WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COMMITMENT - Sadell Bradley 03/29/23

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD COMMITMENT 3/29/2023 “Too many Christians have a commitment of convenience. They'll stay faithful as long as it's safe and doesn't involve risk, rejection, or criticism. Instead of standing alone in the face of challenge or temptation, they check to see which way their friends are going.”― Charles Stanley, American Clergy TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY PROMISES, PROMISES NO LIES @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube     Commitment is an act, not a word.- Jean Paul Sartre The word COMMITMENT means the state or quality of being dedicated to a a cause, activity, etc., a pledge or undertaking; an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action. The verb commit in this sense means to pledge or bind a person or an organization to a certain course or policy; to pledge or set aside resources for future use; to be dedicated to something or someone, to be in a long-term emotional relationship with someone. The last definition is the one we generally use when we talk about commitment. Have you heard of commitment phobia? There are people who are afraid to commit to anyone or anything—even to the promises they've made to God, or to themselves. Dr. Ilisa Kaufman writes that commitment phobics are at times unable to make decisions and are paralyzed by the fear that they could make the wrong decision and mess up their life and the lives of others. These folks can also suffer from FOMO, the fear of missing out. They don't want to commit to a job, career, or love interest for fear that someone or something better may be around the corner. Some fear to commit themselves fully to God for various often unspoken reasons. King David in Psalm 37 wrote about the struggle of fully committing and trusting one's life to the Lord when the wicked seem to be prospering. "Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.." Dr. Kaufman asks, "What happens when we're unable to commit? Some people's fears of commitment can stop them from making plans or promises at all — even small commitments, such as meeting up with friends. Such commitment fears do not extend only to choices that could impact the rest of one's life, but to those that will impact just one evening." Have you been having trouble committing lately?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONCESSION-Sadell Bradley - 03/22/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD CONCESSION 3/22/2023 “Each concession we make is accompanied by an inner diminution of which we are not immediately conscious.”― Emile Cioran - Romanian Philosopher TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY PROMISES, PROMISES PROMISSORY NOTES @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube REGISTER HERE FOR THE MEN'S RETREAT $25     Most of us have stood in line at a concession stand at a movie theater, sporting, or arts event. Aside from being aghast at the dastardly prices...the little kid in us is enthralled by getting a taste of some of our favorite comfort foods: hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, soda pop, icees, or candy. CONCESSION here means a commercial operation within the premises of a larger concern, typically selling refreshments. The other meaning of concession usually takes place in the process of negotiation. Here CONCESSION means a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; a thing conceded; a gesture, especially a token one, made in recognition of a demand or prevailing standard: The root word, CONCEDE - means to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it; to admit defeat in a contest; to surrender or yield something that one possesses. Emile Cioran in the quote above said that concession involves DIMINUTION - a reduction in the size, extent, or importance of someone or something. We generally are not fans of conceding. We are taught in the US, to win at all cost, to exercise power over others, and to "never let them see you sweat." In 1 Samuel 15, Israel's first king, Saul, disobeyed God's command by failing to slay all of their Amalekite enemies in battle. He was to kill all the adults, children, and livestock. In verse 13 Saul announces to the prophet Samuel that he has completely carried out the Lord's instructions. Samuel asked, “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” After attempting to argue his case, Saul concedes that he has omitted some of what God asked him to do. This omission cost him God's favor and eventually, leadership of the kingdom of Israel. Gradually, the Spirit of the Lord that was upon Saul left him and was transferred to David. Saul had to remain in this disempowered state for many years as he grew more jealous of David and angry with himself over the loss of God's favor. 1 Samuel 16:14 says, 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. King Saul had to make concessions in more ways than one: 1)he had to admit that Samuel was right, that he had disobeyed the Lord's commands and deserved his fate; 2) once the anointing was stripped from him, he had to admit defeat—he was going to be replaced by David; and 3) he had to surrender his reign, his kingly position and authority, and turn it over to another. Saul, who ultimately could not make that concession, died by falling on his own sword in 1 Samuel 31. Are there concessions you need to make today?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DISTRACTION - Sadell Bradley - 03/15/2023

WEDNESDAY'S WORD DISTRACTION 3/15/2023 “The moment of drifting off into thought has been so clipped by modern technology. Our lives are filled with distraction with smartphones and all the rest. People are so locked into not being present.”― Glen Hansard- Irish Musician TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY PROMISES, PROMISES I PROMISE MYSELF @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube CLICK HERE TO REGISTER $10   I had a conversation with a millennial in our congregation. He reminded his GenX pastor that he was part of the last generation to remember not having the internet growing up. He then lamented over the experience of GenZers who have never known a time without the internet, smartphones, and social media. He said the internet is a huge DISTRACTION—a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else, in our context God. That seems obvious, but I remember the Holy Spirit asking me during the pandemic, "When did Facebook start?" I had no idea, so I googled it. ; ) It was 2006. He said, "The Church world you grew up in no longer exists. The young people you are ministering to have no idea about that life you've had." This millennial lamented that the attention span of the next generation is only 15-60 seconds thanks to Reels and Tic Tock, and suggested we put out content for that audience. Hmmm. Have you been distracted by your phone, social media, or streaming services lately? Some gave them up for Lent. DISTRACTION is also extreme agitation of the mind or emotions. Many situations can prove to be distracting: work, finances, illness, even good things like new opportunities. At times our brains and feelings are swirling. This type of distracting emotional upheaval can come from our relationships. In fact, Paul in his discourse about singleness and marriage in 1 Corinthians 7, stated that while married people have an in-built concern for pleasing their spouses; single people have the gift of being able to have undivided devotion to the Lord. Paul suggested they might even choose to stay single, "I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible." (vs.35) Married folks also want to have focused, committed, and consistent worship and service for the Lord. The enemy of our souls sends distractions as temptations. In Matthew 4:8-10 in the wilderness Satan tempted Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world if He would fall down and worship him, "Then Jesus said to him,“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Jesus refused to be distracted from His mission to save humanity. Paul comforts us all by explaining, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Cor. 10:13) If you've been distracted lately, there is a way out...turn off the TV, phone, internet...turn your eyes toward Jesus and receive peace.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - WOUNDS - Sadell Bradley - 3/8/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD WOUNDS 3/8/2023 “It is the false shame of fools to try to conceal wounds that have not healed.”― Horace - Roman Poet TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY PROMISES, PROMISES I PROMISE YOU... @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube       At a session on leadership at the conference I'm attending, the presenter opened for questions. "What do you do if a member of your team is toxic and it's negatively affecting everything?" one person asked, timidly following up with, "What if that person is your boss?" The presenter shared that it's challenging to "manage up," a common, yet often misunderstood business term. Then he shared his philosophy. First, he asked the group how many of us were "grace talkers"— people who would never say anything that stirred the pot or led to conflict. Most people in the room raised their hands. Colossians 4:6 NIV says, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. There's definitely a place for the "grace talkers," but sometimes a "false peace" is the result. Then he asked who in the group considered themselves "truth tellers"— those willing to say the hard things. A smaller group of us answered in the affirmative. Ephesians 4:25 NKJV admonishes us, Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. There can't be real peace without truth. When John 1:14 describes Jesus as logos the Word, it says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, FULL of GRACE and TRUTH." Jesus managed to be full of both qualities! The presenter asked, "The conversations you had about your boss with your colleagues...did you have the exact same dialogue WITH your boss?" They replied, "Not exactly..." The speaker stated he wasn't surprised, people usually tell 90% of what needs to be said in those situations, but at those times leaders need truth talkers who are willing to tell "the other 10%." That was an interesting way of putting it. I've been on the giving and receiving end of that "other 10%." I hold more trust in those relationships because I know where we stand. Those are my go-to people when I need "the real." The speaker quoted Proverbs 27:6 AMP, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his/her hidden agenda]." A WOUND is an injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact. Figuratively, a wound is an injury to a person's feelings or reputation. Why would a friend wound you? Because they see a blind spot and love you enough to let you know. An enemy just wants to use you. The words faithful and trusted may not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the truth tellers in your life, especially in conflict...but that 10% wound beats the 90% of deception hands down.