WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SERENITY/SHALOM - SADELL BRADLEY NEW LIFE COVENANT CINCINNATI

Serenity is a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.  Serenity is a by-product of trusting and acknowledging God and not leaning to our own understanding. (Prov. 3:5-6)  We trust that God is at work both in and around us to address situations and bring them to completion. (Phil. 2:13, 1:6)   We cast the whole of our anxieties on Him because we are in His care. (1 Peter 5:7) We have faith that He will meet our needs as we prioritize His Kingdom. (Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33) We know He works all things together for our good because we love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).

In school we learned the Israeli folk song Shalom Chaverim, "Have peace my friend, be safe my friend, have peace, have peace. Til we meet again, till then my good friend have peace, have peace."  The Hebrew shalom is a salutation in coming or going that invokes a blessing.  Shalom means peace, tranquility,  friendship, making amends, safety, welfare, happiness, fullness, wholeness and completion... be to YOU!  It is derivative of  a word shalam which means to be safe or uninjured in mind or body.  What a power-packed, life-giving word!!

Jesus gave us His peace, empowering us to thrive in this troubled world, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27) Eirene Greek - peace, prosperity, quietness and rest; to set at one again.  He said, in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

What if life is not peaceful for you right now and anxiety/worry is building?  Paul tells us what to do in Philippians 4:4-9:  

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Shalom, my friends! Hope to see you Sunday!!  

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - HOLDING PATTERN -2/18/15- SADELL BRADLEY - NEW LIFE COVENANT CINCINNATI

A holding pattern is a maneuver designed to delay an aircraft already in flight while keeping it in a specified airspace.  The aircraft have arrived at its destination, but cannot land yet because of traffic congestion, poor weather, or runway unavailability.  Several aircraft may fly in the same holding stack at lower speeds to save fuel, separated vertically by 1,000 feet or more.   New arrivals will be added at the top. The aircraft at the bottom of the stack will be taken out and allowed to make an approach first, and so on.  Air Traffic Control controls the whole process.

Here is a simple holding pattern, the planes are traveling basically in circles.  The new plane comes on top and follows the circular pattern.
For passengers, a holding pattern can bring anxiety and frustration.  You're scheduled to land at a certain time, now you're delayed.  You might have a connecting flight.  You've  begun the descent, are low enough to see the ground, yet you've slowed down and are going around and around!  If you dislike flying you just want to land and get on the ground safely.

Sometimes in life, we're close to our desire/dream and it is as if God's hand slows us and start us circling, right when we're almost there!  Why? What is holding things up?  Is there danger?  We don't know who else is held up with us (nor do we care), or what order we are in for landing. GOD, who controls the air,  each passenger and the aircraft, will allow us to land at our destination when it seems best to HIM.

Zacharias the priest and his wife Elizabeth were faithful and righteous saints...but in a holding pattern.  Zacharias had prayed for a child for years.  The angel Gabriel appeared to him saying, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John." (Luke 1:13) The couple was older, and had been flying on life's journey desiring offspring for so long, that Zacharias couldn't believe it was true. "How can I be sure of this? I am old and my wife is well along in years." (vs 18)  He thought it was too late...even impossible at their age. God's Word is true and His timing is perfect, though to us it seems delayed. To stop him from speaking unbelief, the Lord held Zacharias' tongue from confessing his doubts, but He did not stop their appointment with destiny!  They didn't know the holding pattern and the timing of their baby's arrival was to coincide with the landing of another plane, that of Mary and Joseph, which carried John's cousin JESUS! the Messiah! the Savior of the world!

Are you in a holding pattern today? Does it seem like God is delaying you? slowing you down? Is He having you go around in circles when the destination is so close you can see it? Is He letting other planes land before yours? Trust Him to land YOU safely at YOUR destination in HIS perfect timing! 

 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - MIRACLE - SADELL BRADLEY - NEW LIFE COVENANT 2/11/15

A Miracle is a surprising, improbable or extraordinary  and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a Divine agency. The Latin word miraculum means 'object of wonder.'  US Airways Flight 1549 struck of flock of Canada geese during it's climb, lost engine power, and was landed by Capt. Chelsey Sullenburger on the Hudson River near Manhattan with no loss of human life.  It was called the "Miracle on the Hudson." God is in the miracle business...

After Peter and John healed the man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful, Peter proclaimed to the onlookers and then before the tribunal of priests and Sanhedrin, that it was by the power of Jesus, the Messiah, that the man was restored. (Acts 3:16-20,4)  The Greek teras, a wonder or marvel, conveys the idea that a miracle is done to elicit a reaction from onlookers. It leaves an indelible mark on those who experience it, because it brings the power of Heaven to earth. The priests were disturbed by Peter and John's preaching and more importantly, DEMONSTRATING, that Jesus was not just the author of healing, but also of the resurrection of the dead; so they jailed them.

16"What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

In the midst of the attention and acrimony that came because they were the ones through whom the miracle as worked; Peter and John never lost sight of Who the real miracle-worker was. They were not deterred by their enemies, but sought the Lord to continue to astonish many with His mighty power in Jesus' name so that droves of people would believe.  (Acts 4:29-31)

29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Part of the Great Commission is that signs, miracles and wonders would follow believers (Mark 16:17-8), not so that everyone can know how anointed or powerful we are, but so that those who do not yet know Jesus Christ will believe that He is Lord and King.  We should pray for, expect and participate in miracles: healing, financial, restoration, etc.  Lord, show Your power through us!!!

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ANXIETY - 02/04/15 SADELL BRADLEY NEW LIFE COVENANT CINCINNATI

During a Q&A time after our sermon series on marriage, we were asked, "How do you deal with the anxiety you feel as you're addressing difficult issues in your relationship?" Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Even when our anxiety is about doing something positive, the uncertainty can cause dis-ease.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults 18 and older (18% of the population). They cost us $42 Billion a year. (ADAA -The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry) Interestingly, anxiety disorders are more prevalent in developed countries than in developing countries, and women are more prone.

Before all of these studies came into play, God, in His infinite wisdom knew we would experience times of anxiety in our lives and relationships.  The Apostle Paul gave us GOD'S remedy and action plan for anxiety in Philippians 4:4-9. If we would meditate and apply the action steps in this Scripture, we would experience the joy and peace we ALL long for:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your  gentleness (moderation, KJV) be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.

Rejoice, or JOY AGAIN always! When circumstances move you out of joy...JOY AGAIN in the Lord!! When anxiety hits, as a first option PRAY and PETITION- (meaning a SPECIFIC request), with thanksgiving, indicating you're praying in FAITH, and you will experience God's peace, even through dire situations.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you

God is a God of exchange. He doesn't just tell us, "Don't be anxious" He gives us what to think about.  I love the first category, "Whatever is TRUE..." The enemy is a deceiver. (John 8:44) He lies and suggests to get us anxious and distracted.  A practical step you can take before being overcome with anxiety, is to ask yourself this question, "How true is what I'm thinking right now...?" then follow the instructions given in this passage...it will change your life!! 

**If your anxiety issues are at a crisis level, seek help! Proverbs admonishes us to get counsel and advice in everything from our plans to waging war. (Prov. 11:14, 15:21-23, 20:18) A wise person heeds sound instruction and advice.**