WEDNESDAY'S WORD - REFLECTION- Sadell Bradley - 12/29/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD REFLECTION 12/29/2021 "The holidays are a time of reflection, and I think it becomes really clear in people's minds around this time of year what they want to get out of life, who they want to spend their life with, and what kind of person they want to be."  ― Chris Sullivan - Actor  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY SETTLING ACCOUNTS TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST LIVE ON @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org The holidays are indeed a time of REFLECTION. This word has a lot of meanings—the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound, without absorbing it; an image seen in a mirror or shiny surface; a thing that is a consequence or arises from something else; or a thing that brings discredit to someone or something. For our end of year purposes...REFLECTION is serious thought or consideration; an idea about something, especially one that is written down or expressed. Many people attempt to start off the year by making resolutions—firm decisions to do or not to do something. A 2018 New York Post article cited a study from the University of Scranton said that only 8% achieve these goals. I wonder if that's because we jump toward new goals without any serious thought about what caused us to need to resolve something in the first place. It's like trying to put on makeup or trim one's beard without looking in a mirror. It's hard to take care of blemishes or make enhancements when you can't see what needs fixing. Psalm 90:12 records the prayer of Moses, "Teach us to number our days (the brevity of life) that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Spiritual wisdom is the application of what we know and understand from Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the lessons of life. James 1:22-25 reminds us, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." Too many of us are afraid to take hard looks in God's mirror, but Paul told the church at Corinth, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine...," (2 Cor. 13:5a) Self-examination is an integral part of Christ following.The close of the year, birthdays, anniversaries, conflicts, trials, achievements, and celebrations are all good times for reflection. We have three more days of 2021 to invest in prayer, writing in our journals, looking again at vision boards and prophecies. There's even still time to have that necessary conversation because...if we do not reflect, it's hard to know what we need to correct.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD- SAINT NICHOLAS - Sadell Bradley - 12/22/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SAINT NICHOLAS 12/22/2021 "I think we've taken the meaning of Christmas out. People don't stop and think of the birth of Jesus. When they think of Christmas, they think of Santa Claus and—for the children, and they think of giving gifts and out-giving the next person...of spending their time thinking of the right thing for somebody who has everything."― Evangelist Billy Graham

 WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST LIVE ON @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

The PBS film Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas tells the story of how immigrant Jewish- American songwriters began to write Christmas music. One rationale was economic—the US was only 3% Jewish but was 97% Christian at the time. The other was that they wanted to turn Christmas from a religious to an American Holiday devoid of references to Jesus as Messiah. Many of the familiar songs we hear about silver bells, Rudolph, and Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... were written by Jewish composers. The Christmas Song was penned by Polish Jew Mel Torme. White Christmas was written by Russian Jew Irving Berlin, who also wrote God Bless America, and even a song entitled Get Behind Me Satan. The film Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas is fascinating, but if you don't have time, here's a link to 11 iconic Christmas songs written by Jewish composers. The word holiday in Old English meant Holy Day. The word Christmas is short for Christ's Mass— a worship service where the Eucharist—Holy Communion is served (Eucharist means grateful for grace). Christ's Mass celebrates the Advent, or arrival of Jesus Christ. The name The LORD Jesus Christ, means the King, the One who is anointed or empowered to save the world from sin, offering us forgiveness and eternal life. Another area of opportunity for our learning is that the folkloric character Santa Claus is based on the life and work of a 4th Century Christ-follower, Greek Bishop St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of children. St. Nicholas, who lived in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), was born of wealthy parents. When they died he distributed their wealth to the poor. St. Nicholas interceded for miracles, helped to exonerate innocent prisoners, and was known for the now famous custom of secret gift-giving. In one account, St. Nicholas was said to have rescued three daughters of a man who had lost all of his money gambling by secretly dropping bags of gold in their home, giving them dowries to avoid prostitution. When one daughter found him and told their father, he fell to his knees in gratefulness. Nicholas charged him to tell no one. The fame of St. Nicholas spread throughout Europe. The Dutch in Netherlands, called him Sinterklaas. He rides on a white horse. They celebrate on December 5/6. Parents, friends, and neighbors become his helpers— sharing gifts and blessings with the less fortunate. Many folks say, "There is no Santa Claus" Parents tell their children, "Mommy and Daddy are Santa Claus." Wouldn't it be a more effective Christian witness for us to tell our children that originally, St. Nicholas was a pastor who loved Jesus and did good works to represent Him in the earth by distributing to those in need? Even Jews in the film made reference to St. Nicholas as the inspiration for Santa Claus. Jesus once said... "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." (Luke 16:8)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INCARNATION - Sadell Bradley- 12/15/2021

WEDNESDAY'S WORD INCARNATION 12/15/2021     "Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling on their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." - Lucinda Franks - American Writer INCARNATION - means a person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality. 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 in bodily form. (Col. 2:9) Godhead is the Biblical word for the concept of the Trinity—Father, Son & Holy Spirit.    Jesus' name means Savior. Christ means one who is anointed. The name Jesus Christ means that He is the One empowered 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 his 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 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, grief, and loneliness during this season. They wonder if they are really loved, particularly as they mourn for loved ones no longer with them. Today, I am at the funeral celebrating the life of my Aunt Dorothy, the last member of my nuclear family, which included my mom who adopted me, my aunt, and my grandfather. "Aunt Dot," the family historian, prayer warrior with blackened knees to prove it, faithful member of her church for over 80 years, and maker of the best macaroni and cheese. died at the age of 97 years. All of my nuclear family members lived past the age of 90, what a blessing! I am extraordinarily grateful. Still for many, this season's 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. 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 Incarnation both proves and demonstrates God's love for us. "God 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. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take aw ay our sins." (1 John 4:9-10) 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 Advent, take a moment to thank the LORD for His indescribable gift!

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SAVIOR - Sadell Bradley 12/8/2021

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SAVIOR 12/8/2021 "How sweet it is to learn the Savior's love when nobody else loves us! When friends flee, what a blessed thing it is to see that the Savior does not forsake us but still keeps us and holds us fast and clings to us and will not let us go!"―Charles Spurgeon  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY DREAM TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org Advent is the season where we commemorate the arrival of the most notable person who has ever lived—the LORD Jesus Christ. The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream announcing the immaculate conception of Jesus in the womb of his fiancee the virgin Mary. The angel said, "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:20b-21) How startling this pronouncement had to be! What kind of faith and love did Joseph have to exercise to stay with a woman and raise a child that was not biologically his. Still, today's word is SAVIOR —a person who saves or rescues someone from harm or danger; or (in Christianity) Jesus Christ the redeemer of sin and saver of souls. To redeem means to compensate for the faults, bad aspects, poor past performance, or behavior of someone. It is to atone or make amends for our errors; or to pay our sin-debt and buy back our opportunity for life. It is no doubt that all of us are more than qualified as sinners (Romans 3:23) As a pastor, it is interesting how few people who attend church know that the name Jesus Christ actually means the one who is anointed or empowered to SAVE. #notjustababy Jesus' mission is rescue, liberation, and freedom from sin and its effects. He understands that our participation in certain beliefs and practices will harm, steal from, or even kill us naturally—and will separate us from God eternally. Jesus the Savior's sacrifice on the Cross is the remedy. Paul wrote, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15) Paul was aware of the tragedy of his past life, how in his pride, sin, and zealous persecution of Jesus' followers, he had also wounded the Lord. Even the flaws of his present revealed his need for God's ever-abounding grace. Paul needed a Savior, to prevent his life from being destroyed by his own foolishness and his soul from being damned forever...and so do we.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GRIEVE - Sadell Bradley 12/1/2021

WEDNESDAY'S WORD GRIEVE 12/1/2021 "Grief is so human, and it hits everyone at one point or another, at least, in their lives. If you love, you will grieve, and that's just given."―Kay Redfield Jamison - Psychologist  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY LETTING GO TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org GRIEF is keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss; sharp sorrow; or painful regret. I used to have a very narrow view of grief as only something one feels after at the death of a loved one. All of us go in an out of the emotions associated with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler Ross' 5 Stages of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Sometimes we don't go all the way through the grieving process to acceptance. Over the years family members, friends, and church members have passed on. Holiday seasons leave us grappling with grief. We have fond memories, but our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables are different when those we love are no longer with us. Isaiah prophesied of Christ, "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." (Isaiah 54:3a) Jesus taught His disciples, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4) It is good to know that God not only cares about our grief, but acts to alleviate it. I didn't realize until much later that the condition of grief goes far beyond the death of a loved one. Grief is complex and includes many other aspects of our lives. Each time we progress from one stage of life to another, we grieve the former and have to adjust to the latter. When we marry, we grieve singleness. When we retire, we grieve our working lives. When we move from one city to another, we grieve our former home and embrace the new one. When we experience illness, we grieve the loss of the full functioning of our bodies. When we age losing mobility, hair, memory...there are elements of grief. When our relationships change or people leave us, we mourn their loss and move on..or do we? English musician Oliver Sykes said, "When it comes to the grieving process, we all try to ignore that feeling—but it's important to grieve. Even if it's happened for the best, you need to take that moment to feel something." Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there is "a time to mourn and a time to dance," but too often, we attempt to avoid or skip the grieving and move too quickly into dancing. If we've not fully grieved a loss, change, regret, or disappointment...those feelings, and that paralysis don't just disappear, they are often buried beneath a simulated happiness or a dull sense of nonchalance. We sometimes fear thinking about anything that causes us to feel negative emotions, yet we still want a sense of relief and release. Paul said that Christ, "comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Cor. 1:4) How can Jesus comfort us when we refuse to grieve?