To Tell the Truth

April 16, 2021April 12, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

At current time, there is a popular game show on TV where celebrities try to figure out which of three individuals is telling the truth and is the actual person described at the beginning of each round. The real person is the only one who has sworn to tell the truth.

The Bible says that the truth will set you free.

“For if you embrace the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives.”
John 8:32 (TPT)

Telling the truth can be difficult, at times, but as I trained my children, “speak the truth, for the truth can always be dealt with.” Dealing with lies is even harder. Lies, create mistrust. But what do you do if you need to speak the truth to someone about their life? You don’t want to hurt them, or take the risk of them getting mad and never speaking to you again, so a lot of the times we don’t say anything. We sit back and watch them struggle or continue with a habit in their life that hurts others, while hoping all along they will see the light, and change on their own, but that doesn’t happen very often or quick enough.

One principle I have learned is to “ask” permission to speak into someone’s life. I will say something like, “May I speak into your life concerning something I see that I feel needs to be corrected?” Now it is up to them to grant that permission or not. If they say, “No” then I say, “Okay” and I move on. But if they agree then after I share the truth to them that I feel they need to hear, they cannot get angry with me, because they gave me permission to speak first. It is important though to always speak the truth with love when touching on a personal issue.

They may disagree with what I said, or they may not understand it right away, and there is a chance they will not want to correct their behavior, but that is all on them. Using this principle is very effective. After a person hears the truth and then chooses to accept it, they will begin to journey down the path that leads to freedom, not just for them, but for all the people in their life. Especially for those they previously hurt with their old behavior. This new found freedom fosters love and acceptance in their family, friends, and working relationships. God’s word is again proven to be correct. He gave us these words to help us have better and happier lives on earth, which was part of his original plan all along.

To truth and freedom. May both spread without hesitations and roadblocks.

The Lies about Lies

April 2, 2021March 30, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Job, from the Bible says, “Your lies might convince a jury – but would they convince God?” Ch. 13 (MSG) Then he goes on to say, “… they’re for nothing but gathering dust.”

It amazes me how often people lie. What amazes me more is when the liar will defend themselves knowing they had lied. Of course the first lie ever told was by Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden when he said to her, “You will not surely die.” Some lies have half trues embedded in them. No, Eve did not die immediately, this was true, but she did die spiritually in the moment she took that first bite, ever separating her from God.

There is no such thing as a “white” lie. Where did that even come from?
There is no such thing as a “little” lie. A lie is deception no matter what.
A lie is okay if it protects someone else’s feelings. Nope!
They will never know.

The truth always comes out in the end. I used to teach my children, “Tell me the truth, for the truth can always be dealt with.” Lies hurt people, create distrust, and can cause division. A lie, no matter how small one may think it is brings about destruction.

Real harm is when people lie to themselves. Some lie so often they can’t even remember who they have lied to and what lie they told, so they tell more lies to attempt to cover themselves. The truth is this; there will come a day, when we all stand before God and all truth will be revealed. Your lies might convince a jury – but would they convince God? There will be no denying the truth as God knows it, and certainly no defense mounted that can hold up to the truth. Scriptures tell us that the truth sets us free, and the real Truth, Jesus, sets us free indeed. Free from eternal damnation in hell.

Now you know the truth. Please accept it, and live free, now and forevermore.

It’s a Spirit

January 19, 2021January 18, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

A lot is changing in the world, and fast too. I don’t like what I am seeing either. I know there has always been evil in the world, but it seems like it is taking a predominate place in our society. Some other people see it too, and have shared their observations via social media. We are entering, if not there already, in the end times.

It amazes me how people can believe a lie and go to their grave proclaiming it. It astonishes me how a group of people can have a hold of the media, and only their words are heard over the airwaves. It bewilders me how individuals can hear or read something and blindly believe it, just because it was on TV, radio, or social media.

Think for yourselves people!

Is ignoring a lie easier than standing up for truth?

I understand the pressure of being the minority in a group that has a difference of opinion from the others. Jesus understood this kind of pressure as well. His life example and teaching went against the power figures of his day. Yes, it is true, they killed him, but the truth he gave lived on, and empowered by the Holy Spirit was spread by a very small band of believers. What is also true, is they stayed on point and eventually changed a large portion of the world.

Although we hear words coming from people, most of the time we are battling a spirit, an evil spirit. Here is what God says on this subject:

¹⁰Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

¹¹Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! ¹²Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. ¹³Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.

¹⁴Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. ¹⁵Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.

¹⁶In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! ^17–18Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Eph. 6:10-18 (TPT)

So take heart, and stand for what is true no matter what. Your solid stance for what is true may convince others to listen to the life giving words coming from your mouth. They might believe in Jesus and find salvation that will put them on the right side of the battle, and even if they die on earth they will live forever in heaven.

“You Can’t Handle the Truth!”

October 30, 2020January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

The title of this post comes from the famous line delivered by Jack Nicholson in the movie, “A Few Good Men”. He was right. There is truth out there we don’t want to know. We can’t handle. For instance, we are just learning, in main stream media, about cults, or groups that enslave women, children for the sexual pleasure of others. That truth is so heavy it is difficult to comprehend.

Not all truth is so burdensome. Like when two individuals have a disagreement. A “He said this, he said that” scenario. Others who hear one side of the argument have only heard half of the truth if any. A wise person will seek out the other person and listen to them, hear their version of the truth before making judgement. Honestly though, seldom do people seek out the whole truth. They listen to the side of the person they like the most, as if truth had something to do with popularity.

Truth is so important our judicial system will ask each witness, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” Why? Because judges know that proper judgements can be made when the truth is known.

Here is something else that is true that needs to be said; individuals, who are getting killed by the police, as some have alleged, “without cause”, should comply with the officer’s orders. In other words, simply put, when the police arrive on a scene they don’t know who is right, or who is the threat. They try to calm everyone down, make sure the scene is safe, so they can investigate, and then decide what action to take. If those getting “unjustly” killed by the police would listen and follow their orders they would live. If they are as innocent as their mother says they are the police will find that out during their investigation.

So what does God say about truth? Jesus said that knowing the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Yes, He was specifically talking about knowing him will set you free from the bondage of religion, but knowing truth is freedom.

I used to beg my children to always tell me the truth. I did my best to instill the idea in them that the truth can always be dealt with. Right now in my personal life there is some hard truth to face, but admitting it is there has helped me determine the best approach to handling the situation.

Sad truth:

Some individuals, after meeting God, and hearing how much He loves them still turn their back and reject him. They believe the lies of the devil that they know more than God what is best for their life.

Even sadder truth:

When those who reject God die they will be judged and receive eternal death of their own freewill.

Good truth:

For those who accepted God will have an advocate, named Jesus Christ who will say to his heavenly father, “Their debt, sin has been paid by me.” Then that individual will be ushered into heaven for eternity. That’s the truth, nothing but the truth so says God.

Now, how are you going to handle the truth?

Who is it For?

June 19, 2020June 16, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

061920 Oswald Chambers wrote, “It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in and day out with the sense of the high calling of God.” Truth, if ever spoken. Yet, Jesus, the Son of God did both. He always stated he only did what he saw his Father do. That meant, every day! Then, at the end, he laid his life down for us as well. He did it for you, and me.

You know, I can’t recall any other so called spiritualist that was killed, or they laid down their life voluntarily for what they believed, taught, or lived.

Surrendering your free will is hard to do, yet if done for God, it brings satisfaction, true life. So I have to ask, “Are you laying down your life? If so, for whom?”

How It All Began

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

061620 August 1969. I would celebrate my seventh birthday in September. I didn’t want to go to hell for being a liar, and a convicted cookie thief, and according to the big man, wearing a black suit, speaking loud, if I died without accepting Jesus in my heart, I would have. Pictured here, his name was H.D. Pieratt. He was a fine example of a man, after God’s own heart.

You might say, I first confessed I was a sinner and recognized Jesus as God’s son, then asked him to forgive me of my wrong doing, because I was scared of hell. That viewpoint stayed with me for several years, until I learned about God’s love.

What might have started out as a fire escape plan turned into a loving relationship with God as I got to know him. Ten years after making his acquaintance, I dedicated my life to going, doing, and saying whatever He wants me to.

It’s sad, but there are individuals who have only accepted enough Jesus to keep them out of hell. Their more afraid of eternal damnation than they love God. You have probably encountered one of them, because they don’t reflect the love of God. The light, the truth, the hope in them is dull, and in fact, they might have hurt you. I’m sorry if you have encountered one, and have gotten hurt. Also, I feel bad when I let situations get to me and I choose to extinguish the light of God in me if only long enough to let my flesh rule. I always regret those moments and ask God to forgive me and help me not to do it again.

I feel like Paul, when he wrote in Romans 7:15:
I’m a mystery to myself, for I want to do what is right, but end up doing what my moral instincts condemn. (TPT)

Training will help me to love first in those situations, and in all others. The only way to act, and react with love is to continue to get to know the source of love, God. For God is love. 1 John 4:8. It comes down to your heart’s desire, and God knows what those are, so he will help you be more like him. The light of God, in Rev. Pieratt, shined upon my heart when I was a child, and I’m so thankful. I was drawn to it, I was drawn to God, and that is how it all began.

Be love. Our world needs a lot more Truth, light, and love!

Simply Love

June 2, 2020January 7, 2021 / Mark Brady / 2 Comments

Racism. Injustice. Hate. Protest. Peace rallies turned into riots. You know what I am talking about, or referring to. It’s sad to see so many unhappy, hurting, people. They can’t take it anymore, and their hearts are crying out for something to believe in that won’t cause anymore pain. Ever since Adam and Eve, mankind has been saying, “I know what is good and what is evil.” You see, before they ate the fruit God told them what was good, and He told them what was evil, but they were deceived.

Today, mankind is still being deceived, thinking “they” know what is right, and that “they” know what is evil. Like Adam and Eve, they won’t be told by anyone else, especially by God. Can we all agree on the fact each man defining good and evil, on his own terms, isn’t working?

So what’s the solution?

Love. It’s the only answer. You see, love, love for others helps you listen to someone else. It empowers you to understand their views, their values. Not adopt them, but listen to them. People just want to be heard. When I was doing church security, we sometimes had someone come in and interrupt the service. After I escorted them out, I would always give them a chance to say what they wanted us to hear. I didn’t care, or really listened, but it was amazing how it calmed them down.

Love says, I accept you no matter where you are from, what color your skin is, or what you believe. Love helps you not get angry if their views are a lot different than yours. Love strengthens you to not remember what one might say that hurts you. Love empowers you to be kind, patient, and not to become easily angered. Love allows you to want the best for someone else.

The truth is this; love works and will work, because it never fails. That’s why God puts a big emphasis on accepting love and in fact, God is love.

Can we all try love? Please?

Truth or Dare?

March 28, 2020March 24, 2020 / Mark Brady / 3 Comments

Charlie 030720 “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” A famous line from the movie A Few Good Men, yelled at Tom Cruise by the one and only Jack Nicholson. Jack’s character thought his actions, which wound up killing a man, were right, because of the location of where they were serving in the military. He thought his truth was real.

In my early elementary days, a school bully forced me to do something that was wrong, very wrong. I didn’t tell anyone because I was bound by fear of getting beat up if I did. I think the bully lived in fear of being exposed. I found it odd when that same bully came up to me at our 10 year high school reunion and apologized. I think his admission of guilt, once and for all, set him free. All those years he may have justified his actions in a number of ways thinking it was truth, but it wasn’t.

I have witnessed firsthand, the damage that can be caused when someone’s truth is their reality, when in reality their truth isn’t the truth at all. Some may be afraid to face, or own up to the truth. Those individuals may be afraid of what the truth coming out will do to them, or to their reputation. I can’t help but think of big time movie producer who recently was found guilty of wrong doing. Now that people have learned the truth his life will never be the same. Fear can bind you up, but the truth can set you free. John 8:32

Will you accept the truth, or forever dare to believe a lie?

There have been so many times people around me have chosen to believe lies told about me. Those situations always seem to hurt the worse. What really hurts is when those same individuals haven’t even asked me for my side of the story. The only comfort I can grab a hold of is this; the truth always comes out. If not here, while on earth, then one day, as we all stand before God, the truth will finally be told.

The Last One to Speak

February 19, 2020 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 021920 DAY 1 A man’s daughter was struck with a sudden severe illness that required her to be put on life support. The man captioned this event “The Psalms 23 Experience”. He felt his family, “walking through the valley of the shadow of death”, they feared no evil, because they knew God was with them. He believed this in spite of all the negative reports they received, at the hospital, on day one.

We judge most things by what we hear and see. We tend to believe these things because our flesh perceived them first, but what if there was climate change? What if we created an environment that showed God our faith? What would happen if we allowed our spirit to perceive God? If we began to hear what God said about the situation we were in?

If you’re going to pray for rain, bring an umbrella.

The man, whose daughter was sick, spoke of setting up an environment that gave God an opportunity to do some of his best work. They played Spirit Spa instrumental worship. They spoke of healing while in the hospital room, but they first “asked” God for what they wanted him to do.

Asking God, is huge!

I know, and agree, in the moment, we often believe what we hear and see. We too many times take the first words spoken in a situation as truth. The only truth. It’s okay to acknowledge truth, but appeal to the One who can make things more true. It was true the man’s daughter was sick, but what was more true was the fact, God, was going to heal her.

DAY 17 The man’s daughter returned home with a clean bill of health. God, had the final word. God, was the last one, to speak.

Inside the Lines

November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 / Mark Brady / Leave a comment

Charlie 62 I bet they flunked out of Kindergarten for not coloring inside the lines! Are they important? Do they love their car that much? I bet they live life outside the lines too. I mean, they can’t even park their car inside the straight lines provided free of charge.

There seems to be a lot of people these days who only care about themselves. In fact, I think there is a whole generation of people called, “Me llennials.” Just kidding, sort of. These people do what they want, when they want, with little thought of anyone else, as if they are entitled or something.

The only problem with this lifestyle choice is they will have to give account of how they lived. Yes, it’s true, we have free will, but when we all stand before God, will we say, “But God, I…” Some may try, but I have this funny feeling when we see him in all his Glory, we will fall to our knees, and weep, for the words we chose to say, and the things we decided it was okay to do.

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 (AMP)

I have a funny feeling, in that moment, before God, we will have all truth, and it will be in that moment, we will know. I can imagine, for the ones who rejected God, and didn’t choose to live within the lines He provided, free of charge, He will not say a word, but point to a door that will be an exit out of heaven and an entrance into hell. But for the ones who did their best to live a pleasing life to him, accepting his Son, Jesus, He will offer his hand to help us up, and say the most loving words we will ever here.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

Truth

To Tell the Truth

“For if you embrace the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives.”
John 8:32 (TPT)

To truth and freedom. May both spread without hesitations and roadblocks.

The Lies about Lies