Compacency

To often, we look to the cross and stand in awe that someone would care enough about us... to take our place for what we deserve... this article is not intended for the weak... this is being written from my heart because I can't stand by anymore and watch this country... or my city just walk around like their lost.

Some of you might know that I pastor a small church in Saginaw, Texas and we refer to it as "The Perfect Place for not so perfect people" and believe me when I tell you... it takes a lot of guts to walk in and say... "that's me!"

The reason for this article today is prayerfully to stir up your heart as well as mine... you see, I could get busy and caught up in just attending church and don't get me wrong... it's important to do this... church is intended to build you up... not so you will live the perfect life... because believe me when I tell you... you can still be a mess and be in a church (I have a lot of personal experiences) but to build you up to get past your selfishness and see that this society that we're apart of is on the fast track toward destruction. (If you don't believe me... watch the news).

You see the reason God wants us to be born again is so that our new life would reflect His glory. If we don't... then why bother. The longer I stay inside the four walls of my church... the more discontent I become and guess what... I start looking for other means to find fulfillment. If you're reading this and your honest... you might just have the courage to agree with me.

Jesus... Our Lord and Savior didn't die so that we would just obtain stuff and live in the comforts of our luxury, He died and offered forgiveness and to bring us a new life. So why is it that we continue to act the same way we use to act? Why are we not moved with com passions for the people that we walk by everyday?

Personally... I can't do this anymore... I can't sit back and hide in my comfort zone and hope that the world that goes by my doors will stop in and say... I saw the sign.

I can't sit back anymore and be consumed with my wants... my needs or my life, because if I stay in this mode... I'll just rust away and go back to my old selfish ways.

I hope that those who read this will look at their life and say... I can relate. I'm being totally honest with myself and you today. Living and loving like Jesus did... one person at a time can get you out of your pool of complacency. Are you willing to take that step... I am.

God bless you and please... stop living for yourself... start denying yourself, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

P.S. Even if you've screwed up over and over... get up... ask for forgiveness and get going. I believe God will honor that. The only time you lose the fight is when you won't get back up.

Being Real

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

I will rise up!

I know it's been a long time between posts. Forgive me! Today's message can be encouraging to those who need to know.

As I stopped today for time in prayer, I cried out to God concerning the fate of our nation. You know what? God is still listening and believe me when I tell you.. He still loves and cares about us.

Psalm 12:1-8 (NLT) "Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the Earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. (Sounds like our society today)

May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, "We will lie to our heart's content. Our lips are our own- who can stop us?"

The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for Me to do."

The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.

Living for God is a deceitful world can be difficult and lonely. At one time Elijah felt so lonely he wanted to die. But God reminded him that there were 7,000 other faithful servants. God reminds us the same thing... Hang in there, you have other believers still out there with you, you're not alone. When you feel alone, seek out other believers for strength and support.

God said... "I will rise up!" He still hears your prayers and He's paying attention to what's going on in this generation. Fear not!

This was written by King David a long time ago... but if you look at this closely... it sounds like he's talking about us in 2008 AD. God still hears the cries of His children and promises to rise up on your behalf.

I hope this blog is an encouragement for you today... I know its help me.

God bless you as you bless others

Jim "DoughBoy" Brady

Can you believe it, the wrap up of another year and the ushering in of a new year. So what's in store for this year?

There are so many uncertainties that are always missing from our planning calendars, and if your life is anything like mine... there were quiet a few changes that I had to make on my own personal schedule, because I didn't plan for them. Sometimes those changes are really uncomfortable but they were necessary for me to go forward.

Have you experienced anything like that? Maybe the death of a loved one... a job change... moved into a new area for whatever reason. The point is, some of those changes may have been scheduled while others were unexpected and for us to move forward... we had to adjust our plans.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:9(Msg) "We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."

Did you see that? "We plan the way we want to live..." How did you do with your planning schedule in 2007? Did your plans run according to your schedule?

Jeremiah 29:11(NLT) "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope"

Was God included in your plans? How often did you consult with God concerning your plans?

Jeremiah 29:12-13(NLT) "In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me."

You see, we make it hard on ourselves when where not seeking God's plans for our lives, and making it even harder when we're not even scheduling our time to include seeking God.

The first scripture quoted in this message; Proverbs 16:9 ended like this: "...but only God makes us able to live it." Live what? Our plans for the way we want to live!

Matthew 6:33-34(NLT) "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries, today's trouble is enough for today."

My prayer for you reading this today is that you would start your 2008 planning schedules... time to seek God's plans... He promises a future and a hope.

Happy New Year
Pastor Jim "DoughBoy" Brady