WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INFLUENCE - 1/15/15 - SADELL BRADLEY

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. It is the power to shape policy or ensure favorable treatment from someone, especially through status, contacts, or wealth.  It derives from the Latin influentia "to flow," and also describes 'imperceptible or indirect action exerted to cause changes.'

Each year, Time Magazine reveals it's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.  They are separated into five categories: Titans, Pioneers, Artists, Leaders and Icons.  There are great names like Pope Francis, Robert Redford, and Beyonce, who have impacted the lives and culture of so many on a public stage. Still, there are many others who wield just as much influence incognito: engineer Tony Fadell - the father of the ipod, Ertharin Cousin from the South Side of Chicago, who is responsible for bringing food to more than 100 million people around the world as the head of the U.N.'s World Food Programme, or Robert & Kristin Lopez, who wrote "Let it Go,"the theme song to the hit movie Frozen.

Jesus Christ is easily the most influential person in history.  His life and teachings have shaped the laws of governments, and set the standard for the character of individuals.  He is singularly loved, worshiped, and respected - even in other religious circles. Our calendar has been set with A.D. & B.C. signifying His birth as the most significant day in history.  The book about Him is the best-selling book of all time. His powerful yet humble mission to leave His throne in Heaven and come to earth, live spotlessly and die on a cross to save billions of undeserving sinners, showed God's love to the world He created. It is the greatest show of love and grace the world has or will ever know. (Phil 2) None of us have actually seen or spoken with this figure of historical record face to face... yet His Words wield a power that influences our mores, values and decisions to this day.  We yield ourselves to His revealed purpose and attempt to model ourselves after His Divine personality.  John Maxwell simply states, "Leadership is Influence."

You may be a person of note in the City, State, Nation or World, or you may be a behind the scenes influencer whose conversation, wisdom and insights impact the decisions of a more public figure.  You may be raising, teaching, or mentoring a child or adult who will become a significant voice. As Christ followers, the salt and light of the world, we hold much more influence than we realize. Let's be prayerful to ensure that the direction of that influence is Godly and impactful.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - REFINE - 1/7/15

To refine is to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance,  or to improve something by making small changes, in particular to make (an idea, theory, or method) more subtle and accurate. Synonyms for refine are to purify, treat or process. In ancient times, gold was refined with fire using a high temperature to bring it to its desired level of purity.

Refining with flame is one of the oldest methods of refining metals. Mentioned even in the Bible, refining by fire is the preferable method for larger quantities of gold. This form of refining involved a craftsman sitting next to a hot fire with molten gold in a crucible (as above -a ceramic or metal container in which gold was melted) being stirred and skimmed to remove the impurities or dross that rose to the top of the molten metal. With flames reaching temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius, this job was definitely a dangerous occupation for the gold refiner. (Ref. Gold Traders)

A crucible is figuratively a place or occasion of severe test or trial. It is also defined as a place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new. Scholars suggest that the lamp that was held over a cross was called a crucible.  There is much association in the Bible between severe tests, fiery trials, and the refining or purification process of God's chosen: 

"He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness." Malachi 3:3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3

For You, God, tested us; You refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10 

The Apostle Peter admonishes us that the use of fiery trials for refining is normal for the Believer, and it brings us closer to the likeness of Jesus Christ.  "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13) We often question the fiery trial and ask for it to be brought to an end.  We want God to turn down the heat, not turn it up!  Little do we realize that the temperature is hotter and the flame higher because God is making us better and bringing forth purer and greater quantities of what is precious! James said we are to consider or count it joy when we face these varied trials. The result of the finished work of patient endurance, the trial of our faith, and the wisdom we gain along the way is that we'll be brought forth as mature and valuable saints who lack nothing! (James 1:1-4)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RESOLUTION - 12/31/14 Sadell Bradley

 At the close of one year and the beginning of the next, millions of people evaluate where they are and seek to make changes in their lives. Hopefully you've had time to express your gratefulness to God for all He's brought you through in 2014, the many blessings you've received, and the fact that you're still alive to thank Him! Gratefulness is important!

A RESOLUTION is a firm decision to do or not do something.  According to Forbes Magazine, 40% of Americans make New Year's resolutions, but only 8% of them keep them. They desire to make changes in vices, sins, bad habits, economic woes, and relationships, but 'resolution' means the quality of being determined or resolute; and the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.  It's from the Latin resolvere - to loosen, or release; to resolve.

What does it take to be firm, resolute, and determined? How do we make decisions, solve problems and bring conflicts to and end? Much of our growth is a matter of an inward work that manifests in outward action. Perhaps we fail because we're unwilling to do that inward work with the Lord, addressing deeper questions like, "What am I afraid of?" "Why am I emotionally eating?" "How did I become undisciplined?" "What beliefs do I have that cause these financial woes?" "Is this relationship really meant for me at this time?" "What will it take to forgive?" We often struggle because our thoughts, feelings and spirits are unsettled.

David begged the Lord, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) He realized that major things inside of him were going wrong and manifesting behaviors and outcomes that were not just ungodly, but not who he really wanted to be.  He also knew that on his own, he was unable to change.  He needed God's creative power to give him what he could not give himself - a new heart, spirit, right motivations and grace for proper action.

As you embark on this year with hopes and desires to make changes in your life, don't neglect that the Holy Spirit's power and the application of the Word of God is what promotes true and lasting transformation. These gifts enable us to make prudent and wise decisions, give us insight and revelation to solve problems, and grace us to release and resolve relational issues. If you're looking for any of those things, I suggest you cry out FIRST to the Lord for His help.

 May Jesus' blessings be upon you as you resolve to live like HIM in 2015! 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - THE INCARNATION- 12/24/14 -SADELL BRADLEY

Incarnate means to embody or represent a deity in human form, or to put an idea into concrete form: Latin 'made flesh.' The Incarnation in Christian Theology is the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle John states:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being...And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 1-3, 14)

The WORD or Greek logos, means a word as embodying an idea, or the expression of a thought.  Jesus Christ re-presents or embodies the idea of the Divine. "This is what God is like." Paul explains to the Colossians, "For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body."(Col. 2:9 NLT)  Luke confirms that Jesus Christ was no ordinary baby in his account in the gospels:

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"( Matthew 1:23)

Isaiah prophesied that this sign would not just be the miracle of a baby being born to a virgin, but that GOD'S OWN SON would be sent by His Father in human form to rule and establish a reign of peace!  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:2

John said Jesus Christ would show mankind the greatest love that ever existed. He would live a perfect life, minister to the broken, die as the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sin once and for all, and rise from the dead to give us hope for eternal life. He would not condemn us, but use His life as a ransom to save us!  (John 3:16-17) 

We are great at imagining the baby Jesus, and good with Christ on the cross.  But do we really believe GOD Himself is with us?  How would our lives change if we did? What if we believed He was not only WITH us, but IN us? (John 14:17) What if we are here to live out the incarnation as sons and daughters of God? to represent the idea of what God is like to the world!

A wonderful discussion to have with your family this holiday season! We pray that You will experience Him as IMMANUEL in your life today and always! 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CATALYST - 12/17/14

In chemistry a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.  Figuratively, it is a person or thing that precipitates an event: (E.G. the governor's speech acted as a catalyst for debate.) To catalyze means to cause or accelerate (a reaction) by acting as a catalyst, or to cause an action or process to begin.

At Sunday's Black Lives Matter celebration at New Life Covenant, we discussed the times and seasons of God. (Ecc. 3) Certainly the recent slayings of Eric Garner, Tamar Rice, and Michael Brown were the not the first or only incidents that have resulted in the death of an African-American male. Yet these incidents catalyzed a national and worldwide multi-ethnic, multi-class movement of protests, die-ins, media, and hopefully legislation to curb police brutality.  When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in the Jim Crow South, she was not the first young woman to do so. Her treatment on that particular day sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, which eventually led to the Civil Rights Movement. We are a better Country and people as a result of her bravery as a change-agent.

There are several ways the Bible refers to time, but here are two: 

CHRONOS - or chronological - time viewed in sequence, a succession of moments.  Time in duration in the physical space world - quantitative. (E.G. The time came for Elisabeth to bear her son Luke 1:57); and KAIROS - the fitting season,  time as opportunity to be taken advantage of - qualitative. It is when things come to a head, the right moment. Jesus said 'His time' was near, speaking of His destined work on the cross for our sins. (Matt 26:18)

Daniel worshiped and praised the God of wisdom and might who changes the times and seasons. He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to men of understanding. (Daniel 2:20-21 paraphrase)  1 Chronicles 12:32 describes the sons of the tribe of Issachar who understood the times and seasons and therefore knew what Israel should do...at the opportune time.  Oh, for us to have the wisdom to see, understand and act when Kairos moments present themselves.  Christ followers expect and anticipate seasons changing,  favorable opportunities, and Divine intervention in difficult situations.  Hallelujah!

With God, things can change in a moment.  We get stuck in chronos -thinking about how long it's been, but we're in league with the greatest catalyst the world has ever known. He inserts Himself into situations and people and they transform! Just like the chemical catalyst -  HE changes things...but HE NEVER CHANGES. (Heb. 13:8) 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TENACITY 12/10/14

Tenacity is the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; being very determined, continuing to exist; persistence. Tenacious implies keeping a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely to it. A tenacious person does not readily relinquish a position, principle or course of action. It derives from the Latin tenere - to hold.  A notorious example of tenacity is a dog or a pit bull locking it's jaws and gripping it's subject.  Metaphorically, it is an attitude or behavior that says, "I'm holding on for life," "I won't release this thing until it's done."  

Tenacity, determination and persistence are celebrated qualities in Scripture. Jacob wrestles with the angel so hard for so long that the socket of his thigh was permanently dislocated.  The angel cries out, "Let me go for the dawn is breaking," to which Jacob replies, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Gen. 32: 25-26)  The Angel changes his name and states, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed." (vs, 27)

Luke 18:1-8 is Jesus' parable of the Persistent or Importunate woman. She kept coming to the unjust judge, who was apathetic about God and people, for justice in her case. With tenacity she cried out again and again pleading to be avenged against her adversary. Initially he refused, but because she kept bothering him, he thought, "I'll see that she gets justice, so she won't eventually come and attack me." Jesus' intention in telling this parable was to show US that we should always pray and not faint or give up - specifically in our cries for justice.  

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Jesus equates faith with prayerful persistence and tenacious action.  He wonders out loud, if He will find anyone on the earth whose jaws are so locked that they will not give up until they see justice for His chosen ones.  The season that we are in requires this kind of tenacity.  Isaiah said the consequences of our sin and rebellion against the Lord affect our ability to administer and receive justice, "So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter." (Isaiah 59:12-13)

Christ followers are not unfamiliar with unjust trials. Our Savior Jesus, suffered an unjust trial: betrayal and abandonment by His closest companions, clandestine arrests and tribunals by night, falsifying of testimonies, fear of His rising influence authority and power, collusion and back door dealings from parties that were opposed but came in cahoots. He endured mocking, scourging, flogging, and questions surrounding His identity and purpose.  (Luke 22-23; Mark 14-15)  Through most of this...He answered not a word.  Isaiah said He was led like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53) only affirming that 'It is as you said," when asked if He was the Messiah.  Pilate didn't want to convict Him, his wife had warned him not to.  Through the deception, spin and propaganda of the religious leaders the people were put into a frenzy - persuaded to crucify an innocent man and let a known murderer and insurrectionist, Barabbas, go free.

If this type of injustice and corruption occurred in Scripture with our Lord, it is not implausible for it to happen today. Though there are many just and righteous proceedings... unscrupulous men and women still exist. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are paid to skew 'facts' to  determine outcomes. We are constantly being spun by politicians and media. We REALLY are not privy to ALL of the truth.  All the more reason whether looking nationally at a case like Eric Garner's, or locally at a case like Judge Tracie Hunter's (btw...the most tenacious person I've ever known): to cry out to the LORD and plead with the powers that be, day and night for justice!  but when Jesus comes, will He find that kind of faith in us?



  

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COUNTERFEIT - SADELL BRADLEY 12/3/14

Counterfeit - to make in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud; to pretended to feel or possess an emotion or quality; sham; a fraudulent imitation of something else; a forgery. From Old French contrefait - to make in opposition. Counterfeit products are fake replicas of a real product.  They are cheaper, less quality imitations that may even include toxic elements.

Abram and Sarai received a PROMISE from God that they would bear children in their old age. Up to that time, they had borne no children and had no heir. Abram had intended to use his servant Eliezer as a substitute heir, but God said NO, a son from your own flesh and blood will be your heir.  Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:1-6)  However, many years passed and what God had promised still had not happened.  Sound familiar?

God was too slow and she wasn't getting any younger... So Sarai, Abram's wife suggests a surrogate.  'Let's start the family through my servant Hagar,' she told her husband.  He agrees to the counterfeit. An 86 year old Abram sleeps with Hagar and she conceives a son, Ishmael. (Gen. 16) This action to fraudulently imitate God's promise through human means sets in motion jealousy, mistreatment, exile and hostility for Hagar and her son Ishmael for perpetuity. (Gen. 17)  God also puts Abram and Sarai and their promise on the shelf for another 13 years, then returns and calls for Abram to "walk before me faithfully and be blameless."  He reiterates His first promise (Gen. 12:1-3) to greatly increase his offspring. Abram, now 99 years old, agrees and enters into an everlasting covenant initiated by God for generations that includes the promise, a name change to Abraham, and the promised land!  Sarai is 90 and she will have her PROMISED son Isaac, her name will change to Sarah, and Isaac will continue the legacy of covenant with God. 

I have a situation or two...or 5, where my promise from God is taking too long and I'm not getting any younger.  In my creative ingenuity, I have looked into and I almost devised a plan to help God along to fulfill HIS PROMISE with a faster and certainly easier way of handling the situation. As I reflected on the course of action I was about to take, something in my spirit didn't set right and I had to admit...I'm afraid what God said might not work out.  I, like Sarai want to see God's promise, but my faith is not where it should be. The only way I saw it happening was if I help God out a little - surely that would be ok. The set up seems good, and after all, what I'm devising is close to what He said...NO, it's really a counterfeit.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for saving me from myself by revealing this before I engaged it further. I don't want any more shelf years!!  I will wait for the legitimate, authentic, valuable  promise I have from You!!    

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EMPATHY - 11/26/14 SADELL BRADLEY

Empathy is the ability to understand and share in the feelings, experiences and emotions of another.  From the Greek empatheia 'in' + pathos - 'feeling' It is the action of being aware, and understanding and sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, or experience of another without necessarily having them communicated in an objectively explicit manner.  Here's a GREAT short video WATCH NOW The Power of Empathy

In this trying time in our Country, empathy is one of the qualities that will best serve us. As the clip states, it is a very vulnerable place to share in the painful feelings and experiences of others without looking in from the outside and offering insensitive quips.  Empathy is part of the Christ-following culture.  Paul instructed us to "Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.  Rejoice with those who do rejoice and weep with those who weep," (Romans 12:14-15) and to "Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ," unconditional love. (Galatians 6:2)

Christianity is not for the weak.  The things that Jesus calls us to do are counter-cultural, uncomfortable, and downright scandalous sometimes, but He has CHOSEN us to walk this way to bring an example and light to the world around us:

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

In Ephesians 2, Paul describes the reconciliation that Christ's finished work on Calvary was meant to bring between the Jews and the hated 'Gentiles. Jesus does not only bring peace - the absence of strife and restoration to wholeness; He IS our peace: 

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:15-18)

Similarly, in this crisis, Christ followers can speak peace to those who are close by us (relationally, ethnically and in location), as well as those who are far off with the goal of making peace, putting hostility to death and reconciling to UNITY.  This is a difficult, but necessary engagement that requires a great deal of the character quality empathy: the ability not only to hear, but to be sensitive to and share in the pain, experience and perspective of another without judging it invalid, trying to explain it away or even solve it initially, or running because it causes us pain.

Jesus is our example.  Paul states in Hebrews 4:15 that Christ is "not unable to empathize with our weaknesses,"or is  'touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' (KJV)  He has been tempted in every way, yet without sin.  Jesus deeply understands and has experienced pain, suffering, hatred, racism, persecution, abuse, mocking, rejection, abandonment, brutal beating, oppression WITHOUT protest, killing and being left for dead - all for our sakes. Isaiah 53 goes into great detail about our Savior, who suffered silently as the Lamb of God for the atonement of our sins AND for the trespasses of those who've sinned against us.  It is through this lens that we are to look at EVERY situation we face. 

Jesus was able to love and empathize with us despite us.  We through the power of His Spirit must do the same.  This is not a suggestion, Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This love is supposed to be the identifying mark of ALL Christ followers.  "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) Love demonstrated includes EMPATHY.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PROVIDENCE - Sadell Bradley 11/19/14

Providence is the protective care of God as a spiritual power.  It is also timely preparation for
future eventualities. It derives from the Latin word providere - to foresee, or attend to.  To provide means to make available for use; to supply; to make adequate preparation for a possible event; to supply sufficient money to ensure the maintenance of someone.  

The Bible is about God's providence.  We see account after account of the Lord's protective care, ample provision, and preparation of His people for future eventualities: 

• In Genesis 6-10, God had Noah preach repentance to the wicked people of the time for 126 years and prepare an Ark for rain and a flood that had never been seen on the earth to save his family and the species of animals.  
• Through Joseph's prophetic ministry and subsequent reign, God protected all of Israel and other nations from a time of famine.  Genesis 37-50
• In Exodus, the Lord prepared Moses to free Israel from the hand of Egypt, and provided manna, water and quail for millions during their 40 year wilderness wandering.  
• In Judges, Samson was chosen to provide deliverance through supernatural powers that were Divinely given him.  Judges 13-16
• Esther was sent on mission through a beauty contest to become Queen of a country so that when trouble was to come to the Jews, they would have someone of influence in place with the King.  Book of Esther
• Daniel was protected from the lions in the lion's den after he took a stand by continuing to serve Jehovah in prayers and worship.  His friends the Hebrew boys were saved out of the king's fiery furnace by the Lord Jesus who was in the fire with them to save them.  Daniel 1-6

I could go on and on and on.  What we would call small things like the metal axe head miraculously swimming on the water so that Elisha's servant who'd borrowed it would not be enslaved by debt; (2 Kings 6)  or large things like the provision of 20,000 meals for men, women and children by the lunch of a boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Whether in Scripture or our own lives, we have seen God's providential hand at work at one time or another. As a matter of worship it is good to recall and appreciate those times as evidence of God's faithfulness to us!

To go deeper, God foresaw and made adequate preparation for our sin issue through Jesus, the

spotless Lamb of God who was described as being 'slain before the foundation of the world.' (1 Peter 1:18-21; Rev. 13:8) He entered the earth through the miraculous conception of the virgin Mary and with the seed of the Holy Spirit.  (Luke 1:26-38) Before Adam and Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit committing the first sin (Genesis 3), God had made a way for their sin and ours to be forgiven and released! For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17)

Last night I dreamed about a lady calling me in for a job.  They gave me a spacious place to live, then asked me to report to another location. It was a school and I was going to take graduate courses in graphic design.  I had never even taken undergraduate courses in that field, but the boss responded that they had seen a copy of some work I'd done casually and had chosen me specifically for this program.  The housing was paid.  The coursework was paid, and I was to be paid.  My job was to learn to create from one of the foremost artistic schools in the world!  I believe that dream was to reassure me in this season about God's Divine Providence.  I hope it blesses you too!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RACIAL FATIGUE - SADELL BRADLEY 11/12/14

Fatigue is extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness; it is a reduction in the efficiency of a muscle or organ after prolonged activity or stress.  Racial means on the grounds of or connected with difference in race - each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics; a group of people sharing the same culture, history, language, etc. 

The movie "Dear White People" (above) recently opened, decrying the racial injustices that are unfortunately still experienced in college campuses. Watching it, I was faced with some eery flashbacks of my college days! Though my identity as a Christ-follower is now primary, I believe God also uses the uniqueness of my culture, gender and experiences to His glory to help sharpen His Body toward love.

I was at a Mosaix Cincy meeting of Tri-State pastors who have a heart for planting and populating churches that look like Heaven: with people of every tribe, language, people and nation. (Rev. 5:9)  Our children and grandchildren have grown accustomed to diversity. If the Church continues to be segregated, it will be irrelevant and left behind.  So we address the racial, class and gender divisions in the US Church.

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)  We seek to embody this statement of truth from Paul, and to help lead the charge toward the unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17:20-23 (below), which is a redemptive revelation of the Sonship of Jesus Christ and the love of the Father for this world. Dwelling together in unity is where God commands His blessing and life forevermore. (Ps. 133:3)

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

The term Racial Fatigue or Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF) was coined by William Smith in the Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity and Society (2008) It is a theory attributed to the psychological attrition that People of Color experience from the daily battle of deflecting racialized insults, stereotypes, and discrimination. RBF is the cumulative effect of being "on guard" and having to finesse responses to insults, both subtle and covert. Contrary to popular opinion, this is NOT a post-racial society.

Caucasians experience a different type of Racial Fatigue. They get tired of hearing of and talking about race. Minorities tire of talking about it too, but we are more tired of living with racism -as the ad above from Ferguson, MO suggests. The same holds true for poverty, and the gender inequality revealed in issues like domestic violence and human trafficking. I am an African-American female, who is an orphan, from an urban setting, in the male-dominated field of ministry.  At times the Call to be the 'only one' in settings, or to insert the cause of the disenfranchised into discussions is overwhelming. The deep fractures that exist in this City, the US, and the Church are historical, complicated and necessitate deep, loving and honest discussion toward reconciliation.

If you are fatigued or weary in doing any of the Lord's work, be encouraged by these Scriptures: "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap of we do not grow weary (if we do not give up)"  (Galatians 6:9) "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FRUIT- Sadell Bradley 11/5/14

Fruit is the sweet and fleshy product of a tree that contains seed and can be eaten as food. Figuratively, fruit is the result or reward of work or activity. It derives from the Latin fructus meaning enjoyment of produce, or harvest. To be fruitful means producing much fruit; or producing good of helpful results; productive meaning to make something happen or come into existence using creative, mental, physical, biological or chemical process.  

God's first command to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply: "God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:28)

God is concerned about fruitfulness, about making things happen, about work and it's reward, about seed, time and harvest. Jesus is a fruit inspector who is always looking for and at our fruit. He seeks a return on His investment.  For there to be a reward, there must be labor. If we are not producing fruit (e.g. fulfilling assignments, spreading the Gospel, seeing life and character change, obedience to the Word and Spirit, making disciples, creating), He cuts away what's dead or overgrown, and prunes us for more productivity. Are you experiencing God cut away what's good for what's better or best? Productivity comes from our connection to Jesus, the Vine. 

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:1-5)

Jesus said we would be able to discern false prophets from true by examining their fruit:“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Bad fruit is not edible. It has failed at it's purpose. You can see it is bad while it's growing on the branch.  Or it looks good and ripe but when you take a bite,  you find it tasteless, or sour.  We have the ability to do something about it if our lives are bearing bad fruit. What comes out of us is derivative of what is in us. Have you lost sight of what you're called to? Are you unproductive? Is your character distasteful? You can, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33) Do a fruit inspection today!

Reconnect with Jesus, the Vine. Study and meditate on His Word and be led by and walk in His Spirit.  Allow Him to change your character, get you back on purpose to put forth actions that lead to the production of good fruit.