Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: investment

  • Sharing What We Have

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Hebrews 13 –     There certainly is a problem with today’s economy.  You need go no further than the mirror to find a solution. 

    I was reminded of a story about a tribe long ago.  The tribe would send the hunters into the forest to kill and bring back food.  As long as the hunters were successful, everyone ate.  One day one of the hunters said, “I kill more than anyone here.  Why should I have to share my portion with those that do nothing!”  So he ate his portion that he killed and did not give.  Other hunters started doing the same.  Soon the hunters started a hierarchy and only the ones that worked got food.  The weak and suppressed did not get to eat and were at the mercy of the hunters.  The tribe then started raising their children to fend for themselves and not to rely on what the hunters would bring.  This became a practice that kept others isolating and only caring for themselves and what they had. 

    Unfortunately this is the same model that we see today.  If those that had more still shared with those that were suffering, what would the world be like?  Think about if we all sacrificed to help each other.  Today try to share with someone that does not have as much as you and show the Love of Christ in your actions to glorify God.  God is pleased with the cheerful giver!

    Vs 16 – “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”

    Walking in the Word – I love to give and praise God that He has made me a cheerful giver.  What a shame to have your cup filled by God and not pour out to others.  Empty your cup so you may be filled again.  I will continue to help those that the Lord has given me to care for.  I will love others, as Christ loves me, and share what I have so God may be glorified!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, thank You for blessings and for giving me a heart to share.  I enjoy sharing because I know I always have enough.  Lord, You are my portion and my salvation.  I thank You that I have peace and protection.  Lord please help me to help others and give me a heart to love people through their situations and circumstances.  Let me not be a judge, but instead a listener, helper, and comforter in time of need.  I pray I please You in my actions, thoughts, and words.  I thank You for my loved ones and for always caring for us no matter what the condition.  Your Love is a model of what true Unconditional Love is!  Thank You Lord!  In Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen!

  • Powerful Hands

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Deuteronomy 8 –     Pride is probably one of the greatest downfalls of man.  With it man takes credit upon himself and rebels agains power greater than himself.  Is wrong to take pride in your work or accomplishments?  No.  Absolutely not!  But, give credit where credit is due.  As a Christian I account for all of my success to God.  There is no magic or person that helped me to where I am.  God has allowed me to experience lessons for learning as well as great accomplishments.  The only time I have really regretted something I have done is when I try to take the glory.  In doing so I magnify myself for everyone to see my imperfection.  In God there is no imperfection.  It is better to magnify Him.

    Vs 17-18 – “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today.”

    Walking in the Word – I will maginfy God in what I do.  I pray who I am and what I do glorifies God and brings others to the knowledge of His grace, mercy, and love.  I desire to have success in life and use what I have gained and learned to help others who are in need.  In all things I desire to show obedience to God through our Lord Jesus Christ by obeying His commands and loving others through Him.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for Your gifts to me in this life.  There are not many things left in this world that are not being corrupted.  I thank You that Your gifts cannot be destroyed, the greatest ones being salvation and love.  I pray that in having success I do not forget it was by Your hands alone I was allowed to have what I have.  I pray that I not only use what I have to glorify You, but that I may be a good steward of all things.  All good things belong to You.  I pray that I make good use of time as well as money.  May You be magnified through the Son in my life and others!  Amen and 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!

  • For Profit?

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Mark 8 –    Sometimes I wonder why we get so caught up in the love of the world.  I understand it and I understand why some people desire nicer things, but I do not understand why we go at such great lengths to ultimately achieve a point of satisfaction before we pass away.  It saddens me that we sometimes invest in things that are of little worth when we could invest more in each other.  We could invest our lives into one another and build upon our lives by showing the love of Christ to each other.
    Vs 35 – “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it.”
    This verse shows that instead of worrying about selfish ambition, perhaps we could become selfless and serve others by sharing the message that Christ Jesus brought to us.  Nothing that is hurtful, but to helpful to share love, compassion, understanding, obedience, self-control.  
     Vs 36 – “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
    What will we profit?  Desire is the want that is perpetually absent, not within reach.  We desire new cars, new houses, better jobs, etc. but once we have that we desire more.  We crave to fill this hole in our hearts that is truly only filled by God.  We fell incomplete when we try to fill it with anything else.  However, when you open your heart and mind to the Lord and just ALLOW Him to show you true and fulfilling love, our lives are changed and that love just multiplies and touches others.

    Walking in the Word – I want to invest in others’ lives as Christ has invested in mine.  I am so blessed that the Creator of the Universe and the Giver of Life has chosen someone like me to save.  Blessed be His name!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father I pray that You fill me with Your love and fill my heart with Your Spirit.  Lord, I desire to be filled by You so that I may pour out to others.  I do not desire to keep what You have given me to myself, but rather invest in others.  I ask that You open their hearts and speak to them.  I know because of Your Son dying for me, that You have invested in my life.  Help me to share that love with others that need it most.  Help me to reach out and care for those that need you, need a hug, need a friend, need love, or anything else they may need.  I want to serve You by serving others as You have shown me.  I praise You Lord for Your mercy and compassion and that I have You in my life.  The desire to grow burns in my soul and I long for Your presence Lord.  In this dark and violent world be my Light.  I pray in Your precious name Jesus, Amen.