WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SERVE - 11/25/2020 -Sadell Bradley

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SERVE Sadell Bradley 11/25/2020 "There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well." - Walter Reuther Thanksgiving opens a season of serving. Heightened levels of generosity are everywhere. So many hurting families are being helped in this trying economic time. SERVING goes beyond its definition of performing duties, or giving people goods. It goes to the heart, and to identity. For some, serving a huge meal at this time of year is so much a part of our habit and practice that we would defy no gathering orders. For others, not being able to serve has brought on discombobulation, and even depression. It seems like we don't figure out the value of things and people until they are taken away. Even serving, whether a meal or a calling in the military, is a powerful expression of love and humility. The Greek word for minister means servant. Ministry: the prayers we pray, the songs we sing, the gifts we give, the kindness we show, the words we speak are all service. Serving is precious to God. To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less. Andre Malraux In the height of his boxing reign, Muhammad Ali's proclamation was, "I am the greatest of all time!" Many people admired his confidence, strength, and chutzpah to make the kinds of declarations he did about himself. Believers know that the LORD Jesus Christ truly has that distinction of being the greatest. What Jesus taught His disciples about serving, leadership, and Himself as a leader is quite different: "Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:25-28, NLT) Since the pandemic, there's been a shift in how we measure greatness. People whose contributions were deemed insignificant are now heroes and heroines—because of their service. We realize how dependent we are on teachers, healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, delivery truck drivers, justice fighters, and voting poll workers. We honor the ministers who give encouragement and help families who are grieving or in need. The first-responders and the nursing home attendants that put their lives on the line to keep our family members safe, the artists and athletes providing us an escape: are all becoming greater and greater in our eyes. I pray that they will remain so after all of this is over. The last shall be first. The least is the greatest. It's amazing how much time and attention we put into being the first, the biggest, the best, the greatest, the wealthiest, and the most famous. It's sad how we compare ourselves to each other, and how disappointed we can be when we don't achieve our lofty goals. This world's culture celebrates the person who moves from poverty to riches, but not the one who divests themselves of power and privilege to serve and help others. When His disciples were arguing about who was the greatest, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” (Mark 9:35, NLT) When was the last time you saw leaders running toward or fighting for the opportunity to be last and serve? Some leaders have folks carrying out their wishes and won't even work beside them. One day we will realize that greatness is below...and beneath...and in the one who serves.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - APPRECIATION - Sadell Bradley 11/18/2020

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD APPRECIATION Sadell Bradley 11/18/2020 "Appreciation is the highest form or prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts. - Alan Cohen Appreciation is the highest form of prayer. What a powerful statement. APPRECIATION is a recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something; gratitude; a full understanding of a situation or person; an increase in value. The Latin verb appretiare means to set at a price or appraise. Appreciation speaks of the regard that someone is held to deserve in your own mind and heart. When that value is expressed aloud in words (statements, songs, letters, cards, billboards, etc.) your gratitude for who they are to you, or what they've done for you, becomes clear. This magnifies their worth and endears you to them and vice versa. This is true for people; it's also true for God. ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING & HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE The entry way into the presence of the LORD includes shouts of joy and gladness, worship, service, singing, blessing, and thanksgiving. Before we get into the Most Holy Place, before we ask for anything, the doorway is appreciation. This familiar admonition from Psalm 100:4 is an exhortation to worship. Hebrews 13:15 says, by Him (Jesus) we continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. We don't hold it inside, we speak it so we, and God, or others can know our gratitude. Wonder what would happen if we repeatedly used verbal expressions of appreciation in our relationships: at home, work, school and church? Every time we express appreciation the value of the one recognized, cherished, admired, or treasured, increases within us. When we say we 'magnify the LORD,' the statement is not making Him any larger. He is infinite. The magnification is about our own perception of His immensity, power, and ability to handle our situation. The more we thank God, the more that perception grows. Song-writers Bryan and Katie Torwalt in the Hymn Holy Spirit invite us into that appreciation, "Let us become more aware of Your presence, let us experience the glory of Your goodness." God is not getting bigger or better...we are just recognizing and growing to appreciate the vastness of His grace. Paul affirms the link between appreciation and prayer, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7) SHOW SOMEONE APPRECIATION TODAY! I so appreciate YOU, the readers of this blog! for years many of you have invested a bit of time in your day each week to read Wednesday's Word. What an honor. Through seasons of peace, joy, sorrow, and tribulation in this world, I've been blessed to share my vantage point of the Kingdom's perspective on issues. Many of you have responded, expressing your own insights and gratitude when something I've written has left an impression on you. Writing is a blessed journey. No one learns or benefits more than the writer, but why write if there's no one to read it. I am so grateful for you.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - POWER - Sadell Bradley 11/11/2020

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD POWER Sadell Bradley 11/11/2020 "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Robert Green Ingersoll - American Lawyer POWER is the capacity to act, and the ability to direct, or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. Power can take the form of political or social authority or control, or military strength. A business, organization, or religious group can be powerful. The political process is about gaining, holding, and maintaining power - to have a say in how we live, what policies are adopted, and what legacy is left. This election season has shown us a lot about how we desire, view, and engage power. Every voter, organizer, government official, ethnic or special interest group, religious leader, and media representative holds power. The President, President elect, and our world leaders give us valuable lessons about power: how to hold and wield it, how it can be lost, and ways to transition it. Everyone holds power and influence, even those we don't normally think of. Author Alice Walker said, "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR POWER? Peter Scazzero in, 'The Emotionally Healthy Leader' wrote, "The problem is that few leaders have an awareness of, let alone reflect on, their God-given power. As a result, some carelessly wield their power with aggression, exploiting it to their own advantage...On the opposite extreme are leaders who shrink back from exercising their power. Their reluctance to assert themselves leaves the door open to the wrong people stepping into the power vacuum -- which causes all sorts of chaos." What's the deal with this thing called power that so many covet while others repel? There are many mentions of power in Scripture. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. The Greek dunamai from which we get dynamite is miraculous power - might, strength, energy, and the capability to perform through God's ability. In Luke 24:29 the disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until they were "clothed with power from on high." Acts 1:8, said that they would receive power to be God's witnesses after the Holy Spirit had come upon them. Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us. Even in our weaknesses, Paul writes that God's sufficient grace will allow for the 'power of Christ' to rest on us. (2 Cor. 12:9) Ephesians 6:10 exhorts us to be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. This word kratos means His perfect and complete dominion and exerted power. God has entrusted us with power. Have you ever thought about the level or type of power and influence God has allowed you to hold? If so, what do you do with your power? Absolute power corrupts absolutely. -Lord Acton Lord Acton's words ring true. We've seen a lot of corruption - dishonest, fraudulent, and morally depraved conduct by some in power. This has brought destruction, decay, despair, and a loss of trust of those in authority not just in the world, but in the Church. There are consequences, and there is collateral damage. Another negative by-product of the abuse of power is that good, quality leaders are now afraid to properly engage their power, authority, and the servant leadership that Jesus modeled for us. That is leaving our City, our Nation, and the Church, as Scazzero said above, open to all sorts of chaos. Reflect on your power and how it can be used for good and for God's glory.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD -DIVIDED - Sadell Bradley - 11/4/2020

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD

DIVIDED

Sadell Bradley

11/4/2020

"In an era in which war and terrorism - at home and abroad- are often based on racial, religious, and ethnic differences, rediscovering the wisdom of love and compassion may help us increase our survival at a time when an increasingly divided country and world so badly need it" - Dean Cornish

What we are seeing this election season says more about the country than it does about any candidate. In almost every category - in all of the branches of our highest government, and in State and Local races...we are deeply divided as a Nation. DIVIDED means split into two parts; separated; not united; in disagreement. We're divided politically. We're divided ethnically. We're divided soci-economically. We're divided by generation. We're divided ideologically. It's difficult to watch. As African-Americans, it may be even harder, as deep down inside we know there is no group that is really for us. No matter the election's outcome, there will be backlash for our communities.

A DIVIDED KINGDOM Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. (Luke11:17b) The NLT renders that statement, "Any kingdom divided by Civil War is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart." We're seeing that everywhere now. The 'United States' is torn in half. The American Flag has become for some, a symbol of hatred, and now instills fear in others. Families have split over politics: children have been disowned for aligning with 'the other side.' Longstanding friendships have been lost. It doesn't look like we'll soon recover from stances taken, the harsh words spoken, or the tactics employed to divide us. It's not just the media, it's us...in every conversation, every retort, and every post. It's the meaning behind our signs, our hats, even the wearing or not wearing of masks in the pandemic. These are definitely days of reckoning. The most tragic division is within the Church. In our early history there was no need for the separation of Church and State, because governments were just being formed. Christians had to grapple internally with theological differences, but it was outside persecutions that unified us. Persecution may arise again, even in this Country soon. Too many of us have forgotten that we are first and foremost citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom. The currency of that Kingdom and its identifying mark is the love that we have one for another. (John 13:34-35) We are choosing temporal, carnal things over God's love.

THE HOUSE OF GOD - DIVIDED

JESUS, our King, prayed for our unity because it is the redemptive revelation of God's love for humanity and proves that Christ was sent by God to save us. (John 17:20-23) The credibility of our witness is being lost in the mire of political partisanship and nationalism and economic caste-systems. The Church's internal segregation, money and power dynamics, and its stoking of racial tensions, have plagued us since the Gentiles were called unclean by Hebrew Christians. We've lost Jesus' command to love, pray for, and do good to our enemies. (Matt. 5:44) In these days, those who will stand on a full-counsel Biblical position will probably suffer from all sides,"But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family/house of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1Peter4:16-19) You can choose to be a Christian that bridges divides.