FaithFirstMinistries

Welcome to Faith First Ministries!


EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD!

A PSALM OF FEARLESS TRUST IN GOD
PSALM 27:1
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid"?
 

 


  Plead the blood of Jesus over your life and testify about the Lord’s faithfulness to you. If the Lord God is for us, then no one can stand against us. Rise up and serve the Lord out of love not obligation. We can’t foster a relationship with Father God out of fear. Your relationship with Him must be based out of total love. There are no merits that can be earned with Him. We have God’s wonderful amazing grace (His unmerited love and favor). Turn to the Father, with love and stop trying to earn favor with Him. Build your relationship, with love and humility.
 
  As the end times approach on this sinful world, Believers cannot give up on fulfilling God’s will. The world’s sinful end is the Believer’s glorious beginning. Yet, we must continue to reach out with love as we teach and preach the gospel of Christ. The Lord has given us tremendous power and boldness through His Holy Word and Holy Spirit.  We must demonstrate fearLESS faith to the world, not fearFUL faith. Nothing stands in our way except our own fears!

  
  Be inspired by the Lord’s everlasting faithfulness. He is always faithful to forgive and love us. Let His presence fill your life with hope, mercy and love. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your faithfulness even when we are not faithful to you. Be encouraged, my friends! There will be a day of victory with the Lord, Jesus. No more suffering, heartache or pain. Playing church will not exist and religion will have finally died. The future will be an eternity of worshiping our King. I pray all will come and surrender to Him. Come, join in this everlasting freedom. 



 



 

 



 

 

 

Prayer

Father God, set before me a righteous heart that can only be found in the redemption of your Son, Jesus Christ.  Make me always mindful of your will so I can fully serve you with a whole heart.  Only in your hands can I be the spiritual man you deserve.  Your righteousness endureth forever and ever!  Breathe on me Holy Spirit; lift me up to God’s greater heights.  Take me to places that I’ve never gone or experienced before.  Speak to me and lead me down the path of God’s everlasting Holiness.  I know with you, I’ll never be alone even when the darkness comes, I’ll always hear your whispers.  Your presence fills me with the brilliant light of Christ Jesus.  Breathe on me Holy Spirit!  Dear Lord, bless this Ministry website and may it be use to glorify you to no end.  Amen!

 

 

 

 

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Who am I? My name is Bryan Lee Bradley!

  I am a sinner saved by God’s grace and washed by the blood of the Lamb, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am like any other Christian in that I battle daily, fighting off the desires of the carnal man.  My mission statement is to seek God and His righteousness for my life; to try my very best to honor and glorify God in all things.  Hopefully, one day I want to become an inspiration of godliness to my family, friends and all that know me.  

  My desire is to draw closer to God each and every day; to humbly demonstrate strong obedient faith while staying true to His word; to witness for Jesus by spreading the saving knowledge that has been given to us and maybe, just maybe, work together and in step with the Holy Spirit to help stir the hearts of men. 

 

"I Humbly Come"

Supreme Father God, I humbly come to you.  I thank you for another day of life.  A day that is glorified by your everlasting presence.  You have bestowed so many blessings upon my life and my family.  You have supplied my every need and you have never failed me in my time of weakness.  Forgive me where I fail you for your mercy abounds in my life.  Melt me down.  Purify me.  Make me a servant that is after your own heart.  Chisel away my flesh so your Spirit will shine forth for the world to see.  I am nothing without Jesus Christ in my life.  My desire is to come more like my Savior every day.  I am worthy of death, yet you give me life.  Only through the shed blood of your Son, my sins have been forgiven.  Through the power of your Holy Spirit that fills me to no end, I can overcome this world.  My hope is in that blessed day when my Savior returns to take me away.  May your will be done in all things always and forever.  Amen.


WHO is Jesus to me?

Only because of my blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, am I allowed to have any relationship with Father God.  He is my only way, my only truth and my only life.  John 14:6 (KJV) “6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 

It is because of this God-man that I have any righteousness at all.  Without Him my righteousness would be as filthy rags.  Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing.  And all our rightousnesses are like filthy rags;”  Through Christ alone I have salvation, justification and sanctification.  Because I am a Christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus, God now sees me as His child, forgiven.  Galatians 3:26 "For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."   I am now a priest and saint before the Heavenly Father.  

Thank you, Lord Jesus for being my propitiation; advocate; pillar of cloud by day; pillar of fire by night; my kinsmen redeemer; the only Savior of my soul; my benefactor; my blood redeemer; my substitute; my purity and righteousness; my solid rock; the foundation of my faith.  Romans 3:24-26 "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."  (KJV)


Visit Some Awesome Sites!

Join Me at Twitter.com/BLBMinistries

Visit Dr. Adrian Rogers

Visit Dr. Charles Stanley

Visit Dr. Chuck Swindoll

Visit Dr. Oliver B. Greene

Visit Dr. J. Vernon Mcgee

Visit the ACLJ Today

Visit Compassion in Jesus' Name

Visit Wallbuilders Today

Visit Oneplace Today

Visit Dr. John MacArthur

Visit Dr. David Jeremiah

Visit Rev. Billy Graham


Wisdom From Dr. Adrian Rogers

The key to understanding the Bible is to look for Jesus Christ in the scriptures. Jesus is the undeniable Hero of the Bible. If you read the Bible and don’t find Jesus, re-read it -He’s there! The Bible has one Hero, His name is Jesus Christ; one villain, that is Satan; one problem with humanity, that is sin; one solution, that is salvation through Jesus Christ.  In short, that sums up the Bible. Have you found Jesus? Dr. Adrian Rogers

 

 

Come Visit Me on Facebook!

While on facebook, don't forget to check out ALL of my ministry pages and groups! "Bryan Lee Bradley Ministries, Testimonies!!! and Faith First Ministries" MANY BLESSINGS!!


God's Plan of Salvation!!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Become a Christian and be Saved through the Grace of God and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!


Salvation Scripture

 John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 Romans 3:10-12  “As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

 Romans 3:23  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

 Romans 5:12  “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”

 Romans 6:23  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 Romans 10:9-10  “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believed and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the scripture say, ‘Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’’’

 Romans 10:13  “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’’’

Prayer of Salvation

 If you want to receive Jesus now and accept His gift of salvation and be saved, it’s a matter of believing with your heart in the Lord Jesus Christ, repenting of your sins and turning the rest of your life over to Him.  This is not a ritual based on specific words but rather a prayerful guideline for your sincere step of faith.  You can’t be saved with intellectual thinking.  You must truly believe in the Lord and in your prayer, and mean it from your heart to be saved!

Prayer

 “Father God, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you.  God I admit and confess that I am a sinner.  Jesus, I believe that you are the son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins, and resurrected from the dead, are alive, and hear my prayers.  Jesus right now I am placing my total trust in you.  Lord come into my heart; forgive me of my sins, and save me.  From this day forward I will live for you and make you the Lord of my life.  Please fill me with your Holy Spirit to help me be obedient to your will for the rest of my life.  I will complete the fulfillment of my faith to only serve your purpose.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

 

 
Serve the risen Savior and enter into God’s Heavenly
Kingdom!!!!!


 

 

What's next after salvation? 

The moment you accepted Christ Jesus as your Savior and King you became a new creature in Him and you will serve in His heavenly kingdom.  Your Lord promised that He will never leave nor forsake you.  Serve Him with a whole heart and a great witness.  Read Phillipians 3:20 and Hebrews 13:5.

It should be our desire as Christians to be pleasing to God and to live a holy life as His child.  We should always be found seeking God and His righteousness, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and glorifying and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. 

Your faith is now in Jesus Christ.  You must try your very best to grow in Christ while trusting in Him each and every day.  Read Galations 3:11.

1.  Read your Bible daily.  Find a version that will help you better understand its content.  Read Acts 17:11.
2.  Pray daily.  Communication is necessary with your new heavenly Father.  Thank Him for the blessings in your life.  Ask for your needs to be met not your wants.  Read Phillipians 4:6.
3.  Daily love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.  Be a good Christian with a Christ-like character.  Never compromise your witness to the world.  Stay true to God's holy word-never defer from it.  Read Matthew 22:37. 
4.  Attend church regularly.  A church will help you grow in your faith.  Surround yourself with other Christians.  They will help uplift you.  Attend God's house and worship Him out of total love rather than obligation.  Obligation is as far removed from love as relgion is from being a Christian.  Read John 4:24; Acts 2:42. 
5.  Let your faith lead and strengthen your life.  Let the world know who you are in Christ.  Read Colossians 7:2. 
6.  Become a witness for your new Savior, Jesus Christ.  Become the spiritual person that Christ deserves and seek all things through the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 1:8.






God's Holy Word (The Road Map to Eternal Life!!)

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  At the intersection of salvation we will find God’s grace and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we come to life’s cross roads we will find comfort and hope in Jesus. When we make the wrong turn and head down the direction of sin we will find mercy and forgiveness from the Lord. Thank God our streets are paved with the blood of the Holy Lamb. Are you traveling down the highway to heaven? 

 

 


INTRODUCTION TO NEW BOOK 

  I am not producing this book to judge anyone in any way-that is not my job. Soon the Lord will be doing a final judging because that is His job to do. Let His word judge and convict our lives daily.  Rather, I want to bring light to some of the issues that we as a society of individuals and corporately as a country are dealing with and how we in the United States can rise above them with God’s help and guidance. 

  I have touched on several subjects including Christian living, our nation’s spiritual condition, witnessing and a few more subjects that deal with some of my personal experiences and convictions of faith, including my personal testimony.  I hope what has been written will be relevant in your personal walk and, of which I pray, will be received with an open heart and mind (Spirit and Soul).  

  Who am I?  I am a sinner saved by God’s grace and washed by the blood of the Lamb, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am like any other Christian in that I battle daily, fighting off the desires of the carnal man.  My mission statement is to seek God and His righteousness for my life; to try my very best to honor and glorify God in all things.  Hopefully, one day I want to become an inspiration of godliness to my family, friends and all that know me.  

 
My desire is to draw closer to God each and every day; to humbly demonstrate strong obedient faith while staying true to His word; to witness for Jesus by spreading the saving knowledge that has been given to us and maybe, just maybe, work together and in step with the Holy Spirit to help stir the hearts of men. 


            Do you have a mission statement?

  DEDICATION

 I am so blessed to be an American, to live in this free nation where I can serve Jesus without fear of retribution.  I never want to forget or take for granted all the blessings that I have received from my loving Lord.  Why, then, write a book and why now?  Most importantly, I believe the Lord has led me to this point in my life.  I would like for my daughter, Campbell, to be able to read this many years down the road and understand what kind of Christian her father was and what I believed in.  So, this writing is first and foremost dedicated to her.  As she reads this later in life, I hope she will come to understand that becoming a Christian is the most important decision she will ever make.

  This book is also dedicated to the following:  my wife, Deidre; my parents; my brother Scott and my parents-in-law.  Who else am I dedicating this writing to?  This book is also dedicated to the Lost and the Saved alike, but with emphasis directed to those who are professing Believers.  

  Most importantly, I surrender these writings to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that the Lord will bless this book and use it to serve His purpose and to spread His will to those who seek it.

  PRAYER- Almighty God speak to me through thy Holy Spirit.  Show me your ways and wisdom as I complete these writings.  Lord let your light shine through me so my path will be clear.  Give me boldness about you Lord that demonstrates obedient faith.  I praise and glorify thy name Jesus Christ Amen.

 

Fun at Disney World!

A Father's First Year

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A Father’s First Year

   
 I’ve been a father for over a year.  The time has passed so quickly, my baby girl is turning into a little toddler.  It’s sad to say I may never experience what I have this passed year ever again, because there can only be a first time once.  My mother was right when she said, “The love you have for your own child is unbelievable.”   Only God can help me honor the promises I have already made to Him about
Campbell, even before she was born.  I want to always be forgiving, loving, compassionate and the father only Jesus would have me to be.  Sometimes my thoughts tell me I should have been a father many years ago.  I feel like I’ve shortened the time that I would have had with you, but I also must realize the wonderful Campbell we all know and love is only here because we had you when we did.  To hold you and to look into your eyes makes my heart melt. Hearing your laughter and watching you play every day made and still makes me so proud to be your daddy.  I know God gives children as a reward given to parents and only through His love could such a reward such as you be given to an undeserving soul like me.  This has been one great year; I’m truly blessed like no other to have a wonderful wife and mother to you as Mom.  I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be apart of your and Mom’s life.


 

 

 

 


Fun at Cocoa Beach Florida!


My Family!


It's All About Love By: Bryan Lee Bradley

  God’s plan from the beginning of creation to the returning day of Jesus Christ was always designed to bring people into a relationship of love (not obligation) with Him, His only begotten Son & the Holy Spirit. We should always be found worshiping, serving & obeying our Lord & His Living Word out of total love. Obligation is far removed from love as being religious is to being a Christian.

A Poems By: Bryan Lee Bradley

  God gives us His wonderful grace so that one day we will be able to see the glory of His face. He sent His only begotten son to die on the cross to save all the lost. Christ shed His perfect blood to redeem us of our sins so that we would never have any end. Jesus arose from the grave so that we could be saved. Thank you Jesus for becoming our substitute so that our salvation would become absolute!

  Have you met my friend? He’s been around since time began. He’ll be with you at your wits end. When He’s on your side you’ll always win. In my book He scores the perfect ten. He can even forgive you of your sins. Have you met my friend? What a friend we have in Jesus! Can we find a friend so faithful as He!

Shouldn’t all believers in Christ Jesus, be fishing for the souls of men? Soul winning is wise!!!

  Jesus proclaims the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”  Matthew 18:19-20  (NIV)  Jesus spoke to two brothers who were fishing.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  Mark 1:17  (NIV)


Letter of Encouragement

 


  As we go through these difficult times, we must remember God still sits upon His throne. Our problems or the circumstances of this world will never change His power and glory. As Christians we must be compassionate and loving while living our lives. We must believe always that our Savior never fails and He will continually love and forgive us each and every day of our lives.

  He is our strong Tower, our Refuge, our Protector and our Comforter in all things, no matter what trials and tribulations come our way. Let God’s heavenly rains of mercy, love and grace shower and saturate your mind, body and soul. Keep the faith and strengthen your faith through God’s word and your obedience to Him. May you always be found seeking His perfect will every day of your life.
 
  Let your faith guide your life. Strong faith will burn like a fire through your veins, burning out any doubts you have in God and His will for your life. It will consume any fears in man or this worldly abode. Express your faith boldly and without compromise for the whole world needs to hear it. God has given you, my wonderful friend, true freedom that is only obtained through Christ. He has not only freed us from sin and damnation but He has also freed us so we can represent a complete life.

  There is also hope in Christ. This hope is only offered through Him and the relationship we have through Him. We have the hope of a brighter day. We know our end is with Him in eternity. No one and no circumstance can remove the hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. Only Christians can experience this wonderful thing. We should live our lives with hope. We can even face death or mourning with hope, so many others cannot.

  The scriptures tell us that life is like a vapor-it is here one minute and gone the next. Live your life with no regrets and no “what-ifs” so you can serve God’s purpose wholly. Seek God and is His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. What are “these things”? They are blessings from our heavenly Father.

  Remember, it’s all about sharing Jesus Christ with people; this demonstrates awesome love that can only come with having the Lord in your life. Many can debate forever about why God put us on this earth. There’s no debate about what we are to be doing while we’re here. Praising and glorifying God, sharing the good news of Christ, be found seeking God and His righteousnes.

  We, as Christians, should be convicted daily about our own lives. Also, we need to be concerned about the lost and others who suffer. God is not done with you or me. He has plans for us. There are greater things that have yet to come and greater things still to be done here in the name of Christ.

  May the light of Christ always shine through you and illuminate your path. Be inspired by God’s ever lasting glory and may His blessings fill your life to no end.



 

  For His Purpose,      Bryan Lee Bradley

 

 

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My Testimony

 MY TESTIMONY!

It all started for me on ??? when I was born into a sinful world.  Thank the Lord that I was raised in a Christian home by two wonderful parents, Don and Donnetta Bradley.  My childhood, I guess, was like any other child’s.  I remember some tough times.  My parents were constantly sacrificing to make sure their children were taken care of.  Early in my childhood Dad was laid off from working several times.  I remember we blocked off certain rooms in the house because we couldn’t afford to heat them.  We ate a lot of potato and vegetable soup (always without any meat).  My father has told me that at one time he had to sell his shotgun just so I could have some formula when I was a baby. 

Most importantly, however, I remember that my parents always took me to Sunday school and church.  The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  (KJV)  I believe my parents got the job done.

            As a young teenager I found myself involved in a lot of church youth activities.  When I was about thirteen years old, my youth group attended a youth revival at the Wurtland Nazarene Church in Wurtland, Kentucky.  Rev. Sparks was holding the services.  At the end of his message he had an altar call for the Lost.  I found myself gripping the back of the pew as tight as I could.  I was under conviction.  Some of the kids in our group saw what was happening and offered to go to the altar with me and pray.  Finally, I let go of the pew and the sin that had been gripping me.  I was saved that day!

            As an older teenager I was veering off the straight and narrow path, even though I always saw myself as a “good kid.”  However, I was not serving the Lord as he deserved.  I graduated from High School and began attending Technical College.  I was working at Wendy’s at night.  I remember always being tired and not having or giving the time to serve the Lord as I should have.  I remember praying a very specific prayer one night.  It was just one of the many prayers that the Lord has answered in my lifetime.  But this one special prayer was for the Lord to send me a young woman that I could fall in love with and who would love me for myself.  Sometime later, a young lady was hired to work at Wendy’s for the summer.  In addition to her good looks and charming personality, she had a maturity about her that intimidated me a bit.  I thought she had to be older than I was but, as it turned out, she was just seventeen and the daughter of a preacher.

            Finally, I got up enough nerve to ask her on a date and she accepted!  Four years later she became my lovely bride.  During the four years we dated, I saw her as an example for the Christian life I should have been living.  Every day since we met, her strong love for the Lord and dedication to God has been a blessing to me.  While we were dating I rededicated my life to the Lord and became active in His purposes by serving in the church we attended.  Throughout those early years of our marriage, I kept taking on more responsibilities in the church by teaching Sunday school and directing the song service each week.

            In 2001 we moved to Russell, Kentucky and became involved in a local church closer to our new home and joined that fellowship.  For the next few years we attended church regularly and I got involved to a degree in the church activities.  Unfortunately, at that time my attitude was that I needed a break from so much responsibility that I had at our other church. 

            The summer of that same year, Deidre and I were scheduled to go on a whitewater rafting adventure at Cumberland Falls, Kentucky.  Deidre, who has a more daring side than I do, was excitedly waiting to plunge down the big rapids.  After arriving at the site, we were thoroughly trained about what to do in case of an emergency in the water.  We were given our helmets and life jackets and down the river we went.

            As we came upon the last bit of rapids, we hit a rock and I was knocked out of the raft.  As I hit the water I didn’t have much concern since I knew I had all the safety equipment on.  However, all the prior training didn’t help me because I was being pulled to the bottom of the river.  Rather than floating I was caught in the undertow and it wouldn’t release me.

            Frantically, I reached out for help but my hand didn’t get above the water and the river was too murky to see anything.  I couldn’t determine where I was from the surface.  In what seemed to be forever but in all actuality was just a few seconds, I began to realize that I was drowning.  My life started to flash through my mind in scenes.  I saw my wife and parents and thought about how they would manage without me.  I thought about how devastated they would be.

            I couldn’t hold my breath any longer and was starting to take in water.  I thought, “Who would have thought that today would be the day I was going to die?”  In one more desperate attempt, I reached up and someone grabbed my hand.  It was a boy scout from the next raft’s group.  Who better to save me than a boy scout, since I had been one too?  The Lord spared me that day and has blessed me in so many ways since that incident.

            When I look back on my life, there have been so many times that I should not have escaped death.  God continually kept sparing my life.  He must have plans for me and is preparing me for life’s struggles ahead.

            In January of ’09 I found myself witnessing to my mother at the hospital.  I was bold enough to talk to her about death, knowing that she is slowly dying of congestive heart failure.  The cancer she was healed of a few months ago has never re-appeared.  What mom is now dealing with is strictly heart related at this time.  I reminded her that I knew a little bit about death from having so many close calls in my life.

            I especially talked with her about the whitewater trip and how it is just our human nature to worry about the people we leave behind.  I told her that if I were ever in a life threatening situation again, all I would think about was entering the arms of Jesus and that she needed to focus on that herself. 

            I told mom not to worry about me and my family because we are in the hands of the Lord.  And too, I reminded her that the only thing she needed to do was to think about Jesus Christ, standing in Heaven with open arms to receive her, whenever it is time to go and meet Him regardless of when that time is.  This was my second time in as many years that I was faced with the situation of mom dying.  However, when I was talking with her, I found that my attitude was different.  I wasn’t afraid to speak to her about what lay ahead for her and those she loves.

            The Lord has strengthened me beyond belief.  I feel my faith burning through my veins like fire.  We serve such a mighty God.  It is only through Him that I could have been so bold to talk to my mom about these issues!

            Thinking back to the fall of 2008, I remember being so emotional and distraught, I would have never been able to talk to mom about her dying without breaking down.  However, not long ago God instilled in me boldness, love, compassion and peace of mind so I would be able to withstand such situations. 

Christian living is an on-going process and I thank the Lord for helping me get to the point of totally trusting Him.  The state that He has brought me to is the most secure place I have ever been in up to this point.  This is what surrendering fully to the will of God by the power of the Holy Spirit has done for me and that is what He can and will do for you.  You just have to turn to Him with your whole heart and ask Him for help.

            In late 2004, my grandmother was in the hospital for what would be one of the last times before dying in January of 2005.  During one particular visit she asked me to pray with her and I thought she wanted me to pray.  Before I could even open my mouth, she started praying specifically for me.  She was such a good Christian woman.  In her time of despair she was only concerned about my well being and not that of her own.  What selflessness! 

            During this special prayer, my grandmother mentioned something that made my heart melt.  She asked God to let Deidre and me have a child.  Although she passed away, her prayer was answered in December 2006 when my wife delivered a beautiful baby girl, Campbell Riley.

            After Campbell’s arrival, God began a progressive work in me about my new position as a father, which has continued to this very day.  I have come to realize the great responsibility the Lord places on people when they become parents.  With this insight from God, I want to be a good example for a Christian father for my child more than ever.

            The year 2008 was one of the most difficult years of my life.  My mother was told that her cancer had returned after fourteen years.  Three weeks after that news hit our family; my brother Donnie was involved in a fall at work.  After spending two months in a critical care unit in Cincinnati, Ohio, Donnie died at the age of forty-five. 

During the first week of Donnie’s hospital stay, his wife Cheryle drove from Columbus to sit with him every day.  My parents and I drove to visit Donnie every weekend.  We also made the trip during the week when possible.  During those visits I prayed with him several times.

            Donnie had been in the hospital going on two weeks.  The following Saturday our family was called to the hospital.  We were told that his condition was so grave we should consider terminating his life support.  Time was running out.  I fell on my face and cried out to the Lord asking Him to give us more time to make sure Donnie was ready to go.  I asked the Lord Jesus Christ to spare him from going to Hell.

            By the time we all made it to the hospital, we were heavy hearted and expected the worst.  However, Donnie had taken a turn for the better!  My prayer had been answered so I was given the opportunity to visit him a few more times.

            Unbeknownst to me, my associate pastor and his wife were en route to the hospital at the same time.  We all showed up together and Pastor Smitty went with me to talk to Donnie.  He asked Donnie in no uncertain terms if he could state that he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at some point in his life.  Donnie hesitated for a moment.  A tear rolled down his cheek.  He could not speak due to the nature of his injuries.  He nodded yes! 

            To think that so many people don’t believe in the miracle working power of God!  Nevertheless, it was apparent that I only had very little time left to spend with my brother, but at least I knew Donnie was saved.

            A few weeks later, my Dad called me to tell me that the hospital was calling the family in.  He was in bad shape.  We immediately headed to the hospital that Thursday night.  As early morning rolled around, we realized Donnie was going to meet his Savior.  The family was called to a conference room where many options about what to do were discussed with his physicians.  It was decided to remove the life support that had been keeping him alive and to administer morphine in order to make him comfortable and pain free.

            The nurse asked if any of us would like to spend some time with Donnie before they began the morphine drip.  He was already in a non-responsive state and just staring at the ceiling.  We weren’t sure if he could hear us.  I told everyone that I wanted to spend some time with my brother.

            As I took the longest walk of my life to his bed in the unit, tears filled my eyes and guilt overcame me.  What would I say to him?  This would be the last time on earth that I would ever speak to him or spend time with him alone.  As I entered his room and closed the curtain behind me, I bawled like a baby.  I hugged him and kissed his forehead.  I told him to think about nothing but Jesus.  I also told him how much Deidre, Campbell and I loved him.  I asked for his forgiveness for not being the brother that I should have been.  I then told Donnie that I’d see him later. 

About one hour later we gathered around his bed side for the last time.  As I looked into my brothers eyes I saw a lost and dying world, even though he was saved. God asked me, what I was going to do about it.  As my brother squeezed my hand while taking his last breath, I felt as if there would never be any tomorrows.  God told me that He must rebuild me and make me the spiritual man that He requires.  He promised that He would pull me out of the darkness and restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.

After he died, I kept asking myself this question, “How could I have put myself in the situation of not knowing if my very own brother was really saved?”  I had witnessed to him several times in the past but did I really do the best I could have?  My answer was no!  Could I have been a better and more loving brother?  Yes!  I was convicted for having been a mediocre Christian.  I could have done so much more with my life up to that point.

During the time of my mother’s cancer news, I was at my wit’s end.  I kept asking God why she had suffered so much.  Mom had lost her mother just a few years earlier and it was hard on her.  They were very close, best friends.  Then, my mother had to bury her own son which was a tremendous heartache.  Now, she was faced with the fact of losing her own life and not seeing the grandchild she dearly loves grow up.

My mother always told me before my daughter was born that the love a parent has for their child is unbelievable.  She was right!  I can’t imagine the loss that she felt losing her first born.

One month after Donnie died, mom returned to the doctor for a follow up to see how far the cancer had progressed.  Mom had already started radiation on her legs prior to Donnie’s accident.  As the doctor compared her original test to her current ones, he was amazed at what he saw.  He said it must be some kind of miracle!  That’s right-the cancer was gone:  another prayer had been answered!

            During those dark days things just didn’t seem fair to me.  I was losing my brother and had been given the bad news that my Mom was dying.  Indeed, during that time the circumstances I was dealing with were overwhelming.  However, I began pondering my situation in light of how my family had suffered the same as I had.  I came to a point where I had to ask, “Who am I?” 

            My father had lost a child and his wife was terminal, which made my situation seem small in comparison.  I had my mom fighting for her life while suffering the loss of her first born child.  I thought of all the situations going on in other peoples’ lives and again asked, “Who am I?”

            I now remember how so many times I prayed presumptuously before asking for the Lord’s will to be done and not mine.  For the first time, when faced with the facts about Donnie and mom, I didn’t want to surrender to His will if it meant losing them.  Literally, I battled for weeks, breaking down, crying, and trying to surrender to God’s will.  Actually, I now believe that it was only after surrendering many weeks later, that God finally healed my mother and got me to the place where I could survive the death of my brother without losing faith. 

            Sometimes when I look back at those dark days I realize that God allowed me to fall into a pit filled with depressions, despair and gloom only to pull me out so He could rebuild me and make me the spiritual man that He requires.  He knows the final outcome of any difficult circumstance.  There are times we Christians forget about the providence of God (the hidden hand of God).  We spend too much time trying to figure out why things happen when we should start living our lives day by day.  God has not promised us tomorrow.  We may never know the full extent of God’s will all the time, but we must continue to serve Him unconditionally with honor, glory and praise.

            When all was said and done I once again fell on my face and cried, “God forgive me.”  Finally, I had surrendered to the fact that I had been self-consumed and not God-consumed.  I vowed to do everything in my power to represent my Lord in both word and deed, so I could honor Him by the way I live my life before Him, my family, other Christians and a world of lost onlookers.  I promised God that I would never look at any person again in the same way.  I would now look at people as souls that needed to be saved or recommitted to the Lord.  Now, I would only serve Him wholeheartedly.  

            Nevertheless, at that point, I knew it would only be through God’s grace, wisdom and will that I would ever be able to complete the fulfillment of my faith, my vow to serve Him and His purposes rather than my own.

 

 

 

Inspirations of my life!

INSPIRATIONS

 Do you remember being a child or maybe just being younger, when you thought certain people where heroes?  But, often as adults, we loose our childlike faith to believe in heroes because most heroes end up with feet of clay.  Most everyone has someone that has been an inspiration to them and what made that inspiration either a good or bad thing depends on what their basic beliefs are rooted in.  Christians, as a rule, find inspiration in a belief system that is rooted and grounded in God’s love and grace.  The people of the world are rooted in self-satisfaction where they do not deny themselves anything their heart desires and will get it by whatever means is available to them.

  Actually, for me there have been several people who helped make me into who I am today.  Those special people were godly and inspired me in a permanent way.  However, before going any further I want you to understand that first and foremost the Christian’s primary inspirations should be God’s Holy Word and the blessed Trinity, the Godhead of all humanity consisting of:  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  If the Bible and Trinity are not your number one inspirations, there may be a problem in your spiritual walk.  

  I am one that is constantly inspired by all three parts of the Godhead.  Take a look at some specific scriptures on inspiration:  “But there is a spirit in man:  and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”  Job 32:8 KJV  “All inspiration is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”  II Timothy 3:16 KJV  

  Throughout the scriptures righteous men were inspired by God in their daily lives.  Should we not be inspired by God each and every day as we try to travel down the path of righteousness?  I have been blessed by many earthly inspirational people.  Some have passed and some are still living, but both groups continue to inspire and influence me to this very day.  As I am writing this, their names keep coming to me in no particular order of importance.  Nevertheless, each one of them holds a special place in my heart.

  My wife Deidre and my darling daughter Campbell are daily inspirations to me.  I, as well as others, have used the terminology that “I am a very lucky man” to have two such precious girls in my life.  Of course I know that luck had nothing to do with it.  The truth is I am not lucky but blessed and highly favored by God to have such blessings in my life.  

  I am also aware that to have a wife who is not only my soul mate, best friend and confidant is only a reality because of the Lord’s hand upon our having met and then marrying.  After being married to Deidre I have come to understand how important it is for a wife to be godly as she has proven to be.  When troubles come, and they will, a godly spouse will cherish the bond made with you before God and becomes an inspiration that you will always want to cling to.  A friend of God is a good companion to have on your side while making your way through this world of chaos.

  What can I say about my daughter?  To be a part of creating such a wonderful child is totally awesome to me.  I will always pray that I can hold up my part of the promise made to God about being the Christian father that He would have me be.  This little blessing is definitely an inspiration to me every day and I am sure she will continue to be until I draw my last breath.  May God keep His hand of protection upon her while she makes her journey through this life.  With God’s help I pray that she will grow and become an inspiration to all that she meets, just as she has been to me simply by her presence in my life.


  My wife’s parents, Ron and Jennifer Riley, have inspired me by their ability to raise such a wonderful daughter.  I appreciate Ron’s surrendering to God’s will and purpose in preaching and leading a church for over twenty years.  Jennifer has been an exemplary pastor’s wife.  The inspiration I received from their efforts and guidance is what I believe added much to my being the Christian I am today.  Since both of my in-laws have been such inspirations, they will never be considered “outlaws” by me!

  Because of their undying love for their family, my parents, Don and Donnetta Bradley, have been inspirations to me throughout my life.  The blessing of being raised in their Christian home is one thing I will never take for granted.  Dad and Mom struggled to put food on the table while raising three boys but they instilled moral values and a strong work ethic in me for which I will always be grateful.  

  In particular, my Mother’s constant battle with her own physical problems while keeping the faith and always surrendering to God’s will each time has inspired me.  

  Since Campbell was born, all four of her grandparents have played a vital role in her young life.  Their love, devotion and nurturing of her has been such a blessing and I know they will all be an inspiration to her just as they have been to Deidre and me.


  Growing up in a Nazarene Church as a child and teenager, I found one special person that I considered my best friend.  Terry Miles and I were the same age and graduated from high school the same year.  We worked together at church camp for four years washing dishes.  I spent a lot of time with Terry and found him to be the Christian teen that I should have been.  Terry was musically talented.  He played the guitar, banjo and could also sing.  

  After graduation we grew apart a little.  Time has a way of doing that even though we had the best of intentions of staying close.  I started working at a local company as a Machinist and Terry was serving our country as a Marine.

  One morning in 1989 I was awakened by a phone call from a friend of both mine and Terry’s.  She told me there was an accident in France, where Terry was stationed.  The helicopter that Terry was performing maneuvers in had crashed.  All of the Marines on that mission were killed.  I could not believe what I was hearing.  Why?  Terry was married and had a baby girl.  He had just surrendered to the call of becoming a preacher and was already preparing to start his ministry in just a few months when his stint in the military would be over.  Sadly, he was gone.

  Never before, not even to this day, have I seen such an outpouring of grief and sorrow over one person’s death.  It seemed as though there were thousands at his viewing and the funeral.  Even the Marines who came to show their respect bawled like babies.  They knew he was a good man, a Godly man.  

  It’s still hard for me to understand his loss.  I have always felt it should have been me to die and not Terry.  Terry was a better servant of Christ than I was.  He lived a better life than I did.  Sometimes we will never know the full extent of God’s plan.  Maybe Terry’s death affected more people than a thousand sermons he could have preached would have.  Indeed, Terry was an inspiration to many. 

  My grandfather, Ward Smith, was a man’s man.  Most definitely he walked the path of righteousness and took his Christianity very serious.  He was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam.  I remember spending many hours helping him do the lawn work when I was younger.  He would always pay me with a Dr. Pepper and a five dollar bill.  (Yes, he was a bit frugal).  If I was lucky, sometimes he would take me on a trip to Wendy’s for a meal.  How ironic that I ended up working at Wendy’s for a while.  That is where I met the woman that would one day become my wonderful wife.

  Papaw had had heart trouble for many years.  I remember he went to the doctor and was told not to raise his arms over his head as that might induce a heart attack.  The following week, which was Grandparents’ Day, he went to church.  It was a Sunday evening and he proudly stood up to testify about all the Lord had done for him.  In his testimony he mentioned what the doctor told him about not raising his arms over his head. 

  He told the congregation that he was not going to stop praising the Lord and raising his hands up.  He stated that if the Lord wanted to take him, he was ready to go.  After testifying, Papaw sat down in the pew and died in church.  I was a teenager then and the year was 1983.  Papaw was not only an inspiration to me but to the whole church that he attended.  What a way to go!

  Virgie Smith, my grandmother, was a wonderful woman and one of the strongest Christian women I have ever known.  The relationship she had with the Lord flowed out of her daily.  Mammaw was the spiritual matriarch of my family.  She went home to be with the Lord in 2005.  I was with her, as were some other family members, when she died.  What we witnessed was amazing.

  We gathered around her bedside and held hands singing, “Blessed Assurance.”  As we sang the last verse she went into the presence of God Almighty.  We sang her into glory!

  What I regret the most is that I should have spent more time with her when I had the chance.  I miss the intercessory prayer that she sent up to the Lord on my behalf the most.  There are so many days that I think about her and wish she could have held my daughter in her arms.  She prayed diligently that we would have a baby.  I wish she could know that her prayers were answered.

  I wrote a letter that was read at my grandmother’s funeral.  It sums up how much she meant to me and my family.

MY GRANDMOTHER

  Over the last couple of weeks I have had many sleepless nights thinking about my grandmother.  I thought if there was one sentence that could sum up Virgie Smith it would be this:  A matriarch and warrior of love, selflessness, family and prayer.  Over the last few years I have watched her health decline, yet every time I spent time with her, never did I hear her complain about her problems.  She was always steadfast in expressing her concerns about mine.  She was always there to pray for me.  Never have I seen such selflessness in one individual.

  There are so many things that I will miss about her, but the one thing I will miss the most is her daily prayers for my family and me.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer.  Mammaw’s prayers have sustained me and God has blessed me and taken care of me because of her intercession on my behalf.  It is our human nature to be selfish and wanting to keep her with us as long as we can.  But it is the will of God that she is with Him now.  My Grandmother has finally received the prize that she has longed for-spending eternity with her Lord Jesus Christ.

  She has always expressed to my family and me that she has had a wonderful life and that all she has ever wanted is to see all of her family and friends to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as she did.

  It has been my privilege to be her grandson.

Bryan

  I have a younger brother, Scott.  He is my only sibling now and I want him to know that the desires of my heart are to be closer to him and to have the Lord work in his life.  Brothers are special gifts from God.  

  My brother and I dealt with many difficulties in the latter part of 2008.  Our Mother’s cancer returning and the death of our older brother were hard on us.  However, 2009 brought even greater struggles to Scott’s life.  He lost his job and then he found out that his best friend was dying.  

  This would be a tough time for anyone to keep the faith.  Scott continued to struggle on.  He showed great strength during this time so he could be strong for his friend while at his bedside sharing Jesus.  Scott knew time was running out and he wanted to make sure that his friend knew where he was going to spend eternity.  This is true friendship.

  During this time, three great things happened.  My brother rededicated his life to Christ.  He realized that he could not live through this world any longer without serving the Lord totally.  His best friend accepted Christ as his Savior.  Yes, miracles still happen!  Although the doctors gave up on his friend and told him he had but a few days to live, his health turned around.  The doctors stated that God has given this man a second chance.  Do we not serve a great God?  Remember to focus on Christ in all crises, regardless of the circumstances.

  During this time, I felt led by God to send my brother a letter to remind him of the hope we have in Jesus.  A letter to send encouragement to my brother, whom I love.  I want to share this with you, the reader, in case you may be going through a hard time and feel as if there is no hope.  Here is what I wrote to Scott:


The Light at the End of the Tunnel

 

My dear brother in Christ, Scott:

 

  I cannot possibly demonstrate the amount of love I have for you.  As you are going through these earthly struggles, please know that I share your hurt.  As Christians we must be compassionate and loving during times of heartache.   We must believe always that our Savior never fails and he will continually love and forgive us each and every day of our lives.

  He is our StrongTower, our Refuge, our Protector and our Comforter in all things, no matter what trials and tribulations come our way.  Let God’s heavenly rains of mercy, love and grace shower and saturate your mind, body and soul.  Keep the faith and strengthen your faith through God’s word and your obedience to Him.

  Let your faith guide your life.  Strong faith will burn like a fire through your veins, burning out any doubts you have in God and his will for your life.  It will consume any fears in man or this worldly abode.  Express your faith boldly and without compromise for the whole world needs to hear it.  God has given you, my brother, true freedom that is only obtained through Christ.  He has not only freed us from sin and damnation but He has also freed us so we can represent a complete life.

  There is also hope in Christ.  This hope is only offered through Him and the relationship we have through Him.  We have the hope of a brighter day.  We know our end is with Him in eternity.  No one and no circumstance can remove the hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Only Christians can experience this wonderful thing.  We should live our lives with hope.  We can even face death or mourning with hope-the Lost cannot.

  The scriptures tell us that life is like a vapor-it is here one minute and gone the next.  Live your life with no regrets and no “what-ifs” so you can serve God’s purpose wholly.  Seek God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.  What are “these things”?  They are blessing from our Heavenly Father.  Become the righteous and spiritual man God wants you to be.  Forget your past and turn to your own convictions that draw you closer to God.

  We, as Christians, should be convicted daily about our own lives.  Also, we need to be concerned about the Lost and others who suffer.  God is not done with you.  He has plans for you.  You just need to figure out what they are by seeking the Lord.  There are greater things that have yet to come and greater things still to be done here in the name of Christ.

  My brother, remember, there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  Keep holding on.  It is the light of Christ and the light wants to shine through you.

Bryan

 

  I could never state every name of every person who has in some way spiritually inspired or influenced me through the years.  However, I firmly believe that we have no “chance” encounters with people.  Each time I meet someone, I hope that I am surrendered enough to the Lord to be an inspiration to them.  Let us not forget the inspiration of Jesus Christ and may His influence inspire you to be all you can be in Him every day.

 

 

Devotional Thought

False Hope!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, I am preaching and teaching this out of total love.  Don’t ever forget that!  I try my very best in everything I do to glorify God and become pleasing to Him.  As I witness and evangelize to the Lost, I keep running into formidable opposition.  So many of the Lost are relying on this false hope that they have been given.  Of course they don’t understand if they die without Christ Jesus, there is no hope for them.  
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV)  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (the Lost).”   Hell will be full of good people only because they would not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  


 They always want to express to me that God loves them so much that He wouldn’t let them go to Hell.  Many believe that they are a child of Father God.  They think that a loving Father wouldn’t let His children go to such a terrible place.  Satan is the biggest obstacle here.  I don’t expect the Lost to always understand the eternal truths of God’s word.  God hasn’t revealed the light of Christ unto them yet.  They still live in the darkness.  Unfortunately, I also feel as if I’m fighting a battle against some of my own brethren in Christ.  Why?  Many of these lost people tell me that Christians have lead them to believe and think that God won’t punish those who reject Him and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I must say, I agree with them because I see it every day.  I see many of my own Christian friends telling the Lost these falsehoods.  

 This is happening all around us, on TV, at the local church and on FaceBook.  If we are to have faith in the Lord for ourselves and for the lost and dying world, it must come via God’s holy word.  Romans 10:17 (KJV)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  We cannot sugarcoat the truths of God’s word and His grace.  Yes, God loves us all.  That’s why He sent His only begotten son to die on Calvary-for the sins of the World.  John 3:16 (KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God’s grace is defined as God’s unmerited love for humanity.  We can’t earn His love.  In that unmerited love is Jesus Christ sent to us by the living God.  Always remember this:  G=God’s; R=Riches; A=at; C=Christ’s; E=Expense.  That is GRACE!  

 We must witness and evangelize to the Lost with love and compassion.  We must teach the Lost about the truths of God’s grace.  If we do not teach that the penalty of sin is death (spiritual death) then we are misleading them into false hope.  Salvation and Heaven can only be achieved through Christ alone.  Faith in Christ Jesus + nothing = salvation.  The forgiveness of sin is only by the blood of the Lamb.  Romans 3:22-25 (KJV)  22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy seat) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission (forgiveness) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)  22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).  John 3:17 (KJV)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

 
Christians must stop telling everyone, especially the Lost, that we are ALL God’s children.  This is false.  When we do this we give the Lost false hope.  We need to teach true hope, only found in Christ Jesus.  1 Timothy 1:1 (KJV)  “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”  1 Peter 1:21 (KJV)  “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:13 (KJV)  “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”  Titus 3:7 (KJV)  “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 2:13 (KJV)  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” 

 We are all God’s creation but this is completely different than being His child.  If the Lost believe they are a child of God, then they have no incentive to even seek salvation through Jesus Christ.  They believe God would never let any of His children go to Hell.  The lost are not children of God.  Galatians 3:26  "For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (KJV)  Jesus teaches this in John 14:6  "Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (KJV)  Unless a person goes through Jesus Christ, they have no relationship and no access to Father God.  As Christians we call each other Brothers and Sisters for a reason because we are the only children of God-not the Lost. 

Give God ALL the praise and glory!!

 
Thief in the Night!


 The Lord will return as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV) “2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” 2 Peter 3:10 (KJV) “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”  Imagine this:  what if He made an announcement that He would be returning next week? Then, would we be concerned about our souls; the Lost and dying; about living a holy life before God? 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV) “7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) “9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” We should have a sense of urgency about our faith. We should live out our faith as if no tomorrows will ever come again. Because, God doesn’t promise us any tomorrows! James 4:13-14 (NKJV) “13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Give God ALL the praise and glory! 

 
Walking in the Light and Truth!


 
As the Christian believer becomes more vocal and bold in our faith, we will meet more resistance from the world. The enemy of God seeks the things of this world and the faithful Christian will seek the things of God. 1 John 2:15 (KJV) “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Colossians 3:1 (KJV) “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” There will be criticisms while serving Christ Jesus, just as He was criticized for not conforming to the world. Luke 6:22-23 (KJV) “22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” We must continue to separate ourselves from the world and not compromise or conform to the lust of this fleshly world. 1 Peter 1:14 (NKJV) “14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;” We may need to step into this world, but we should always find ourselves walking in the light and truth of the Lord! Give God ALL the praise and glory! 


What does God see when He looks at you and me?


 What He sees will always depend on if the person is saved or lost.  A “saved” person is one who, through faith, accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; born again in the Spirit; forgiven of sin.  This makes him/her a Christian.  To be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Christ and is far removed from being religious.  A “lost” person is the opposite.  They have not been forgiven of their sins and have not accepted Christ as their Savior.

Always keep in mind that each of us is sinners as long as we are in this flesh.  Some are lost and some are saved.  None of us are righteous through our own selves nor do we deserve eternity in God’s Heaven.  Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all like an unclean thing.  And all our rightousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (NKJV)  We can only be saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and through Him be made righteous and have justification and sanctification.  In Christ alone, the Christian can be a child of God and have a relationship with Him.  

 The lost are not children of God. Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)  Jesus teaches this in John 14:6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (KJV)  Unless a person goes through Jesus Christ, they have no relationship and no access to Father God.

 If God is my father He will see me as His child and will love me, care for me and even discipline me as needed.  We must also keep in mind that Jesus and His blood has redeemed us of our sin and it is sin which separates us from God.  For the saved person, our sins are covered by the blood.  When God looks down from Heaven, He sees us through the filter or looking glass of His son in us.  Our sin is covered by the blood of Jesus.

 The lost do not have this benefit.  God cannot look upon sin because He is holy.  Because of His holiness, God cannot look upon the unforgiven.  Although God loves all of his wondrous creations, sin still separates the lost from God!  He sent His only begotten son to seek and to save all that are lost.  The lost still must accept God’s grace and through faith in the Lord Jesus they can be saved.  What a wonderful free gift salvation is!!!  

 In conclusion, only because I am a Christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus, does God see me as His child.  Only through His son He sees me as forgiven, as a saint, as righteous, justified and sanctified.   Romans 3:24-26 “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God…”  (KJV)

 Give God ALL the praise and glory,

Bryan Lee Bradley

 
Living a Fulfilling, Faithful Christian Life!

 Many people have asked me about the keys to living a fulfilling, faithful Christian life.  We must always realize that we will never become perfect in this fleshly body.  However, we must continue diligently with a whole heart to become more Christ-like everyday.  Jesus must be at the forefront in everything when it comes to our lives.  If He is always on our minds, then there will be little room for things we shouldn’t be thinking upon.  

 Personally, I try my very best to remove anything from my life that doesn’t bring glory to God.  Remember, we must live in this world; yet, we should never become a part of it.  We cannot blend into the things that are not of God.  Keep in mind, if you look, act, smell and taste like the World, you may be of the World and not of God.  We are called to be a peculiar people and the world must see something different in us and that would be Jesus.  We must always be reminded that we should be the spiritual person God wants, not the spiritual person we want in our growth.  We can continue growth by implementing several things such as church attendance, receiving God’s holy word by studying and especially having a faithful prayer life.  Prayer is a big time key because we are in communication with God.  If we are faithful in our prayer life, we hold Satan’s nose to the grindstone.  Although Satan knows his final outcome is in the Lake of Fire for all eternity, we are in a constant battle with him each and every day.  He wants to take as many with him to that lake as he can.  For the saved, his goal is to damage their relationship with God, the Father. 

 I believe there are several things that we can do as Christians to keep Satan at bay:  A faithful prayer life is one way (which is mentioned above); using God’s word against him; by using the words of our testimony against him; by empowerment from the Holy Spirit; by pleading the blood of the Lamb over our lives and not loving our own lives unto the death.  I believe every Christian should prayerfully consider if they are personally living within God’s will and not quenching the Holy Spirit from working in their lives.  This is something that I’ve learned over the last few years.  So many Christians always ask me, “I wonder what God’s will is for my life.”  I believe some may never know.  We must first start living for the things that we know about God’s will, found in His holy word.  

 For example, we know His will is for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  We know He wants for us to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If we don’t start surrendering to the “knowns” I do not believe God will ever reveal to us what His personal will is for each individual.  We will be found living outside of God’s will.  If you are being obedient to God in serving His will presently, you already know what His will is for your life.  That is serving His will.  All the mysteries of your life will fall in place because of your obedience.  We must seek God’s perfect will.  Christians must understand and should appreciate the necessity for obedience because God also has a permissive will that is the result of disobedience and many Christians aren’t even aware of not being in His perfect will.  If we serve religion instead of God then it will be impossible for us to know what His perfect will is, because being religious is far removed from a personal relationship with God.

 So many times Christians quench the Holy Spirit from working in our lives.  We are missing such a blessing and a fulfilling life because we do that.  We are to be found walking in the Spirit and you should see the Spirit living through you.  When we are not, we will find ourselves living outside of God’s will.  

 Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.  How can we say we have a relationship with God if we’re not willing to trust and obey?  We cannot!  Trusting in the Lord sometimes can be very hard.  It must still be accomplished.  We can’t foster a relationship with Father God with out total trust.  We have to turn everything over to the Lord-our worries, burdens, problems.  Only with Christ in us can we overcome the hardships we face on this earth.  

 Obedience is such a key to living a fulfilling, faithful Christian life.  It seems that no matter what avenue we take in our Christian walk, they always end up at the intersection of obedience.  We are kidding ourselves to think we are actually seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness or serving the Lord’s purpose or seeking His will without obedience to God, the Father; God, the Son and God, the Holy Spirit.  It will take obedience to achieve any of these.  If we fail here, we will find ourselves out of the will of God.  

 We, as Christians, should be found seeking true wisdom.  True wisdom comes from God.  The wisdom of man will fail us because it comes through worldly knowledge and intellect.  Godly wisdom comes through showing discernment while under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  True wisdom comes by living out God’s word.  If someone tries to teach you something and it doesn’t align with the word of God, it is false.  

 We must keep pride out of our daily walk with the Lord.  Pride is very sinful and God hates pride.  Pride is what got Satan in trouble and it is stopping many lost people from getting saved.  Humility is so tough for the Lost and Saved alike.  A lost person must show humility as they understand that they must ask for forgiveness of their sins through Jesus.  The Saved must represent humility in our faith.  Through Christ we must represent to a lost and dying world love, compassion, boldness and lots of humility.  Humility is a key to faithful service in Christ. 

 Always, remember toplead the blood of Jesus over your life and testify about the Lord’s faithfulness to you. If the Lord God is for us, then no one can stand against us. Rise up and serve the Lord out of total love not obligation.

 
Blurred Vision!

 Our changing culture has brought many pressures to bear on today’s Church.  For some believers, the line that was once a clear demarcation between godly and ungodly behavior has become blurred. The Christian’s lifestyle must be based on the principles of righteous living found in God’s word.    Romans 6:22 tells us, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (KJV)

Now that we are in Christ, we must become like Him. This ongoing journey to Christlikeness is a process with pitfalls along the way. The old nature has to be continually treated as dead and this new life in Christ Jesus must be aggressively pursued.  

 We are new creatures and we have a new master to obey. We have been set free and now, by God’s grace and power, we must stay free. James 1:27 says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”  (KJV)

 Spiritual maturity is similar to physical maturity in that it, too, requires accepting responsibility. The mature Christian demonstrates responsibility toward God and others. Genuine Christian living means being faithful in service, disciplined in behavior, and considerate of others. These actions bring glory to God. Give God ALL the praise and glory!!!  

 
RATED PG!

 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6  (NIV)  “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  Proverbs 13:24  (NIV) 

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” 
Ephesians 6:4  (NIV)

 Someone once said, “The toughest job in the world is to be a parent and to do it right.”  Christian parenting is sometimes difficult because we live in an ungodly society.  But parenting is a responsibility that God has given to us. 

It is sometimes tempting to delegate this task to others.  But others may not teach our children the spiritual values we want to see instilled in them.  If we fail to teach our children properly, we may lose a generation who will faithfully serve God. 


 It is our responsibility to teach God’s word to our children including truths concerning the nature of God and their love for Him and His word.  We must also model for them the Christian values that we desire them to have.  As we have established our relationship with the Lord, then we can properly teach our children. When we stand before the Lord and answer for how we raised our children, how will we be rated on our parental guidance?

 
Treasures Are Found in Heaven!!

We come into this world with nothing and will leave the same. We can’t take any worldly possessions with us. The holy scriptures tell us not to lay up our treasures here on earth. We are to lay them up in Heaven. What does a man any good to gain the whole world if he loses his own soul? Believers should have some impact on the people around us (treasures).  In so doing, we may be able to see them again in Heaven. Plant your seeds of faith so they may grow. If we use our time, money and resources to share the gospel of Christ, those we impact through Salvation can receive the same great reward we do-eternity in Heaven. Don’t ever let Satan fool you.  One person can make a difference. Sin entered into this world by one man-Adam. Our sin is forgiven and removed by one God-man-Jesus Christ. A good friend asked me once if I could think of anything worse than to lose my own soul and go to Hell. At first, I thought “no” but I was wrong. How about seeing your own children and family go to Hell? Make a difference, share the gospel and give everyone the opportunity to hear the Word of God. Romans 10:17
(NKJV) 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Give God the praise and glory. 

 
The rollercoaster ride!

 Living in Christ can be a rollercoaster ride. Sometimes we can be found on top of the mountain or in the bottom of the valley. To those on the mountain top, reach out to those in the valley by helping them and praying for them. Let’s all regain a foothold on top of God’s mountain. With the Lord’s help we can change the world and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! Micah 4:1 (KJV) 1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. Psalm 23:4 (KJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Give God ALL the praise and glory!!!

 
THE GREAT TRANSFORMER!!

So many people I witness to believe they are unworthy of God’s grace and forgiveness. This isn’t true at all! God sent His only begotten Son to die on Calvary for all of us. John 3:16 (KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God has even used murderers and thieves to bring glory to His kingdom. Jesus Christ is the great transformer and He changes the lives of the sinners.Romans 12:2 (KJV) 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”   

So many think they must become perfect before they can seek salvation in the Lord and be saved. With this thought process you will never become part of the family of God. No one will ever be perfect in the flesh. God doesn’t want you to become perfect and change so He can save you. He wants you to become saved though Jesus Christ so He can change you and make you a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 

Yet, it must all start with faith in the Lord. You must confess that you are a sinner and ask for forgiveness. Trust in Jesus with all your heart and believe in His shed blood. For without the shed blood there is no remission of sin. Romans 3:22-25 (KJV)  22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy seat) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission (forgiveness) of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  Hebrews 9:22 (KJV)  22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness).” Give God ALL the praise and glory!


Christianity Guarantees Freedom!


 It is the relationship between Christianity and our nation that guarantees freedom.  America has experienced the greatest prosperity of any nation in the history of the world.  We must never forget nor forsake the religious freedom that we have in this country.  Psalm 33:12 states:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:  and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”  (KJV)  Psalm 22:28 tells us, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s:  and he is the governor among the nations.”  (KJV)

It is pretty easy to understand that the Lord has blessed this nation because of our Christian heritage.  Keep in mind that the nation of
Israel thrived and was blessed because they turned from sin and stayed true to God.  Because Israel turned their backs on God, they lost their status as a nation.  It was only in 1948 that they regained that status.  Don’t think we cannot lose our status as a nation because of the ungodliness!

 What was a sin, ungodly and immoral 2000 years ago, 200 years ago is still the same way today in God’s view.  Sin has gotten us to the place we are now as a Nation!  Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation:  but sin is a reproach to any people.”  (KJV)

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made this statement pertaining to the ruling on The Ten Commandments on June 27, 2005:  “Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question:  Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”  Think about that comment.  We have had a system that has been Christian based for hundreds of years and has indeed served us so well.  We have been a blessed nation due to this system.  We can look around at so many countries that do not have Christian based ideals in their government and they have continually failed.  Their governments have served them poorly. 

Christians today must stand up for their beliefs in all things.  That would include our Christian ideals even in the arena of governmental issues.  We must become vocal and protest against this ungodly movement that is sweeping across the land. Stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ!!!!!  


 
 God's love is forgiving!

We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you. If you feel far from God, don't despair. He is searching for you. Romans 8:38-39 (
KJV) 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 
Do you believe in the miracle mile?

 Do you believe in the miracle mile? When you are required to only go one mile do you give two out of love? Matthew 5:41 (KJV) “41And whosoever shallcompel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” When someone wants your shirt do you go ahead and give them your shoes? When you owe someone time or money do you give them more than is required? When we live our lives this way we bring glory to God. We open so many more doors of blessing from our Heavenly Father. We also will bring many more opportunities to witness for our Lord. When the Lost see these actions of us, they question where they come from. We can bring strong faith out of our Christian living as we represent and demonstrate the teaching of our Savior. God will always reward us in so many different ways when we serve Him and others out of love, not obligation. We strengthen our faith when we go that extra mile. Matthew 5:38-42 (KJV) “38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Give God the praise and glory.  

 
My friends, Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy our families!


 My friends, Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy our families. There’s a lot of blame that can be passed around when it comes down to the problems we have in our society and nation.  Foremost, Satan will attack us as individuals and try to tear down the family unit. He knows if he destroys the family our society and nation will fall next. Lord, I pray for the families of our nation. Give them the fortitude to withstand Satan’s attacks. I pray for a godly bond within each and every family. Amen!  John 10:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 

 
Where does your wisdom come from?

 Where does your wisdom come from? Where will we get the answers that we need to make the decisions in living our lives? How do we decide on what to do? How do we know what is considered right or wrong? The wisdom of man will eventually fail you. True wisdom can be received only through God. Man’s intellect will only take you so far. How can we define this wisdom that we receive from God? It is showing discernment through the leading of the Holy Spirit while abiding with faithfulness in God’s Holy Word. Be wise today & accept the Lord, Jesus Christ as your Savior!  Job 28:28 (KJV)
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. 

 
Blessed is a Nation!

Many of the people of this once great nation now worship the creations and not the Creator. They love mother earth more than Father God. We offer up Earth day around the world, yet we can’t have national prayer day in this country. We teach our children the importance of saving planet Earth, yet we don’t teach the importance of Jesus Christ saving their souls. God’s judgment may already be upon our nation! Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord! Psalm 33:12 states:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord:  and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”  (KJV) Psalm 22:28 tells us, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s:  and he is the governor among the nations.”  (KJV)

 

IT’S ABOUT LOVING THE LORD!

 I must share the following, because I have been there while living my life! I must always be true to my testimony! Do not put your trust in legalistic traditions.  Do not put your faith in the traditions of man.  If we do, we may end up going through the motions of Christian living.  Be found not seeking the wrong spirituality.  Our spirituality must be based and founded out of love for the Lord, Jesus Christ, not obligation.  One day the church age will end when the Church is taken home.  The days of playing church and serving religion will have finally died.  Give God the praise and glory for His faithfulness.

 
Personal Experience!

 I realize from my own personal experience that we Believers in Jesus Christ cannot and should not abuse our grace and take advantage of our salvation, which is given to us by the Lord, God Almighty. Just because we are saved doesn’t give us the license to sin while living our lives. What was sin thousands of years ago is still sin today. Sin as always driven and will always drive a wedge between us and God. God doesn’t change. He is still holy. Only the moralistic views of a sinful society changes. No one will ever be perfect in their relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet, we must try our very best to live a holy life before God and the world of onlookers. We should always find ourselves remembering our first love-Jesus. We should desire to serve the Lord out of love and obedience with a whole heart. Give God the praise and glory!!


Soul winning is wise!


 We must be strong in our Lord and that would include soul winning.  Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (KJV)  Joshua 1:7 gives us an outline of how to be successful in the Lord, “Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”  (NIV) 

Witnessing is not an easy thing for most, especially when it comes to strangers or even those familiar to us.  We have to remember that no meeting is by chance.  Believers have a divine appointment with each and every individual we encounter.  We do not have the luxury of ignoring the store clerk or being rude to a waitress who gets our order wrong!  We must make the most of every chance we get. 

Making some type of connection with people is key.  Find something to open the door into a conversation.  Remember, the Holy Spirit will guide us and open the right door at the right time but we have to willing to hear Him.  Find out their interests or what’s going on in their lives.  Believe me; people are desperate to talk to someone who cares about them!  In this throw away society people are literally dying to be heard.

Depending on what they share with you, you can turn things back to the Lord.  If it is good news, then tell them how blessed they are!  If it is bad news, tell them you will pray for them.  Once you get comfortable doing these small things, you will build up your boldness to where you won’t feel awkward to stand right in the middle of the mall and pray with them or share the gospel and love of Christ Jesus with them.

Begin with a one-a-day will pave-the-way plan.  Try to witness to at least one person each day.  Don’t forget-your actions need to back up your words!  Body language is important in this, so don’t be looking at your watch when you tell someone you’d like to hear their story!         

Represent your witness boldly but use love and compassion when doing so.  Remember all those people who are going somewhere?  We should care! Give God ALL the praise and glory!!


Disconnected!

There once was a farmer that found himself stranded on top of his own barn due to a flood.  He was a Christian man and as the waters got higher and higher, he prayed that the Lord would save him.  Several hours passed and finally a boat came by asking the farmer to get in.  He replied, “No thanks.  I’m waiting for God to rescue me.”  A few hours later, a helicopter flew overhead but he waved them off.  He yelled to the pilot that he was waiting for God to rescue him.  


Several more hours passed.  The flood waters overtook the farmer and he drowned.  He entered through the gates of Heaven and stood before the Lord.  He asked why the Lord allowed him to drown.  He told God that he had prayed to be rescued but it never happened.  The Lord replied, “I answered your prayers twice but you did not hear.  I sent you a boat and a helicopter and you ignored them both.”  


This is an old story and you may have heard it before or a different version of it.  But, it has a good message to it.  Do you think the farmer may have been disconnected and was lacking poor communication with the Lord?  Absolutely!


As Christians we should always have an open line of communication with God. When Jesus died on
Calvary this open line with God was provided.  However, we do not use it as we should.  We are too busy keeping our phone off the hook or dropping His call.  We are the reason we have become disconnected.  God doesn’t change in our relationship with Him, we change and become disconnected! 

Let’s look at the word “communication.”  Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. This process requires a set of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing, and evaluating. Use of these processes is developmental and transfers to all areas of life.   Cooperation occurs through communication.  

I have always believed that communication is the key to success in everything especially in terms of being close to God.  If you cannot communicate with your spouse, children, family, friends, co-workers, etc., I promise you that you will become disconnected and there will be problems.  

We must remain connected and have the proper communication with God in order to have faith, obedience, love, commitment and service.  If we have these things, then we are on the path to living a holy life, which in turn helps us to keep in step with what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives to glorify the Father. 

You know God is speaking to you because three things will be relevant, He speaks through the Holy Spirit, what you are hearing is found in the scripture, and through other christians. Sometimes it isn’t that God isn’t speaking to us or showing us things. It is that we aren’t looking or listening. We must continue to seek His holiness and righteousness in all things and we will feel that He is speaking to us more and more in many different ways.

 If you are not staying in touch with the Lord, how will you really know what plans He has for you?  Drawing closer to Him is the only answer.  Build apond your prayer life, receive God’s word and remain in step with the Holy Spirit!  Give God ALL the praise and glory!!  

 

 
Do you really care?

All those people going somewhere, why have I never cared?  These are lyrics from the song, “Give Me Your Eyes” sung by contemporary Christian artist Brandon Heath.  What a statement these lyrics convey.  Every day we see people, not only family, friends and co-workers, but strangers.  All those people-do you really care?  Do we care about the poor, the sick, the lonely, the needy or even the Lost?  All through the scriptures, the Lord is telling us over and over to preach and teach salvation through Him.  However, we stay complacent and do not demonstrate these acts that He commands.

The bottom line is this:  We Believers have Christ in us and we are to demonstrate the love of Christ with everyone that we come in contact with.  This comes with no exceptions.  How best can we demonstrate to anyone true love without telling them, thru the leading of the Holy Spirit, the complete truth?  Jesus and God’s Holy Word are those truths.  So, out of love tell people about these eternal truths.  John 15:9-12 (KJV) 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  John 15:17 (KJV) 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.  Matthew 5:44 (KJV) 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 

Their eternal destiny is at stake.  Any opportunity that we have to care for the needy or hurting should be complimented by sharing the gospel with them.  The soul is the most important part of the whole being and it will live forever.  

The apostles never stopped preaching and teaching.  Acts 5:42 tells us, “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”  (NIV)

 The Similitudes in Matthew state:  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16  (NIV)  Jesus proclaims the Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”  Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)  

 Soul winning is not only our responsibility but it demonstrates wisdom in our lives.  Don’t think that witnessing is only for a select few in the Christian world.  It is not just for pastors and evangelists but it is in every Believer’s job description.  Proverbs 11:30-“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”  (NIV)

 Jesus is the great example for witnessing.  The story of the Samaritan woman sets that example.  Let’s keep in mind that during this time in history, the Samaritan people were considered outcasts to mainstream society.  Yet, Jesus showed no prejudice or discrimination against this woman.  In John 4:7-15, Jesus recognizes opportunities.  In verses 16-26, Jesus uses wisdom in soul winning.  

 When witnessing and soul winning come into play, we must recognize three things-love, compassion and boldness.  If you do not represent these things, you will not be very effective.  Jesus taught the disciples how to view people.  He showed them that they need to look beyond the person and see fields of lost souls ready to be harvested.  John 4:35 says, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’?  I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for the harvest.”  (NIV)  Look not at the world & your life thru the eyes of flesh but thru the eyes of your faith in the Lord Jesus.   

In Matthew 9:35-38 we see Jesus expressing compassion for the helpless and the lost, explaining there are plenty of souls to win but few to help Him do so.  You were recruited by Jesus to be part of this soul winning team.  

Witnessing is not an easy thing for most, especially when it comes to strangers or even those familiar to us.  We have to remember that no meeting is by chance.  Believers have a divine appointment with each and every individual we encounter.  We do not have the luxury of ignoring the store clerk or being rude to a waitress who gets our order wrong!  We must make the most of every chance we get.  

Represent your witness boldly but use love and compassion when doing so.  Remember all those people who are going somewhere?  Do you really care?


 

 
Is your name written in the BOOK OF LIFE?

1) God writes our name (THE CHRISTIAN) in His book - Psalm 87:6 (KJV) 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 

 2) The names of Christians are in the Book of Life - Philippians 4:3-4 (KJV) 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

3) Our names ( THE CHRISTIANS) cannot be removed from the Book of Life - Revelation 3:5-6 (KJV) 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 

 4) People whose names are not written in the Book of Life will experience God’s wrath - Revelation 20:15 (KJV) 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

 5) Only those whose names are in God’s Book will enter heaven - Revelation 21:27 (KJV) 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

 Keep in mind there are about five or six judgments in the bible. I’m wanting to key in on the two most important, I believe. The judgment seat of Christ (only the Christian is judged here), is for what we did on earth good or bad after salvation. It’s not judgment over sin, because our sins have been washed away by the blood of Lamb (Jesus). There is also the rewards judgment for the believer. II Corinthians 5:10 we find, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he had done, whether it be good or bad.”  

 The Great white throne judgment is for the lost. Revelation 20:11-15 (ASV) 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. 

 The names of the lost aren’t written in the Lamb’s book of life! Note: Jesus Christ will also be doing the judging at this throne. Romans 2:16 (KJV) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. At least two books will be at this judgment, the book of life and the other, no one knows. Most believe it’s the Bible. Christ will use these books to judge. The lost will not see their names written down in the book of life, because they denied Christ and didn’t seek forgiveness of sin. Note: It’s possible (no one knows) the Bible will be used to show the persons the word of God that they denied. 

 

 

 WE’LL WORK TILL JESUS COMES!

 Recently, I heard a taped message by the late Adrian Rogers.  He told the story of a fisherman and I want to share with you the abbreviated version.  It has a great message to it.

Fisherman would go out on a boat for weeks at a time.  Upon returning to their small fishing town on one particular trip, the docks were filled with family members and friends who were anxious to see their loved ones.  As the men got off the boat, their wives or girlfriends would rush to their side, hugging and kissing them.  


 There was one fisherman who got off the boat only to find there was no one at the dock awaiting his arrival, not even his wife.  He worked his way through the crowd and down the street to his home.  As he opened the door, he saw his wife sitting comfortably in her chair.  His wife said to him, “I’ve been waiting for you.”  The fisherman replied, “Yes, but you weren’t watching for me.”  Luke 12:37 (KJV) 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: Do we fine ourselves praying for the Lord’s return someday?  We should be.  Matthew 6:10-12 (KJV) 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Luke 21:36-37 (KJV) 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 
 

Should the church be like the fisherman’s wife by sitting secure in the places of comfort while waiting to go to Heaven?  Should the church be watching for the imminent return of Jesus Christ?  The Bible says that the return of Christ will come as a thief in the night.  2 Peter 3:10 (KJV) 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  How should Christians be living right now?  How do you want to be found, upon His return?

 With the time of the Lord’s return being closer than ever before, I don’t want to be caught off guard and unprepared.  Sometimes just waiting isn’t good enough.  Today, the Body of Christ individually and corporately needs to pray for God’s will to be revealed.  Once He shows us then we need to get up from our comfortable chairs/pews and do the Lord’s work.  Matthew 5:16 (KJV) 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  James 2:17 (KJV) 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Titus 2:13-14 (KJV) 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  Remember this old hymn (We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes) We’ll work till Jesus comes, We’ll work till Jesus comes, And we’ll be gathered home. 

 When we get to Heaven we can rest from our labors.  Christians don’t have the luxury of taking a day off from our faith.  We are to work for the Lord 24-7 until His return.  Give God ALL praise and glory!!

 

 Judge Not!

Judge not, lest you be judged. The lost love this familiar passage in the Bible. Remember my Christian friends, we still need to be good fruit inspectors. We should always show lots of discernment in our lives. If we do not, we may be fooled. God will do the judging as that is His job to do. Let His holy word judge us all while here on earth. We must also keep in mind that the lost doesn’t no any better, when they sin. The lost is still in the darkness, we believers are in the light of Christ Jesus. Yet, we must go to the lost world and tell they the truths of God’s holy word. We must do this out of love, but we must tell them that sin and not accepting Jesus as their savior will bring the judgment of God upon them. The Christain has no condemnation (Judgment of sins.)  Romans 8:1 (KJV) 1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” 

 Let’s always keep this in mind! I believe in living a holy life! I believe in righteous living that is only found in Christ. I believe the Bible teaches us not to sin and promotes a sinless life through Christ. I realize from my own personal experience that we Believers in Jesus Christ should not abuse our grace and take advantage of our salvation, which is given to us by the Lord, God Almighty. Just because we are saved doesn’t give us the license to sin while living our lives. What was sin thousands of years ago is still sin today. Sin as always driven and will always drive a wedge between us and God. God doesn’t change. He is still holy. Only the moralistic views of a sinful society changes. No one will ever be perfect in their relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. Yet, we must try our very best to live a holy life before God and the world of onlookers. We should always find ourselves remembering our first love-Jesus. We should desire to serve the Lord out of love and obedience with a whole heart.

 Yet, the Christian will have a judgment day based on rewards that we will receive in Heaven! II Corinthians 5:10 we find, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he had done, whether it be good or bad.”  (KJV) Note, the bible also teaches that we Christians should go to other Christians when they are in sin. Matthew 18 The Lord instructs His disciples in regard to disciplining and forgiving those who sin, having discussed the whole matter of reproving and rebuking sin in being ministers of holiness, and seeking those sinning Christians in order to bring them back to the place of obedience. We also have discovered how utterly imnortant it is to forgive on two levels: first, to forgive with the heart immediately without bearing a grudge; and second, to forgive relationally when the person turns from the sin and is brought back to the fellowship. Christians are washed clean by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16), but they are not made immune to temptations (Jas. 1:13-15). Christians must not make a habitual practice of sin (1John 3:6-10), but they do stumble in sin from time to time (1John 1:8-10). When a Christian sins, he must repent and confess the sin unto God! (1 John 3:7-10) Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. [8] He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. [9] No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. [10] This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. [NIV] John makes it pretty clear in this passage that Christians do not continue to sin daily, in word, deed or thought, by omission or commission. Don't miss the point, it is not that a Christians can't sin, or that we don't sometimes stumble and sin or even deliberately sin on rare occasions, but our lives will not be characterized by sin. If our lives are characterized by sin, then we are children of the devil not of God. If we sin daily in word, deed and thought, then I would say our lives are characterized by sin and we have a real problem. They may be LOST!!!

 

 
"Condemnation"

 "Condemnation" is a big word about a simple idea: being guilty. A guilty person must be sentenced and punished for his crime. But "Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God's sentence." So be glad: God doesn't condemn you if you know Jesus. And be sure not to condemn anyone else either: "If you do not find others guilty, then you will not be found guilty." Romans 8:1 (KJV) 1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” 

 Let’s always keep this in mind! We believers in Christ must live a holy life! We must seek righteous living that is only found in Christ. I believe the Bible teaches us not to sin and promotes a sinless life through Christ. I realize from my own personal experience that we Believers in Jesus Christ should not abuse our grace and take advantage of our salvation, which is given to us by the Lord, God Almighty. Freedom in Christ, doesn’t mean freedom to sin! Just because we are saved doesn’t give us the license to sin while living our lives. What was sin thousands of years ago is still sin today. Sin as always driven and will always drive a wedge between us and God. God doesn’t change. He is still holy. Only the moralistic views of a sinful society changes. Yet, we must try our very best to live a holy life before God and the world of onlookers. We should always find ourselves remembering our first love-Jesus. We should desire to serve the Lord out of love and obedience with a whole heart.

 Yet, the Christian will have a judgment day based on rewards that we will receive in Heaven! II Corinthians 5:10 we find, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he had done, whether it be good or bad.”  

The lost will face condemnation, because they didn’t receive Jesus Christ as their savior. Forgiveness of sin is only through the Son of God! In Christ alone!! Revelation 20:11-15 (ASV) 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire. Give God ALL the praise and glory!!


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

In Loving Memory of My Brother Donald Bradley II
Mar. 19, 1963  to  Oct. 3, 2008

Picture
My Big Brother

10/8/08

 
Sometimes we find ourselves in a battle with trying to accept God’s will. This is a battle we know we can never win for His will reigns supremely. Maybe in God’s own time He will reveal the answers for times such as these. Possibly we go through dark days to draw
closer to Him or to understand the importance of time. The time that God gives us on this earth is so very short. It is like a grain of
sand on the heavenly shores of His kingdom. We must use that time wisely through wisdom which comes only from God.  


As long as there is breath in all that knew and loved Donnie-he will always be remembered. The love and nurture Mom and Dad extended; the childhood we spent with him and the wonderful acts of being a son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend have left an indelible mark on each of us. Over the last couple of months Donnie reassured the family that he had accepted Jesus into his heart.
 
Donnie has received a great and most important treasure in eternity with the Lord. The same treasure we all seek! The Bible
tells us there is a time for weeping and mourning. But, there is also a time to rejoice. To rejoice in Donnie’s everlasting eternity that we all want to be a part of through Jesus Christ, our Lord is our celebration. Remember others may guide us to God and others may help us understand God but no one does the work of God, for only He can heal. Psalms 147:3 tells us God “heals the brokenhearted.”


 I’ll see you later……..Blue Eyes!
 
Love,

Bryan


 

 

 


In Loving Memory of my Grandmother Virgie Smith
7/13/22  to  1/28/05

Picture
January 31, 2005  

My Grandmother  

Over the last couple of weeks I have had many sleepless nights thinking about my grandmother.   I thought if there was one sentence that could sum up Virgie Smith it would be this:   A matriarch and warrior of love, selflessness, family and prayer.  Over the last 10 years I have watched her health decline, yet every time I spent time with her, never did I hear her complain about her problems.  She was always steadfast in expressing her concerns about mine.  She was always there to pray for me.  Never have I seen such selflessness in one individual.  

 
There are so many things that I will miss about her, but the one thing I will miss the most are her daily prayers for my family and me.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer. Mammaw’s prayers have sustained me and God has blessed me and taken care of me because of her intercession on my behalf.  It is our human nature to be selfish and wanting to keep her with us as long as we can.  But it is the will of God that she is with Him now.  My grandmother has finally received the prize that she has longed for-spending eternity with her Lord Jesus Christ.  

 
She has always expressed to me and my family that she has had a wonderful life and that all she has ever wanted is to see all of her family and friends to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as she did.  

 
It has been my privilege to be her grandson.  

 
On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank all those that have prayed for her during this time.

 
Bryan

 


Dedication to My Parents

Picture
My Parents

 
It’s amazing how time and circumstances can change you and the way you think.  As I have gotten older and become a father, I see life with a different perspective.  You definitely learn to appreciate things in life so much more.  In the short time I have been a father, Deidre and I have invested so much time, love and energy into our daughter.  It’s unbelievable!  I cannot imagine the effort and sacrifice you have obviously invested into me over the course of my life-Dad’s hard work, putting food on the table and always being strong; Mom’s nurturing care; Both of you loving and praying for me.  


I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and taught such strong morals and ethical values.  Sometimes I wish I could have been a better son to you.  Please forgive me for all the times I failed you.  I promise you both that your investment in me is not in vain.  
I love you both so much.  Thank you for the patience you had for me as a child and have for me now.  It has been a blessing to have your first grandbaby.  Watching you play with, teach and take care of Campbell makes me realize that the both of you love her as if she was your very own daughter.  Sometimes I wish we would have had more children earlier so together we could have enjoyed even more parenthood and grandparenthood.  

 
It’s hard to accept God’s will for all of our lives.  Whether the time God gives me with you is short or long, we must as a family always remember to try to make the best of things and to surrender to His will.  I hope and pray we have many more days together as a family.  It is nice to know that Heaven should always be our personal goal and permanent home.  Being together as a family in heaven is much more important any earthly abode.  Because of my upbringing, I want you both to know that I understand, other than salvation, the two most important things God has given us on this earth are time and family.  Neither one of you will ever be forgotten.  This world will definitely be a sadder place without your presence.  

 
Deidre, Campbell and I love and appreciate you both so very much.  

 
Love,

Bryan

 


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