Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: thankfulness

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • No Slave of Money

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 13 –     These days it is very easy for someone to start a financially destructive path by taking on credit and loans.  I could write several pages on this topic alone, speaking from experience in the past but I am going to keep it brief for readability.  One piece of advice I heard was, “if God didn’t provide me with the money to obtain it, I don’t need it.”  I agree with that.  Unfortunately most people aren’t taught the rules of money until after they have their first credit card.  They start spending money left and right and justify taking on more debt if they can squeeze in another low monthly payment.  Biblically we are to not owe anyone anything except to love them.  We enslave ourselves by losing that freedom of choice that we had before we went into debt.  To keep it short, aggressively pay off your debt and spend cash only.  If you work out the math you may find it takes less time than you think.  Most people can reverse debts by living on a strict budget and making sacrifices to start.  After this they can pay each debt off one at a time aggressively.  My testimoney also attributes to tithing!  Give the FULL 10% always.  Everything we have belongs to the Lord.  Give to Him what He asks for.  How foolish to rob the Lord and ask for His blessings.  The LORD is always faithful in what He promises!  Always remember to enjoy the small victories in everything!

    Vs 8 – “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
    Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”
    Malachi 3:7-12 – “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept [them].  Return to Me, and I will return to you,”says the LORD of Hosts. 
    But you ask: “How can we return?”
    “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!”
    You ask: “How do we rob You?”
    “[By not making the payments] of 10 percent and the contributions.  You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are [still] robbing Me.  Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.  I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren,” says the LORD of Hosts.  “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of Hosts.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to live a life free of financial burden.  I also desire to help others with what the Lord has blessed me with.  I want to teach others how to become financially free and be able to enjoy the life that God has designed for them.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, thank You for allowing me to achieve success financially.  You have given in abundance and I pray that out of my abundance I can help others that need it.  Lord I pray that You help me to have the heart to give and care for those that You would have me to care for.  Lord I thank You that You have taught me how to care for what You have given me.  I pray that when I help others that You alone be glorified, for it is because of You I am able to do so.  Glory and praise to You my Father!  There is none like You.  You give good gifts and love unconditionally.  We are blessed to have such LOVE from our Father in heaven.  I pray that we all come to know this TRUTH to be evident in each of our lives!  Lord I lift Your name on high in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

  • Settling the Matter

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Isaiah 1 –     Forgiveness.  Sometimes the very word can be hard for us to say.  Many of us go through trials in life where we are wronged by another person.  We justify why the other person should have to apologize to us instead of us going to them.  Bitterness can seep in and it may be weeks before we ever come to a settlement…or maybe never.  However when the other person forgives first we are instantly healed and embrace them or if we were really hurt we at least start to work on the process of putting it behind us.  After someone asks for forgiveness it is our part to rightly forgive and move on never to bring it up again.  The Lord God approaches us first, forgiving us where we are.  He does not wait for us to come to Him or for us to be “clean” enough to have a relationship with Him.  The Lord God beckons us asking us to come to Him as we are so that we may be made clean and dwell with Him.  What amazes me is that God met us where we were in our lives.  We never had to reach some hidden bar to be accepted.  He accepted us from day one.  So we should accept others in this way, no matter what they are going through.

    Vs 18 – “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

    Walking in the Word – I am going to “settle the matter” when I feel angry or I need to forgive.  I am not going to wait for someone to come to me, but rather go to them and be humble.  The Lord took me covered in dirt and made me clean.  Therefore I must tend to my brothers and sisters as well.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, our Father, I thank You that You have taken me as scarlet and made me white as snow.  You came to me where I was in my life, entangled in my own sin, dirty, unsightly, and impure and gave me new life.  You washed the dirt from me and cleansed me.  You took my empty cup and filled it.  You wiped the tears from my eyes and annointed my head with oil.  You softened my lips with honey, straightened my path to make it easy for me, brought me into shelter from the storm, and gave me a new name.  I thank You for this Lord.  You have restored my soul.  Please help me to restore others and bring them to You.  Why would anyone not want such joy in their lives?  You give me peace in the toughest of storms.  Thank You.  I pray that others may see what You have done for me and that You have mercy on them as well.  I praise You Lord with joy in my heart!  In Jesus name, Amen and Amen!

  • Are You Satisfied Yet?

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Hebrews 13 –     A lot of times we find ourselves complaining about what we do not have or strive for things that may seem more important then they actually are.  We wonder at times whether we will have enough or how to manage in economic down-times.  Maybe we have enough already yet we are still not satisfied internally.  Here is a verse that stuck out to me when reading through the Bible.
    Vs 5 – “Your life should be free from the love of money.  Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
    What a joy knowing that God is continually providing for us.  It is good to know that we can rest assured and be content with what we have because God will always make sure we have enough to be sustained.  Remember, He provides for the birds and even when the disciples went into the city to share the gospel that were instructed not to bring anything.  God is abundant in giving so it is important that we not rely on ourselves.  When we rely on our own well it runs dry.  It is better to drink and be fed from the One that doesn’t.

    Walking in the Word – In my life I have made a constant strive to always improve.  I don’t like to be stagnant.  It is important for me to be fed spiritually just as I am fed in the physical form.  I would not survive without food or water very long, and I cannot survive without Spiritual nourishment either.  Sometimes that hunger for growth causes me to want more material things.  I am going to concentrate on being happy with what I have and allow God to bless me in the areas He chooses, if He chooses to do so.  I will allow Him to provide and release myself of that worry.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, I am so appreciative of You that You provide for me and give me nourishment.  I thank You that I don’t have to worry about what I need because You already know.  I know that in my life when I had very little I still never went hungry because You heard my prayers.  I know when I couldn’t figure out what to do You still gave to me and I always got through everything.  I am indebted to You Lord, and I want to be able to please You in everything I do.  Help me to do so.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

  • Thankfulness

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    1 Chronicles 29 – Everything good and wholesome comes from our Lord.  He is King over everything (Vs 11) and we can rest assured that as we dwell in His shadow, goodness is sure to surround us as we continually follow Him.

    Vs 12 –  It is good to know that when we are lacking in strength and overwhelmed we can seek God who gives abundantly.  All we need to do is ask.“Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things.  In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”
    Vs 13 – I am truly thankful for my many blessings, my loved ones, and all of the many things the Lord has given to me and my loved ones, even though I deserve none.  “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

    Walking in the Word- I will meditate on what has been done for me and for those around me and give thanks to the Lord.  Although man is flawed and does not always keep his word, God the Father is always faithful and always completes that which He said He would do.  To that, there is nothing better.  We can rest assured that just as God said He would provide, He indeed will.  I will be more mindful of this fact and praise the Lord all the more!

    Prayer Response to the Word- Jesus, thank you for all that you have done for me and my loved ones.  We are yours and you have treated us each with love and kindness.  You have shown your servants favor and we can never give enough praise!  Thank you for being faithful to Your word and for showing such grace in our lives.  We love You and are blessed in so many ways!   In Jesus name, Amen and Amen!