WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FAITHFULNESS 01/28/15 - SADELL BRADLEY

  
Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something and putting loyalty into consistent practice, regardless of extenuating circumstances. In wedding vows, we pledge our faithfulness, "I plight thee my troth (loyalty)," affirming that we will be exclusive in love and intimacy with the one we have linked our lives to forever.  Faithfulness also expresses fidelity in more common things: a faithful customer at a store or restaurant, a faithful employee, or a faithful fan of a team or artist.  Finally, the phrase, "the faithful" describes those who have a strong religious belief that keeps true to its teachings or doctrines with a steadfast perseverance.  Paul describes us as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," and emphasizes that "those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." 1 Cor. 4:1-2 

Mother Theresa founded the Missionaries of Charity with 4500 sisters  to run hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and leprosy, soup kitchens and orphanages, mobile clinics and schools for the impoverished and those who were forgotten of society. She said, "We are called upon not to be successful, but to be faithful."  Ironically, her faithfulness brought great notoriety as she fulfilled God's mission for her life.

Faithfulness is a God-like characteristic. Jesus is described as Faithful and True.(Revelation 19:11) Paul said that in Christ's faithfulness He will protect and deliver us both from the evil one, and from wicked people. (2 Thes. 3:2-3)  Proverbs 28:20 promises that, "A faithful man will abound in blessings." Jesus urged His disciples about faithful stewardship in Luke 16:10-12:

“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?

 

When I meet the Lord the one thing I want to hear is..."Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come share in your Master's happiness." (Matthew 25:21)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RESILIENCE - 01/21/15 SADELL BRADLEY

Resilience is the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity. It is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulty; toughness. I admire those like this soldier, who for the sake of a greater call, have suffered great losses and set backs. They possess an indomitable spirit: one that is impossible to subdue or defeat.  Where most would have given up and quit, they continue on to do what seemingly could not be done. 

Nelson Mandela, endured 27 years of what was meant to be a will-crushing imprisonment, fighting against the injustices of apartheid in South Africa. He was locked up at age 46 and released at 73. Most of us would have emerged with our spirit broken, just grateful to be alive and free, and certainly resentful of our captors.  Not Mandela, he arose with strength and grace, with a forgiving heart, and the will to lead not only those who had battled with him, but those who fought against him. President Mandela  said, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Resilience.
 

Jesus, suffered the greatest agony ever known to be our atoning sacrifice: the anxiety of the Garden of Gethsemane, an unjust trial, and the cruelest death by crucifixion. He was not only marred physically until unrecognizable; He carried the entire weight of sin for the whole world, past, present, and future. He felt the separation from His Father that sin brings, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46)  Jesus was not only left for dead; He was dead, and buried. But on the third day, He bounced back! rising from the dead with a glorified body, appearing to His disciples many times, showing them his wounds, and even walking through walls!  Jesus emerged not as a suffering Savior, but as God and King! and the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us!

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.(Romans 8:11)

We can bounce back from sin, faults and failures. When we die, those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior will live again eternally with Him!  Even now in this earth, if we have a spirit of resiliency that is willing to go through whatever it takes... we can recover! What was dead can be raised! What was hurt can be healed! The broken can be restored! What was lost can be found!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INFLUENCE - 1/15/15 - SADELL BRADLEY

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. It is the power to shape policy or ensure favorable treatment from someone, especially through status, contacts, or wealth.  It derives from the Latin influentia "to flow," and also describes 'imperceptible or indirect action exerted to cause changes.'

Each year, Time Magazine reveals it's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.  They are separated into five categories: Titans, Pioneers, Artists, Leaders and Icons.  There are great names like Pope Francis, Robert Redford, and Beyonce, who have impacted the lives and culture of so many on a public stage. Still, there are many others who wield just as much influence incognito: engineer Tony Fadell - the father of the ipod, Ertharin Cousin from the South Side of Chicago, who is responsible for bringing food to more than 100 million people around the world as the head of the U.N.'s World Food Programme, or Robert & Kristin Lopez, who wrote "Let it Go,"the theme song to the hit movie Frozen.

Jesus Christ is easily the most influential person in history.  His life and teachings have shaped the laws of governments, and set the standard for the character of individuals.  He is singularly loved, worshiped, and respected - even in other religious circles. Our calendar has been set with A.D. & B.C. signifying His birth as the most significant day in history.  The book about Him is the best-selling book of all time. His powerful yet humble mission to leave His throne in Heaven and come to earth, live spotlessly and die on a cross to save billions of undeserving sinners, showed God's love to the world He created. It is the greatest show of love and grace the world has or will ever know. (Phil 2) None of us have actually seen or spoken with this figure of historical record face to face... yet His Words wield a power that influences our mores, values and decisions to this day.  We yield ourselves to His revealed purpose and attempt to model ourselves after His Divine personality.  John Maxwell simply states, "Leadership is Influence."

You may be a person of note in the City, State, Nation or World, or you may be a behind the scenes influencer whose conversation, wisdom and insights impact the decisions of a more public figure.  You may be raising, teaching, or mentoring a child or adult who will become a significant voice. As Christ followers, the salt and light of the world, we hold much more influence than we realize. Let's be prayerful to ensure that the direction of that influence is Godly and impactful.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - REFINE - 1/7/15

To refine is to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance,  or to improve something by making small changes, in particular to make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate. Synonyms for refine are to purify, treat or process. In ancient times, gold was refined with fire using a high temperature to bring it to its desired level of purity.

Refining with flame is one of the oldest methods of refining metals. Mentioned even in the Bible, refining by fire is the preferable method for larger quantities of gold. This form of refining involved a craftsman sitting next to a hot fire with molten gold in a crucible (as above -a ceramic or metal container in which gold was melted) being stirred and skimmed to remove the impurities or dross that rose to the top of the molten metal. With flames reaching temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius, this job was definitely a dangerous occupation for the gold refiner. (Ref. Gold Traders)

A crucible is figuratively a place or occasion of severe test or trial. It is also defined as a place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new. Scholars suggest that the lamp that was held over a cross was called a crucible.  There is much association in the Bible between severe tests, fiery trials, and the refining or purification process of God's chosen: 

"He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness." Malachi 3:3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3

For You, God, tested us; You refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10 

The Apostle Peter admonishes us that the use of fiery trials for refining is normal for the Believer, and it brings us closer to the likeness of Jesus Christ.  "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13) We often question the fiery trial and ask for it to be brought to an end.  We want God to turn down the heat, not turn it up!  Little do we realize that the temperature is hotter and the flame higher because God is making us better and bringing forth purer and greater quantities of what is precious! James said we are to consider or count it joy when we face these varied trials. The result of the finished work of patient endurance, the trial of our faith, and the wisdom we gain along the way is that we'll be brought forth as mature and valuable saints who lack nothing! (James 1:1-4)