WEDNESDAY'S WORD - QUANDARY - 09/30/15 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

A QUANDARY is a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. The word derives partly from the Latin quando or 'when.' To be perplexed means you are facing something so complicated that you feel completely baffled.  It has the idea of being entangled or interwoven, as the gentleman above. I'm sure there are times when you've not felt completely confident about a choice or direction.

The mental and emotional weight of uncertainty can be excruciating. The question of 'when?' while waiting even between two good choices is difficult. It would be easier to just quickly decide, but we want to make good decisions.  Not knowing what to do in a situation can be a drain to your hope - your expectation of a good outcome...and hope is what faith is made of!  In 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Paul described enduring quandaries as a part of his life and ministry to bring the Gospel to the lost, challenge religious systems, and lead Christians to maturity.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

God is after our utter dependence on Him in difficult and complicated situations.  So rest! God has promised to instruct and teach you in the way you should go, to guide and counsel you with His eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8)  We are never alone, nor without hope if we are willing to follow His leading and die to our own will, so that Christ's life and desires might be displayed through us! 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INDECISION- 09/16/15 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Indecision is the inability to make a decision quickly. To decide means to come to a resolution as a result of consideration; to make a choice from a number of alternatives; to resolve or settle a question. Indecision also describes the excruciating delay involved in making up one's mind.  An indecisive person procrastinates a decision to the point of paralysis. American philosopher William James stated, "There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision."  The fear of making a wrong decision is so strong we make no decision at all. Indecision IS a decision that leaves unfulfilling and frustrating consequences for us and for those who are negatively impacted by our failure to decide.

Israel was often confronted about their indecision on worship.   Moses warned them to follow the commands of Jehovah and not to neglect worshiping Him when prosperity came in the land of promise. Their choice would impact their future legacy. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19) Joshua reiterated this urgency to choose to honor God once they'd conquered their enemies, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 

Elijah asked the Israelites a hard question, when king Ahab and queen Jezebel had introduced the worship of Baal and they were having trouble deciding whom to worship. "Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the Lord is the true God, then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word." (1 Kings 18:21)

More often than I'd like to admit, my indecisiveness is directly related to worship and my obedience to God's revealed or prophetic Word.  I know the right answer and what needs to be done, but I'm telling God,"Let me get back to You on that..." as if I'm unsure of what to do. I'm really not. I'm just rebelling,  or I'm too scared to move.  That's what paralysis is - being partially or totally incapable of movement;  rendered unable to think or act because of panic or fear, or bringing things to a standstill that causes disruption or chaos. This FALSE feeling of powerlessness we give in to negatively impacts our relationships and stalls out our future. So...how long are YOU going to be paralyzed by indecision? 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RESISTANCE - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati - 09/09/15

Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something; or the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. Resistance can come in the form of armed or violent opposition, like secret agencies or movements against governments. Individuals like Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who recently refused to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples, can resist what they believe is an unjust law and suffer the consequences of breaking it. Resistance can mean impeding, slowing, or stopping the adverse effect exerted by one thing on another.  To resist means to withstand the action or effect of something by ignoring or by struggling.
  
We often choose what's called "the path of least resistance."  We want the easiest course of action because we desire to avoid any and all difficulty or unpleasantness.  Most of us are especially resistant to change in all its forms because it's uncomfortable. Jesus said the gateway to life is narrow and strait and few find it. Strait means characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty; close, strict or rigorous. The road to destruction on the other hand, is broad and wide and most people choose that easier route. (Matthew 7:13-14) Christ followers are not to resist -  but embrace difficulties.  The Apostle James tells us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

The other day, the Lord told me to, "Stop resisting your life, and start resting in it."  I was internally arguing with, struggling against, and stonewalling (delaying or blocking with evasive replies) what God has ordained for my life.  All of what is going on is not bad, just very challenging. Scripture tells us where our resistance should really be, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) In my resistant posture about God's will, I have unwittingly been submitting to the devil and resisting the Lord.  I wonder if that's ever happened to you?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INGEST - Sadell Bradley 09/02/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

Ingest means to take food, drink or another substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it.  Ingest is also used to describe absorbing, taking in or assimilating information, ideas, time, resources, attention, or experiences. There is an old saying, "You are what you eat." We are also what we view and mentally or spiritually ingest.  I grew up in a simpler time when options were limited. There were 3-5 TV stations and no remotes; no smart phones, video games, personal computers or microwaves. We drove cross country without seat belts. Because of the free love and political influences of the 60's and 70's, Christians were cautioned to be careful what we took into our minds and spirits. I would NEVER have imagined the deluge of images/ideas we now experience!

In Ephesians 5, Paul admonishes us to live as children of the light, and have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. As the light in the world, we are to expose the darkness, not participate in it. (vs. 9-13) He encourages us to walk in love and to not even allow a hint of sexual immorality, greed, impurity, idolatry, foolish talk, coarse jesting or obscenity to be named among us. Nor are we to associate with those who participate in these behaviors. (vs. 2-7) Most of us get that evil companions will corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), but how much of our mental and spiritual intake via media, books, blog and posts, conversations, movies and music violates this admonition? Have we become desensitized to what we were intended to repel? Are we now corrupted?

King David said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalm 101:3) The NIV renders this verse, "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it."  Is this our sentiment, or do we 'wink' at sin and indulge it? and in our failure to cut it off from us silently approve what we know brings damage and destruction to our own and others' lives. Is what you ingest in conversation, social media or other means adding to your life or detracting from it? Does it promote faith or fear? Do you trust God or love people more or less? Does it bring hope or despair?

We ALL could remember this bit of wisdom, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  (Prov. 4:23 NIV)

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

11:00 AM 

SUNDAY WORSHIP
at

TAFT HIGH SCHOOL
420 Ezzard Charles Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45214
Enter through the rear parking lot

 

For information call 513-212-1131
or

Visit New Life Covenant's Website