Track Package

March 17, 2026February 25, 2026 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

When you are expecting a package from Amazon, do you ever track the package? Like, actually watch the little Amazon van move on a map. I can’t get it to work on my phone, probably because I suffer from techunsavvy syndrome, but I can on my desktop PC. It’s kind of cool to watch as the driver gets closer to your house and the number of stops before you go down until you see, “You’re the next stop.”

That’s when I get excited and go sit on the stairs to watch out the window. Can you tell I am retired? You should see the delivery guy’s face when you open the door just as he is about to set your package down. As if, “How did you know?” I usually have to say, “Go ahead. Take the picture to prove it was delivered.”

For believers in God, it seems as if the most challenging aspect of our faith is waiting for God to answer our prayers or wondering whether He has heard us at all, because we don’t see anything happening. Wouldn’t it be cool if somehow, we could “track” our answered prayer or “package”? If we could see that we were the next stop on God’s route. Or if our answer was “Out for delivery.” That would certainly make things easier and more comforting, but would it be faith?

It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Heb. 11:6 (MSG)

A few years ago, I prayed and asked God to heal my finger of Dupuytren’s disease. He did, but I did not see total healing for four months. God’s latest miracle in our finances took almost 6 months to be delivered. A tracking program would have been helpful. But though I did not know “when” I chose to believe anyway.

If you have prayed and asked God for a miracle and have not seen the answer delivered yet, do not despair. God has heard you, and I assure you, He is acting on your behalf in a way that will not harm you but in a way that will help you believe in bigger miracles in the future. And when you testify to God’s goodness and greatness in your life, it will, in turn, help someone else to believe for a miracle in their own life.

Josephine

November 21, 2025November 8, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

This is a true story, but the woman’s real name has been changed.

Josephine was born in a poor country. Her family struggled to make ends meet, especially after her father left them. That is when they moved in with her grandparents, but still, life was difficult.

Josephine’s grandmother was strict, and she demanded a lot out of her. Due to her grandmother’s fears, she was not allowed to leave the house except to attend school. When she heard that a local church handed out cookies and Kool-Aid after the service to the children, she and her sister started attending. She heard about God, his amazing love, and about his Son, Jesus. She accepted Jesus into her life and learned how to live God’s way. It was then that she committed herself to be his servant.

Her family looked down on her because she struggled mentally. They said she was stupid, dumb, and only good for serving them. This hurt her tremendously, but she continued to live with the knowledge that God loved her and that she was special to him.

As Josephine got older, she finished high school and then went to college and got her teaching degree. After teaching elementary students for a few years, she quit to be the full-time caretaker of her grandmother. She started getting up in age, and because she had not married, the neighbors were beginning to call her an “old maid.” She wanted to be married and dated a few men, but found their motives were not pure, and one broke up with her when she said she was committed to God and to doing life his way.

After beginning to think she would never find a man who believed in God the way she did, she gave up and turned it over to God. Three days later, an American man contacted her via a dating website. They began talking, and he soon married her, and they started the process so she could “legally” come to America. She found employment, started attending her husband’s church, and found a group of ladies from her home country that she could meet with regularly.

It didn’t take long for family members back in her country to start contacting her for financial help. Even the so-called “head of the family,” the one the others had considered the wealthiest and the most powerful. She even contacted Josephine and asked for financial assistance, promising to pay it back, but she never did. Even Josephine’s sister asked for money, and she, too, promised to pay it back, but never did.

God had promoted Josephine to a position of wealth and power. Because she had submitted all her ways to Him. She worked hard at her job to become a valued employee and always tithed on her income. She was faithful to God, and God was faithful to her. Several others in her family do not share her commitment, and they don’t submit to God. Who is dumb or stupid now? The one they once looked down on and thought would never amount to much is now using her income to help them with life’s expenses. She is there to provide and lovingly support them. Always giving God the credit for what she has and trying to point them to Him.

Josephine’s story reminds me a lot of the Biblical story of Joseph. God destined him for greatness, where people’s lives would depend on him. His brothers hated him, looked down on him, and wanted him dead. But even through one injustice after the other, he remained faithful to God and His ways. Then God promoted him, and his family eventually honored him.

14 Fools say to themselves, “There is no God.”
They sin and commit evil deeds;
none of them does what is right
²The Lord looks down from heaven^[f] at the human race,
to see if there is anyone who is wise^[h] and seeks God.
³Everyone rejects God;
they are all morally corrupt.
None of them does what is right,
not even one.
⁴All those who behave wickedly^[m] do not understand—
those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,
and do not call out to the Lord.
⁵They are absolutely terrified,
for God defends the godly.
⁶You want to humiliate the oppressed,
even though the Lord is their shelter. Psalms 14:1-6 (NET)

When God promotes you, it is a significant moment that reflects His trust in your abilities and character. Embrace the preparation process, remain faithful, and be open to the unexpected paths that may lead to your divine elevation. Trust in God’s timing and guidance, knowing that He has a purpose for your life that is greater than you can imagine.

Never Too Close!

August 12, 2025July 14, 2025 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” Rom. 10:11 (MSG)

Yesterday, at the time of this writing, my pastor spoke from the book of Genesis about how Abram (later Abraham) picked up and left everything to follow God and his plan for his life. Today I sent the following message to him.

Hi Pastor,

I could relate to your message yesterday. When I was 20, God called me into the ministry. Three weeks after I turned 21, I left Tulsa, my budding, stable career with PSO, family, and friends, and drove 1640 miles to Acton, MA.

I took a position in an Assembly of God church that was new, and they said they couldn’t pay me a salary. Yet I had a car payment, a student loan to pay back (with no Joe Biden’s help), and living costs. My father forbade me from going. (I was not living under his roof at the time.) Also, I lost my best friend over it because he thought I should obey my father. Yet I knew God told me to go, and I wanted to “trust” Him and obey.

God was faithful, and everything got paid. I learned so much about following God back then. It has truly been the greatest adventure one could ever live! I, too, desire for everyone to experience that kind of relationship with God, and that is the basis of my blogs.

In closing, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to me yesterday while you were speaking, “Because you trusted me and obeyed, I have poured out my blessings upon you ever since.”

Romans 10:11 is so true! You don’t follow God for what you can get from him. He simply likes to bless his children who believe so strongly in him. One can never follow God too closely.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:6 (NIV)

⁶So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ⁷Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. ⁸Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” ⁹So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Gal. 3:6-9 (NIV)

Your Home, God’s Home?

November 8, 2024October 18, 2024 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

^8-9Then God said:

“Here’s what I want you to do:
    Climb into the hills and cut some timber.
Bring it down and rebuild the Temple.
    Do it just for me. Honor me.
You’ve had great ambitions for yourselves,
    but nothing has come of it.
The little you have brought to my Temple
    I’ve blown away—there was nothing to it.

^9-11“And why?” (This is a Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, remember.) “Because while you’ve run around, caught up with taking care of your own houses, my Home is in ruins. That’s why. Because of your stinginess. And so I’ve given you a dry summer and a meager crop. I’ve matched your tight-fisted stinginess by decreeing a season of drought, drying up fields and hills, withering gardens and orchards, stunting vegetables and fruit. Nothing—not man or woman, not animal or crop—is going to thrive.” Hag. 1:8-11 (MSG)

While I was reading the verses above, the Holy Spirit prompted me to include them in a blog post. So here they are. “Why?” you might be asking yourself. I observe people. I listen when they talk about their lives, and many times, I hear what is consuming their time and consuming them.

A lot of people are focusing on their own lives. They are building new homes or moving into bigger ones. Purchasing the latest car or trying to acquire a higher-paying job. Others may be in pursuit of a relationship.

On the other side of the coin are those that are consumed while trying to make ends meet. Wondering how they are going to pay the electric bill or feed their family.

There is nothing wrong with trying to do the best you can in life. There are no issues with wanting bigger and better things, but when your pursuit becomes all you can think about, it becomes wrong. On the other hand, worrying about how your needs will be met can be bad, too.

If the things in life become more important than your relationship or trust in God, then they are wrong. That is what the scriptures above are talking about. You see, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t want to be ignored or take a backseat to anyone or anything else. Nor should he. Don’t be surprised if God backs off from your life. Not to hurt you but to turn your face back to him.

Keeping our focus on our relationship with God should be our number one priority in life. Doing so helps us with the other things in life that compete for our attention. A right-side relationship with God puts the other things in our lives in perspective. Keeping our temples pure and holy pleases God, and then he will be happy to dwell among us.

What Makes God Smile

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022 / Mark Brady / 1 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.

Do You Have It?

August 31, 2019August 31, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The symptoms:

You have to be home before it gets dark. You double or triple check the locks on your doors. It causes you to miss out on opportunities. It can frustrate, and even hurt others who don’t have it and who struggle to understand why you still do. It can grip your heart, and hinder, or paralyses you at times. You have to have someone else with you or you won’t leave the house.

Do you have it? Do you have fear?

Charlie 27 Those who believe in God should be void of fear. I know a woman who trust God while it is light outside, but she doesn’t trust him at night. It’s not totally her fault, she was raised to be afraid of everything. She hasn’t learned to overcome the lies, but I know she will! Joyce Meyer says fear is:

F alse
E vidence
A ppearing
R eal

John 14:27 Amplified Bible (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

When you really trust God, there is nothing to fear.

Why be afraid of something that may never happen? Another scripture, Job 3:25 says, “What I fear the most has come upon me.” I know this can really happen. I have a friend that shared her greatest fear with me and about 3 years later it happened almost exactly how she feared it would.

Fear, says to God, “I don’t think you can handle this Lord.” You are limiting God! God has the authority over everything, He always has, and He always will. Would you like someone to not trust you, especially knowing with you, nothing is impossible? God probably does hard things for breakfast!

So if you believe in God, act like it!

It’s okay to ask God for help to believe in his power and might. In Mark 9:24 a man cries out, ““Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” If you do, soon you will be living in freedom, and those around you will be amazed and your confidence in God will be a witness to others.

Are You a Part Time Atheist?

June 29, 2019June 29, 2019 / Mark Brady / 4 Comments

c2gpic1 If someone asked you that question, most of you would say something like, “Of course not! How dare you!” Or, “I go to church, and I give money too”, but whenever you stand at the bottom of a “life mountain”, and you stretch your neck to see the top of it, you start thinking, “this is impossible!” It’s almost as if you are saying, “This is too big for God!”

Doubting God’s power is like doubting God even exist! If you are going to choose, to believe in him, then you must also believe in his character of being all powerful, all knowing, having a mighty hand, and a heart full of love toward his children. Otherwise, you are a part time atheist.

A full time believer knows God loves the word “impossible”! Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean God doesn’t. He never looks at us, shrugs his shoulders and say, “Boy. You got me on this one.” Or, “Good luck. Let me know how it turns out for ya.” No. He looks at us, smiles, and says, “Thanks for trusting me enough to let me handle this for you. I’ve got this.” Full belief, delivers rest.

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (MSG)

So believe fully, and walk with your God in confidence, but know, it’s okay to hold his hand.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

trust in God