WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OPINIONS - Sadell Bradley - 092816- Sadell Bradley

"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions" 

- Leonardo Da Vinci 

 

OPINION is an interesting word that has several possible connotations. It's a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. Opinion can also be the beliefs or views of a large number or majority of people about a particular thing; i.e. public opinion. An opinion can represent a formal statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter. How can one word stir up so much controversy? How can opinions possibly be both true and untrue? How can they reveal facts but also just be views or judgments? And why do we put so much stock in our own and others opinions?

The freedom of speech Americans enjoy because of the 1st Amendment is causing quite a storm these days. Crazy that it includes things like the freedom NOT to speak (specifically, the right not to salute the flag), or even to burn the flag in protest. West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989); United States v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 (1990); and the freedom to use certain offensive words and phrases to convey political messages, Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971). We're definitely doing that! Freedom of speech does NOT include: the right to incite actions that would harm others (e.g., shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater."). Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47 (1919); or to make or distribute obscene materials. Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957).

 

So in America, we're basically allowed to say what we want, when we want; but what about our Heavenly
citizenship? Isn't that first priority?  Consider James' admonition, "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." (James 1:19-20) Or Paul's instruction, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Eph. 4:29) Where do these fit in our so called 'freedom?' In Christ, are we 'free' to just throw our opinions around?

We've become so earthbound, so nationally oriented, so culturally fixated, that we've forgotten the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. The Apostle Paul was concerned that his protege Timothy not battle and spar with the opinions of false teachers who were leading people astray in matters of eternal significance. He counseled him to avoid disputes and not to strive: "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:23-26) If we're to do that on what Heavenly matters...how much more on the temporal! I know it's political season. I know horrible things are happening daily; but let's not lose focus on our Identity as Christ followers or our Mission here.

 

 

Join us for an awesome time of worshiping Jesus with International Worship Leader

Pastor William McDowell

Friday, October 21st 8:00 PM

at Zion Global Ministries

9180 Cincinnati-Columbus Road
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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 - TRUST - 09/21/16 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Trust is built when someone is vulnerable and not taken advantage of." - Bob Vanourek, Author of Triple Crown Leadership  

TRUST is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.  It is also the acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation. To hold a person or duty in trust states that you are responsible for them. Trust denotes faith and confidence, it also implies a willingness to be vulnerable. Imagine what this woman is thinking about the man she's trusting to grab her, and vice versa. Trust is a relationship of attachment. In life, we trust God, others and ourselves. One or more of those may be a challenge.

Trusting entails keeping in godly focus what the mind thinks and what the heart feels. Isaiah said, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because He trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength " (Isaiah 26:3-4)  Trusting, clinging to and relying upon God puts our doubts about His love and guidance to death. The proverbs instruct, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."  (Prov 3:5-6) 

Some of us are cool with the God-trust thing; it's people we don't trust. We've been let down, and our trust is busted. We don't realize how much trusting we do daily. We trust the driver of every vehicle on the road, and the traffic controllers. We trust the skills of both handymen and doctors. We trust that the food we eat in restaurants won't harm us. We trust that our financial advisors are making proper trades with our money. We trust spouses, business partners, pastors and friends with confidences and crucial life decisions. Building trust means letting go...of control. "You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you don't trust enough." - Frank Crane Check out this AMAZING Video! 
  

For others of us trusting ourselves is most difficult. We've made mistakes in the past that we regret and don't want to re-create. So we hesitate, losing precious time, or we leave decisions about our lives up to the whims of others. In following Christ you've already made the first and best trusting choice! let Him lead you through the others.  As we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, He is working in us both to WILL and to DO His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12-13) Take a risk and, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - APATHY - Sadell Bradley -09/14/16 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Fear is better than apathy because fear makes us do something." - Emiliano Salinas

"Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all - the apathy of human beings." - Helen Keller 
 

APATHY - means lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. It's from the Greek apatheia 'without feeling' or a- 'without' + pathos - 'suffering.' A synonym is indifference - lacking sympathy: feelings of pity or sorrow for someone's misfortune; common feeling, or understanding between people. With apathy, the subject matter isn't important enough to sway us even to opinion, much less to action. The Stoics taught it was virtuous to have a state of mind not disturbed by passions and free of emotion, particularly about external things one could not control. Stoicism seems to have crept into Christianity again. We're losing the Way of Jesus, whose compassion moved Him to the Cross and all manner of suffering and feeling for our sake.

Nowadays it's convenient on so many issues, not to openly make the statement, but to inwardly hold the posture, "I don't feel, and neither do I care to." Whether we're talking about our own inner healing, reconciling broken relationships, turbulent global politics, child poverty and hunger, social injustice, racism, or any of the pressing issues of the day...we Christians who are supposed to be known for LOVE and compassion as identifying marks (John 13:34:35) have turned apathetic. Christ, our High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, (Hebrews 4:15) runs toward us and bears our suffering and grief. (Isaiah 53:3-12) His disciples have sadly moved past feeling to a numb and regrettable nonchalance. We no longer care as we once did. 

Some of us are like the Stoics. We've developed a don't ask, don't tell philosophy; and believe that has shielded us from having to be sensitive, especially to painful or out of control situations. For others, apathy comes because we've grown weary in well doing. (Galatians 6:9) The trials, delays and disappointments have overwhelmed us. Will due season will ever come? People are really suffering waiting for YOU to intervene.  Lord forgive and cleanse our apathy. Help us feel and care again!

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 - FRAGILE - 09/07/16 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"If I let you in, please don't break anything" - Unknown

 

FRAGILE - means easily broken or damaged; not strong or sturdy; delicate and vulnerable.This is a trying season for us. Both of our mothers are going through illness. I've just started an additional job. The stress and unknowns of ministry continue. Tensions are high. Fears and frustrations have to be resisted. Our emotions, relationships, future and even life itself are fragile. Whom can we trust with our vulnerabilities as we become more keenly aware of the fragility of life? We can no longer presume upon tomorrow. "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away." (James 4:14)  Life is fragile folks, cherish it and those you love.

 

The apostle Paul recognized the fragility of his life, emotions, and ministry.  Perhaps his past as a persecutor who held the lives of new Christians in his hands, his blinding encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, or various trials, persecutions and near death experiences informed his wisdom about the impact of bringing the light of the Gospel into a world darkened in understanding:

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.  We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you." (2 Cor. 4: 7-12)

Paul knew at any time he could be called on to share in Jesus' death. He could be betrayed, abandoned, suffer financial loss, be mocked, scourged and beaten, separated from friends and family, suffer severe mental and emotional anguish, be imprisoned or even killed for the sake of the Gospel. To withstand the vicissitudes of life (the alternation between contrasting seasons/experiences), required total reliance on God's power and a willingness to die to self. We house the great treasures of God's Word and Spirit, but our flesh is weak and vulnerable. As we come to grips with our fragility and mortality; we can rely on the Spirit to withstand the winds, waves and currents set to eclipse us. Remember Jesus is on your ship, navigating and directing you to the safety of His will.

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