Cody Braddock's Blog

Author: Cody Braddock

  • Christian Living

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Ephesians 4 –     As Christians, we are required to live different from the world.  I strongly feel that many people, though they believe they are saved are not.  I do not feel that you can have the Spirit of God in you and continue to live habitually in sin.  It goes against the very character of God.  Believing you have received Christ and are going to heaven no matter how you live is one of the devil’s biggest lies.  You are not your own, but were paid for at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”).  Salvation is followed by repentance.  We are to repent of the lives we lived and be changed, putting off the old person and putting on the new person of Christ.  We are not to be angry with one another, forgiving all who rise against us.  If we previously lied, murdered, stole, spoke crudely, lived in drunkenness, were sexually immoral, etc. we were to die to each sin, deny ourselves, and be raised new again in Christ.  No one can be made new when they still live in the old.

    Vs 26-32 – “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

    Walking in the Word – I want to live a Christian life based on the Word of God.  I do not want to be one of the world that has no respect for the Lord or themselves.  The devil continues to deceive others in believing they are okay in how they live.  Biblical Christian principles do not allow for one to live in a life of sin, and honestly loving the Lord prohibits you from even wanting to live in sin.  I love to please the Lord and only want to serve Him.  I desire to grow closer to the Lord by denying myself of my earthly wants and emotions.  I desire to be patient, understanding, and loving towards each person I come in contact with in my life, as Christ is.  I want less of me and more of Thee, so I may be full…lacking nothing.  It brings me joy and peace to live a life honoring the Lord!  Many people seek material and worldly things to fill a space in their heart only meant to be filled with the Lord God.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God in heaven, precious is Your name.  I am thankful for You giving me life.  I am thankful that You give me opportunity to love others as You have loved me.  I pray that I seize each of these opportunities and that I live with purpose, and that I live a pleasing life in Your eyes.  Help me to have Your heart for Your people and Your eyes to discern good and evil as well as see how to love others as You do.  Please give me the patience and wisdom I need to stand against the tide in a world that resembles Sodom and Gomorrah.  I do not want to be like everyone else Lord.  I want to live like no one else, so that I may live with You for eternity.  Strengthen my bones and my spirit Lord.  I offer my life to You.  Please help me to honor You in what I do and say.  Please have mercy and grace on me when I am weak and failing.  In Jesus name, I ask these things, Amen and Amen.

  • Eternal Life

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    John 11 –     We all come to terms with death at some point in our lives.  The reality is that each of us will die some day.  People often avoid talking about it because they fear the unknown.  I suppose if you live an uncertain life it may be even more scary.  I believe to live is to have a purpose.  I think it is illogical to think that we exist with no purpose.  Therefore the bigger question is what is our purpose in this life?  As life comes and goes we must establish ourselves in achieving what it is we were created for.  As Christians we are to serve the Lord here as we will in heaven.  At times we claim how we are going to do all of these things for the Lord when we get to heaven, but never find time in our schedule to do them now.  Life without purpose produces nothing.  Let’s focus on including what really matters in life in our schedule and seek to do away with the things that don’t matter.

    Vs 25 – “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to have a more fruit-productive life.  I desire to include time in my schedule for worship, prayer, and reflection.  I desire to have the Lord at the center of my life so that life is more enjoyable and I am pleasing to Him.  I do not want an unproductive life with no fruit.  I sacrifice now in order to reap later.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father I thank You that You have blessed me with time to do Your will.  I pray that I live a life that is pleasing in Your eyes and that I am productive while here.  Lord please show me How I may serve You better and how I may honor You by caring for Your people.  I ask that You give me wisdom and a heart like Yours.  In Your Holy Name I pray this, Amen!

  • Bridging the Gap

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Ezekiel 22 –     Today I read in my former Pastor’s blog about Standing in the Gap.  What a powerful message!  The scripture in Ezekiel 22:30 talks about how no one in Ezekiel’s day stood in the gap between Jerusalem and God’s judgement.  The Lord looked for someone to interceed on Jerusalem’s behalf but did not find anyone.  Jerusalem faced the wrath of God.  In today who is interceding among us for our country?  Who is remembering to pray for the leaders of the nation, despite their personal preferences.  We as Christians, are to pray for every leader even if we disagree.  We must realize that they are not placed in power without the Lord allowing it.  Therefore, if we see what we believe to be bad decisions, we must still pray that God open their eyes.  This world is fading away and growing more sinful each day.  We must, as one, intercede with the Lord on our nation’s behalf so that the Lord may find favor and spare us.

    Vs 30 – “I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one. “

    Walking in the Word – I am going to spend more time in prayer for our nation.  I don’t want to see us fail and crumble.  I will seek the Lord for the forgiveness of what we have done and forgetting the principles by which we were founded.  We are a lost people and I pray the Lord have mercy on us as a whole despite the ones that will not turn from their ways.  Nevertheless, as the Lord wills, may it be done.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God in heaven, blessed is Your name.  I ask Lord for You to spare these people and myself from Your wrath.  I pray that You will have mercy and grace upon us even though we are undeserving.  I thank You that You have allowed us so many chances.  Please help us to leave our foolish ways and unite together as one.  Lord I ask that You not judge us as we deserve, but that You find favor in this country for the sake of those whom love You.  I ask that You speak to the hearts of our leaders and that they not rebel against Your commands.  I ask the Lord intercede on our behalf that we may all come to repentence and that our eyes be opened as well as our hearts.  Blessed Father, please hear our prayer.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

  • No Slave of Money

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 13 –     These days it is very easy for someone to start a financially destructive path by taking on credit and loans.  I could write several pages on this topic alone, speaking from experience in the past but I am going to keep it brief for readability.  One piece of advice I heard was, “if God didn’t provide me with the money to obtain it, I don’t need it.”  I agree with that.  Unfortunately most people aren’t taught the rules of money until after they have their first credit card.  They start spending money left and right and justify taking on more debt if they can squeeze in another low monthly payment.  Biblically we are to not owe anyone anything except to love them.  We enslave ourselves by losing that freedom of choice that we had before we went into debt.  To keep it short, aggressively pay off your debt and spend cash only.  If you work out the math you may find it takes less time than you think.  Most people can reverse debts by living on a strict budget and making sacrifices to start.  After this they can pay each debt off one at a time aggressively.  My testimoney also attributes to tithing!  Give the FULL 10% always.  Everything we have belongs to the Lord.  Give to Him what He asks for.  How foolish to rob the Lord and ask for His blessings.  The LORD is always faithful in what He promises!  Always remember to enjoy the small victories in everything!

    Vs 8 – “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
    Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”
    Malachi 3:7-12 – “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept [them].  Return to Me, and I will return to you,”says the LORD of Hosts. 
    But you ask: “How can we return?”
    “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!”
    You ask: “How do we rob You?”
    “[By not making the payments] of 10 percent and the contributions.  You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are [still] robbing Me.  Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.  I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren,” says the LORD of Hosts.  “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of Hosts.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to live a life free of financial burden.  I also desire to help others with what the Lord has blessed me with.  I want to teach others how to become financially free and be able to enjoy the life that God has designed for them.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, thank You for allowing me to achieve success financially.  You have given in abundance and I pray that out of my abundance I can help others that need it.  Lord I pray that You help me to have the heart to give and care for those that You would have me to care for.  Lord I thank You that You have taught me how to care for what You have given me.  I pray that when I help others that You alone be glorified, for it is because of You I am able to do so.  Glory and praise to You my Father!  There is none like You.  You give good gifts and love unconditionally.  We are blessed to have such LOVE from our Father in heaven.  I pray that we all come to know this TRUTH to be evident in each of our lives!  Lord I lift Your name on high in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

  • The Teachable Spirit

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    2 Timothy 2 –     Often Christians find themselves in heated debates of who is right and who is wrong.  This is wrong dear friends.  If we recall the life of Jesus we do not find that He sat by arguing points with people.  He spoke the truth and moved on.  Sometimes we find ourselves around the same people trying to “convert” them.  That is a bad idea.  Why is it that we exhaust ourselves trying to teach just one person who refuses to listen when there are those that haven’t even got to hear the gospel once.  The Lord tells us to brush off our sandals and move on if we are not welcomed.  Matthew 10 :14 “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that house or town.”  However, we must be gentle no matter what.  It is never okay to be brash or overly-assertive.  God may restore them at a later time.  Our job is to plant the seed and share the truth, beyond that we are not responsible.  We are to love them as Christ loves them.  The devil places traps in peoples lives that keep them thinking everything is okay or they can repent before they die, or they can live how they want even after they are saved.  We know this is not true and it is the devil’s biggest lie.  However, God is bigger than that, and all we do after sharing is pray the Lord have mercy and grace on them, and that their eyes be opened!

    Vs 24-26 – “The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness.  Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth.  Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.”

    Walking in the Word – I must bridle my tongue when I feel like arguing a point.  In an effort to be more like Christ, I must not get entangled with heated debates and causing someone to stumble.  No matter how others respond to me, I must always respond in humility and gentleness.  It is what is expected of me.  I will continue to pray for those that are lost, but I must continue to share with others and not grow weary.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, Abba, thank You for Your mercy.  Thank You for having patience with me and not letting Your anger burn against me.  I ask that You give me the strength to love others as You have loved me, exercise patience with others as You have been patient with me, and deal with others in grace and mercy as You have dealt with me.  I pray that when the devil tries to trap me, that You rescue me with Your mighty right hand and restore me.  I ask that You help me to share the truth of Your word without indignation or anger when people do not respond lovingly.  Lord help me to be the man that You want me to be, and less the man that I want.  I am here for Your purpose and I pray that You have mercy on me when I mess up.  I pray these things in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen & Amen!

  • Settling the Matter

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Isaiah 1 –     Forgiveness.  Sometimes the very word can be hard for us to say.  Many of us go through trials in life where we are wronged by another person.  We justify why the other person should have to apologize to us instead of us going to them.  Bitterness can seep in and it may be weeks before we ever come to a settlement…or maybe never.  However when the other person forgives first we are instantly healed and embrace them or if we were really hurt we at least start to work on the process of putting it behind us.  After someone asks for forgiveness it is our part to rightly forgive and move on never to bring it up again.  The Lord God approaches us first, forgiving us where we are.  He does not wait for us to come to Him or for us to be “clean” enough to have a relationship with Him.  The Lord God beckons us asking us to come to Him as we are so that we may be made clean and dwell with Him.  What amazes me is that God met us where we were in our lives.  We never had to reach some hidden bar to be accepted.  He accepted us from day one.  So we should accept others in this way, no matter what they are going through.

    Vs 18 – “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

    Walking in the Word – I am going to “settle the matter” when I feel angry or I need to forgive.  I am not going to wait for someone to come to me, but rather go to them and be humble.  The Lord took me covered in dirt and made me clean.  Therefore I must tend to my brothers and sisters as well.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, our Father, I thank You that You have taken me as scarlet and made me white as snow.  You came to me where I was in my life, entangled in my own sin, dirty, unsightly, and impure and gave me new life.  You washed the dirt from me and cleansed me.  You took my empty cup and filled it.  You wiped the tears from my eyes and annointed my head with oil.  You softened my lips with honey, straightened my path to make it easy for me, brought me into shelter from the storm, and gave me a new name.  I thank You for this Lord.  You have restored my soul.  Please help me to restore others and bring them to You.  Why would anyone not want such joy in their lives?  You give me peace in the toughest of storms.  Thank You.  I pray that others may see what You have done for me and that You have mercy on them as well.  I praise You Lord with joy in my heart!  In Jesus name, Amen and Amen!

  • Not in the Flesh

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    2 Corinthians 10 –     While we are living in this world our hope and walk should remain in the Lord.  We are not fighting a physical battle while here on earth, but a spiritual one.  The devil seeks to make war on the mind and soul.  Not being prepared, just as in any war, can lead to defeat.  When facing temptation or breaking strongholds in our lives we must be dependent on the Lord as a source of strength.  When Jesus was tempted, it was prayer to the Lord God that strengthened Him and faith in Him.  It goes hand and hand.  When we pray, we must not dwell on things, but have faith that God will provide no matter the outcome.  We must not live on bread alone, but on the words of the Lord as He promised. 

    We must also take captive thoughts that can harm us or others.  We should never allow our minds to wander aimlessly, where it is prone to attack.  We must think dilligently, with purpose, and take negative thoughts captive as Christ commands.  We are fleshly and it is normal to have a wandering mind, but it is not okay to allow sin to pollute it or allow it to provoke negative thoughts or accusations about another person OR ourselves (a self-defeating attitude of not being good enough).  Live in obedience by taking hold of your mind and body and controlling it by bringing it to submission in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  James 3:2 ” for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.”  The next step is to pick ourselves up and persevere.
    Vs 3-5 – “For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

    Walking in the Word – When facing depression, anxiety, anger, temptation, or when the devil tries to develop a stronghold in my life I will seek the Lord for my weapons of warfare.  I will pray in His name and demolish any stronghold in my life.  I will not grow weary and my weapons will not dull because they are not physical and not of my own.  I will seek the Lord God as my Strong Tower (Proverbs 18:10) and dwell in His shadow (Psalm 91:1) and under His wing for protection (Psalm 91:4).  I will take every negative thought captive in His name (2 Corinthians 10:5) as to not pollute what He has entrusted me with.  It is my duty to care for what God has given me.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You that You have given me much to be thankful for.  No matter the storm or the clear day Lord I will praise You because there is none like You.  While You alone laid the foundations of the earth I was nowhere to be found.  You have baffled the minds of the teached and You have kept from man the mysteries of the universe.  While my mind is weak, it is shielded by You.  If You Lord are with me, no one can stand against me.  So while I am weak, I am protected by You, and therefore I am strong.  Lord You give me water and life and You give abundantly.  No one knows my needs like You and no one gives gifts like You.  I am so thankful for what You do for me.  I pray that my mind is protected by the Holy Spirit and that my lips are bridled and brought to control under Your authority.  May I seek to always do what is pleasing in Your sight, no matter what man may say to me or do to me.  I pray that You strengthen me so I am not tempted by evil and that I can be a brother to those You have entrusted me with.  Lord, I ask that You bless the fruit of my hands and that You are glorified in my life.  Thank You Lord!  While I am undeserving You still bless me.  I love You Lord and I lift Your name on High!  In Jesus wonderful name, Amen and Amen!

  • Renew Your Mind

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 12 –     Many people want to know what God’s will is for them.  They often question whether what they are doing is “in God’s will”.  The bible gives us a clear way to know how to discern whether what we are carrying out in our lives is part of God’s plan.  That does not mean we understand and know every detail of His will, but by resisting the ways of the world we are more prepared to respond to what is in God’s plan.  However, we need to be careful to understand that we can never fully comprehend God’s will, even when we are living in obedience.  Sometimes we say, “Well, God didn’t will this for us…” or “It will happen if God wants it too…” or “Why did God let this happen”.  By saying such statements we are assuming we actually know that God did/did not act on our behalf.  We try to wrap our minds around things that we only conceive of in our fleshly minds.  We do not know why all things happen.  We may never understand everything that happens in our lives.  The story of Job carries this out even further.  No one knew why Job suffered.  Everyone assumed he had great sin.  However God willed him to be humbled in order that God be glorified.  Remember that it was Satan that inflicted pain on Job, NOT God.  The bible says God’s throne is heaven and earth is His footstool.  His knowledge and wisdom are above what we can truly comprehend and sometimes things just don’t make since.  What we must keep in mind is that all things eventually come together for the glory of God.  Let’s renew how we think today.
    Vs 2 –  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

    Walking in the Word – I want to change how I perceive things.  Sometimes I think I know what is going on in the world, just to be swept away and realize I know very little.  I do know that the world is steadily growing wicked, and there is a literal battle going on spiritually for everyone.   I know that the more I flee from the ways of the world the more I feel closer to the Lord.  I desire to throw off the chains of this world and soar to the tower of the Almighty God.  I desire to be in His presence.  After my bones are left here to rot with all the material things of the world, my soul will rest in eternity with God where moth and rust do not destroy and pain is no more.  I desire to make this live meaningful and not waste it on things that do not glofiy my Father.  I want to dwell in the House of the Lord forever in live in paradise with Him!  All of us will eventually pass on and it would be a shame not to invest what time we do have into an eternity with the Creator of the Universe.  What a most precious gift! 

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father God, I ask that You please forgive me for living in the world so long in my ignorance.  I pray that You please rescue me and remember me in Paradise.  I ask that You take each of us to heaven with You and that You forgive us all for doing things so long according to our way.  I ask for Your mercy and grace on all of us.  Please be merciful and spare us from ultimate death.  Lord there is none like You.  Where were we when You laid the foundations of the Earth?  Where were we when You established the heavens?  I praise You Lord that You are mighty to save!  Blessed be Your name!  I ask that my mind is renewed and that I may discern between good and evil.  I ask that You protect me and my family from the world so that we may carry out what You command of us in Your holy name.  Lord please help us to establish a constant relationship with You.  Please help us to stand firm no matter what.  I ask that You raise me up by Your right hand and that You teach me to help others and to love others as You have loved me.  I ask that my and my family’s life pleases You and that we do not waste time in sharing with others.  Lord please instruct us on how to live a full life that magnifies You.  I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

  • Love in Motion

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    1 John 3 –     Love takes action to speak.  Christ loved us by laying down His life.  No one took it from Him, but He willing laid it down.  Have you ever wondered why a lamb of all creatures was chosen to represent Christ?  The lamb has no defense.  Many other animals can bite, kick, sting, poke, scratch, impale, run away, or defend itself in other ways.  The lamb in no way is able to defend against the attacker.  You could say it is a humble and peaceful creature.  This is not to say that Christ could not have defended Himself, but He did not.  The lamb was also one of the sacrificial animals in the Old Testament.  It pleased God to receive sacrifices, and good incense.  It was atonement for our sins.  However man could no longer please God since He had strayed so far from Him.  Jesus satisfied our need to sacrifice in the fact that there was nothing better that could be offered back to God accept Christ who willingly chose to die for mans sins, leaving His home and becoming flesh.  In other words, God allowed Him to die so we did not have too.  What we don’t understand is that God is holy and man is not.  God cannot be involved in sin, because He is holy.  We had to be purified and redeemed in order to restore our fellowship with God.  We could not become clean by ourselves.  Jesus closed the gap between God and man, providing a way to the Father through His sacrifice.  God redeemed us in His love.  He loved us even in our imperfection.  He loved us even though we had abandoned our ways in Him.  He met us at where we were.  We never had to become “great” in order to receive His love.  He loved us first.  He loved in action, not words. 
    Vs 16-18 – “This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him—how can God’s love reside in him?  Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth…”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to love others with the love that God loves me with.  I desire to share this love with everyone.  I want others to experience joy, peace, and love in their lives.  I want to show Christs’ love by living by His word and being an example of Him in my life.  I will practice being slow to anger, quick to forgive, and always express love to others.  I do not want to just say I love people, but for people to see that I love them through my actions.  I desire to love because I am shown love by God no matter what…unconditionally.  You could say that man was designed for love. 

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, I thank You that You love me.  You loved me anyway, despite the wretched life I lived in my past.  My best works are still filthy rags and I am undeserving of Your love and grace, but You still love me and You still show me grace and mercy.  I praise You Lord!  Who is like You?  Who has such love for the broken?  You forgive us 70 times 7 Lord.  May I be able to see man through Your eyes.  I pray that I may love as You designed me and according to Your word.  I thank You for sending Your Son to die for me so that You could share fellowship with me again.  Who am I that You would be mindful of me Lord?  I thank You for Your mercy.  I pray that I do not waste this life and that You be glorified through the Son in my life as well.  I pray that I am pleasing to You Lord, as well as my family and my loved ones.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

  • Rain!

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Joel 2 –     The whole summer we have experienced a major drought here in Texas.  We have set records for the hottest temperatures and days that exceeded triple-digit temperatures.  We have prayed and prayed for rain and the LORD has answered!  We have had several days of abundant rain!  This just further shows us that the Lord hears us and ALWAYS provides.  We had a massive thunderstorm that was reported on the news because of all of the activity in the storm.  I filmed it two days ago and have never seen anything like it.  Every second was a flash of lightning and it downpoured.  I am grateful for the blessings of the LORD. 
    Vs 23 – “Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.”

    Walking in the Word – The LORD always provides for us.  I am extremely grateful that the Lord heard our prayers and blessed us with an abundance of rain.  I will continue to pray for even more storms.  It feels so good to be in the rain and taste it on my lips.  I rejoice in this storm especially.  The Lord is always faithful to His promise to us!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord my God, I thank You for all of the rain You have sent to us.  You have told the rains to feed the dry ground and they obey You alone!  I thank You for Your faithful provision and I pray we don’t take it for granted.  I am joyful in my heart to be Your servant and pray that I may always be mindful of what You have blessed each of us with!  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!