WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RELEASE - 12/18/19 - Sadell Bradley

   

"Anything you can't control is teaching you how to let go."  

-Jackson Kiddard 

Control is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. I found the quote above to be eerily true, as there are many things over which we have no control. One thing we do control is our ability to release the things or people on which we have a physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional grip. The monkey's willingness to release his grasp would give him the chance to have the banana without shattering the container. Clutching the banana leaves him hopelessly without both. To RELEASE means a lot of things: to allow or enable to escape from confinement; to set free; to allow something to move, act or flow freely; to remove restrictions or obligations from; to allow something to return to its resting position by ceasing to put pressure on it; to allow information to be generally available; to remit or discharge a debt; to surrender a right, or to turn over property or money to another person or entity.  

The power of release is part of Jesus' ministry."The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from the darkness for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. (Isa. 61:1-3, NIV)  

The Mamertine Prison in Rome in which Paul was held, was dim, dark and dirty. Known in earlier times as the Tullianum dungeon, its "neglect, darkness, and stench" gave it "a hideous and terrifying appearance,"- Roman historian Sallust. Prisons typically served as holding cells for those awaiting trial or execution. Prisoners were rarely sent there just for punishment. It is easy to see why someone confined would want to get out. Jesus is empowered to free us from situations that hold us captive and have us feeling trapped. He doesn't just want to free us from the prison itself but from its darkness. Darkness is defined not just as the absence of light, but as evil, wickedness, secrecy, ignorance, unhappiness, distress, and gloom. It's crazy how we hold on to darkness as if we have no other choice.  Release the darkness. 

Jesus said in John 3:19, "This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."  We have a choice, "8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth...11Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14So it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you..." (Eph. 5:8-9;11-14) I pray for release from darkness for us.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FRUSTRATE - 12/11/19 - Sadell Bradley

"People don't exist in a vacuum. They're a result of who raised them and who they love and who frustrates them." - Mary Wiseman - American Actress   Did you know that the word FRUSTRATE derives from the Latin frustrat which means disappointed?  The root frustra means 'in vain.' I hope this brings as much understanding to what's going on in your life as it did to mine. We generally look at the meaning of the word FRUSTRATE as - to prevent (a plan or attempted action) from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled; to prevent (someone) from doing or achieving something; or to cause (someone) to feel upset or annoyed, typically as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.   I definitely wasn't connecting the emotion of disappointment with my feelings of frustration, but it's so real. To disappoint means to fail to fulfill hopes or expectations. As a younger leader I used to say, "I appoint, and I dis-appoint," and that is, in fact, another definition of that word- to deprive of a position. You might be frustrated today because your hopes have been dashed, you're disappointed about what's going on, or an outcome hasn't quite turned out as you expected.     In Galatians 2:21 Paul makes this statement, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ is dead in vain." The idea that we could frustrate God's grace; that we could prevent it from progressing or succeeding in achieving its purpose is startling. How could we, in our frail humanity, actually stop the plan of God's free gift of Grace from being fulfilled? By choosing instead to operate from our own righteousness and dead works in a futile attempt to try to keep God's laws. Paul said it this way, "I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down."(vs. 18, NLT) God is calling me to rest in what He's done...but I insist on my own activity. God asks me to trust Him and be undisturbed, even with the foolishness that is going around me, yet I choose to worry and fight. I wonder, how many times I've frustrated and disappointed God by trying to do things my own way, rather than receiving what He desires to give...too many times.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - BRAVE - 11/27/19 - Sadell Bradley

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. - Nelson Mandela To be BRAVE means to be ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage - which is the ability to do something that frightens one, or strength in the face of pain or grief. The other day I was feeling anxious about all of the new things that are occurring in my life. I wondered if I had the strength, the ingenuity, the energy to do them. I speculated as to whether I was still useful. As I continued to prayer-journal, the LORD revealed that part of what I was experiencing was a fear of failure. At this stage of life there's something in me that wants to be done with new things and just rest on whatever few laurels I might have. The idea of another new venture has much less shine and appeal than it did when I was younger, but Dolly Parton once said, "You'll never do a lot unless you're brave enough to try," and she's still doing LOTS at age 73!     It's interesting the number of times that God tells Joshua not to be afraid but to 'be strong and courageous' in taking over leadership of Israel from Moses, and then in possessing the promised land. (Deut. 31:6;31:7; 31:23; Joshua 1:6, 1:7: 1:9, 1:18; 10:25) God told him to be brave multiple times in the same chapter TWICE in his lifetime. He said it prophetically in his preparatory phase, and decades later when the work was being actualized.     Aesop said, "It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." To attempt to do things that few are willing to try takes faith, boldness, and courage. To look in the face of what is and have the audacity to dream and act on what could be, requires strength and valor. It's the metal of trailblazers, forerunners and pioneers - the ones who cut through deadly terrain and jungles to make a path for others to follow. Bravery is having the guts to face down and say NO to your internal cowardice and the willingness to 'suck at something new' or even possibly SUCCEED at something new!  Be brave! you have nothing to lose... but that fear.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SERAPHIM - 11/13/19 - Sadell Bradley

   

"In prayer, we stand where angels bow with veiled faces. There, even there, the cherubim and seraphim adore before that selfsame throne to which our prayers ascend. And shall we come there with stunted requests and narrow, contracted faith?" - Charles Spurgeon

SERAPHIM are angelic beings regarded in traditional Christian angelology (the study of angels) as belonging to their highest rank, associated with light, ardor, and purity. Angels are spiritual beings who act as attendants, agents, or messengers of God.AAA

 The word seraph means 'the burning ones" or "serpents." Seraphs as fiery serpents are referenced in Numbers 21:6-9, the plague sent on Israel after they had spoken against Moses and the LORD. Moses had to lift up a bronze serpent for them to look on, be healed, and live. This foreshadowed the salvation  found through Jesus Christ on the cross. "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:14)  Seraphim are described as six-winged creatures. The only use of the actual word is in Isaiah 6, as the prophet receives His calling:

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  3And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" 4And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 

5So I said,  "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." 

6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  7And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."  8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for US?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 

Seraphim display for us the posture of worship. They cover their faces with the first set of wings as a sign of reverence. The Holiness of God is so radiant that no one can look on His face and live. They cry out Holy! in homage to the LORD. The seraphim cover their feet with the second set of wings to demonstrate their humility and the awareness of their limitations and unworthiness before Him. The third set of wings represent service, as they fly in joyful obedience to the LORD's bidding as He calls for them to move swiftly into action. Then God uses the seraph as His instrument of atonement in Isaiah 6, to purge the iniquity of Isaiah before he is deployed. These postures of worship, humility, service, and redemption should be ours as well.  

   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SWISS ARMY KNIFE - 11/6/19 Sadell Bradley

"Sleep is the Swiss army knife of health. When sleep is deficient, there is sickness and disease. And when sleep is abundant, there is vitality and health." - Matthew Walker - English Scientist     When asked the question, "What object most represents you?" My answer was a SWISS ARMY KNIFE - a penknife that incorporates several blades and other tools such as scissors and screwdrivers.  The knife was first produced in 1891 for military officers in Switzerland. It brings to mind versatility and problem-solving. The knife can be used in all kinds of circumstances and the phrase is a metaphor for usefulness and adaptability. I often find myself in odd situations that call for the use of different aspects of my past experiences, personality, and gifts. In some instances, administration or strategic thought is required, in another teaching, and in still other musical gifts are the doorway. Some people engage me because I'm African-American, others because I'm a woman...etc. You get the gist.   It is my hope that God will use all that I am for His purpose. That desire puts me in some strange situations both in the church and out in the 'real world.' I'm often in awe of the rooms in which I find myself and the people whom the LORD has me encounter. Effective Christ-following requires a great deal of pliability - the ability to bend when necessary. Our lives our not our own, Paul says, we've been bought with a price. Therefore we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, because they belong to Him. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)   Paul should know because God used every part of who he for His service: his training as a Pharisee, his intellectual prowess, his zeal and boldness, the grace on his life to endure, his writing ability, his apostolic gifts and even his Roman citizenship were all called upon by the LORD for His sundry purposes. It was this Apostle who said:     "19Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. 21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." (1 Cor. 9:19-22)        Sometimes God is looking for Swiss Army Knives.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LOYALTY - 10/30/19 - Sadell Bradley

 

   

"What is a disloyal act? A person is disloyal if he treats you as a stranger when, in fact, he belongs to you as a friend or partner. Each of us is bound to some special others by the invisible fibers of loyalty."  -Lewis B. Smedes 

 

My day job is working at a business incubator called MORTAR in Cincinnati. One of the things we teach is that it's easier and often cheaper to retain customers once you offer a quality service or product than it is to obtain new ones. We try to help them find ways to arrive at customer LOYALTY - a strong feeling, or giving of firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution. Loyalty makes you get the same brand of toothpaste over and over again. You might be loyal to a particular make and model of car, a fraternity or sorority, or an educational or religious institution. The word derives from the Latin legalis, or legal. A loyal person holds a very strong bond.

 

Loyalty is a relational matter. David, the shepherd-warrior, had a loyal friend in his predecessor king Saul's son Jonathan. In 1 Sam 18-21, we see Saul's growing fear of David's impending rule and Jonathan's steadfast loyalty, not to his own father, but to his friend. His allegiance is so deep that he is willing to forego his own birthright and inheritance as the next king. When Saul seeks to kill David, Jonathan runs interference, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?"  (1Sam 19:4-5) Despite his son's loyalty to his friend, Saul determines to kill David. David is aware of this plot. Jonathan makes an oath to David in 1 Sam 20:12-17 that he will tell him if his father attempts to carry out his murderous desires. The Bible says they affirmed an oath of love because Jonathan loved David, 'as he loved himself.' (vs. 17)  

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Every leader, every spouse, every person for that matter...wants to have that kind of relationship: someone on whom they can rely no matter what. Sadly, loyalty, deep bonds, and alliances are hard to come by these days. This section of the quote above hits hard, "A person is disloyal if he/she treats you as a stranger when in fact, he/she belongs to you as a friend or partner."  We wish sometimes that others were as loyal to us as we are to them. It's painful to find that's not the case; but love is still loyal, and loyalty is love. 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - IRRATIONAL - 10/23/19 Sadell Bradley

   

"Rational anxiety is when you're aware of the source of your anxiety. Like, if I have to host an award show or talk to millions of people on the radio, I'm going to feel anxious, and I know why. Irrational anxiety is when I'm leaving CVS, and there's a car behind me, and I'm wondering if he's following me home."  -Charlamagne Tha god - American Radio Personality  

 

Last year, Sherman and I visited Oakland, CA to see the Warriors play the Lakers. We didn't know how close San Francisco is to Oakland. When we found out, we took an excursion over the

	Nob Hill

Bay Bridge. I'm not a fan of bridges or heights, though I fly all the time. And... we kept getting lost on and off the exit to the bridge and had to go over it multiple times. I thought, "The LORD is proving me to rid me of my fear."  If you've been to San Francisco, you know there are steep and winding hills; the most notable of which is Nob Hill on which their infamous Trolleys ascend and descend. I was too chicken to go up and down the hills in the car. Thank the LORD it wasn't necessary for us to get around. So when I had to go back to San Francisco for work, my first question was, "Is my hotel gonna be on one of those hills?" My host said, "Those hills are supposed to be inspiring!" Inspiring, or terrifying?

 

Many would say my fear was not IRRATIONAL- meaning not logical or reasonable. I mean, look at that hill! But the anxiety I felt prior to getting on the plane was palpable as I braced myself for the worst...that never happened. My hotel was not even on a hill. My fear, however, had ascended to disturbing heights - to the point that I dreaded the trip. Huffington Post said that 85% of what we fear never happens, yet irrational fears stall our dreams, hinder our relationships, and postpone our callings. How many times have you not made a move because of fear? Jesus said that one of the signs of His return would be, "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." (Luke 21:26) It makes me wonder how many health conditions are a result of the underlying fear of the present or the future.    

 

"I sought the LORD and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4) Sometimes the only way to challenge an irrational fear is to face it head-on. So as soon as I got to my hotel, I headed straight to Nob Hill and got on the trolley. I'm not a great photo taker but here's a photo. None of it was nearly as traumatic as my fears had been, in fact, it was rather calming. The sight (not faith) and fear of heights I was walking in did not serve me well. Metaphorically, I've often felt similar anxieties about certain aspects of ascending to heights in my life and calling. It's time to face those head-on too.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DAILY - 10/16/19 - Sadell Bradley

"Truth is, I think, if God just gave us our daily bread, many of us would be angry. 'That's all You're going to give me? You're just going to give me enough to sustain me for today? What about tomorrow or next year or 10, 20, 30 years from now? I want to know that I'm set up.' And yet Jesus says just pray for your daily provisions."  -Francis Chan  

 

Yesterday at a local church, I glanced at their welcome table and saw a very familiar sight. Some of you might be familiar 

with the "Our Daily Bread" devotionals. They have been published and distributed monthly for over 75 years. The ministry was started in Grand Rapids, MI by Dr. M.R. DeHaan to connect people (now millions) every day with God and the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. My mother was a faithful distributor of these booklets. She sent them to family and friends and she was serious about that mission. Honestly, just seeing those little books brought comfort and fond memories of my mom, who literally got on her knees by her bed and prayed DAILY - which means done, produced, or occurring every day. 

 

Many of us have prayed, recited or even sung 'The Lord's Prayer.' With this simple instruction in Matthew 6, Jesus taught His disciples: to pray in secret so that God could reward them openly (vs. 4); to pray privately, not to be seen by people, but to go into their secret closets to petition the Father, who openly dispenses rewards (vs. 5-6); and not to babble on with vain repetitions like heathens who think that many words will get them to the Father's heart because...God knows what you need before you ask Him (vs.8) Then Jesus showed them the model prayer with which we're all familiar:  

     

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matt. 6:9-13) 

Now we have jobs, budgets, savings plans, pensions, investments, a 401k retirement...why do we need to pray for God to give us daily bread? Francis Chan exposes our craving for control and challenges our need for long term security. Are we trusting in God or in our assets and ingenuity? These practices, though certainly not all bad, can lead to a less faith-filled, prayerful, and God-dependent life. In fact, some of us are doing all that we can to avoid placing ourselves in any position that requires total reliance on the LORD for what we daily need.  

 

God told the Children of Israel through Moses that He'd led them through the wilderness to humble and test them, to know what was in their hearts - whether or not they would keep His commands. (Deut. 8:1-3) He humbled them with hunger and then satisfied it with just a DAILY provision of a food He created called 'manna' (meaning 'what is it?'). He did this to rid them of their pride and self-reliance - so they could understand that they did not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONTROVERSY - 10/09/2019

    

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."  -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Certain events each year bring us to intense debate.  None have been more sensational than the sentencing of police officer Amber Guyer in the shooting death of Botham Jean, a 28-year old accountant. His brother Brandt's request to hug the 

	Botham Jean & Amber Guyer

convicted officer was a display of mercy and forgiveness in his closing statement at the jury trial. The Hon.Tammy Kemp, the African-American judge, hugged Guyer and gave her a bible. Joshua Brown, the main witness, was shot and killed almost immediately after the sentencing. All of this has sparked great public CONTROVERSY - disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated. On social media and in-person forums, people are wrangling over their thoughts and feelings.

 

An African-American community weary of unwarranted police brutality and corruption, marched through the streets of Dallas, TX after the September, 2018 shooting of Botham Jean, an innocent man shot in his home. I'm still not really sure why. Our community is all too accustomed to trials of officers not returning convictions. This case was different in that the defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Normally, that would have rendered a "FINALLY" sigh from us...until we heard the words of young Brandt Jean, stating that he "didn't even want her to go to jail," but "wanted God's best for her, which would be to accept Christ into her life." These  statements started a maelstrom of controversy with Christians about forgiveness, justice, and mercy. How could he forgive her? Why did he have to hug her? How could the judge hug her? How could Brandt state he didn't want her to go to jail? Some pastors were furious, even though the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about forgiving even the most undeserving, which makes Brandt Jean's words and actions truly remarkable. If we could not imagine ourselves being that full of Christ's Spirit, we'd still have to believe that it was right...AND...Jean's mother, Allison's calls for justice and the end of corruption are also right. These are complexities Christ-followers must master.

    

"In a controversy the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves." It seems to offten we cease to promote the cause of Christ and the supernatural cross-life He calls us to lead (Matt. 16:24), and we begin to struggle and fight to hold on to our carnality. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy his protege about entering into these types of arguments. 

23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23-26, ESV)

  upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hand       

Praying we will do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. (Mic. 6:8)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SCAFFOLDING - 10/2/2019 - Sadell Bradley

   

"A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections at a time."  -Annie Dillard  - American Author 

 

SCAFFOLDING is a temporary structure inside or outside of a building, made usually of wooden planks or metal poles used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings. Scaffolds are used to get access to heights that would otherwise be hard to get to. Scaffolding is also employed in adapted forms for grandstand seating, concert stages, access/viewing towers, exhibition stands, ski ramps, half pipes and art projects. If you've ever roamed the streets of a big City, you've probably walked under scaffolding. In 2 Chronicles 6:12-13, after King Solomon erected a temple for the LORD, he blessed and dedicated it and offered up a prayer from a platform of scaffolding he'd erected:   

 

And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven... (KJV)

 

The sight of scaffolding in construction is exciting because it denotes progress, creativity, and new beginnings. You may have heard that our congregation will be moving before the end of the year into a location at the former Nast Trinity Church on 1310 Race Street in the Over the Rhine, right across from Washington Park. The church's name will change to "The Warehouse," describing God's transformation of the raw material of our lives into His individual masterpieces. (Eph. 2:10, NLT) The structure, built in the 1800's, is being renovated with paint, wood restoration, carpet, audio and visual components. The process is fascinating, especially since to restore it, some things had to be torn down. To the left, painters are using scaffolding to gain access to the ceilings. The scaffolding will not be a part the finished work, but is necessary for the process.     

 

I love the metaphoric use of a schedule as scaffolding for life and work. Whether you use a to-do list, planner, or an app to bring structure to your days; that framework supports your visions and dreams. Once your vision has been accomplished, the scaffolding is removed because it is no longer necessary. It has served it's purpose and has now been replaced by the permanent structure. Dating and engagement are a type scaffolding for marriage. Charts and Sheet Music are scaffolding until musicians and singers master the song. Temporary jobs can provide scaffolding for permanent opportunities, and certain seasons in our lives that we've attempted to hold on to were really just scaffolding for a more enduring legacy.   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DELIVERANCE - Sadell Bradley - 09/25/19

"The more I am in a position to be tried in faith with reference to my body, my family, my service to the Lord, my business, etc., the more shall I have the opportunity of seeing God's help of deliverance; and every fresh instance, in which He helps and delivers me, will tend towards the increase of my faith."   - George Muller      Last Wednesday, I attended the Habitation Conference, a convening of worshippers, pastors and leaders in the presence of the LORD in Orlando, FL. The weeks approaching the event were filled with stress. I was weary and looked forward to the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the LORD. (Acts 3:20) Habitation is an immersion experience - for three and a half days, about a thousand people bask an an atmosphere of worship, the Word, prophetic impartation, signs, wonders, healing and deliverance ministry. DELIVERANCE is the action of being rescued or set free; or to provide what is promised or expected. I experienced deliverance throughout the days of the conference as answers, guidance, and direction were dispensed. Relief, peace, and joy overflowed in an atmosphere of God's love and grace.       Deliverance is another word for salvation. I love the image above of someone reaching up for rescue and being met by a strong hand to save. The person to your left doesn't have the strength to reach for help, but is still rescued, despite the fact that just their cry may have been heard. God hears and answers us. In Psalm 3, an aged king David is in flight because of a coup attempt by his son Absalom. He cries out in his distress, "O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! Many say of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah. But You, O LORD are a shield around me, my glory and the One who lifts my head." David speaks of the LORD's faithfulness to sustain him when he can't save himself, "From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." (vs. 8, NIV)      George Muller, is an English Evangelist who cared for 10,024 orphans during his lifetime: educating them and changing their futures. Muller established 117 schools that taught 120,000 children. He raised the equivalent of $141 million dollars for these ventures. He never made formal requests for financial support, nor did he go into debt. Many times, he received unsolicited food donations only hours before they were needed, further strengthening his faith in God.  George Müller was in constant prayer that God touch the hearts of donors to make provisions for the orphans.In his autobiographical entry for February 12, 1842, he wrote: "A brother in the Lord came to me this morning and, after a few minutes of conversation gave me two thousand pounds for furnishing the new Orphan House ... Now I am able to meet all of the expenses. In all probability I will even have several hundred pounds more than I need. The Lord not only gives as much as is absolutely necessary for his work, but he gives abundantly. This blessing filled me with inexplicable delight. He had given me the full answer to my thousands of prayers during the [past] 1,195 days." Müller never sought donations from specific individuals and relied on the Almighty for all of his needs. He trusted God for deliverance in every area of his life and ministry. May we all be boldly encouraged to do the same.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - BROODING - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"You must always be open to new experiences; by this means, your physical and etheric bodies will be brought into a condition which may be compared with the contented mood of a brooding hen." - Rudolf Steiner     Last week I attended a conference called "Conspire," an assembly of Christians called to deal particularly with injustices (racial, economic, etc.). The worship band sang a song entitled"Canopy," which has still been ringing in my spirit. The lyrics were both unique and soothing, "May we dwell in Your tent, O Lord. May we dwell in Your tent, O God. Harbored by brooding wings, held in Your wide mercy, under Your canopy of love."  I was swept away by the music, and the idea of God as a harbor - a place of refuge, was just what I needed. The word BROODING was not only a word you don't normally see in a song, but it's generally used to imply deep unhappiness of thought that appears dark or menacing. But another definition for brooding is a bird, sitting on eggs to hatch them, or a hen nursing chicks under her wings.        King David, in his psalms, cried out to the LORD in his distress. In Psalm 17:8 he asks for protection, "Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings."  When he fled from king Saul into the cave, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by." In Psalm 61, the basis of "Canopy", he prays, "From the ends of the earth I call out to You whenever my heart is faint (overwhelmed); Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings." (vs. 1-4)     The image of the brooding hen ensuring the safety and protection of her young, is a powerful one. Yet the same word describes both the negative attention we put into our worries and concerns...and the strong surveillance with which God takes care of us as His children. Imagine the 'wings' of God's love safeguarding and defending you! Psalm 91:4 reassures us, "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."