Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: complacency

  • Making a Difference

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Yesterday my pastor told us a story I thought to be quite inspirational.  An older man was walking along the beach when he noticed a young boy throwing something in the water.  He watched the boy stop every couple feet, bend down and pick up something, and then toss it in the ocean.  As the older man got closer to see what the boy was doing, he noticed there were thousands of starfish washed up on the shore.  The boy walked a few steps, picked up a starfish, and threw it back into the sea.  The older man inquire, “What are you doing there young man?”  The boy said, “All of these starfish are stranded on the beach.  I’m returning them to the sea where they belong.”  The older man said, “There are thousands of them, you’ll never make a difference.”  The young boy stopped, picked up another starfish and tossed it into the water.  He looked at the older man and said, “I made a difference to that one.”
    Sometimes as Christians we feel that we will never do enough to make a difference in the world.  The truth is, we can make a difference.  Just helping one person can change the world.  A revival in the world starts with the one in the mirror.  A person once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  As Christians we must live as one who loves Christ and share the love of our Lord with all others so they may see Christ in us.  We must be different than the rest of the world!  What will people see in us that is different if we do not live differently.  We should extend our arms to those in need and those that need love.  Every person can make a difference.  We share with one whom the Lord uses to share with others.

    Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of  your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to make a difference in the world, by making a difference in at least one person’s life.  Many people set out to save things which perish.  I pray the Lord uses me to lead others to the Lord so that they may be saved eternally.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Our Father, please be with us in this dying world.  Help us to hold on to hope and joy in You.  With You nothing is impossible.  You take care of Your children Lord just as You did in the days of our forefathers.  I ask that Your children can act according to Your perfect will and love, to make a difference in each other’s lives.  I pray that we can all come to know Your love and salvation for us.  I pray that You have mercy on us.  Though we live in this world, we are not to be of it.  Restore our nation Father.  Please forgive us for abandoning Your commands.  Please deal with us in grace.  Please don’t strike us down.  I pray that we may all repent and follow You.  Who are we that You are mindful of us?  You don’t need us, yet You have taken interest in each one of us and have loved us unconditionally, even when we were not perfect.  You met us where we were in life.  We did not have to live to an unreachable standard.  You reached down and rescued us in time of need!  Help me to love others as I am loved by You.  Help me to help another in need, in Your name alone.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

  • Complacent Christians

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    I really felt like I needed to come back to the book of John again.  I get convicted about the attitude of the Christian man and woman today versus what I see in the Bible from our forefathers long ago.  Simply put, we tolerate acts that would not have been accepted back in the times of our Savior.  I know I will come back to this subject time and time again because God has put it in my heart to speak against complacency in the church.  There are several reasons Atheism is running rampant today.  Obviously, in my opinion, the first is that it is easy for man to live with no figure to be held responsible.  It is easier to go through life with no one to answer to.  There are several passages in the Bible about this.  Here is one of the ones I like.

    John 3:20-21 – “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

    It is very true.  No one likes to be put on the spot or held accountable and responsible for what they do in life.  However there is also another reason.  I feel that Atheism also comes about because Atheists, at times, simply don’t see anything different from the common Christian then they do in their own lives.  That is a HUGE problem.  Brennan Manning stated this observation as well.

    “The single greatest cause of Atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle.  It is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

    This just shouldn’t be so.  Our statistics even are starting to align with non-Christians in abortion and divorce.  Our Light needs to be apparent to others.  Complaceny surely darkens what should be a light for others.  We need more than to just go to church.  We need to move as one body toward one common goal.  We need to serve others as Jesus served us.  In a capacity of helping everyone, not just Christians.  We are to reach to those that need to feel loved, help those that are hurting, give to those that need.  It is more than just going through the motions.  It is a life changing event.  Our lives should never be as they were once we are forever changed by God.  It is like being hit by a bus.  You cannot simply walk away and act as if nothing has changed but the fact that you believe now.  It is to sacrifice all that you are, dying to yourself, and becoming a vessel to share Christ’s love for the people.  I could speak of this over and over.  The body should be walking where others don’t want to, reaching to the people that have been shunned by society, speaking where there is silence, looking where others have turned their heads, holding what was let go, listening to what has fallen on deaf ears, and seeking the lost which has not yet been found. That is our goal.  That is why we are here.  We are here to spread the news of the gospel of Jesus Christ in loud, strong voices.  Our lives are temporary.  What will you do with yours?  How can we make excuses and then pass away not ever having gave our all in all?  It is better to lose everything and gain Christ, then to gain temporary things and lose eternal life.  God bless you and yours!

    Walking in the Word- Our lives cannot be complacent.  I am going to strive to be better than an average Christian.  I want to do more, read more, speak more, and live more fruitfully.  I am going to reflect on my current goals and achievements and analyze parts of my life in which I am not bearing fruit and could use more growth.

    Prayer Response to the Word- Father I am speechless when I think of where I am and where You desire me to be.  Lord help me to die to myself, so that You may live in me.  I need less of me and more of Thee.  Lord I want to be a vessel for your Word so others may be blessed through You in my actions.  Help me to shine Your light to others, so they may take steps and not falter.  You are our lamp onto our feet.  With each step we may see well enough to take the next, having faith that in the end we will reach our destination.  I praise You Father for Your wisdom, love, and relationship You share with Your People.  Thank you Lord!  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!