WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INCARNATION - Sadell Bradley - 12/25/18 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"The Incarnation is the medicine of the soul, undoing the Fall and bringing man to the Tree of Life, and the office of a priest is to administer this medicine in the sacraments. "  - Arthur Middleton 

 

INCARNATION  means a person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality; it is also one of a series of forms which a person reflects on earth.  In Christian theology, The Incarnation is the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ. Though December was probably not Jesus' birthday (scholars believe it was actually Spring), the Incarnation is what many celebrate today. As we gleefully open gifts and share experiences with family and friends, let's not forget that God's PRESENCE is His PRESENT to us. When the angels approached Joseph and Mary, their salutations were the fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."  Immanuel means God with us. Jesus Christ was not just an historical figure whose life we can read about. He was not just another baby being born into humble circumstances.  He was and is the King of all other kings and Lord of all other lords. He is the glorious Ruler of the universe. Paul said, "For in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead (the Father, Son & Holy Spirit) in bodily form. (Col. 2:9)  

 

As in the quote above...Jesus, whose name means Savior, the Christ - the One who is anointed or empowered, came to rescue us from the eternal penalty and consequences of sin and the Fall. He came to restore us to a right relationship with God the Father and to offer us the free gift of an eternal quality of life as we identify with Him. Joseph was encouraged to maintain the engagement to his mysteriously pregnant future wife because, "the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, (Yahweh is salvation)  because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20b-21) This same Jewish baby boy who was born in a manger would one day be crucified, die, be buried, and resurrect from the dead. He will one day soon return as Lord and King of His Heavenly Kingdom. 

 

Many people experience sadness and loneliness during this season. They wonder if they are really loved. Somehow the Christmas songs, trees, gifts, and even the presence of other people leaves us wanting. It's supposed to. We have a God-sized hole inside that only Jesus Christ can fill.  So, I want to reassure you today of God's love for you. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, no matter your ethnicity, culture or background...it doesn't even matter what you've done...the Bible says that the Incarnation both proves and demonstrates God's love for us.  "9God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."(1 John 4:9) This is a gift you won't want to return. The gift of God's presence is one that will not break, rust, fade, tear or wear out.  It's a gift that all the money in the world can't buy. It's a gift that we can never work for nor repay. As you celebrate today, I pray you will take a moment to thank the LORD for His indescribable gift. Merry Christmas!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GRATIS - 12/19/18 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"Justice, however, never really was administered gratis in any country. Lawyers and attorneys, at least, must always be paid by the parties; and, if they were not, they would perform their duties still worse than they actually perform it. "  - Adam Smith

 

GRATIS is a word that is not often used. Why? because it means without charge; free; as a grace or kindness; given or done for nothing. This is where we get the word gratuitous - given or done free of charge; given freely and spontaneously. Gratis is not often used because it's not often done. When someone gives to us gratuitously, because of our historical wounds and cynicism (an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest), we look for hidden, usually negative, reasons or motives. We think, "Surely they couldn't be doing this just because they're kind..." It is sad that kindness, ostensibly a fruit/manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Christians, is such a rarity that we are suspect when it shows up. It is possible, and should be probable for Believers to love freely and spontaneously. In fact, Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:35:

"But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." (CSV)  

 

MERCIFUL - another word we don't often see in action. It means to bring someone relief from something unpleasant. Mercy and compassion are not just to be felt, but shown. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7) Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Mercy is given to those who don't deserve it, and to those who give it away. God's demonstration of mercy also means we didn't get what we deserved, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) 

   

No strings attached. That idiom is used to show that an offer or opportunity carries no special conditions, restrictions, rules, obligations or arrangements that must be made. Whatever is happening is occurring solely because of the benevolence of the giver...who expects nothing in return. There is no manipulation nor power-play involved, and no repayment expected. In commissioning His disciples, Jesus instructed, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8) When we give, share and do a kindness GRATIS, it announces that we are both under God's rule and bringing the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven near to a broken person or situation. Remember when God's mercy and grace met you GRATIS? Be a conduit of that same blessing to others. 

 

 

CHRISTMAS SERVICE 

Sunday, December 23rd at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INHERITANCE - Sadell Bradley- 12/12/18 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day."  - Canadian Scientist, Orlando Aloyisius Battista    The Lion King is one of my all-time favorite movies. Disney is doing a live remake of this cartoon classic. I'm excited about another generation receiving strong revelatory images of fatherhood, family, destiny and leadership succession. To our delight James Earl Jones is still the voice of king Mufasa. One of the themes of the movie is INHERITANCE. In the photo above, Mufasa shows the entire kingdom, called the Prideland, to his son and heir Simba. He informs his successor, "All this will be yours." Simba is so excited that he dances around the other animals singing, "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" Simba thinks he's going to inherit the kingdom and its power quickly. He doesn't realize that though he is entitled to all of his dad's inheritance, he's nowhere near ready to possess it. These are big paws to fill, Lol! Paul explained it this way in Galatians 4:1-2  "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father."  We watch as Simba is prepared to lead via the trials and challenges of life and the schemes of others who would try to take the throne...until he is mature and equipped enough to rule. Selah.      "Today is the day of your inheritance." I was awakened yesterday to that strange phrase. I'm still not sure of its ultimate meaning. Today is an interesting word in Scripture. It does not just refer to chronological time, but to kairos (appointed or opportune) moments and seasons. "God again set a certain day, calling it Today...Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart..." (Hebrews 4:7) When the LORD says Today, it could be a literal time (in this case Tuesday), or a spiritual moment, i.e. God's NOW..."Now, is the acceptable time, Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)     Was God saying to me like Simba...now you're equipped enough to rule. For decades, I like some of you, have been in the LORD's training process in various places and positions under lots of leaders, enduring the trials of life and faith. God has allowed me over that time different spans of authority. He has challenged me with every one of them. Will you lead this group of 10, 50, 200..inter-generational, mutli-ethnic, multi-class, of varied educational backgrounds? Can you manage  in this business, non-profit, family, or ministry environment? I am introverted, generally surprised by, and usually shy away from leading roles. God and I often wrestle over my hesitance. Leading is hard. Still, He has confirmed over and over that for some strange reason He's chosen me to lead and to inherit what He has for me. Psalm 37:11 says that "The meek (humble and gentle) shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Jesus affirmed this in the beatitudes, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)  Is it possible that God wants you to lead, but He has to mature you first to make you more meek? Or could it be that the next level of leadership and your inheritance is ready for you to possess Today?

Worship Service Sundays at 10:00 AM through December 31st with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - QUERULOUS - 12/5/18 -Sadell Bradley -New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"That some are poorer than others ever was and ever will be: And that many are naturally querulous and envious, is an evil as old as the world."  

- William Petty 

Adding to our vocabulary today. ; ) You might want to slide QUERULOUS into a conversation this week. The person(s) you're addressing might have to look it up later to get it, LOL! QUERULOUS means complaining in a petulant or whining manner. Petulant means childishly sulky or bad-tempered. Whining is a long, high-pitched complaining cry. The Apostle Paul gave a strong command to the church at Philppi:     

Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.  (Philippians 2:14-16) 

   

Everything, how is that even possible? What makes us prone to whining? In the quote above, querulousness is tied to envy - a feeling of discontent or resentful longing arising from someone else's possessions, qualities or good fortune. The children of Israel are well known for complaining throughout their Exodus. They expressed a longing for the leeks and
onions they were given as slaves in Egypt. (Number 11:5) They griped about being hungry AND about the LORD's provision of Manna and Quail in the wilderness.(Ex.16) They grumbled against God, Moses, and Aaron even when they were about to enter the promised land, ""If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." This murmuring sparked God's anger and brought severe consequences:

26The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27"How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.28So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: 29In this wilderness your bodies will fall-every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.30Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. 33Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. (Numbers 14)

  

We don't believe that our QUERULOUS attitude and speech will bring repercussions, even to our children, but it does. We think we're just sounding off, but a constant diet of negativity repels bosses, spouses and friends... and it disgusts the LORD. I wonder if He asks, "How long will (insert your name here) grumble and complain against Me?"  Are you missing out on God's promises because you're querulous?   

Worship Service Sundays at 10:00 AM through December 31st with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229