Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: prayer

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • Successful You

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 12 –     No matter what things come our way, we are called to be patient and faithful.  The Lord gives us success when we are successful in His call.  When we put Him first and we share with those in need.  When we love those who need to be loved, share our meals with the hungry, when pain no longer dwells in the hearts of the broken.  When we make an honest effort to love a stranger as much as our family, there will be success.  In times of difficulty and uncertainty we are called to be patient and prayerful.  Many times we end up being panicky and untrusting.  These are what people with no foundation do.  They are uncertain and scared because they try to do things by their own means, but man is flawed.  We must have God help us to achieve what we couldn’t dream was possible.
    Vs 12, 13 – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

    Walking in the Word – I want to be patient when I am in trouble, faithful when I pray, and share with those the Lord sends to me.  I don’t want to be ritualistic in prayer, but I rather be meaningful.  I want the words to share with others the joy of knowing the Lord and a love that never crumbles or fails.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.  Help me to be patient, knowing that You have plans for me to prosper (Jr. 29:11).  Help me to be trusting, knowing that You will never leave or forsake me (Deut 31:6).  Lord help me to be steadfast in prayer knowing that You hear me when I do Your will (Jn 9:31).  Your word says in John 9:31 that You do not answer sinners, but those who do Your will.  Hear me Father as I seek You.  Answer me Lord and help me to live upright in Your eyes alone.  Amen.

  • Never Forsaken

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Hebrews 13, John 16 –     Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us.  There are many times in our lives when we may feel lonely or isolated.  In times like this it is so difficult to focus and our hearts are heavy to the point that we almost don’t want to do anything at all.  However, it is the time when we can be on our knees and look up knowing that this too shall pass.  Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33.  He also says, Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5.  Even in isolation, as hard as it may be to accept, there is a light…a Hope.  No matter what path we walk God is always right there to catch us.  He never leaves our side.  In the moment that we start to sink He catches us and restores us.  It is hard to see over the valley when you are in it, but when you get to the other side you see it and the journey you made through it.  Stand on the high side and help those that may be in the valley.  When others hurt, extend your hand so they may see what the Lord has done in your life. 

    Walking in the Word – There has been many valleys in my life.  Many times I wondered how I would go pressing on.  Many times I laid in bed, not wanting to move, not eating, not sleeping.  I understand how agonizing life can be.  That is why I can sit here and tell everyone that it doesn’t in fact HAVE to be like that.  An outlook on life is a reflection of how we view the world.  A person’s personality, willpower, belief, faith, and outlook are all factors that play roles in how they live their lives.  Some may be depressed always and see the gloom of the world.  Some may be joyful and take note of the beauty of the world.  Unfortunately, some don’t even care.  But all have been sad, all have gone through struggles whether they are big or not, and all have traveled a different path.  For one, a struggle may not be as severe as another views it.  My point is that there is in fact more to this life.  The reality is that our lives are mere vapors.  We are here today and gone the next.  With such passing moments one should consider how they  will be remembered.  They should consider how others viewed them.  Were they just another person that went through life with no purpose or did they touch lives of others.  God is real and each of us will be held accountable.  How will I answer my life before Him?  It’s easy to live irresponsibly, trust me I know.  It is not easy to be held accountable.  What joy there is in knowing that even though we make mistakes, God is there for us.  My life has been such a complete blessing.  I no longer lay in bed sad or feel down.  I have an indescribable joy in my heart.  No matter how hard life becomes, I still have that Light, that Love, that Happiness that was not there before.  God has given me joy that the world could not.  That gaping hole in my heart that I tried to fill so many times is now filled.  To that I praise God for what He has done in my life.  My goal is to share that Love with others.  I want everyone to feel that happiness and PEACE.

    Prayer Response to the Word –Lord, I praise You for the Peace You have given me.  I ask that I not leave my first true love Lord and that You always stay near me.  I know in my life I have upset You.  I pray now that I please You.  I thank You for giving me the life I have today.  You have given me rest, love, joy, and peace.  I ask that in even my most busy day that I take time to give You what is Yours and that my life will be a reflection of You.  I ask that I can help others the way You have helped me.  I pray that as I am blessed by You, that I can bless others from my abundance.  You have been so forgiving and patient with me.  I thank You Lord that You are my God!  Amen!