the great commission

Number 1000

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment
Image generated via AI.

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. With that said, I wonder what a 1000 blog posts are worth? In case you haven’t caught on by now, this is blog number 1000 posted on WordPress for me. I posted some on a previous web server, but I can’t remember how many.

It has taken ten years to reach this point. I started out blogging once a week, but about six years ago, I increased it to two a week. With God’s help, in those ten years, I have only missed two deadlines. I would have missed three, but that night the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to write a blog and post it. I did, and I found out thirty-five minutes later that it changed a woman’s life. I have never missed one since.

At the time of this writing, this blog has been read in 165 different countries. I am humbled by that number. Again, only with God’s help. When I was a child, I heard about the Great Commission. Take the Gospel to the world. Being a rather normal kid in Oklahoma, I had no idea how I could fulfill that commission, but God did. He knew about the Internet before Al Gore allegedly invented it.

But numbers don’t measure success. When it comes to building the kingdom of God, it comes down to how many lives have been influenced or changed because of the message one has read or heard.

Speaking of numbers, I have observed that the more successful blog sites are written by some of the most narcissistic individuals I have ever seen.  They will write about something that has nothing to do with God, and they might receive hundreds of likes. Sometimes, I’m fortunate to get one or two. And I’m okay with that because again, I have no idea the impact the words God gives me to write have, but I do know that “his” words do not return to him void, empty. (Isa. 55:11)

I also know that one lady, I used to work with, shared with me that she started going back to church after reading this blog site for a while. Another lady told me she was going to quit her job because she had made two minor mistakes, and she started listening to the devil, who was lying to her that she was worthless and didn’t know what she was doing. That she wasn’t worthy of doing her job. One blog she read that night encouraged her not to quit and to stop listening to the devil.

Changed lives. That is success. And how many other stories are there that I don’t even know about yet this side of heaven?

So, again, I am humbled that God asked me to do something I enjoy, help Him encourage people, or love on His people. I will continue to write as long as these fingers type.

With that said, I appreciate every reader. Thank you for the likes because they do something in us writers that is encouraging. I also am thankful for those who take the time to write a comment. There is one reader, from Kansas, I believe, who informed me that he got busy with life and had to delete a lot of his emails. But he went on to say that he never deleted my blogs. My heart was touched. He is currently about nine months behind, so he won’t see this until next year. LOL. But “Thank you” for all your encouragement and kind words. I appreciate you so much. You know who you are.

This is starting to sound like an Oscar acceptance speech! Thank you to April, who is so generous in giving me time to write. I would also like to thank my very special friend, Steve. If it weren’t for him and his initial encouragement, “not to worry about what people thought of my writing,” this blog may have never started. Thank you, Steve! You mean a lot to me. And never stop asking me questions, like you did, “What’s stopping you from writing?”

With that, I will end. So, “Happy 1000 Blog!” May God continue to use you to encourage people to grow in their relationship with you.

Copyright © 2026 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Go Do It

/ Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This past Sunday, my local church started a new series. The series happens every year. It’s one of our favorite times of the year. It’s called “At the MOVIES.” Our senior pastor teaches biblical applications via a movie. He will show segments from the movie and then talk about them, much like Jesus told parables to illustrate the principles of living a life for God. The church lobby is also transformed and looks like a movie set. There’s even popcorn! It’s an easy time to invite others to join us at church who may not usually go.

This week’s movie was “Top Gun: Maverick.” Normally I’m not too fond of sequels, but I loved this one. It was amazing how Pastor Craig Groeschel inspired, taught, and encouraged us to teach others. He explained how time was our greatest adversary. Jesus is coming back soon for his church, and the end of life on earth will begin.

I started sensing the Holy Spirit nudging me. God wants me to keep doing what I’m doing. I was beginning to think about quitting. Stop writing. Stop blogging because I’m tired. Then, a scripture that has kept me going came upon the screen. It is called “The Great Commission.”

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat. 28:19-20 (KJV)

I was first challenged by this verse when I was a kid. I took it to heart. I wanted to do everything I could to fulfill it. I know I have to keep going. I had recently started praying that this blog would be read in Islamic countries. That is beginning to happen. This blog has now been read in 128 countries around the world. Why do I mention this? Because there are 195 countries. (Depending on the list you choose to use.) I can’t stop because there are 67 countries to go. I will keep writing, and keep praying for God’s help.

Is God calling you? Has the Holy Spirit been nudging you to get involved and do what you can to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or share your testimony with others? How God saved you from a life of destruction? Don’t feel like you are inadequate. God will help you, empower you, and even give you the right words. You can do it. Time is short, and many people still need to hear about the love of God and how He gave his Son to die on the cross so that they may live.

You can watch it online this week at You’re Welcome Here | Life.Church

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady.

Another Blog Post?

/ Mark Brady / 4 Comments

When I started writing blogs, I posted them on Blogspot. I probably wrote over a hundred or so. The site was free to use. Then I heard about the features of WordPress. I knew I had to make a switch. Then to keep ads out of my post, I decided to pay. The other day, I noticed I have now posted over 700 blogs on that site, so all together, over 800 blog posts.

I don’t struggle coming up with content because I ask God for help, and He is faithful to do so. He will quietly speak a word in my spirit, or He will point something out.

I generally take it from there. I love writing because I love creating. I enjoy turning a blank page into something that can encourage, help, or highlight the love of God. Being creative is my favorite thing about being made in the image of God. Blogging would be easier if I could speak them into existence, but I’m okay with the writing process. I get more out of the post by doing the work.

I have shared this before, but these humble blogs are fulfilling the great commission. Taking the gospel to the world. There are roughly 167 countries around the world. Give or take, depending on whose list you use. Some countries don’t recognize others as countries. (Like Hong Kong or Taiwan.) These blogs have been read by at least one person in 128 countries. Only God could have made that happen. I remain humbled and in awe of what He can do.

What’s my point of all of this? That’s easy to answer. Take what is in your hand and give it to God. If it is a pen or a staff like Moses, allow Him to use you and the gifts He put in you as He knows best. What we hold on to may be simple and plain, but when placed in God’s hands, it can be blessed and multiplied, even if it is only five loaves and two fish. (Mat. 14:17)

Our job is to become as good as we can using our gifts. To be faithful and obedient.

Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Ps. 9:10 (NIV)

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
“A staff,” he replied. Exo. 4:2 (NIV)

Copyright © 2023 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.

Why I Keep Posting

/ Mark Brady / 4 Comments

I have posted 525 blogs in the last eight years.  This site has been seen by over 20,000 people, which is humbling.  I do realize there are a lot of bloggers who have far exceeded these numbers.  New followers come along every week, and now are in the hundreds.  That’s doing great considering Jesus only had 12.  But I’m tired.

There is one stat that keeps me going.  This blog has been read in 120 countries out of 167. (Depends on whose list of countries you agree with.)  Why does this one fact affect me so much?  When I was a child, growing up in church, I heard the great commission:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat. 28:19 (KJV)

I wanted to do this, but I remember thinking, “How?  I’m just a kid in Oklahoma!”  I underestimated God, and of course I had no knowledge of the Internet, but in the late 60s very few did as it was still in its prehistoric state.

The fact that this blog could potentially educate someone in every country around the world about God, and the love of God keeps me going.  As well as some have told me these blogs have changed their life.  All I can say is, “Only God!”

Every post starts with the same question, “God, what do you want to say to your people?”  Then I do what I can to hear his reply and then write out that message.  I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read these blogs.  I pray for God to make himself real in your life.

Blessings

Copyright © 2021 Mark Brady.  All rights reserved.