Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: work

  • 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.

  • Living With Purpose

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 14 –     Purpose.  It’s illogical to think one can exist without it.  We must have purpose or our lives are for nothing.  Our purpose here on Earth is to live and die for the Lord God.  Some choose not to accept that, some do accept that, and some just don’t care.  Irregardless, there will come a time when all will see the face of the Lord.  Although we can have that choice now, it will not always be our choice later.  It is a scary thing to accept at times and I believe that is the reason some don’t.  It’s easier to live free and not worry, but what are the consequences?  What if we wasted our lives doing nothing?  I remember asking a gentleman I worked with that was an Atheist, “What if you’re wrong?”  It’s a sobering thought for any man or woman to digest.  I cannot deny the Lord God who created us and I cannot exist without purpose.  I was put here to develop a long sought relationship with the Lord by my own free will.  Love is not love if it is forced.  Love is a valuable thing when one chooses to love.  The Lord doesn’t need me, but He wants to watch me grow and learn, love and be joyful, run and not be weary, live and prosper.  And I love Him, because He loved us first.
    Vs 8 – “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to live my life with purpose.  I do not just want to go through the motions and let life pass me by.  I want to know more about my Lord and serve Him through my life.  I want to put up treasure in Heaven and share what God has done for me.  I desire for everyone to know about His saving grace and power in love!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, I thank You that You loved me first!  What a blessing You have given me.  I thank You that Your always faithful, gracious, and loving towards me.  Thank You for giving me life and for allowing me to prosper even in the worst times.  You are my God and I love You.  I ask that You give me strength and the words to share Your wonderful joy with others!  I love You and pray this in Jesus’ name, 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.

  • Procrastination

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Colossians 3 –     It is important to always be diligent in everything you do.  Too many times in this day and age are we caught up doing things as fast as we can, when we have time.  It is hard to get everything done and many claim, “there are not enough hours in the day.”  However, it is not impossible to get things done now, and with due diligence.  We can achieve great things when we put our minds to something and get it done!  What does the bible say about procrastination?
    Prov 12:24 – “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
    Prov 13:4 – “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
    Col 3:23 –  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
    Procrastination is usually the result of laziness.  There are many more verses that touch on this subject.  Laziness is never okay.  We are called to be diligent and fruitful in all we do. Psalm 128:2 – “You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.”  We should make it a point to be diligent in our spiritual lives, relationships, work, or even everyday tasks.

    Walking in the Word – I find that I procrastinate on different projects or activities I desire to do.  I believe at many times I try to take on too much at once and often leave all things undone.  When reflecting on this I can see that my attitude is to be diligent and work hard, but overdoing it on too much only leads to failure on everything.  I must start one project and finish one project.  When I can successfully multitask and take on more than one project at a time, then I will reward myself by accomplishing much more.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord, help me to be diligent and bless the fruit of my hands.  I ask that I can move with great speed on what You call on me to accomplish.  I pray that I do not become a sloth, but an upright person who sets out and accomplishes all goals.  I pray that my life is not one of procrastination, but determination.  I ask that You reveal to me areas of my life that require attention so I can work on them and become a more complete person.  I ask that all things I do reflect You to others in a way that pleases You.  Help me by strengthening my heart and giving me wisdom on how to accomplish everything that must be done.  I pray this for Your glory and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!