WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RELEASE - 12/30/15 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati!

RELEASE means to allow or enable to escape from confinement; to set free . It also means to remove restrictions or obligations from someone so that they can be available for other activity. In media and communications, to release is to allow art or information to be made generally available. In legal or banking terms, release means to remit or discharge a debt, surrender a right, or make over property or money to another person or entity. As we close out 2015, there are things from which we need to be released, in order to release what God has placed inside of us!  
 
At the end of every seven years, the debts of all Israelites had to be canceled within their ranks. This was called "The Lord's Release" (KJV):            

“At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money. This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the Lord’s time of release has arrived. This release from debt, however, applies only to your fellow Israelites - not to the foreigners living among you. "There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession. (Deuteronomy 15:1-4, NLT)

God did not want His people to be in debt or captivity to one another.  He desired His covenant blessing to be felt by everyone, from the greatest to the least. He wanted a spirit of generosity to extend even to the poor of the nation.  Indebtedness often included slavery or indentured servitude.  The Lord abolished indefinite indebtedness by commanding His people to release those whom they were holding hostage for other activity. Is there someone whom you're holding in a literal debt or figurative unforgiveness? Release them!

It is time for the Lord's release! Have you been holding yourself hostage, drudging up the failures of your past? RELEASE!  Been procrastinating and afraid to unveil to the world what God has given you to share? RELEASE! Whatever is holding you back, or you are holding back, RELEASE IT! 

 

 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EMMANUEL - 12/23/15 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Joseph is reeling because his fiancee Mary just told him she was pregnant by someone else...she claimed it was God Himself! He loved Mary, so he considered  divorcing her privately, so as not to disgrace her.  Joseph goes to sleep - I'm not quite sure how he did that under the circumstances! In a dream an angel appears and says, "Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what she's conceiving is from the Holy Spirit.  She'll give birth to a son and you're to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." (Matt. 1:18-21 - paraphrase) I know, crazy right?  All of this is supposed to be a fulfillment of a prophesy by Isaiah. Behold! a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matt. 1:22- 23) Though these swelling Words of prophetic declaration came directly from the Lord; the timing of this declaration was awful! and the answer to the key question, though true, was not desired.  Has that ever happened to you?  

Emmanuel, God is with us. I wonder if Joseph felt that way? The appearance of an angel is startling, and Joseph was so convinced that he obeyed.  He took Mary as his wife and did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born. (vs. 24-25) That's real conviction! Can you imagine the mix of emotions this prophecy and turn of events caused him? Public shame (you know there was talk), the piercing of his ego, the dashing of his hopes for how his marriage would be.

 

He had to walk all the way to Bethlehem to be taxed, plenty of time to think about this shame of a situation. He endured the frustration of being rejected in place after place when his wife's water is about to break. Then he had to watch his wife deliver a child that is not his! that is from who knows where...yes, I know...God! but think about Joseph at the time. Not quite the nativity scene you have in the yard, is it?

Sometimes miracles are happening that don't feel especially miraculous! Prophetic and life-changing experiences from God don't always bring the kinds of tingly feelings we desire and get from church services. God is moving and changing things dramatically right in the midst of tragedy, confusion, paralyzing fear, what seems like betrayal, when we feel awful, disappointed, rejected and humiliated. It brought Joseph and Mary into isolation but was meant to exercise their faith.  The miracle of Christmas is not just that Jesus was born in a manger...but that His parents were willing to hear and obey the Word of the Lord at all emotional, relational, reputational and financial cost to see it come to pass! Imagine their shock and awe when shepherds, angels and wise men came celebrating. Thousands of years later, we have no doubt that Emmanuel - God was with them! The whole world has changed.  The challenge is to believe Emmanuel - God is with US!...even when we don't sense or feel Him!

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SILENT - 12/15/15 Sadell Bradley -New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Silent means not making or accompanied by any sound; not speaking. The word is used in both positive and negative contexts: "The strong, silent type," is a person who is not prone to speak much. "Giving the silent treatment," is a stubborn refusal to talk to someone after a recent argument. Our words have power - whether spoken or unspoken. Ecclesiastes 3:7 states that there is "a time to keep silence and a time to speak."  We'd do well to distinguish between the two. Sometimes we don't know what to do or say, or what the best answer is. At other times we do, but it is better to keep our unsolicited opinions to ourselves. Our reputations are augmented by our ability to be tight-lipped. "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." (Proverbs 17:28)  Silence is golden.   
 

"But no man can tame the tongue," James 3:8 tells us, "it is restless and evil, full of deadly poison."  It blesses and worships God, then curses its fellow man. (vs. 9)  He calls the tongue a 'flame of fire" and a "world of wickedness" that is able to corrupt our entire body, set our lives on fire and end us up in Hell! (vs. 6) "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." (vs 2) Hmmm...maybe I've been directing my self-control goals and efforts in the wrong direction! What if our ability to overcome our appetites and sins could be directly impacted by controlling our tongues FIRST?!!   OH MY!!

 

I attended a Quaker School called Friends' Central in Merion, PA for 12 years. Each Wednesday, worship services called Quaker Meetings were held in complete silence unless someone was moved by God or their own revelation to share a thought that would benefit the group. Can you imagine an auditorium of children/teens sitting in silence for a whole period of 45 minutes?!  Well, we did! weekly. It was one of the BEST experiences of my life. The discipline of silence kick-started my ability to listen: to hear from God and others, and to reflect on my own thoughts - which has served me tremendously well. Here's an exercise: Turn everything around you off, still your mind and sit in total silence for 2 minutes with your hands on your knees.  See if you can do it, many adults cannot. Silence is a form or worship. "The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him." (Habakkuk 2:20)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ACQUIESCE - SADELL BRADLEY 12/07/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Last Wednesday's Word was exposure - an encounter that brings light or reveals something.  Recently, I was exposed to several new, awesome and intimidating things. I journaled my thoughts, knowing that one day these things would be a part of my life. I had a lot of questions, and some anxiety. The Holy Spirit replied, "I just need you to acquiesce and agree."  My first thought was, "Isn't that the same thing?" Agree means that you will do, allow, or accept something that is suggested or requested by another person. Yet the Lord was deliberate in using the word acquiesce. He says weird words I don't normally use so I know it's Him and not me, lol! So, I looked it up. ACQUIESCE - means to accept, agree, or allow something to happen BY staying silent or BY not arguing. I couldn't put it any better than the Rock does in this meme.  God was saying, "I'm not asking you to do or question it.  Be quiet! Let Me accomplish it."

 

In Luke 1, Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were barren, old, and had prayed for years for a child to no avail.  They were righteous people who loved God, but what they desired seemed unlikely, if not impossible. Zacharias was a priest, which made the delay even more public and shaming. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias and said, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." (L uke 1:13-14) John would be a great prophet who would turn many people back to the Lord. (16-17) Zacharias, started in with the questions..."Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well-stricken in years." The angel Gabriel replied that he was sent to bring the glad tidings, then executed this judgment on Zacharias: "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." (Luke 1:20) What if God shut our mouths when we didn't believe?

Zacharias and Elisabeth in God's time, would be a part of the greatest story ever told.  The Messiah would be conceived by their cousin Mary, a virgin, and their reproach would be wiped away by the birth of His forerunner, John the Baptist.  "For with God nothing shall be impossible." (vs 37) Zacharias did not speak until after his son was born. The people tried to name him Zacharias Jr. but he wrote down, "His name is John." Immediately his mouth was opened again and his first words were praises to God and prophesy about what God would do through his son, this precious gift he'd received despite his questioning! (vs.59-80) Some of what God has promised, ONLY HE can bring to pass! Your job is to agree with God and ACQUIESCE - accept what He has said, allow Him to do it, know your role...and shut your mouth!!  

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EXPOSURE- 12/2/15 - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

EXPOSURE has several meanings including: the state of being in contact with something; the revelation of an identity or fact, especially one that is concealed.  In photography, exposure is the amount of light per unit area reaching a photographic film. To be underexposed means the film has had light for too short a time, and vice versa.  Whether in photography or in life; it is important for us to deal properly with exposure. How much light is in my life...and what is it revealing?

Jesus said that "everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."  (John 3:20-21) Paul warned the church at Ephesus..."there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." He goes on to say that these habitual behaviors revoke inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Then he admonishes them,  "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible-and everything that is illuminated becomes a light." (Ephesians 5:3-13) Exposure is a serious thing!

Exposure has another, more positive light. When we are underexposed in life, we have not had enough experience in a certain arena.  Our information or access is limited and we need someone more knowledgeable to guide us. Some struggle if they're not the smartest person in the room, but if you are always that person...you need more exposure to grow!  People who have lived in poverty need exposure to another standard of living to change their status.  Those who have only experienced the US need  exposure to other countries to have a well-informed perspective of the world.  Spiritually, Elisha prayed during the battle that his servant's eyes would be opened to see that the army of the Lord with them was more than the enemies coming against them. (2 Kings 6:17) The servant had not been exposed to the concept of spiritual warring in the heavenlies. If you're stuck at a certain place in life...you might check to make sure you have the correct exposure!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GRATITUDE - Sadell Bradley - 11/25/15 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

GRATITUDE is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Thankful means both pleased and relieved -because a burden or anxiety has been lifted and it brings great joy. The word grateful is kin to gratitude - a welcome gift received or experience shared is acknowledged, and credit is given to the one who has extended the kindness.

At tables across this Country, family and friends will gather for Thanksgiving celebrations with a great feast. Some will as a matter of tradition, say a prayer or make statements that expresses gratitude.  Many others will just dig in, eat enough for three people, and turn on the football game without a pause to thank the Lord for His provision, or the cook(s) for their tireless contributions. Cincinnati, Ohio where I reside is the #2 City in the US for child poverty at 52%.  For African-American children, that number is a staggering 74%. (Cincinnati Urban League)  There are many hungry children here not just on Thanksgiving, but on any given day. We ought to do something about that. 

Around the globe, millions more are affected by poverty and hunger. Before we sit down to our bountiful meals, we might as Psalm 41:1-3 instructs us, take time to Consider the Poor.  Scripture says: "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." (Proverbs 29:7) We are to, “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people." (Psalm 82:3-4) Opportunities to do this are not hard to find...they're literally everywhere.

 
According to The World Food Programme:

• 795 million people do not have enough food to lead healthy lives.
• 12.9% of the populations of underdeveloped countries are malnourished
• The Continent of Asia is has the most hungry people - 2/3 of the total
• 1 in 4 people in Sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished
• Poor nutrition causes nearly half 45% of the deaths of children under 5 - 3.1 million children a year. 1 out of 6 children in developing countries is underweight. 1 in 3 has stunted growth.
• 66 million primary school-aged children attend classes hungry in the developing world, 23 million in Africa alone.

It is tragic that our greed and gluttony is withholding good from those who need it in a world in which God has provided enough for us all. The Bible tells us, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you." (Proverbs 3:27-28) According to National Geographic, one third of our food is lost or wasted. As Christians we are to demonstrate our gratitude with a return -  as conduits of blessing to those in need.  We have a responsibility to give bountifully, to "freely scatter our gifts to the poor" in order to relieve their burden and see their thanksgiving resound to God because of our generosity. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) I pray we all will celebrate THANKSGIVING with an attitude of GRATITUDE and a determination to help those in need in the coming year!

The Holidays prompt us to assess our lives. We start on Thanksgiving and end with New Year's resolutions. A good idea I saw on social media: Get a jar and fill it with notes of all of the wonderful things that happen throughout the year. Then at the end (or beginning) of the year open the jar, see and praise God for the great things He has done!

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EVALUATE - Sadell Bradley -11/18/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

 

EVALUATE means to form an idea of the amount, number or value of; to assess. Value is right in the middle of the word! Value is the importance, worth, or usefulness of something compared to the price paid or asked for it.. Normally, we see evaluation as a negative inspection that can bring anxiety. In our judgmental society we are constantly evaluating others and living under their microscope. When's the last time you assessed VALUE when evaluating your life and relationships? 

Paul told the Corinthian church that he and Apollos were servants of Christ given the responsibility of stewardship of the mysteries of God. The requirement for this mantle was to be found faithful: fully persuaded, trustworthy, and believing in Christ. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) Paul knew his ministry was being evaluated- vigorously judged, questioned, and examined by his critics.  The level of investigation was similar to 'forensic science.'  His reply was strong:

"As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don't even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I'm right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time-before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due."  (1 Corinthians 4:3-5, NLT)

This Scripture discourages negative evaluation of others and of ourselves. When God, the Judge appears, He'll bring TRUE evaluation.  He will assess our real intentions and give is His approval and commendation: 'appropriate and enthusiastic acknowledgement of what deserves praise.' (Lexicon) We would do well to focus on VALUE when dealing with others...as well as with ourselves. 

 

The Holidays prompt us to assess our lives. We start on Thanksgiving and end with New Year's resolutions. A good idea I saw on social media: Get a jar and fill it with notes of all of the wonderful things that happen throughout the year. Then at the end (or beginning) of the year open the jar, see and praise God for the great things He has done!

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - VETERAN - 11/11/15 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

A VETERAN - is a person who has served in a military force, especially one who has fought in a war.  In the US, today is the day that we honor armed forces veterans including my husband, father-in-law, uncle, cousin and many, many friends. We are grateful for your service to this country! The courage and commitment required to volunteer to protect and serve our citizens - potentially at the risk of life and limb is amazing! Yes, there are benefits like the G.I. bill, but the forsaking of personal identity for the whole, grueling and disciplined preparation and execution of duties, and the call to be ready to engage in warfare at a moment's notice with no assurance of safe return is what separates these warriors along with police, firemen, and secret service agencies from the rest of us.  

In our series on Spiritual Warfare at New Life, we've found that the same qualities are required as we engage our battles. Scripture references: the invisible war raging around us against the powers of this dark world and the Spiritual armor needed to fight (Ephesians 6); being alert to Satan our enemy and his devices and being quick to forgive so he won't get an advantage (1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Cor 2:10-11); and the war against sin that rages within (Romans 7, Galatians 5).  Paul instructed Timothy, his son in the faith, to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ, and to commit the things he had learned from Paul to faithful men who would teach others. He then urged him, "Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:1-4)

'Enduring hardship' means being willing to closely identify with 

someone else's ill-treatment and pain. Soldiers are commanded, "Leave no comrade behind!" Paul asks Timothy to suffer for the faith along side him. Then he goes on to advise him not to become entangled- twisted, or entwined with the difficulties and complicated circumstances of this life  - from which it is difficult to escape. 

Are there areas in your life that need the qualities of a veteran? Are you willing to endure hardship with someone else in this season? Are you too distracted by the complications of what's going on around you?

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SATIETY- Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati - 10/28/15

Satiety is to satisfy a desire or appetite to the full with as much or more of something than is desired or can be managed -from the Latin satis - meaning 'enough.'  In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie is a boy whose family is so poor he cannot buy candy at the candy store.  The eccentric owner, Willy Wonka, announces that he has hidden 5 golden tickets in his candy bars, which are found by four spoiled and bratty children.  Charlie finds the fifth ticket and he and his grandfather go on a journey through the factory, where Wonka and his umpa lumpas put the children through various character tests. The first four children failed - they were ill mannered, greedy, complaining and never satisfied.   Charlie and his grandpa fail as well, by stealing a fuzzy lifting drink for fun, but then Charlie returns to Wonka and apologizes - passing the character test!  He is then chosen not just to win chocolate forever, but to be the heir to Willy Wonka's factory and fortune.

 
The movie reveals that even as children, we are acculturated against satiety.  When given all the candy they could eat...they wanted more.  Have you reached the point where what you have is enough? Are you ever satisfied? Do you even connect with the concept or possibility of 'fullness'? 

  God warned Israel to Remember Him when they entered their promised land - a land without scarcity or lack. "When you have eaten and are full/satisfied,  (some of you didn't know that was possible) Praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you." (Deut. 8:10) God reminded them about their long trek through the wilderness, when He rained down 'just enough' daily provision of Manna for them.  Or when in His disgust after their complaining and hounding Him for meat, He sent enough quail to choke them! (Exodus 16) Have you ever been a brat like the children in the chocolate factory or the Children of Israel? God blesses daily but it's never enough, there's always the next thing you want or 'need!'

Ironically, the LORD made it so that earthly things would never be enough.  We will never find true satiety in anything or anyone but HIM!  Jesus described Himself as The True Vine in John 15, our Source of nourishment. El Shaddai - (the Almighty, All-Sufficient God, Multi-breasted One who is more than enough), revealed Himself to Abraham in Genesis 17.  In John 6 Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life. If we consistently feed on Him we will never hunger or thirst again. He will satisfy our cravings for more.... love, peace, mercy, wisdom, forgiveness, and for His presence. In fact, David sang, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11) Are you experiencing the fullness that is found in Christ? Or is the test you're going through revealing that you are still looking for more in something or someone else?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SELF-DOUBT - Sadell Bradley - 10/21/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Self-doubt is a lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities.  The word doubt means a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. It derives from the Latin word, dubitare, which means hesitate.  When riddled with self-doubt, we are less bold in decision making and action...sometimes to crippling procrastination. Self-confidence, on the other hand, is the feeling or belief that you can trust your own abilities, qualities and judgment. Some folks don't war at all with self-doubt; I am not one of them.  But that's OK! God graced many heroes of the faith to overcome their self-doubt. I believe He will do the same for us!

Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 that God intentionally chooses weak, poor, unlearned, lowly and despised people, orphans and others of ignoble birth to use for His purposes! Not many who are wise or influential by human standards, but those who are unknown, "so that no one may boast before Him." Our only boasting will be in the Lord! This runs counter to our culture of pride and meritocracy.  We'll have to say GOD did it, not us!

We know the Lord's upside-down choosing is a real phenomenon. That is of little consolation to our feelings of inadequacy when God calls. Like Gideon when the Spirit says, "The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior!"  we reply, Who me?! "If the Lord's with us why has all this bad stuff happened?" (Judges 6:12-13) Then we put our test fleeces out to see if what we heard God say in picking us is really true.  Or we're like Moses, an orphan abandoned at birth. He messed up his call the first time to be a deliverer by unjustly murdering an Egyptian oppressor. (Ex. 2)  When God called him again, he was a criminal in self-exile because of guilt and needed a burning bush experience to call him out.  If that weren't enough, he had a debilitating speech impediment - and God called him to be Israel's spokesman! The great leader future leader Moses was petrified!  He also needed signs and his brother to come along! (Ex. 3 & 4)  Perhaps you're like Abraham and Sarah. God promises that you're going to be exceedingly fruitful, but you're looking at your old age laughing and questioning because it seems impossible. (Gen. 18:12)  Or conversely, you're like Jeremiah saying, "I'm too young, I cannot speak." (Jer. 1:6-7) We all have self-disqualifying reasons...

It is not only possible, but probable that GOD does not see you, the way YOU see you. Look at the potential He saw in the misfits He chose to be His disciples! When God chose David he was the most unlikely candidate of 8 older brothers.  Samuel made a statement that we love when it applies to David, but we're not as sure of when it concerns us, "The LORD doesn't look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7) Unfortunately, WE are the people judging and disqualifying ourselves! Stop doing that! He is choosing you! Walk boldly into His call! 
 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - WITCHCRAFT - Sadell Bradley - 10/14/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

This time of year many turn their thoughts toward Halloween - witches, costumes and candy, without any understanding of the holiday or what it represents. It's not my intent to go into that on this blog. If you're interested in learning about Halloween check out this video from Pastor Jackie Jackson. Like other churches, we offer an alternative...not sure that's the best either. But I want to go in another direction with this blog. Witchcraft is the practice of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells and the summoning of spirits for their assistance or authority.  Magic is the power to influence the course of events by using mysterious supernatural forces. I was traumatized when I first saw the wicked witch from the Wizard of Oz and those monkeys! sent to thwart Dorothy and her friends from saving the citizens of Oz and her safe return to Kansas.

I determined then that witches were definitely to be avoided! I didn't realize that in a certain way, I was one of them. 1 Samuel 15 tells of king Saul's disobedience to God's command to attack Israel's enemy the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belonged to them. (vs.3) He was to put to death their men, women, children, infants and all of their livestock. Saul attacked
them, but spared their king, Agag, and kept the best of the livestock, but everything that was despised and weak, he destroyed. (vs. 8-9) God told the prophet Samuel that He regretted making Saul king because he didn't follow His instructions fully. (vs.10) Saul even had the nerve to greet Samuel with glee declaring, "I have carried out the Lord's instructions." (vs. 13)  But partial obedience is disobedience to God - something I've often done.  Saul gave excuses, was in denial, and blamed his soldiers saying, "But I did obey the Lord..." (vs. 20) he even 'worshiped' and gave a good offering! Isn't that what we do to cover it up?

But Samuel replied,"What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king." 1 Sam 15:22-23   

Rebellion is an act of open or violent resistance to an established authority, government or ruler's control or instructions. That Latin root means to declare war against the authority. The number of times we've tried to use our own  powers to influence the course events cannot be numbered.  Nor can the number of times we've partially obeyed or tried to stall out God's commands. Not to mention trying to cover up our disobedience with good works and 'worship.' We're ready to protest Halloween...but are we ready to put to death our own rebellion, opposition and resistance to God's commands?

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Fall Festival Saturday, October 31st Taft High School  420 Ezzard Charles Drive, 45214  Movie, Food, Prizes - Join Us!