Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: diligence

  • Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Proverbs 19 –     What is godly wisdom?  What is worldly wisdom?  Wisdom given to us by God empowers us to know Him better and directly affects the heart of the believer.  Godly wisdom includes discernment, insight into His word, a better understanding of the characters of God, and better understanding of the will of God.  Acts 6:10 “But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.”  Man cannot fully comprehend the matters of God.  Earthly wisdom is wisdom of things of the world and cannot produce fruit.  Earthly wisdom is made a fool and gives no life or true understanding.  It is full of words and lacks depth in understanding.  What does man know that God does not?  Did He Himself not create us and everything in the universe?  Can earthly wisdom tell me how many stars are in the universe or how they were created?  Can earthly wisdom tell of what it was like when the foundations of the earth were laid?  No.  Jeremiah 51:15 “He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding.”  True wisdom comes from the Lord. 

    What is said about earthly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:19 “For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.”  1 Corinthians 1:20 “Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?” 

    What is said of godly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:25 “because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 “No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise.” 

    Obtaining godly wisdom:  James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”

    Characters of godly wisdom: James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.”

    Vs 20 – “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to seek wisdom from our Lord God.  I want to use this wisdom to glorify God and understand Him better.  I desire to help others and give insight in to the Word of God through teaching.  I also desire to guide others in the Truth and help people understand their roles here on earth.  Life is more than living and dying.  It is about glorifying God and choosing to love.  There is no reward when someone is forced to love.  God gave us a choice to seek Him and love Him.  It satisfies God when His children seek to Love Him and grow closer to Him.  He does not need us but rejoices in having a relationship with us.  He is our Provider, Comforter, Helper in time of need, and  our Father.  Our purpose here is to learn about Him, grow with Him, and learn to obey and Love Him with all of our heart, might, and soul.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for wisdom in Your word.  Who is like You Father?  What man can ponder the affairs of God?  None.  There is none like You and I’m grateful to be Your legitimate son.  I thank You that You sought me where I was in my life and lifted me by Your grace, love, and mercy.  I did not have to be a king or even important.  You still reached down to me and brought to me a new life.  I am grateful that You chose me Lord.  I am grateful for Your everlasting mercy and grace.  I ask that what You have blessed me with be shared with those around me.  I pray that You overflow in my life to others.  I confess that I am nothing without You.  Life is nothing if it is not lived for You alone.  Help me to break the chains of this world and fervently seek You.  Please be patient with me Father and forgive me when I do not do what is pleasing in Your eyes.  Help me to learn from my wrongs, repent, and correct.  Give me wisdom so I may lead in Your name.  Give me a heart for the lost and eyes to discern what is good and evil.  I will go Lord.  Use me for Your glory so that You may be pleased with me.  Help me to do Your Will.  I pray for the lost and ask that You call them to You.  Please revive this world and remember Your promises.  Please do not abandon us despite what the wicked are doing.  Return to us Almighty Savior and claim Your people!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

  • Seeking the Lord

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Isaiah 55 –     The world is slowly decaying.  Unfortunately, the world has turned their backs to the Lord.  In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities were destroyed because there were not 10 people willing to stand in the gap and intercede to the Lord.  Today our percentages are around 9% of believing Christians who have a biblical world view.  Sadly enough we are less than 10 as well.  It is no wonder famine, war, crime, pornography and explicit media, and sexual immorality run rampant in the world more than ever. 

    As Christians we are to abandon evil and seek the Lord.  In doing so we return to His protection and provision.  He once again places His hand over us.  No matter our circumstance we remain at peace.  The Lord forgives when we seek Him humbly.  In returning to God, we once again may establish a great country and live under His protection.

    Vs 6-7 – “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.  Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.”

    Walking in the Word – I pray that I can be a positive influence on those who seek the Lord.  I pray that I may inspire others to return to the Lord.  I want to love and give freely to the oppressed.  I want to share what the Lord has done for me.  I seek to live in God’s love and under His protection.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, Abba, I pray that our country may seek You once again.  I pray that even though the world decays around us and 1,000 fall at our right hand, that no harm come to us.  I pray that when judging this land, you pardon those who have loved You.  I pray that You have mercy on us.  This blind nation takes nothing to their grave but their decisions!  May their eyes be opened once again.  May Your love fill their hearts, and may they turn away from sinful ways.  Have mercy Lord!  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

  • 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!

  • Procrastination

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Colossians 3 –     It is important to always be diligent in everything you do.  Too many times in this day and age are we caught up doing things as fast as we can, when we have time.  It is hard to get everything done and many claim, “there are not enough hours in the day.”  However, it is not impossible to get things done now, and with due diligence.  We can achieve great things when we put our minds to something and get it done!  What does the bible say about procrastination?
    Prov 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
    Prov 13:4 – “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
    Col 3:23 –  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
    Procrastination is usually the result of laziness.  There are many more verses that touch on this subject.  Laziness is never okay.  We are called to be diligent and fruitful in all we do. Psalm 128:2 – “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”  We should make it a point to be diligent in our spiritual lives, relationships, work, or even everyday tasks.

    Walking in the Word – I find that I procrastinate on different projects or activities I desire to do.  I believe at many times I try to take on too much at once and often leave all things undone.  When reflecting on this I can see that my attitude is to be diligent and work hard, but overdoing it on too much only leads to failure on everything.  I must start one project and finish one project.  When I can successfully multitask and take on more than one project at a time, then I will reward myself by accomplishing much more.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord, help me to be diligent and bless the fruit of my hands.  I ask that I can move with great speed on what You call on me to accomplish.  I pray that I do not become a sloth, but an upright person who sets out and accomplishes all goals.  I pray that my life is not one of procrastination, but determination.  I ask that You reveal to me areas of my life that require attention so I can work on them and become a more complete person.  I ask that all things I do reflect You to others in a way that pleases You.  Help me by strengthening my heart and giving me wisdom on how to accomplish everything that must be done.  I pray this for Your glory and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!