Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: reward

  • 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!

  • Listen and Do

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    James 1 –     Many times it is easier to tell others what they should do, but never do it ourselves.  It is the definition of hypocrisy and it plagues many people both Christian and non-Christian.  In the book of James, which gives a no-nonsense approach to how we should live, it discusses such practice in the first chapter.  As with anything it is much easier to listen and understand then it is to actually apply what we hear to parts of our lives.  Nevertheless, that is what we are called to do.  We are to do what we hear so that we are no just listeners, but doers of the word.  After all, that is where others will see the difference.  People may not always be interested in what you have to say, but your actions do in fact speak, and they speak louder then words.  There is a lesson learned and there is a lesson observed.  It makes the difference on what we learn and what we apply. 

    Vs 22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

    Walking in the Word – In my life I get eager to talk about what plans I have or how I will do this and that.  If I’m not careful I fall into the category of being a dreamer, and not an achiever.  I rather be an achiever.  What I dream and talk about, must be apparent in my life so that when others see me they do no see me as a hypocrite but rather someone who firmly believes and follows through with what I say.  Christ Jesus must be apparent in my life or I live in vain.  I will make it a point to listen to the word of God and directly apply it to situations I face no matter how great or small.  By my fruits they will know that I labor not in vain, but in the building up of the kingdom of God.  This life is all but temporary and before we know it we have moved on.  I don’t want to live for things that don’t matter afterwards but rather invest my time wisely while I am here on earth, in order to please God.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord, help me to be a good steward of time as well as everything else that is Yours.  Help me not to waste time, but invest it in You.  I will take nothing from this life, but I strive to leave things behind.  I want to be remembered in the hearts of people as a man that devoted His life to You, and in return others being blessed by You through me.  I pray that I labor for You and that You are pleased with me.  Help me to not be a hypocrite, but rather a doer and teacher of Your word.  Help me to care for others and love Your children no matter who they are or where they have come from.