WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SECURITY - 05/25/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

SECURITY means the state of being free from danger or threat. It is the safety of a person, state or organization against criminal activity such as terrorism, theft, or espionage, or procedures put in place to ensure that safety. Security is the state of feeling safe, stable and free from fear or anxiety  The Latin securas means "free from care." We spend time, money and energy on making our homes and possessions secure with locks, keys, passwords, identity theft services, etc.  We've lined up savings, retirement, long-term care and other insurances to protect us against possible eventualities. We work to make sure our marriages and families are physically and relationally secure, and that our jobs and reputations are invulnerable. For some, anxiety is constant, and the threat of danger seems ever-present.

I don't know that we can ever be totally free of the possibility of peril. Satan, the thief's, purpose is to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10) His name diabolos means to slander, falsely accuse, defame, malign or unjustly criticize to hurt, and condemn to sever a relationship. We live daily with forces set against us that influence situations and the behaviors of frail humans who inadvertently or intentionally hurt us. They may or may not actually have ill-will toward us. The devil is the father of lies. (John 8:44) Kingdom citizens are not struggling against flesh and blood, but against powers and spiritual forces in heavenly places (Eph. 6:12),  especially when you're doing God's work. So how do I protect myself? Sometimes you can't. God has to do it for you!

Proverbs 14:26, NLT states, "Those who fear the LORD are secure; He will be a refuge for their children."  The psalmist encourages us to, "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22, NIV) Peter admonishes us to "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you." Whatever you're going through today, God sees you, He knows, and He's working it together for your good. (Rom. 8:28) Relax. Security is found in Him.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD-WAX COLD - Sadell Bradley- 05/18/16 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

WAX COLD is a biblical phrase used only in Matthew 24:12. The Greek word psugestetai from the root psucho means - to breathe cool by blowing, to grow cold. One scholar describes it as "spiritual energy blighted (spoiled/damaged) or chilled by a malign (evil) or poisonous wind." -(M. Vincent) In Matthew 24, Jesus' disciples asked, "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (vs 3) He answered with a litany of signs, including the destruction of the temple, false messiah's, wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, His follower's persecution for His name's sake, personal betrayals and false prophets (4-10) His opening was,"Watch out that no one deceives you." We're not sugarcoating what's about to happen here. Then Jesus said, because wickedness and evil will run rampant, the LOVE of MANY will WAX COLD. Coldness takes on different forms: 1) feelings of fear or horror.  While perfect love casts out or dispels fear, (1 John 4:18) cold love invites fear, and fosters distrust and isolation from others.  2) lacking affection or warmth of feeling; unemotional. "Cold-blooded" means without emotion or pity; deliberately cruel or callous.  In modern day, the phrase, "I'm cool" can mean, "You've disappointed me. It's too late. You're cut off." When we give people 'the cold shoulder,' we reject them or are deliberately unfriendly.  All of these responses are the antithesis of the LOVE that is to identify Christians (John 13:34-35). This God-kind of love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP as patient, forgiving, and kind through long-suffering, not egotistical or inflated with pride, not jealous or envious, not rude or unmannerly, not easily provoked, overly sensitive or easily angered, taking NO account, grudge or record of the evil done to it, not selfish or insisting on its own rights or way, not rejoicing in unrighteousness but in truth, believing, hoping and enduring ALL things. THIS LOVE never fails. Though sin is multiplying all around us and has even repeatedly injured us... We must watch out that our love doesn't wax cold! Help, LORD!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GRIT - 05/11/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant CIncinnati

GRIT is courage, mental toughness and resolve; strength of character.  When used as a verb, it means to clench the teeth, especially in order to keep one's resolve when faced with an unpleasant or painful duty- hence the colloquial phrase, "Grit it." This manager is gritting it by taking on painstaking, but necessary paperwork. Grit is required when we must tackle things that are not easy, but would be beneficial to our lives and goals.  When a deadline is fast approaching. When a bill or taxes must be paid. When we don't feel like exercising, studying, attending a function or following through on a project, plan or dream...we sometimes have to just grit it!  Willingness to grit says this is important. The Bible is FULL of situations where people had to grit it.  Jonah didn't want to go to Ninevah to warn the people to repent, but was forced to grit it after his whale experience. Esther didn't want to risk death to ask the king to save her people, but resolved, "If I perish, I perish." Ananias didn't want to heal Saul, who was killing and persecuting Christians. Many prophets where given Words to Israel that were unpleasant at best, and filled with judgment at worst. God had crazy ways to communicate His message.  Hosea had to marry and stay with Gomer, an adulterous prostitute, just to reflect God's eternal and unconditional love. Now, that's some grit! Even Jesus had to grit it. If HE had to, why do you think you don't?  Preparing to go to the cross, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine." (Matthew 26:39) He decided, as an innocent man to take on and forgive the sins of the entire world forever. Now that's True Grit. This meme says G.R.I.T. is guts, resilience, initiative and tenacity.  In Christ, it also takes Grace, Resolve, Integrity, and Trust to do the thing and become the person God is calling for when times are hard, you're struggling with doubts and your strength is failing. If that's you, don't give up, just GRIT IT.  SUNDAY WORSHIP 11:00 AM The Great Room SUNDAY CLASSES  9:30 AM Youth Room  225 Wyoming Ave       Cincinnati OH 45215 (Presbyterian Church of Wyoming) 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COVETOUSNESS - 05/04/16- Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

COVETOUSNESS -means having or showing a great desire to possess something, typically belonging to someone else. Surprisingly, I can't remember hearing a lot of sermons on covetousness. Perhaps it's because the US is a capitalist and consumption oriented society whose advertising dollars go toward making us feel like what we have is not enough. We are conditioned not only to want more, but to endlessly compare ourselves, find ourselves lacking, and yearn enviously for what others have.

Isn't that what social media is about? We share our best accomplishments, wax wise with other people's quotes, post pretty vacation photos, then evaluate our social status by likes, loves and wows.  We watch entertainment news and envy the riches of sports figures, movie stars and moguls. Reunions are more about who's accomplished what and who has aged the best, than reminiscing.

It would seem in Christian circles we'd hear more about coveting. I mean this sin did make God's top ten list! In fact, it was His last commandment, and He went into great specifics."You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbors wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."  (Exodus 20:17) Jesus instructed His disciples, "Take care and be on your guard against covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15) Be grateful for God's blessing.

Covetousness reveals itself in more than material things. We covet the status of others. We covet the favor and attention one sibling, co-worker, pastor, church soloist, etc. gets.  We desire the opportunities and education someone else has achieved, or wish we could have their looks or physique. Coveting is a slippery slope of pride and insecurity. Paul listed it among the vices we are to put to death (Col. 3:5). He challenges us to "let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) Stop looking over your shoulder at what others have or are doing. Be faithful to what He's called you to do and stay in your lane, that is enough!