Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: strength

  • Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Proverbs 19 –     What is godly wisdom?  What is worldly wisdom?  Wisdom given to us by God empowers us to know Him better and directly affects the heart of the believer.  Godly wisdom includes discernment, insight into His word, a better understanding of the characters of God, and better understanding of the will of God.  Acts 6:10 “But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.”  Man cannot fully comprehend the matters of God.  Earthly wisdom is wisdom of things of the world and cannot produce fruit.  Earthly wisdom is made a fool and gives no life or true understanding.  It is full of words and lacks depth in understanding.  What does man know that God does not?  Did He Himself not create us and everything in the universe?  Can earthly wisdom tell me how many stars are in the universe or how they were created?  Can earthly wisdom tell of what it was like when the foundations of the earth were laid?  No.  Jeremiah 51:15 “He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding.”  True wisdom comes from the Lord. 

    What is said about earthly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:19 “For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.”  1 Corinthians 1:20 “Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?” 

    What is said of godly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:25 “because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 “No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise.” 

    Obtaining godly wisdom:  James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”

    Characters of godly wisdom: James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.”

    Vs 20 – “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to seek wisdom from our Lord God.  I want to use this wisdom to glorify God and understand Him better.  I desire to help others and give insight in to the Word of God through teaching.  I also desire to guide others in the Truth and help people understand their roles here on earth.  Life is more than living and dying.  It is about glorifying God and choosing to love.  There is no reward when someone is forced to love.  God gave us a choice to seek Him and love Him.  It satisfies God when His children seek to Love Him and grow closer to Him.  He does not need us but rejoices in having a relationship with us.  He is our Provider, Comforter, Helper in time of need, and  our Father.  Our purpose here is to learn about Him, grow with Him, and learn to obey and Love Him with all of our heart, might, and soul.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for wisdom in Your word.  Who is like You Father?  What man can ponder the affairs of God?  None.  There is none like You and I’m grateful to be Your legitimate son.  I thank You that You sought me where I was in my life and lifted me by Your grace, love, and mercy.  I did not have to be a king or even important.  You still reached down to me and brought to me a new life.  I am grateful that You chose me Lord.  I am grateful for Your everlasting mercy and grace.  I ask that what You have blessed me with be shared with those around me.  I pray that You overflow in my life to others.  I confess that I am nothing without You.  Life is nothing if it is not lived for You alone.  Help me to break the chains of this world and fervently seek You.  Please be patient with me Father and forgive me when I do not do what is pleasing in Your eyes.  Help me to learn from my wrongs, repent, and correct.  Give me wisdom so I may lead in Your name.  Give me a heart for the lost and eyes to discern what is good and evil.  I will go Lord.  Use me for Your glory so that You may be pleased with me.  Help me to do Your Will.  I pray for the lost and ask that You call them to You.  Please revive this world and remember Your promises.  Please do not abandon us despite what the wicked are doing.  Return to us Almighty Savior and claim Your people!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

  • Speaking the Truth

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Colossians 3 –     Why do humans lie?  Is it to cover guilt, sin, humiliation, or something else?  Is it ever okay to lie?  No.  It should never be acceptable to lie.  The truth may hurt at times, but lies hurt worse.  There is never a worse feeling then to feel betrayed and to lose trust for someone you care about.  I do not feel it is ever okay to cross that line.  Where one lie is told, many follow.  Speak the truth in love to each other and also yourself.  Self-deception is probably one of the devil’s biggest tricks.  Be honest with yourself in what you do so that you may be blessed by the Lord our God!  When you become new, the old ways and sins of the past are stripped from you.  Put on a new armor and a new way of living as Christ intended.  We are to be renewed in our mind according to the image of God.  If you do not change who you were, how will you ever depart from where you were?

    Vs 9, 10 – “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.”

    Walking in the Word – I will keep truth on my lips and turn from lies.  I desire to honor God by keeping my mouth clean, respectful, and free from sinful talk.  I desire to speak the truth to everyone and depend on the Holy Spirit for correction.  I will take off the old me and put on the armor of Christ so that I may be strengthened by the Father in time of temptation from the enemy.  I rely on my strong Tower, the Lord our God, for comfort and shelter from evil.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, be with me daily so that I may praise You all my days.  Strengthen me with Your right hand and crush my enemies before me.  Seal me from evil and keep my heart at peace and covered in Your grace, love, and mercy.  Protect me from temptation and lies and lead me with peace.  I pray that You forgive me for when I have not honored You in my actions.  I plead the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as atonement from my sins.  Lord please take me under your wing and renew me in You.  Please speak to the hearts of Your children, so they may once again glorify You.  I ask that You have mercy on this world for our evil.  I ask that You spare us by Your grace.  Please have mercy on these people Lord, for they know not what they do.  I ask that evil be struck down and that Your name be glorified!  I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Bridging the Gap

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Ezekiel 22 –     Today I read in my former Pastor’s blog about Standing in the Gap.  What a powerful message!  The scripture in Ezekiel 22:30 talks about how no one in Ezekiel’s day stood in the gap between Jerusalem and God’s judgement.  The Lord looked for someone to interceed on Jerusalem’s behalf but did not find anyone.  Jerusalem faced the wrath of God.  In today who is interceding among us for our country?  Who is remembering to pray for the leaders of the nation, despite their personal preferences.  We as Christians, are to pray for every leader even if we disagree.  We must realize that they are not placed in power without the Lord allowing it.  Therefore, if we see what we believe to be bad decisions, we must still pray that God open their eyes.  This world is fading away and growing more sinful each day.  We must, as one, intercede with the Lord on our nation’s behalf so that the Lord may find favor and spare us.

    Vs 30 – “I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one. “

    Walking in the Word – I am going to spend more time in prayer for our nation.  I don’t want to see us fail and crumble.  I will seek the Lord for the forgiveness of what we have done and forgetting the principles by which we were founded.  We are a lost people and I pray the Lord have mercy on us as a whole despite the ones that will not turn from their ways.  Nevertheless, as the Lord wills, may it be done.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God in heaven, blessed is Your name.  I ask Lord for You to spare these people and myself from Your wrath.  I pray that You will have mercy and grace upon us even though we are undeserving.  I thank You that You have allowed us so many chances.  Please help us to leave our foolish ways and unite together as one.  Lord I ask that You not judge us as we deserve, but that You find favor in this country for the sake of those whom love You.  I ask that You speak to the hearts of our leaders and that they not rebel against Your commands.  I ask the Lord intercede on our behalf that we may all come to repentence and that our eyes be opened as well as our hearts.  Blessed Father, please hear our prayer.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

  • Against All Odds

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Psalm 56:4     – “In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

    I love this verse.  Too many times we get fearful of things of which we have no control over.  We also may tend to get frustrated with people when we feel cheated somehow.  What an awesome truth to know that we serve such a mighty God.  There is nothing that can separate us from His love.  There is never a need to fear because the Lord always provides.  This life is but a mere vapor and we can rest assured that even though man may hurt us here on earth, they can never harm what is God’s…our soul.  There is much pain in the world, but as we mature through life we can grow in our faith knowing that the pain is temporary and the gift is eternal.  A life with our Lord, where no one thirsts and no one is hungry.  There is no more pain, and no more suffering.  Amen!

    Walking in the Word- I am not going to be fearful of things here in this world or be saddened when people hurt me.  I belong to a mighty God and He is mighty to save, even someone like me.  Man can only hurt me here on earth, but my soul is to live eternally with God, where no pain can come.  I thank the Lord that He has taken such interest in my life and in the lives of His children.

    Prayer Response to the Word- Father I thank you that you have promised to give my soul rest and that I can sleep tonight with no fear in my heart.  You have provided such comfort and peace in my life.  A true calm in the storm.  I am joyful of your word Lord for giving me peace when the world has so much anger and violence.  Please mold me to Your will and help me to walk humbly, but upright, knowing that each day that passes You are close.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!