WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ACCOUNTABLILITY - Sadell Bradley - 08/28.2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ACCOUNTABILITY 8/28/2024 "True love does not only encompass the things that make you feel good, it also holds you to a standard of accountability." — Monica Johnson, American Author       "Accountability breeds response-ability." — Stephen Covey, Leadership Guru ACCOUNTABILITY is the fact or condition of being accountable. To be ACCOUNTABLE means required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible; explicable; and understandable RESPONSIBLE means having an obligation to do something; having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role; or to be the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it. Responsibility involves important duties, independent decision-making, or control over others. To be responsible to someone is having to report to someone in authority and be answerable to them for one's actions. There is no room for blame. A responsible person is capable of being trusted, and morally accountable for their behavior. Around this time of year in the US, we hold politicians accountable for the promises they've made, the actions they've taken, and the words they've said. At least we say we do. If incongruence is found,  there will be repercussions at the polls...sometimes this is true, sometimes not. I wonder what would happen if we held ourselves to standards of accountability. God is looking at us all. Scripture uses the words "give an account" to cover a bunch of areas. Jesus told His disciples "36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) It's scary to consider that every one of our words will one day come under the LORD's scrutiny. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him. For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities]." (2 Corinthians 5:9-10, AMP) The Greek word bḗma (from bainō, "to step, ascend") is a platform to which someone walked up to receive judgment; (figuratively) the administration of justice given from "a tribunal-chair" (throne) where rewards and punishments are meted out. In Greek culture, judges sat on a bḗma to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27). The bema was never a place to reprimand the athletes or to punish them in any way. It was a place of testing and reward. In the same way, Paul writes," each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work." (1 Corinthians 3:13) We will see if what we've built on Christ's foundation is of the quality of gold, silver, or precious stones. These are ingredients for crowns, or if our works display the inferior wood, hay, and stubble that is easily burned up and leaves no reward. This inevitable end-time assessment is rarely discussed in churches, or we'd be more careful. Because we are accountable to God, we can choose to walk in that same accountability with ourselves and others. King David, though he was surrounded by blood thirsty and sinister men said, "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord." (Psalm 26:11-12) I am responsible for my thoughts, motives, actions, and responses. I am accountable for how I have handled God's calling, His Word, and His people...so are you. REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE $10 for BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - WELLNESS -SADELL BRADLEY - 08/21/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD WELLNESS 8/21/2024 "Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit—the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being." — Greg Anderson, American Author   "The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."— Abraham Maslow, American Psychologist WELLNESS is defined as the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought or pursued goal. Pfizer calls wellness the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving. Promoting wellness is interesting coming from a pharmaceutical company. In the US a lot of focus is placed on treatment of illness, and not on its prevention by way of engaging wellness practices like: meditation, exercise, quality sleep, healthy diet, eliminating stress, and drinking lots of water. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) say that wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Holistic means characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole. In medicine, holistic is the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of an illness. Merely saying or meditating on the words wellness, holistic, and whole...is relieving. Wellness is intentional. In John 5, Jesus healed a man with a 38-year infirmity at the pool of Bethesda. Verse 6 says, "When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” One might think , "Obviously this guy wants wellness," but that's not always the case. This is especially true when the condition has been long-lasting, and there seems little hope for change. We must decide. Jesus' question prompted introspection in the man. "If there were really a way for me to get out of this predicament...would I do it?" We think we'd automatically say yes until we look at how we've engaged habits we know would make us well... such as therapy or self-care. When we consider our practice (or lack thereof) of spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and participating in a healthy confessing community—we might find we really don't want to be well...at least not yet. This man's initial response was to give Jesus reasons why wellness hadn't come to him, "7The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Once a year an Angel stirred the waters of the pool. Whoever got in first was healed. This man was isolated, alone, infirm, and dependent on others for his subsistence. His paralysis was not just physical. Can you imagine sitting right beside the place of healing, watching others receive it year after year? He repeatedly saw them being relieved of their burdens while he retained his. Jesus was undaunted by this man's situation. It did not matter how long it had been, how often he'd been denied, how many others he'd seen healed, or how disappointed he had become. If he truly wanted to be well...wellness could begin that day. I'm so glad Jesus can intervene to alter the course of events at any moment! He even allowed the man to have some agency in his own deliverance, "8Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked." He'd evidently had some culpability for his predicament because14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Healing was a form of forgiveness and restoration for this man. I love that Jesus addressed that part privately. WELLNESS is available to you and to me. It's often a matter of whether or not we really want it, will choose to make decisions toward it, and will believe and follow the commands of the LORD to obtain it. I pray you will be well in Jesus' name! REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE $10 for BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ACCOMPLISH - Sadell Bradley - 08/14/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ACCOMPLISH 8/14/2024 "Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use." — Earl Nightingale, American Entertainer     "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."— Businessman Dale Carnegie In 1999, Don Clifton, Chairman of Gallup, Inc. developed the leadership assessment tool Strengthsfinder 2.0. He released a book called, "Now, Discover Your Strengths," with Marcus Buckingham. The premise of both the book and the tool was—rather than working toward fixing weaknesses, leaders should develop their strengths. Then they should place on their team others with strengths in their weak areas. Organizations and employees would excel because all were operating in their strengths. It took the business world by storm. I remember discovering my top five strengths. Two were in the category of Relationship Building: Developer and Relator. One was part of the Strategic Thinking category: Intellection. The other two, Achiever and Responsibility, were Executing functions that cause one to "make things happen." That's what ACCOMPLISH means: to achieve or complete successfully. Someone is described as accomplished when they are highly trained or skilled, or they have a higher level of education than average and good social skills. An accomplishment is an activity that a person can do well, typically as a result of study or practice; a skill or ability that has been successfully achieved. We've seen a lot of accomplishments lately as we've marveled at Olympic athletes from around the world. When we're first introduced to the Godhead (God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in Genesis 1, they were accomplishing things—namely the creation of the heavens, the earth, and its inhabitants including humans. Not only were they successfully completing this gargantuan task; they assessed and evaluated everything as it was accomplished. They said repeatedly that what they'd created was good. Once mankind was added to the mix...all of it They said, was very good. Now, that's a positive, encouraging, and worthwhile practice to adopt. As we travel through Scripture, we see GOD prompting individual accomplishments. In Genesis 6, Noah is given the seemingly impossible task of building an Ark for the saving of humanity and animals of every species, from a flood designed to destroy wickedness in the earth. In Deuteronomy 10, Moses is called on to accomplish the carving of 10 Commandments on stone tablets and forming the Ark of the Covenant for the presence of God. In 1 Chronicles 28, David commissions his son Solomon to construct a Temple for Israel to worship the LORD. GOD is always accomplishing things. When He speaks, He acts...and He finishes everything He starts. The LORD said through the prophet Isaiah, 10“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." (Isaiah 55:10) Jesus used the word accomplish to describe the finished work of The Cross. "Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished." (Luke 18:31) At Calvary, He painstakingly went through the fulfillment of each prophetic utterance about Him, "After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” (John 19:28) Jesus opened His prayer to His Father in John 17:4 by saying, "I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do." At the end of my life, I want to say the same. REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE $10 for BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ENCOURAGE - Sadell Bradley - 08/07/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ENCOURAGE 8/7/2024 "Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you." — William Arthur Ward, American Writer   "Surround yourself with good people who encourage and love you. There are always ups and downs no matter how successful you are."—Liana Liberato, American Actress I LOVE THE OLYMPICS! The Games represent the epitome of athletic excellence, camaraderie, and celebration. Despite what might be going on in the world politically and environmentally, these elite competitors, and those who train and support them, remind us of the goodness in humanity across cultures. There are too many wonderful moments to name. Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer of all time raised the arm of new sensation Leon Marchand of France, his mentee. Marchand had just eclipsed Phelps' world record. The two even share the same coach, Bob Bowman. Phelps wasn't salty or bitter; he celebrated and encouraged the young talent to go forward and do more. Simone Biles, the greatest US gymnast of all time, could win an award for encouragement. When her teammate, Jordan Childs was shunned by some in their sport and didn't make the national team, Biles took her under her wing. She brought Childs in to live and train with her in Texas. With Biles' expertise and encouragement, Childs' strength, fortitude, and mastery increased. She made this year's Gold Medal gymnastics team and received her first individual medal, a bronze in the floor exercise. Then they paid the encouragement forward. Biles and Childs bowed in honor and celebration of Rebecca Andrade, Brazil's top gymnast as she won her country's first Gold Medal by scoring higher than both of them in the floor exercise. It was the first time an olympic podium in gymnastics was filled with Black women—competitors, yet friends. They had each come through trial. Biles was orphaned by her parents and taken in by her grandparents. Andrade rose out of the slums of Brazil. She walked hours daily just to train. Growing up in church they used to say, "I don't look like what I've been through." These women reminded me of the Hebrew Boys coming out of Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke upon them. That's what ENCOURAGEMENT does. Haven't we all had enough discouragement?! ENCOURAGE means to give support. confidence, or hope to someone; to give support and advice to someone so they will do or continue to do something; to help or stimulate (an activity, state, or view) to develop. The French in in+courage—courage is the ability to do something that frightens one; or strength in the face of pain or grief. In 1 Samuel 30, Israel was in Ziglag under threat of siege from the Amalekites. They had taken their wives and children captive. King David and the men wept in anguish, "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (vs.6) There are times when we've lost heart and there's no one to go to but God. However, more often, the community of Believers is meant to come alongside us. The writer of Hebrews says that encouragement from both the LORD and one another is what we need in these last and evil days. "19And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:19-25) WHO CAN YOU ENCOURAGE TODAY? REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE $10 for BREAKFAST