WEDNESDAY'S WORD - HEAVEN - Sadell Bradley - 8/25/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD HEAVEN 8/25/2021 “The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to do three things. He came to have my past forgiven, you get a purpose for living and a home in Heaven.” - Rick Warren - Pastor HEAVEN is defined as the abode of God, the angels, and the good after death. Heaven is also defined as a state of being eternally in the presence of God after death. It's a place, a state, or an experience of supreme bliss. In the New Testament the word Heaven is found 276 times. The Bible reveals that there are three heavens. The first heaven is directly above the earth (the sky, the clouds). The second heaven is outer space—the stars, planets, etc. The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. In John 14:1-3, Jesus told the disciples that His Father's house had many rooms or mansions, and that He was going to prepare a place for them to be with Him forever. Jesus promised the thief on the cross who asked Him to be remembered when He came into His Kingdom, "Today, will you be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) The promise of forgiveness of sin and eternal life in Heaven with Jesus, and of being reunited with loved ones who have passed on before us is a hope Christ followers hold in their hearts with great anticipation. Heaven is a place we should talk, sing, and reflect on much more than we do. It's our eternal destination. Today marks my mom's 4th birthday in Heaven and my uncle's 1st. They were born on the same day three years apart. Here they are with my grandfather and aunt (who is now 96). My mom has on the striped dress. My uncle, one of the greatest Deacons ever known, passed away last December. He talked about Heaven all the time...like it was around the corner. It was kind of like Billy Graham who once said, "My home is heaven, I'm just traveling through this world." I imagine them together in great celebration worshiping the Lord they both love. In Philippians 3:20, the Apostle Paul said, "...we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." My mom suffered many ailments: including cancer, diabetes, strokes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Both she and my uncle ended life with dementia—but not so in Heaven! Revelation 21:4 tells us God, "will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Amen and Amen. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY BLESSED are they that MOURN TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FORTITUDE - Sadell Bradley - 08/18/21

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD FORTITUDE 8/18/2021 “I know of no higher fortitude than stubbornness in the face of overwhelming odds.” - Louis Nizer - English Lawyer

FORTITUDE is courage in pain or adversity. Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you, and strength in the face of pain or grief. Adversities are difficulties or misfortunes with the notion that you would turn toward them versus running away. Fortitude is a rarely witnessed virtue. Christians under persecution like those in Afghanistan and other parts of the world, are showing the kind of fortitude we in America can find it difficult to comprehend, and warrants our prayers. I wonder if there have been times when you've had to look difficulty in the face and stand toe to toe with it. Have you ever held an unpopular opinion or belief that might cause persecution? Have you faced an adversary more powerful than you? Have you held on to your faith despite the odds being set against you? Have you pursued a dream that no one else understood? These things require fortitude.

Fortitude has always been a vital character quality for Christ-followers. In the Gospels, Jesus warned his disciples about the persecution that would come as a result of their identification with Him. "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have over come the world." (John 16:33) In Romans 5, Paul went further, to express the type of disposition a Christ-follower should hold in the midst of persecution. "And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance (fortitude); and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. (Romans 5:2-4, AMP) There are times when fortitude and courage are called for, when we are to run toward our fears in order by grace to conquer them.

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY BLESSED are the POOR IN SPIRT TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - AMBUSH - Sadell Bradley - 8/11/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD AMBUSH 8/11/2021 “Most of their lives, people are just waiting to be ambushed.” - Brandon Hull

An AMBUSH is a surprise attack by troops lying in wait in a concealed position. Soldiers are dressed in camouflage—clothing used for disguise that blends in with their surroundings. In the Old Testament, Israel's troops or their enemies would 'lie in wait' in ambushes during battles. In the New Testament, Acts Chapters 21-25 describes a plot by devout Jewish leaders to ambush the Apostle Paul. They condemned his work of spreading the Gospel, and falsely accused him of bringing a Gentile into the temple. Paul is arrested, a mob ensues, and he is threatened to be flogged by a Roman commander. This is called off when Paul reveals he is a Roman citizen. The Jewish leaders extend their debate as to whether Paul has done anything wrong, while the Romans try to figure out how to proceed. A governor named Festus asks the Jewish leaders to bring Paul to Caesarea and agrees to have him taken to Caesar to plead his case in trial. On the way, the Jewish leaders try to ambush Paul in order to kill him. It's high drama, and good to read, but for our purposes...the reminder is that the real target of the ambush is not Paul, but to halt the spread of the Gospel of Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we experience our enemy the devil setting small and large ambushes all of the time. These cloaked attacks come suddenly when we are unaware. He lies in wait in camouflage—mere suggestions or even blatant accusations are made to get us in emotional states that will cause internal wars if not external arguments and strife. Full blown attacks are waged while we are unsuspecting. 1 Peter 5:8 says the enemy prowls like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, but sometimes he's like a sniper and you didn't see it coming. Did you know that GOD also sets ambushes? In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat seeks the LORD about an ensuing battle and sends the singers in first to praise and thank the LORD whose mercy endures forever. Verse 22 says that at the very moment they began to sing praise, the LORD set ambushes against their enemies. In confusion, they began to fight each other and Israel was victorious! Remember: the ambush is about something other than what it seems, and the LORD sets ambushes too!

 WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY GOD'S TIME TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DIGNITY- Sadell Bradley - 08/4/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD DIGNITY 8/4/2021 “Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.”  - Nelson Mandela Some years ago, Sherman and I received a Word of prophecy from Dr. Myles Monroe. At the time, Sherman was running the City Gospel Mission homeless shelter. In addition to the other things he said, Dr. Monroe prayed that we would be used by God to restore dignity to those who have lost it. The word DIGNITY is not often used these days. It means the state or quality of being deemed worthy of honor or respect. One of the character traits we aspire to develop and maintain at The Warehouse Church, OTR is a culture of honor: honoring God, honoring one another, honoring those whom we serve in the community, and honoring ourselves as made in the image of God. After our Back to School event this past Sunday which included a presentation of Pinocchio by Madcap Puppets, a brief worship service, and a community cookout— one of our volunteers expressed that this multi-cultural, intergenerational and multi-class event had brought with it a sense of dignity. Families from all ethnic groups, attendees representing various stages of life and socio-economic backgrounds came together to enjoy the day. For those who may have been struggling financially, their children were allowed to experience the kinds of things wealthier families take for granted: child-centered entertainment and fun options, and good and plenteous food served and eaten under tents with engaging conversation from their hosts. The event was free, and those gathered expressed their gratitude— not just for the food and fun, but for being treated with dignity, which often does not happen in gatherings such as this. Paul instructed Titus to carry himself with dignity, "In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity." (Titus 2:7) Paul taught Timothy that deacons, that word means those who serve, likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain." (1 Timothy 3:8) In the Church we talk a lot about the dignity our leaders should hold...but not as much about the dignity held by those we serve. We give away run down things we don't want. When we serve meals they're often not the same quality that we would eat, or they're served at a distance, we don't eat with our guests. It's not with the kind of hospitality with which we would like to be served. Dignity makes a difference. I pray this is something we all will consider as we minister.  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY OUT OF TIME TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org