WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONFUSION - Sadell Bradley - 06/26/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD CONFUSION 6/26/2024 “Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest one is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm." - Charles Caleb Colton, English Writer     The word CONFUSION means lack of understanding; or uncertainty. It is a situation of panic; a breakdown of order; a disorderly jumble. Confusion is also the state of being bewildered or unclear in one's mind about something, or the mistaking of one person or thing for another. Confuse in Middle English had the sense of 'routing, or bringing to ruin.' The Latin confundere means to 'mingle together' or confound. Synonyms are perplexed, mystified, delirium, stupefied, puzzled, or discombobulated, These are confusing times. Just a brief look at the news reels can easily disturb us. This is added to what's going on with us personally. Confusion as a medical pathology is described by the ICD, an international disease classification body, as the loss of orientation, or the ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time, location and personal identity. Traumatic personal, workplace, and world events leave us unable to find our equilibrium and sense of self Who are you when your world is topsy-turvy? Where does all this confusion come from? The Apostle James gives us the answer, "13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. James reveals that jealousy and selfishness foster an atmosphere that brings about confusion. Is that the climate in your family, church...or even your heart. He goes on, 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:13-18) Warren Buffet once said. "It is not greed that drives the world, but envy." Even the best of us been confused in hard times. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about his confusion in his time of trial and duress. He said, "8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you." (2 Cor. 4:8-12) It's hard to imagine that anything good can come out of our confusion. But isn't that when we stop, look, listen, brainstorm, and learn? Isn't that when we bow our knees to pray to the LORD for answers? Isn't that when we choose to humble ourselves and collaborate with the most unlikely people? And isn't that when God opens up the most ingenious ideas, dispenses the most abundant grace, and guides us out of incertitude into solutions? I pray that good comes out of your confusion!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - LIBERATE - Sadell Bradley - 06/19/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD LIBERATE 6/19/2024 “I think the first step is to understand that forgiveness does not exonerate the perpetrator. Forgiveness liberates the victim. It's a gift you give yourself." - Bishop T. D. Jakes JOIN US THIS FRIDAY AT 7:30 PM   I'm writing this on, Juneteenth, which has been a Federal holiday since 2021. A New York Times Article offers some history, "On June 19, 1865, about two months after the Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued nearly two and a half years earlier, on Jan. 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. The holiday is also called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.” It took over two years for Texas slaves to even receive notice of their liberation—much less begin to enjoy it. The modern slogan, "Free-ish since 1865," is a telling reminder that African-Americans in the US are still in the midst of a struggle for liberation. Some are critical of the US government for legislating the Juneteenth holiday...but not addressing the racism, brutality, oppression, economic inequities, confinements, and subjugation that still exists. To LIBERATE means to set someone free from a situation, especially imprisonment or slavery, in which their liberty is severely restricted; to free (a country, city, or people) from enemy occupation; to release someone from a state or situation that limits freedom of thought or behavior. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not free. It has cost the lives of our ancestors...not just in death, but in honorable and dignified sacrifice. Think of the millions of slaves, whose free labor built this Country brick by brick, the Civil Rights Movement's freedom riders, or the protestors whose feet were bruised and swollen from walking for 13 months straight in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Men, women, and children were assaulted in violent encounters with fire hoses, dogs, and police with billy clubs. Then and now, plots and schemes have been devised to suppress our votes, keep us undereducated, underemployed, on a prison pipeline, and away from economic prosperity. Less than 60 years ago, these history makers were doused with food and drinks at segregated lunch counters. They were demeaned, cursed, threatened, beaten, and imprisoned. Over the course of our history. entire cities of successful African-American families have been burned to the ground. Yet through all this warfare and struggle, our people have held their dignity. Many were Christ-followers, who brought to life the meaning of Jesus' words on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) TD Jakes said "Forgiveness liberates the victim." If it did not, Black folks would not survive in America. Racial injustice still occurs in blatant and subtle forms today...but...Jesus is a liberator! He announced this in Luke 4:18-19, KJV, 18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Give yourself the gift of liberation through forgiveness. Let The Liberator set you free.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SEASONS - Sadell Bradley - 06/12/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD SEASONS 06/12/2024 "Everything has seasons, and we have to be able to recognize when something's time has passed and be able to move into the next season. Everything that is alive requires pruning as well, which is a great metaphor for endings." ~ Dr. Henry Cloud

SEASONS are commonly known as each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun. A season is also a period of the year characterized by a particular climatic feature or marked by a particular activity, event, or festivity (e.g. the holiday season). In agriculture, a season is the time of year when a particular fruit, vegetable, or other food is plentiful and in good condition. In Mark 11:13, Jesus cursed the fig tree at the root because it was not producing fruit, even though it wasn't the season for figs. Perhaps He was saying, when you're abiding in My presence, fruit should come even when it's not the time for it. Glory! I used to love Fig Newtons, by the way... This month we're in the throes of the NBA Finals. Basketball season is here. We're also looking forward to the 2024 Olympics, and football season is right around the corner. A SEASON is a fixed time in the year when a particular sport is played. In media, a season is a set or sequence of related television programs. In zoology, when a female mammal is ready to mate, they "come into season." In culinary terms to season is to add salt, herbs, or other spices; or to add quality or feature to something to make it more lively or exciting. This word season is doing a lot of work! Figuratively, a SEASON is the proper or suitable time; or an indefinite or unspecified period of time. King Solomon wrote, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Whether good or bad, trial or triumph; they're just seasons...and they will pass. Don't give up or give in over a season that is only temporary.   Who ultimately controls the seasons? The prophet Daniel said it is the LORD. In Daniel 2, during his time in exile in Babylon, king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and called on his wise men to both tell him what he'd dreamt and interpret it. They were unable to do so, but Daniel was given the revelation by Yahweh, his God. Daniel prophesied of a statue with a gold head, silver shoulders, a bronze torso, iron legs and clay feet. The gold head represented Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian kingdom. The other body parts represented various other kingdoms that would eventually displace the autocrat. Finally, a rock would shatter the entire statue. This is the Kingdom of the rock, King Jesus! who will crush ALL of the previous kingdoms. Daniel proclaimed, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings;He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. 22He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. (Daniel 2:20-22) I don't know about you, but with all that is going on in the world right now, I'm glad I know the One who exercises Sovereignty not only over the seasons, but over who will rule during them.

Worship Service 10:00 AM - Bible Study 9:00 AM

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PURPOSE - Sadell Bradley - 06/05/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD PURPOSE 06/05/2024 "The climb may be tough and challenging, but the view is worth it. There is a purpose for that pain: you just can't always see it right away." ~ Victoria Arlen, Journalist     The quote above illustrates the multiple meanings of the word PURPOSE: the reason for which something is done, created, or for which something exists; a person's sense of resolve or determination; or a particular requirement or consideration, typically one that is temporary or restricted in scope or extent. The mountain metaphor reveals the tenacity of the climber who has decided to pursue making it to the top. It shows the particular boundaries and limits that must be navigated for the raison d'être, (French: reason for being) of both the mountain and the climber to be fulfilled. Along the journey, the adventurer might experience muscle strain, loss of oxygen because of altitude, fatigue, and a variety of emotions. Depending on the difficulty of the climb, there could be moments they'd want to quit before finishing. We don't always consider that even pain has a purpose—it often pushes us beyond our perceived limits. PURPOSE acts in our lives like a compass; it directs us. But, as Dr. Myles Monroe used to say, "If you don't know the purpose of a thing, abuse is inevitable." In Scripture, Daniel was a young man brought to Babylon after Jerusalem fell under siege. The best and brightest of Israel's youth were chosen to work in Nebuchadnezzar, the king's court, including Daniel and three other Hebrew boys: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were taught Babylonian customs. Their names were changed, and they were offered the custodial nation's food. 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel knew who he was purposed to be and held to that identity. He decided to maintain the kosher lifestyle of his people and disregard the palace fare. He was willing to put everything on the line to retain his integrity. He boldly said, 12“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." God had a purpose for the exile. Though they were immigrants in captivity, Daniel and his companions were purposed to be key leaders in Babylon. Purpose is not always found in a call to ministry, sometimes it's in the marketplace. The motive for Daniel's dietary request had a purpose. Even the subsequent test had purpose. Have you considered or asked the LORD, "What is MY purpose?" (reason for being) or "What is YOUR purpose for what is going on in my life right now?" Often, the purpose is to make us look, think, act, and respond more like Jesus. Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." God wants many many daughters and sons of purpose in the earth. He is saying to all of us... the climb might be difficult... but the view from the top is AMAZING!  Worship Service 10:00 AM - Bible Study 9:00 AM REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE $10 for BREAKFAST

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