WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INVENT - Sadell Bradley - 08/30/17 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The very greatest things - great thoughts, discoveries, inventions - have usually been nurtured in hardship, often pondered over in sorrow, and established at length with difficulty." - Samuel Smiles       Tonight, MORTAR, the business accelerator where I work, will hold Pitch Night for it's 10th and 11th graduating classes. Sherman will be one of the Pitch Contest participants. Pitch Night Info  Aspiring entrepreneurs apply to MORTAR with their ideas and concepts. To INVENT means to create or design something that has not existed before; to be the originator of. God's name Elohim in Genesis 1:1 means that He is the Creator and Judge of the universe. Humans have been created in God's image and likeness, (Genesis 1:26) so creativity and innovation (morphing  and improving things that already exist) is a part of our makeup. I have watched Sherman use his ingenuity and effort to introduce this new consulting and training concept GoodFit on diversity, inclusion and implicit bias to the world. The timing couldn't be better, as our Nation is struggling to come together around race. Congratulations, Babe!! Our creative gifts and the ability to use them come from the wisdom of God. Proverbs 8:12 states, "I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions." It's easy for us to become conceited because we have to put in hard work to be the conduit that births God's ideas. If we're not careful we'll say, "Look what I have done!" but the writer of the proverb makes it clear, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." (vs.13) We can't take credit for God's designs, songs, writings, wealth or opportunities...so don't. Riches and blessings may come from 'our' inventions and ideas, but it's important not to set our hearts on them (Psalm 62:10)  Hold to humility and give God all the glory. The LORD has a reason and a higher purpose. Moses told the Children of Israel as they were approaching the Promised Land:   Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness,that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. (Deuteronomy 8:11-18)    Can God trust you to bring His concepts and dreams into the earth?

SUNDAY Worship 11:00 AM Worship The Great Room Sunday Class 9:30 AM Youth Room Basement at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CLENCHED - 08/23/17 - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched." -George Jean Nathan      Alex Haley, the Author of Roots, wrote, "When you clench your fist, no one can put anything into your hand."  It reminds me of the story of the monkey reaching for a piece of fruit inside a jar.  The fruit was larger than the jar's opening. The monkey wanted the fruit so badly that he clenched it with his fist. He tried over and over to pull the fruit and his fist out to no avail. Finding himself trapped by his own desires, he became frustrated. Frustration arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of an individual's will or goal. (Wikipedia) The only way the monkey could free himself was to release his hands from the thing he wanted and just let it go.  CLENCH, with reference to fingers or a hand means to close into a tight ball, especially when feeling extreme anger. With reference to teeth, it means to  be pressed tightly together, especially with anger or determination or so as to suppress a strong emotion. To clench, literally or figuratively implies tightness, pressure or constriction...not freedom. Clenching suggests anger and a struggle for control. When our fists are clenched, it's either to grasp something or to strike a blow. You can't shake hands with a clenched fist. Sometimes it's really difficult to keep that hand (and heart) open. It's been extremely hard for me this past week in my personal life and in society. Part of me wants to keep a clenched fist and fight: racism, sexism, injustice, family issues, illnesses...anything or anyone that gets in the way of the outcomes that I want or feel 'should be.'  We discuss, argue and wrestle with God and others trying to convince Him/ them that they're wrong and we're right.  We struggle internally, "Why can't they see it the way I do?"  Everyone digs in their heels, finding ways to explain away our moral bankruptcy, guilt, anger, apathy or lack of empathy. We hold to our positions, our privilege, our memories, or our hurts...and we won't let them go. We know it's not God's way, He wants our hearts healed and open to give and receive LOVE. But CLENCHED is what we're choosing. Are you physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually CLENCHED? Do you see the affects of the stress/pressure in your body? Will you admit being clenched is killing you? Jesus proclaimed He was anointed to release captives and liberate prisoners. (Luke 4:18-19) We think that's only literal, but some of us have been imprisoned by our longings, ambitions and covetousness. Others are trapped or by our anger, grudges and unforgiveness. Still others have been held captive by our thirst for control of situations and people. God instructs us to bring our anxieties to Him (Phil 4:4-9) to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) To remit and release people's sins and not to withhold forgiveness from them (John 20:23) To release ourselves and accept that we are no longer guilty or condemned, (Romans 8:1) To crucify our flesh with it's passions and desires, (Gal. 5:24) and to trust God with all our hearts, not leaning to our own understanding and let Him direct and determine our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Satan has worn us out, (Daniel 7:25) but the weary can come to Jesus, humble themselves, take on meekness (the grace not to retaliate), release it all to Him and find rest. (Matthew 11:28-29) The antidotes for being clenched? Release and relinquishment. So give up your grasp! Try it and see how you feel.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CRICKETS - 08/16/17 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"I asked him where he stood, and all I heard was...(crickets)..."       If we were in England, Australia, or India and I asked about Cricket, you'd tell me about a game of bats and wickets, with teams of eleven players. An entomologist would say crickets were insects related to grasshoppers. Their the males produce a rhythmical chirping sound. As a child we'd visit my 90-year-old great aunt in "the country" - the back woods of Rappahannock, Virginia. Her home had a tin roof. There was an outhouse. She wrung the necks of chickens by hand and fed them to us. The nights were so dark you couldn't see your hand when you held it before your face. Coming from the city of Philadelphia, I found the silence of the country deafening. At times all you could hear was...crickets. "CRICKETS" is an African-American colloquialism that means the sound of silence. In the wilderness during the still of the night, all that can be heard is the sound of crickets chirping. After bringing up a subject the initiator of the conversation leaves a pregnant pause, eagerly awaiting a reply. When they do not hear one in a timely fashion, they exclaim..."CRICKETS."  Depending on the tone, this singular word can signify disappointment, dismay, disdain or sarcasm. "Crickets" signifies that the argument has already been won because there's no rebuttal. You don't have to utter a word; you've lost. I don't want to hear it. CRICKETS means this is where you should have inserted yourself and made your case or your apology...but you did not. "I waited for my Evangelical brothers and sisters in Christ to denounce/renounce racism in light of Charlottesville, and mostly I heard..."CRICKETS." He who justifies the wicked and condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. (Proverbs 17:15) 11For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,b if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:11-18) I am grateful for the Christians that I have seen and heard make the stance against this anti-Christ spirit and ALL those who re-present it...top to bottom. In my circle that's been mostly a few Caucasian women and fewer men.  I applaud those who are standing toe to toe against evil ideologies. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. These devices and stratagems must be confronted spiritually in warfare. Images and thoughts contrary to the knowledge of God must be exposed and cast down! (Eph 5:11; 6:10-12; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)  I am saddened that Heather Heyer had to lose her life as one of so many martyrs in this fight. Multitudes have been wounded physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally over centuries. The root of these issues has always been greed, idolatry and power. (1 Tim. 6:10) Sadly, the most powerful of us are pitting the least powerful against each other. The time will come when we will realize the true enemy is not who we think it is. If we humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, turn from our wickedness, submit to God and resist the devil, he'll flee, and God will heal our land. (James 4:6-7)  In the Kingdom of Heaven, the Sovereign Rule and Power belong to Almighty God. We who are citizens of the Kingdom, as His Ambassadors, are to reflect His true character in the world. (2 Cor. 5)  We are to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior, and fulfill the commandments to love God, our neighbors as ourselves, and even...our enemies. (Matt. 5)  Love is to be the identifying mark of Christ followers (John 13:34-35). Complicity with hatred, which is NOT the same as resistance against hatred, should never be named among us. We are to fight AGAINST injustice, and FOR the poor, the widow, the stranger and the orphan. We're supposed to be UNIFIED in this.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PLANS - 08/09/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans." - Woody Allen      In America, we love plans. We have strategic plans, business plans and pension plans. We devise action plans, plans of attack, and in case something fails...contingency plans. A PLAN is a detailed proposal for achieving something. It is an intention or decision about what one is going to do; a detailed diagram or program showing how something will be arranged. Plans are decided upon in advance. They are future oriented. We plan to purchase a house, apply for a job, or marry in two years. We LOVE our plans. They give us a sense of security and control. Leadership gurus tell us, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."  Yes, planning IS necessary, but make your plans guides - not gods. The LORD's plans cannot be thwarted or frustrated. (Isaiah 14:27) He works all things out after the counsel of HIS OWN WILL. (Ephesians 1:11) God told Jeremiah that Israel would be in exile for 70 years to Babylon. He said, you guys might have had other plans, but get comfortable with this captivity. Build houses and have children, because this negative situation is going to last for a while. Don't resist it. Don't try to prophesy against it, because it's Me. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) When this captivity is over, My plan is to bring you out. Then you'll call upon Me in prayer and I'll will listen to you and I'll restore your fortunes. (vs. 10-14) God has plans that often don't look AT ALL like our desires or intentions. Proverbs reminds us that our plans will ultimately bow to God's plan. "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD...The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:1;9, NASB) This counsel can be comforting or infuriating, depending on your posture before the LORD. "You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail," feels like a "Na, Nah, Na, Nah, Na...Nah!" in the Spirit! (Prov. 19:21) Is God teasing me? Is He playing with my mind? Why did He let me do all this planning if He never intended to follow MY plan? Sounds ridiculous when you put it that way, doesn't it?  We so deftly and recklessly attempt to assume control of our futures. In the process, we can disregard God's authority and supremacy. James 4:13-17 warns us that it is arrogant, sinful and evil to boast about what we PRESUME will happen in the next days or years of our lives. ALL of that is up to God's will. The LORD told Isaiah, "Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish." (Isaiah 46:10) When our plans conflict with God's Sovereignty, our plans will lose.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - MIXTURE - 08/02/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"There is a strange kind of human being in whom there is an eternal struggle between body and soul, animal and god, for dominance. In all great men this mixture is striking, and in none more so than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart." - Albert Einstein       Wow! a struggle for dominance...To MIX means to combine together to form one substance; a group of people of different types within a particular society or community; or positive and negative elements or views. In music, a mix is the production of a continuous piece of music by combining portions of a number of separate recordings.  When Run DMC and Aerosmith mixed "Walk This Way," it was a fusion of rap and rock that created a sound that had never existed before, but was neither type of music. Couples who hail from different ethnic backgrounds birth children who are sometimes called "mixed." Their genetic makeup is no longer of either group, and identity can be a struggle. MIXTURE is the substance made after the other distinct substances are combined. We were taught when you mix yellow and blue together, they make green. In the process they automatically lose the distinctiveness of their original color. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 Paul addressed the issue of sexual immorality, in particular incest. A man was sleeping with his father's wife. Paul said the Corinthian church should have thrown him out of their fellowship, and "handed him over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord." (vs. 5) Yep, that's in the Bible. Not only were they allowing this mixture of sin and holiness in their fellowship in people who claimed to be Belie vers, they were boasting about it! He said, this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole patch of dough. Get rid of the old "yeast" by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. (vs. 6-7, NLT)  What happens when the MIXTURE is not around you, but IN you? God told the church at Laodicea, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16) Luke warm is a MIXTURE of hot and cold water: metaphorically a MIXTURE of holiness and carnality. Jesus expressed a similar sentiment to His disciples about light and darkness in Luke 11:34 -36, "The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. "Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. "If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays." It is clear that when it comes to consecration, God does NOT want mixture. Even in our close continual relationships, Paul warns us, "Don't be misled, evil companions corrupt good morals/character." (1 Cor. 15:33) You can't unscramble eggs. You can't un-see what you saw. You can't un-hear what you heard, or un-do what you did. You can't un-go where you went, and you can't take words back once they escape. You can't be all the way for Christ and in league with the devil. Unfortunately, MIXTURE has been normalized. We are conforming to the world, not being transformed. When we engage the lost in the world, it's supposed to be to win them to Christ with the Gospel. There is to be a marked difference between our lifestyles and theirs. Paul said there's no fellowship between light and darkness, between righteousness and unrighteousness or between (YOU) the temple of God and idols (2 Cor. 6:14-18)  Once yellow and blue mix... it's green. You can't pull yellow out again.

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131