Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: love

  • Showing Hospitality

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 12 –     As one body we are to help other parts of the body.  Do you not tend to your ankle if you twist it, or bandage your finger when it is cut, or wrap your arm if it is broken.  So we should also mend the body of Christ.  We show hospitality and kindness to others so that we may represent the body of Christ and glorify God.  In everything we do it should be evident that we are representations of the Lord in whom we believe and live for.  One should never have to ask whether we are saved because we should be saturated in love and pouring out to those that need God Almighty!

    Vs 13 – “Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.”

    Walking in the Word – I am going to focus on sacrificing and showing hospitality to those who seek Christ our Savior.  I am going to make sure that love and mercy overflows from my life into theirs.  I desire to be a living example of the LOVE of GOD in everyone’s life I meet.  I do not wish to be what the world wants, but rather what God has put me here to be…an example and representation of His love and mercy!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, to You alone be the glory.  I am merely a wretch, but You have made me feel like a king.  You have adorned me like one of Your angels and have given me my name!  To You alone be the glory.  I feel You in my heart and mind even when the world shakes my soul.  Your peace exceeds all understanding!  Have mercy on me my Lord!  I am thankful to be here today and that You have saved me from this dark world.  I ask that You send me people that I can help and love!  In Jesus’ precious name, 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!

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Rejuvenated

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Psalm 103 –     David’s heart for the Lord always amazes me.  In David’s life he both experience great excitement and great tradgedy.  Yet no matter the weather, David stood firm in his faith.  The Lord God desires to give us good things and to love us unconditionally.  In all of His majesty, He still desires us.  What a testimony of love!  What a blessing!
     1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
       all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
    2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
       and forget not all his benefits—
    3 who forgives all your sins
       and heals all your diseases,
    4 who redeems your life from the pit
       and crowns you with love and compassion,
    5 who satisfies your desires with good things
       so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

    Walking in the Word – I want to have a walk like David and stand firm no matter what life brings me.  I want to always glorify God no matter how I am feeling, good or bad.  I desire to love God with a WHOLE heart, and NOT in part!  I desire to give God all of me! 

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, I need more of Thee, less of me!  I pray that I do not lose focus on what my duty is here in the world.  I am a foreigner here.  I desire to please You in my actions and in my life.  Please deal with me in patience, grace, and mercy.  Lord, I thank You for forgiving me of who I am and rejuvenating my soul!  I thank You that You have interest in me and have cleansed me of my immorality!  I praise You that I do not have to live in a body of death for eternity, but instead be with You and in Your shadow!  You are MIGHTY TO SAVE!  Amen and AMEN!

  • Break My Heart From What Breaks Yours

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Genesis 6 –     The Lord God desires everyone come to know Him and build a relationship with Him.  When the Lord created man and saw how evil we were becoming He was grieved in His heart.  The Lord throughout the Bible states that He wants us to prosper (Jeremiah 29:11), He wants all to be saved and come to know the truth (2 Timthoy 2:4), to not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  Why would we not want to be filled with joy?  Why not live in eternity where there are no tears (Revelation 21:4  “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.”)?  Is it so much to ask that we stop evil and live for the Lord God who loved us first, even when we were covered in filth from the world?  Oh, to be given such gifts when none were deserved.
    Vs 5,6 –  “When the LORD saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

    Walking in the Word – I want to live for the Lord and give my all to Him.  I am tired of being complacent and watching the world pass by.  I want to actively help and love those in the world through the eyes of Christ Jesus!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, I love You for knowing me.  Who am I that You would see me?  Who am I to deserve such gifts from Heaven?  Use me in Your will that I may not perish without sharing Your great news and power with others.  In the end I pray that I glorify You more with my life and that You smile down upon me.  I pray that when my body ceases to live, that my soul may dwell in Your house forever!  I bless You Father and thank You for being my mighty God and Savior!  I ask You remember us Lord!  In Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen!

  • Love and Be Loved

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    John 13 –     What a great joy it is to be able to care for someone outside of your family.  God has given us the gift of Love and there is nothing that can compare to it.  It is the one gift that never rusts or destroys.  It is such a blessing to have one another in fellowship, sharing each other’s burdens, and caring for each other as we care for our own.  I feel so moved when I see others care for people, especially complete strangers.  It is the glue of the world and all things can be made better with love.  It covers all wrong, and perseveres over any obstacle.  Love is what the Lord asks of us.  He asks us to love each other as He has loved us.  It is the one true way to know that we live for the Lord.  We must grow in compassion and love, not only for our families but for those that we don’t even know.
    Vs 34, 35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

    Walking in the Word – In my life I want to experience love in everything I do.  I have often times felt upset when someone has wronged me.  I want to learn to love those that God puts in my life.  I want to be more compassionate towards others and care for them the way Christ Jesus has cared for me.  I want to grow in love in my family as well as outside my family.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your gift of love.  I ask that I can grow in love the way You want me to.  I want to have a heart like You so that I can love anyone no matter how well I know them.  Lord I ask that You would deal with me in love and teach me how to care for Your sheep.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

  • A Promise To Look Forward To

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    John 14 –     What does it take to inherit the kingdom of God and show that we love Him as He loves us?  Jesus tells us in verse 15 of John, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” The next few verses really stick out to me…
    Vs 16-21 – “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me.  Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.  Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them.”What extraordinary promises!  The Lord has given us the Spirit of truth that lives within each of us!  We are able to discern what is good and prayerfully seek the face of God.  The world indeed is seeing less and less of Jesus just as He said, but those that have held His word close know peace and joy in Him that lives.  For indeed we will again live with Him.  He will never leave or forsake those He loves.  It is comforting to know that on the day that everyone will stand before the Lord, He will know us by name because He loves us.

    Walking in the Word – The Lord Jesus has given us eternal life.  His word is faithful and His blessings are plentiful.  His desire is to love everyone and share the good news with everyone.  He has passed on these desires and instilled them in each one of us.  I desire to show Him I love Him by heeding His word and being obedient to His commandments for me.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord I thank You that I am loved by You.  I thank You for rescuing me from a destructive life.  I thank You for giving me the Spirit of Truth and an ear to hear Your voice clearly through all of the noise of the world.  I desire to seek You with an open heart and have you rule over me, my family, and my loved ones.  Speak the truth in love to each of us and give us comfort knowing that one day our eternal lives will stand in Your glory, free from all affliction.  I ask for peace, prosperity and love, in our lives.  I ask for guidance to lead, a heart to love as You, discernment for Your people, a voice to speak for the needy, and eyes to seek You and see what You would have me.  In Jesus precious name, Amen!

  • Is Time On Your Side?

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Psalm 90 –     It is evident that time is not slowing down or stopping in each one of our lives.  We see here in Psalm 90 that before the world was made and before time, God was there.  A thousand years passes in just a moment to Him.  If you think about how quickly each of us passes away, you have to really think about what has been done in our lives, including your own.  One cannot help but observe and wonder what kind of impact they will leave on those they affected in their lives while here on earth.  What excuse will we give for not “having enough time” to share the gospel or talk with others about how much the Lord has to give and how much He loves us?  Time goes by so quickly…are you ready?
    Vs 2,4 – “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. A thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”

    Walking in the Word – In my life I want to make sure that I use my time wisely, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  I cannot face the Lord and make an excuse that I have not had enough time.  I want to use opportunities I am blessed with to share about my Lord and Savior.  I want to not waste time, but make it.  I want to know that when I leave here there will be some lives I have impacted in a positive way by allowing the Lord to use me for His will.  I want to know I was able to help others, listen to people, heal the hurting, and walk the extra mile with others because the Lord has done all of these things for me.  I am truly grateful and want to run the race we have before us with great endurance.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, Thank You.  Thank you for being patient with me.  I have been slow to start, but Lord I ask you give me strength to finish strong.  I pray I do not waste my life in vain, but instead magnify Your glory through my actions as You guide me.  You are my Light and Portion!   Help me to stay strong and help others in whatever way I can.  I am Your servant and ask that You shield us from the enemy and give us strength when we are weak.  I know You never let go and You comfort those in need.  Comfort us and give us shelter Lord so that we may be strong on the day You use us.  I praise You that You have dealt with me in mercy, grace, and love.  May I reflect the attitude of Your Son in my life so that others may come to know what TRUE love is!  In Your Precious Name, Jesus, Amen!

  • Calm Down Christian

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Proverbs 15:     We should always strive to show mercy in love in everything that we say and do.  There is nothing that will turn others away from our Lord faster then being hostile or hurtful toward each other.  It is easy at times, in our daily routines, to lose our temper and say things quickly without considering each other’s feelings.  However, it is at these times that we must try all the more to say something nice.  We should replace ugly things and hurtful things with words that encourage and build up.
    Vs 1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” As we can see it is the gentle and soft answer that resolves conflict, not more yelling.

    Walking in the Word– I tend to lose my temper at times in traffic jams or when I misunderstand someone.  I am going to focus on replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, and praise others instead of thinking ugly thoughts.  It is at these moments when people expect me to get mad, and I don’t, that I can truly be a witness to them and show them the love of Christ.  After all, I know I have been forgiven much, so it is all the more I should love.

    Prayer Response to the Word- Father, please give me patience and understanding for those around me.  I pray that you give me the heart of Christ and to love as you love Your children as well as me.  Please help me to stay positive even when I am tempted to be angry.  I pray that in my anger I do not sin or cause another to stumble.  Thank you Lord for all You have done for me!  In Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen!