Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: patience

  • 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 Decisions

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Ephesians 4 –     How do we make decisions biblically???  There are several things to consider and multiple verses to help us stick to biblical principles.

    1. We should always start with prayer.  We must seek God’s will in what we do.  In the night before Jesus was taken away He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  This example shows us that even though we may pray for something it may not be God’s will.  In the end God still has plans for us to prosper Jeremiah 29:11.
    2. We must define a decision.  Is what we are praying for biblical and moral?  Is it selfish or selfless?  How does it glorify God?  How can we help others with what we are asking?  We must define our intentions and future goals with purpose.
    3. Are we willing to obey God even if we don’t get what we want?  We must be willing to obey no matter the outcome.  We may not understand why, but we should still trust God.  There may be a reason that is unknown to us that is for our protection.  Example…Maybe we didn’t get to take that vacation because the plane was going to crash, maybe that delay saved our life, maybe that new car was going to use money that is now saved for a potential business opportunity.  We never know.  The bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
    4. Have faith!  Don’t worry!  Just press on and keep your heart upright.  Humans are impulsive and sometimes throw temper-tantrums.  Life is so much easier when you can accept things and learn to press on.  More opportunities come up.  Just have faith that God will provide!  Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
    5. Seek direction biblically.  Find verses and stories in the bible that may reflect a similar situation.  What was the outcome?  How did God’s word address the situation?
    6. Seek direction from godly counsel.  Ask your pastor, prayer group, fellow brothers/sisters in Christ, family.  How do they feel about the decision?  What do they feel the scripture says about the decision?  Have them pray for you!
    7. Write it down!  Write down how your decision glorifies God and brings you closer to Him.  Write down both the pros and cons.  Don’t manipulate scripture to get what you want, but rather reflect on scripture and see if your desires are in alignment with God’s word.
    8. Weigh everything in the decision.  How will you, your family, your church, and most importantly your relationship with God be affected?
    9. Prioritize.  If there are priorities that prevent this decision it is best to care for them first.  Take care of what you need to before you go on with your decision. 
    10. Act on your decision.  When you have carefully reviewed everything make a decision on whether or not to go through with what you have decided and act!

    Walking in the Word – As I face important decisions in my life I want to please God in every way.  I desire to seek biblical resolution to any decisions I make in my life.  I want to do God’s will, not mine.  I will follow steps to ensure I am doing what is right and not acting out of selfish behavior.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Dear Lord, I thank You that You have given me the opportunity and freedom to make decisions.  I pray that my decisions glorify You, and that whatever I do may be pleasing in Your sight.  I thank You that You have been with me and that I have peace in my heart.  I ask that You give me the wisdom to decide on everything before I act.  Lord please speak to my heart with every step I take!  Please don’t look away from me or let me stumble.  I ask that You convict my heart when I’m wrong and that I have peace when doing right.  Please allow me to live a life pleasing in Your sight alone.  I ask that You have grace and mercy on me as well as my brothers and sister in Christ who are also going through decisions in their lives as well.  I pray that Your word soothes their hearts and that they can be a blessing to each other with advice.  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.

  • Patience

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    2 Peter 3 –     Developing patience can sometimes be a patient process.  For many it may be  a difficult concept to learn patience.  Today people thrive on a “here and now” basis and most want immediate results.  However, we see many examples in the bible where people prayed and petitioned the Lord for many years.  What we can rest assure of is that God doesn’t forget His promise and He remembers what He said.  The Lord’s word is infallible.  Remember that just because you don’t receive an immediate response to your prayer, don’t give up.  Stay in prayer and remember that the Lord is patient with us.  He wants us to thrive and to live happy lives.  He wants what is best for us and for us to repent and turn to Him.  The Lord WANTS to bless you.  Stay fervent in prayer and keep faith that the Lord has indeed heard you.  We must again learn how to be patient, knowing that all good things come together for the glory of the Lord God.
    Vs 9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

    Walking in the Word – I am going to practice being fervent in prayer and patient in awaiting a response.  I find myself praying so much that I don’t take time to listen.  I want to practice listening and understanding that the Lord has heard me.  He is being patient with me because He loves me and wants me to understand that He does not want me to perish, but come to everlasting life.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, there is no one like You.  You have such patience with me.  I know that I am imperfect and falter in all of my ways.  Thank You for showing patience to me and dealing with me in love, thank You for being a perfect example of life, and thank You for caring about me when You don’t have to.  I know that You don’t need me, but even then You chose to save me and gave me new life so I never thirst again.  A new fire burns within and I rejoice in it!  In Jesus’ mighty 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!