WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INTERNECINE - 02/27/19 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

I imagine MMA fighters Tyler Bryan and Shaun Parker both thought they would emerge victorious from their professional debut at the Legends of Fighting event in Indianapolis in 2017. I'm certain they did not envision becoming one of few examples of fighters who simultaneously knock each other out, but that's exactly what happened. They dressed the same, shaved their heads the same and threw the same right hook...I know, unbelievable! It was an INTERNECINE fight - meaning destructive to both sides in a conflict. The word comes from the Latin internecinus fought to the death, or mutually destructive. Prior to the 20th century this word was  associated with wars, most famously in America the Civil War where tragic losses came on both sides. Then internecine came to also refer to political battles, corporate discord, and inter-personal struggles.       In a contest of wills, sometimes everyone emerges defeated. You can also win and lose at the same time - a very valuable lesson. For the Christian, the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5 discusses the warring that goes on between our spirits and our carnal natures. He admonishes us to be led by and walk in the Spirit, so that we will not fulfill our sinful desires (vs. 16-18):   19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.      Which side we choose to indulge has ramifications not only to us, but to others. Paul warns if we use our freedom to indulge our flesh we will violate the command to "Love your neighbor as yourself." (13-14) To satisfy our lower nature, we may find ourselves in an INTERNECINE combat that will end with detrimental consequences for all involved. "If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (15) We don't often reflect on the fact that our words, actions, or inaction have the power to tear down, damage, ruin, or put an end to someone - (their trust, reputation, career, etc). This is a sobering reality. The MMA fight's INTERNECINE clash led to a no contest decision - which means - nobody won. Where do your conflicts lead?

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORDS- AVENGE, REVENGE & VENGEANCE - 02/20/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?"  - Eleanor Roosevelt  

 

Almost everybody on the planet knows The Avengers: mortal and immortal heroes endued with supernatural powers who have been charged with bringing justice and protection to the world. It seems Stan Lee and the other Marvel Comic creators wanted us to acknowledge that there is always warfare going on around us. Forces are fighting on our behalf, and that more than often than not - they win the battle. AVENGE means to inflict harm for an injury done on behalf of oneself or someone else; to vindicate (clear someone of blame or suspicion, to show or prove to be right, reasonable or justified). Have you ever been a victim of injustice, falsely accused or deceived? The importunate woman in Luke 18:3 cried out to an unjust judge, "Avenge me of my adversary!" The premise of this parable about persistent prayer, is that God, our just Judge, will speedily avenge those of us who cry out to Him day and night for justice...if He finds that kind of faith on the earth." (vs.7-8)  

 

What makes REVENGE different from AVENGE is WHO is inflicting the 'payback' hurt. Generally with revenge, YOU are inflicting retribution yourself as opposed to allowing an outside party to execute VENGEANCE - punishment for the wrong. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12 wanted us to understand the difference between these words and their corresponding actions. He desired that we both comprehend and implement Jesus' standard, which is definitely not easy to do. (Romans 12:14-21)   

 

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

   

Don't you just want God to strike them down with a lightning bolt? Just expose them one good time. Let what they touch crumble.  God says, "Let Me handle it. "You just live at peace with them, bless them and overcome their evil with good. I'll admit, sometimes none of that is my first...or even second response. I liked the 'heap burning coals on his head" part
at first, until I understood it  meant atonement for sin like what Jesus did on the Cross. Your adversary's remorse and change will come via your demonstration of kindness and forgiveness. "It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance." (Romans 2:4) So, instead of revenge...let God AVENGE you as you do good.     

 

 

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Services Sunday at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PLATFORM - 02/13/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The further you go in life, the more you realize what you're going to leave this Earth. It's not going to be, 'It was a great platform. It was great to win the Super Bowl,' but really and truly what you're going to leave on this Earth is the influence on others."  - Coach Joe Gibbs 

PLATFORM has many meanings. If you're a tech person, it's a standard for the hardware of a computer that determines what type of software can be run. If you're a politician, it's a policy or point of view you share with potential voters or constituents. If you're in the arts, entertainment or ministry...a PLATFORM is both a raised stage used so you can be seen by your audience, and the influence or reach the figurative 'stage' provides. These days, many are seeking platforms to get their gifts and concepts out to the public. This blog is a small platform - thousands have read these words, hopefully with positive impact.   

   

Everyone has a platform. Each of us already has an
audience we influence sometimes daily or weekly. You may not be the main teacher or preacher, but each week you prepare a lesson for a class, or even for your children. You aren't a recording artist, but you are dedicated to offering worship before the LORD each week. You may not be Dr. Phil or Iyanla Vanzant, but you've given counsel and prayed for friends and family members in distress. Because you've lived 20, 30, 50 years or more, you've had the chance to be an example, to inspire, to sway, to guide and encourage others in significant ways.  

TD Jakes said, God allows and sometimes designs our trials to be a platform.  What you're going through, and how people observe you handling difficulties is an influential stage. That's why Christians refer to the lives of Job, Esther and Joseph. That's also why the cross of Christ holds such power. Jesus used His platform to display His passion - His willingness to love, suffer and die to save His enemies. Christ warned His disciples that persecution would be the Gospel's platform: 

"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation-just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you-and me-a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. (Matthew 10:17-20, MSG)  

Harry Belafonte is an actor and pioneer in the Civil Rights movement. He said, "My activism has always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism." This perspective begs the question, "Why has God allowed you to be in the situation you're in? Why do you burn for the cause that's in your heart? How can God get glory through you there? Who will be positively or negatively affected by the way you handle your platform?" You have one.

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - VICTORY - 02/06/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"If there be no enemy, there's no fight. If no fight, no victory, and if no victory there is no crown."  - Thomas Carlyle 

 

"Victory is mine! Victory is mine! Victory today is mine! I told Satan, get thee behind, Victory TODAY is mine! That's an old chorus. I love that it makes a declaration that I have VICTORY, gives the timing of the win (TODAY) and puts the enemy in his place. VICTORY is the act of defeating an opponent in a battle, game or other competition. As Christ followers, we don't fight for victory, we fight FROM victory. Our ultimate warfare surrounds the issue of sin and death - everything else we face in this life are battles and skirmishes. Jesus won the greatest victory over the last enemy (death) at the Cross of Calvary and with His resurrection. Paul said it this way:    

 

"54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: " Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:54-57)  

 

While on earth, we are challenged to view life's situations from a Heavenly perspective. As Kingdom citizens who are strangers and pilgrims in the earth, (Hebrews 11:13) we see things through the lens of faith. We are called to pray that the will of God be done in earth as it is in Heaven, (Matthew 6:10) to set our hearts and minds on things above and not on the earth, (Col. 3:2) and to store up treasure in Heaven and not on earth. (Matthew 19:20) It is easier to do if we realize that when God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He seated us with Him in Heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6)  When our perspective rises to a Heavenly vantage point, we see things differently and can say like Elisha did to his servant, "Fear not, for those that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)   

 

The time to celebrate the victory is NOW because it's already been won.  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not yet see. (Heb. 11:1) The Apostle John labels us overcomers. To OVERCOME means to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty; to defeat an opponent; to prevail. Part of being a victorious Christian is to seize the victory before you see the victory. "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."  (1 John 5:4)

 

 

Join us!

Services Sunday at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229