I Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

The secular world is all about first impressions. After the initial impact, people’s impressions are set. What matters is the first-time event.

Paul clearly states that everything we do should be for the glory of God – even the small details. Life is far more than one event.

The great composer Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment.” He always ended his compositions with the letters “S.D.G.” These letters stand for “Soli Dei Gratia,” which mean “to God alone be the praise.”

What does it mean for you to honor God in the small details of your life? Bringing glory to God is done in relationship to others. Here are three areas to reflect upon:

1. Do you intentionally speak to others for the purpose of edifying, encouraging and giving a blessing?
2. Is the joy of the Lord that is in your heart visible on the outside?
3. Giving glory to God means returning to God what he has given to you. If you do not spend time in God’s presence, you will not have much to return to him. This means reading His word, worshiping Him, and joyfully celebrating His righteous, holy rule.

What small things have you given to the Lord today through blessing and encouraging others?

– Written by Edward Bradley, August 7^th, 2007

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

It was only a small bug, but its presence on her [my daughter’s] shoulder caused a nuclear reaction. The decibel level, the jumping up and down with escalating speed – all this was a reaction calling for immediate removal of the small bug as far away as possible. All other issues, cares, conversations were set aside. Only one thing mattered – bug removal.

Our journey of faith is portrayed here as a race. In running such a long race, it is easy to become casual, comfortable, and contented. We can become spiritual tourists focusing on the experiences of the moment, the roadside attractions – and forget we are in a race with a glorious finish line ahead.

Here are three thoughts about this phrase that will help us focus in this race:

1. We all carry encumbrances with us on the journey. These hindrances are to be identified and put out of the way. An Olympic runner removes everything but the bare essentials to run the race.
2. These obstacles you carry with you may be good things. The choice then is between what is better and what is best. What will help me most in the race and what slows me down? No marathon runner carries a backpack with 20 of his favorite CDs, a large sandwich, ½-gallon of a power drink, and the morning paper for his break time. He is not in a race. He is sightseeing!
3. If you are too busy for Bible study, prayer, or serving to bless others, then your business is an encumbrance.

The goal is to run free by the grace of God to bless others, to proclaim His goodness and to enjoy Him forever.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, July 8^th 2008

Mark 14:61-62

“⁶¹But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer, and the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” ⁶²“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus is on the road to the cross. He stands alone before the mob. Mocking questions are hurled at Jesus, but he remains silent. Then the high priest sets forth the definitive question, “Are you the Christ?”

Notice that Jesus’ response is both the truth present and the truth yet to come. The focus of Jesus is to the cross and beyond.

How often do we face trials, even to a far lesser magnitude, and yet our focus is always on our problems and trials. We rarely see past our present struggles. Yet, we are exhorted to live by faith and not by sight.

What is faith? “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

To be a people of hope, we must believe that God is sufficient for all our needs in the present and confident that God is faithful in all his promises for the future.

In Christ our life does not end at the cross, but it continues into the very presence of “the Son of the Blessed One.”

Man of Sorrows! What a name,
For the Son of God, Who came,
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

 – Phil­ip P. Bliss – 1875

 – Written by Edward Bradley, June 23^rd 2006

Romans 8:28

^“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Thursday night I was in São Paulo, Brazil and was taken to a Febem unit (a prison) for teenage girls. The first section was newly finished with a brightly painted nursery. There were five nursing mothers who were between 13 and 18 in age. From there, we went to the larger unit where 43 girls gathered for a short time of singing, prayer and a message. I was the messenger. I told them a story of a beautiful flower:

Everyone loves a beautiful flower, but what many people do not realize is how that flower became so beautiful. The secret is in the growing of the flower. A good gardener knows that she must add something special to help the flower grow, mature, and blossom. What is that secret ingredient?

It is fertilizer if you live in a rich garden, but for most of us who live in a poor garden it is manure. Manure smells awful. No one would take a shower and spread manure all over their body to look beautiful. But somehow the presence of manure around a growing flower gives the flower strength. It increases the size and beauty of the flower.

Your time in prison is a time when you live in the manure of life. It stinks! But God can use this experience to help you grow in your life. It can be a time when you come closer to God and learn of His love and care for you. And someday you will look back on this time and see how God used the manure of the Febem to make you into His beautiful flower.

After the message, 1/3 of the girls went to their knees asking for God’s work in their lives.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, June 22^nd 2004