I asked God

I came across this and I thought that it might open your eyes to what we ask God for.

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve...I was made weak to humbly obey.

I asked God for health, that I might do greater things...I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy...I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men...I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life...I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men most richly blessed. *Author Unknown

This is great food for the soul. God says in Philippians 4:19 (NLT) "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort and pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting His provisions and power to live for Him.

God knows your needs...but do you?

In the mean time: Keep the Son in your face and you'll never be in the dark.

God Bless you
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

What's the Rules?

What's going on in your world? In mine, I keep running into people that act like they can't play by the rules. But here's the deal...they're not playing by the rules because they don't remember what they are. Does that surprise you?

I sit in utter amazement and watch how people in general act and treat others. Where's the love? Where's the joy of life? Why are people just so mean today? The answer is easy...They forgot the rules.

I want you to read on (please). I am not legalistic. I just want us to understand the boundaries and the house rules for the world we live in.

The Bible...A book still useful for the days that we are living in...the book that gives us the rules of life.

Romans 7:7 (*NLT) "Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is evil? Of course not! The law is not sinful, but it was the law that showed me my sin." Check this out. People today are not playing fair and are getting hurt in the game of life because they closed and shut out the rules.

Sin is real and it is dangerous. God gave his children 10 Commandments that were put into place not to to hurt them but to help them. Not to hamper them but to release them. Not to punish them but to protect them. Those 10 are still beneficial for us today.

Imagine a sunny day at the beach. You plunge into the water; then you notice a sign on the pier: "No Swimming, Sharks". Your day is ruined. Is it the sign's fault? Are you angry with the people who put it up? The Law is like the sign, it's essential, and we are grateful for it--but it doesn't get rid of the sharks.

Every sports event has rules that the players have to abide by and; if we want to play we have to know the rules, RIGHT? So why is it that we have no desire to know what the rules of life are?

We need to understand the rules...If we're gonna play fair!

I bet most of you have a copy of that official players guide right there in your house, why not open it up and read...The section of the rules are located in the book of Exodus 20.

Read on and get back on the playing field.

God bless you
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

No "I" in team

I hope this week finds you all well. Wow what a week we had last week. It's seems that every time we turned on the news all we heard was disaster. I want you to know that when you go through the storms of life, (disaster, separations, death) it was never intended that you have to go through them alone.

This week, I hope to reach someone with a thought that might help change a life.

In our society today, at least here in the good old U.S.A. there are a lot of people who live in a self imposed culture of "independent individualism" or as I might call it, "The Lone Ranger" In all reality this individualism isn't healthy. The fact is, you're whole life description can really be wrapped up in one word, selfish. What does life have for me? You need to wake up, because life was really intended to include you, not revolve around you. You should see what you have to offer, or what part you play on the team of life.

Every player on a team has a special skill or part to perform; but a sad fact is that a lot of "players" today believe that they're the team. Look; we see this most of our sports world. In fact I don't just see this happening in the wide world of sports but I also see it taking place in the church. You need to spit out your pride because it's gonna choke you. Life is not all about you and life is not all about me.

Check this out...

"I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on it's way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone--no children, no family, no friends--yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? Who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.

It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps. But if there's no one to help, tough!

Two in bed warm each other, alone you shiver all night.

By yourself you're unprotected, with a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

This is a quote from the "Message Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:7-12"

You see, you were created to belong to a team, so that when your going through something there are others around to pick you up if you become weak. Now for those who think that their strong and they don't need anybody, I would say, there you go again...being selfish. Maybe somebody needs you. We're suppose to consider others...not just be concerned about ourselves.

To the church goer who maybe reading this...If you're not connected to a body and all you do is hop from one place to another, my question to you is why? Why are you doing that: because you are really doing others a disservice when you don't get and stay connected.

Think it threw, I might be talking to you.

In His service;
Jim "DoughBoy" Brady