WEDNESDAY'S WORD - VENGEANCE - Sadell Bradley - 01/29/2025

WEDNESDAY'S WORD VENGEANCE 1/29/2025 "The highest hallmark of a civilized society is not the rapidity with which it exacts vengeance, but its ability to hold victim and victimizer in its compassionate heart." —Greg Boyle, American Clergyman CLICK TO RSVP HERE AND PAY $10.00 FOR BREAKFAST     "Vengeance is the act of turning anger on yourself. On the surface it may be directed at someone else, but it is a sure fire recipe for arresting emotional recovery." —Jane Goldman, English Writer VENGEANCE is punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong. The Old French vengier means to avenge. The Latin vindicare is to vindicate (to clear someone of blame or suspicion, to show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified). Webster's Dictionary says vengeance is punishment given in return for an injury or offense. There is a difference between avenge and revenge. To avenge is to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong previously done to oneself or another; or to inflict harm on behalf of oneself or someone else previously wronged or harmed. Revenge is the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong you have suffered at their hands; or the desire to inflict retribution. All these words have the same root, but different motives. In the example in the attached photo, avenging is action that is motivated by a desire for justice (just behavior or treatment; the quality of being fair and reasonable, and the administration of the law or authority in maintaining this), while revenge is motivated by anger or malice. Paul wrote in Colossians 3: 1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:1-11) True Christ followers are to put away anger, wrath, and malice. Our motive is never to be revenge. Vengeance has an owner, and it is not us. When we step into retribution, we're in God's territory, as Paul told the Church when they were under occupation by the Roman Empire: 9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-20; cf 1 Samuel 24) A disciple of Jesus' highest desire is to be conformed to the image of Christ. Kindness in the face evil is a counter-cultural, Christlike offering of sacrifice that is redemptive. Peter wrote, “When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23). These are hard words to write, and they are even more difficult to live out in the midst of times of uncertainty, tribulation (great trouble or suffering) and persecution (hostility and ill-treatment). No matter who we are...when we take on a posture of vengeance and not blessing, we are violating the tenets of King Jesus and His Kingdom. It was Jesus who, while dying on the Cross for the sins of those who hated Him said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." The rulers sneered, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:34-35) It wasn't that Jesus was not who He said He was, nor that He could not have avenged Himself in that moment. He could have fought back...and would have won. When Jesus was being betrayed by Judas to be arrested, Peter tried to execute his own brand of vengeance by cutting off Malchus' ear. Jesus rebuked him, "Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?" (Matt. 26:53) Jesus didn't ask God to destroy His enemies because God's purpose was to save them through Him. Humanity's redemption would not be fulfilled if Jesus did not go to the Cross... so He decided to die to save you and me. Jesus left vengeance to is rightful owner, His Father. In doing so, won for us the ultimate victory forever!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TODAY - Sadell Bradley - 01/22/2025

WEDNESDAY'S WORD TODAY 1/22/2025 "For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today.' And whenever the answer is 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something." —Steve Jobs  CLICK TO RSVP HERE AND PAY $10.00 FOR BREAKFAST       "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia." —Charles M. Schulz - Cartoonist Like many churches, The Warehouse began 2025 with prayer and fasting. Corporately and individually, we invest this time to deny our flesh, humble ourselves, and set our minds and spirits to hear from the LORD. Isaiah 58 talks about fasting as an opportunity to loose the chains of injustice, to set the oppressed free, to share food, clothing, and shelter with those in need, and to restore our relationships. It is a chance for our light and righteousness to shine. When we call on God, He will answer. There is trouble all over the world. Some wars are ceasing—others are in full engagement. There is political turmoil here and abroad, and natural disasters are everywhere. I mean... it's snowing in Texas! Folks are becoming filled with anxiety about their personal and professional lives, as well as what is going on in the culture. One verse of the LORD's prayer asks, "Give us THIS DAY our daily bread."  (Matthew 6:11) The words 'this day' and 'today' have been ringing in my mind. TODAY - means on or in the course of this present day; or at the present period of time. I felt reassured by the truth that you can only live THIS DAY...really this moment. As much as we want to prognosticate about what will happen in 2025, over the next four years, or how our children and grandchildren will be affected in the future...all we can live out is TODAY. We've seen in just a few short weeks how lives and livelihoods can be dismantled and destroyed in a single day by fires, or by someone somewhere turning off an app platform. Proverbs 27:1 tells us, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." James called moving too far off in our predictions prideful and presumptuous: 13Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. (James 4:13-16, NLT) I was struck by how much I'd begun to trust in my own plans: goal setting, retirement, insurance, etc. If we've learned anything over the past few weeks, it's that so much is beyond our control. That's why we need the LORD and each other. After Jesus taught His disciples about prayer and fasting; He told them (in the midst of exile under Roman rule)...not to be anxious about anything. Don't worry about food, clothing, shelter, or supply. Don't try to accumulate and store up treasures on earth, but store them up in Heaven.Jesus said concerns about tangible things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God first (above all else), and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:19-33) I remember a time before I got so smart...when I lived closer to this kind of reverence and dependence...do you? At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus encouraged His followers, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." (v. 34) ENJOY TODAY...tomorrow is not promised.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COMPASSION - Sadell Bradley - 01/15/2025

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD COMPASSION 1/15/2025 "As I get older, the more I stay focused on the acceptance of myself and others, and choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear." —Tracee Ellis Ross, American Actress     "True compassion means not only feeling another's pain but also being moved to help relieve it." —Daniel Goldman, Psychologist & Author  The devastating fires in California have gripped the Country with alarm and concern. It seems unfathomable that such destruction could engulf such a large swath of territory in such a short time with relentless ferocity. The dire situation is compounded by insurance companies withdrawing coverage from homeowners in the region. I can't imagine the grief and loss, helplessness, frustration, and even anger these citizens are feeling. I hope we are all praying that the weather would relent and there would be some relief for the thousands of families, leaders, and emergency assistance personnel who have been affected. Our initial human reaction is to find someone or something to blame. Sadly, there has been finger-pointing, a rumor mill, a lot of political posturing, conspiracy theorizing, and some less than scientific surmising about how, why, and through whom this disaster has come. I love Tracee Ellis Ross' admonition for us to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear. Rather than jump to conclusions and rhetoric, we could remember the wisdom of Mr. Rogers who said, "When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Firefighters from around the world have come to assist in California. Relief organizations, churches, families, friends, and neighbors have come alongside the hurting with COMPASSION - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. The Latin compassio, is from the root compati ‘to suffer with.’ People are doing more than merely offering 'thoughts and prayers,' they are getting involved and divesting themselves of their own money, clothing, and resources through relief organizations like Matthew 25 Ministries to assist to those in need—to suffer with them. In the New Testament, the Greek word for compassion is splagchnizomai, which the Lexicon says conveys a deep, visceral feeling of compassion or pity. It describes an emotional response that moves one to action, often in the context of mercy or aid. In the Jewish context compassion was a significant virtue, reflecting God's own merciful nature. Splagchinzomai refers to the "inward parts" or "entrails," which metaphorically refers to the seat of emotions. In the New Testament, it is frequently used to describe Jesus' response to the suffering and needs of others, highlighting His empathy and readiness to help. 35Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:35-38) We pray the LORD of the harvest will send compassionate laborers into His fields—and not just in California. There are so many places where empathy, mercy, and kindhearted benevolence are needed in this season.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - BRAIN ROT - Sadell Bradley 01/08/2025

WEDNESDAY'S WORD BRAIN ROT 1/8/2025 "While England endeavors to cure the potato-rot, will not any endeavor to cure the brain-rot, which prevails so much more widely and fatally?"—Henry David Thoreau    BRAIN ROT has been deemed the word of the year for 2024. I know...it's two words. Oxford University Press said this term “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before." The Oxford Dictionary defines BRAIN ROT as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of over-consumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or un-challenging.” Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said that in its modern sense, “’brain rot’ speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time.” Have you found yourself scrolling aimlessly, or viewing an inordinate number of reels and short clips? Celebrities, comedians, preachers, sales gimmicks, and podcasts abound offering soundbites of advice on any and everything imaginable. We now binge-watch TV shows when we used to wait with baited breath for the next weekly episode. Some things on the internet are good. In moderation, our brains wouldn't rot. In 1854, philosopher Henry David Thoreau used brain rot in his work, Walden, or Life in the Woods. At the time, the 27 year-old had relocated to his cabin for solitude and reflection. NPR quotes Cristin Ellis, an authority on Thoreau from the University of Mississippi, "For Thoreau, 'brain-rot describes what happens to our minds and spirits when we suppress our innate instincts for curiosity and wonder, and instead resign ourselves to the un-reflective habits we observe all around us -- habits of fitting in, getting by, chasing profits, chatting about the latest news." Ellis continues, "Thoreau really values direct experience over our habits of consuming other peoples' ideas at second hand. He wants us to go outside to feel and think something for ourselves; he wants us to get to know the places where we actually live." Have you lost creativity or wonder due to brain rot? Paul admonished the Church to fill their lives with the Word, Spirit, and presence of God, not with the influences of popular culture: 6And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 8Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. (Colossians 2:6-10) From what sources have you been getting most of your information these days? How many hours per week is your mind susceptible to this deterioration? how about your children's or grandchildren's? Thoreau suggested that a cure for brain-rot was needed in England 171 years ago...how much more do we need one today?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - AHEAD - Sadell Bradley - 1/1/2025

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD AHEAD 1/1/2025 "It is better to look ahead and prepare, than to look back and regret." —Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Gold Medalist       "I'm not going back. I'm moving ahead. Here to declare to you. My past is over. In You, all things are made new. Surrendered my life to Christ. I'm moving, moving forward." — Israel Houghton, Ricardo Sanchez In 2009, Israel Houghton released the song Moving Forward on his album The Power of One. This song about the redemption, regeneration, and renewal that is found in relinquishing your life, renouncing your sins, and receiving forgiveness and a new life in Jesus took hold in the culture. Churches around the world sing it to welcome the New Year with a fresh start or to celebrate baptisms. As we enter 2025 we don't look back...we look AHEAD - further forward in space; in the line of one's forward motion; further forward in time; in advance; in the near future; higher in number, amount, or value than previously. Ahead is a nautical term for the direction forward in front of the bow of the ship. One might say, "The captain ordered the ship to steer 'ahead' to maintain course towards the destination." In what direction will we steer our lives in 2025? Will we continue to hold on to past hurts, sins, regrets, and failures? Will we persist in clinging to the often false nostalgia of past victories, triumphs, and successes as if there is nothing left for us to do or contribute? Or will we move forward? There is a reason the windshield of a car is larger than the rear view and side mirrors. It's because most of our time and attention should be placed on what is before us...not on what is behind us, or who might be passing us up on either side, The Apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) wrote about this in Philippians 3. Saul was a man of supremely high achievements in spirituality and education as a Pharisee. He was of the highest social rank in Jewish culture. Saul was so zealous about Judaism that he swore to root out any 'false messiahs' that might arise to threaten it. So when the followers of "The Way" claimed to believe that Jesus Christ was The Messiah, he gravely persecuted, imprisoned, and murdered them. Acts 8 shows Saul standing over and approving of deacon Stephen's stoning. It was not until Saul had a direct and blinding encounter with Jesus himself on the road to Damascus that he was converted, and his name and destiny were changed. Paul had a lot of success in his former life. He also had a lot of regrets for the innocent lives he had taken in the name of 'righteousness.' I can't imagine the repercussions of the loss of his former status. Or the way people interacted with him post-conversion. How haunting the memories of slaying Christ-followers were for him...or how mind boggling it would be for Jesus to still choose him to lead, and cause the family and friends of the people he'd killed and imprisoned to forgive him and call him brother. He wrote these words. 7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. We make resolutions to start a New Year. They say only 20% are kept, while 80% are abandoned by February. Wouldn't forgetting the past and moving AHEAD to the future be a great for that 20%? What if this year, we really cleaned our slates and started anew?