thought, it will be okay to miss just one blog post. While I was making ice, we found the recipe again, I sensed the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart to write something.

I asked God, “Do you want to love on your people, or encourage them?” I sat at my desk, and the blog seemed to have written itself. Those usually turn out to be the best ones, but don’t tell anybody.

About forty minutes after I had posted the blog I received a phone call. It was then I knew why the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to write and what to write. A person was discouraged, but God used the blog to encourage. It’s not me, or about me. I’m not special, just obedient, most of the time. I have learned, God can do everything himself, but He delights in using his people to accomplish his will. Is, or has the Holy Spirit been whispering to you to do something?

“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God…” (Psa. 143:10 NASB)

It’s All About Obedience

October 20, 2018October 19, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

simple truth I have been reading from the Bible book of Exodus. Today, I read a portion of chapter 12. The true story of Pharaoh and the children of Israel has always intrigued me. In meditating, upon this portion of God’s word, I realized one thing, being with God, being in his presence, is all about obedience.

You see, it was disobedience, by Adam and Eve that caused mankind to be separated from God in the first place, when they ate fruit from the tree, God told them not to. Then, God gave us his son, Jesus, and it takes obedience of accepting him to be back in God’s presence.

Growing up in an Assembly of God church, we sang the song, Trust and Obey. Some words in that song say, “there’s no other way.” Simple truth, but truth none-the-less that will save your soul from eternal damnation. God knows that when you obey him, and come into his presence, you enter into the greatest love story ever written. It’s an amazing feeling to wake up loved, to lay down at night and close your eyes wrapped up in love, and living in between with God’s love abounding in your life. God welcomes you, invites you, to partake of his love. All you have to do is obey him, and stop eating the fruit the devil keeps putting in front of you. A simple verse, but a true, loving verse none-the-less:

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (Joh 3:16 AMP)

Full Service

January 27, 2018 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Fuel gauge 2 A man wondered into the church. He was hungry. He was given a sack lunch. The man was also deaf, but could read. He understood two people in the church wanted to pray for his hearing, and he let them. Then he shared his car was almost out of gas and he wouldn’t be able to get to work the next day. One of the two went with him and filled up his car. He shared while pumping the gas, God spoke to him and said, “Full Service.” He knew what God meant, but to help him remember, he washed the windshield as well.

A person who has a need, is more apt to listen to you share God, after their immediate need is met. Doing so, shows you really care for the “whole” person (Full Service). There were times when Jesus healed one’s body, but also healed their heart. Forgave them of their sins (Full Service).

When sharing God with another, keep an eye on the fuel gauge. You never want to share more than the individual can hold. When you share too much it spills over and makes a mess. I learned this lesson while sharing God with a fellow commuter on the train. She avoided me for the next several weeks.

Last of all, be careful with your attitude when serving. Jesus said it best:

Mat 6:1 “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.” (MSG)

Check it out:
Honest words about finding her way: https://katelynvallstruth.wordpress.com/

You Want Me to do What?

April 2, 2017 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Trust Obey.jpg What would you do, if one day God asked you to do something, well, crazy? Would you say, “Let me pray about that.”? Or would you obey, no questions asked? I am reading from the book of Hosea, in the Old Testament. God asked him to marry a prostitute. Can you imagine?

Some time ago a friend asked me to take her to have an abortion. She hadn’t even told her husband she was pregnant. Can you imagine a “pro-life” believer in an abortion clinic? But I felt if I said, “No.” she would try to drive home after the procedure by herself. I told her I would take her, but then I started praying like crazy. I asked God what to do. I sensed His Spirit whisper, “Humanize the baby.” After some thought, I understood, and I did. I started asking her, “You want a boy or a girl?” “What would you name her?” A few days later she called. “Mark, I heard the baby’s heart today. I can’t kill the baby.” I cried, and gave thanks to God.

The point here is being obedient. You may not be asked to do something crazy, but every day God is asking you to reflect Him, His nature, His love, His grace and mercy. Also to share His plan to forgive sin with those around you. That’s what God is asking you to do.

Mat 28:19 Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Mat 28:20 Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (MSG)

HONEST

July 12, 2015 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The story you are about to read is true.

The name was changed to protect the Honest one. The time: Saturday, July 11, 2015, 8:43pm. The setting: Conversation after dinner at McDonalds.

Me: Do you ever feel as though God is telling you to go talk to someone sitting near you in church?
Honest: Yes
Me: What? Really? You do? Do you obey?
Honest: No.
Me: Why not?
Honest: Fear 051412_02.4JB
Me: Fear of what?
Honest: I’m afraid I won’t know what to say next that could help them.

This is probably a very common issue if everyone was Honest. The simple truth though is this: If God is prompting you to go do something, or say something He will give you the words to say, or guide you in what to do. Maybe it does take a couple of times to get this trust relationship working well, but once it is God can speak through you to encourage, to uplift, to motivate, to help someone who just needs to know that someone else cares and so does God.

Please, the next time you sense God speaking to you for a particular reason, obey. God delights in obedience.

Phi 2:9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him (Jesus)… (MSG)

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

obedience to God