WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SUDDENLY - 02/08/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Every day is an unknown land, and I can change things suddenly." That's the thought that the Lord awakened me with this morning. SUDDENLY means occurring quickly and unexpectedly, or without warning. It expresses that the thing you've been anticipating, hoping or praying about for years is imminent. It is important for us to increase our awareness of the presence and power of God to move on our behalf at any time. He has the authority and the ability to change things in a moment: to restore what has been lost, to open doors of opportunity, to heal what is broken or divided, to change policy, to vindicate, to bring elevation, or revelation, to answer questions and prayers that have been on your list...or callings on His list for decades - SUDDENLY. In Acts 9, Saul the Pharisee, who had for years been persecuting and killing Christ Followers with zeal in God's name, was on the Damascus Road when: "...suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him."  This momentary encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ changed the entire trajectory of His life and ministry. "He fell to the  ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." This unexpected event collided with all of his previously held beliefs, changed his entire circle of companions and armed him with the grace to suffer for the cause of Christ. It made his enemies his family, and his former foes his mission field.   In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron had spoken against their brother Moses because he'd married an Ethiopian woman. They intimated that they were as prophetic as he was and just as qualified to lead. The LORD heard it. Verse 4 says 'the LORD spake suddenly' to them and brought them into the Tabernacle and said, "If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face clearly not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" (Vs. 6-8) When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam and Aaron were suddenly struck with leprosy. Moses' leadership was instantly vindicated. He didn't have to say a word. In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered a man who was lame from his mother's womb begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. "When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." The LORD, through Peter and John, instantaneously reversed a condition that had never been whole! The man had never known the freedom and liberty to walk and God restored him - not to just to a limping state, or even to a walking one...but to the level of leaping and praising as if he'd been mobile and healthy all along! God is saying to you and to me, "Every day is an unknown land, and I can change things SUDDENLY!"

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - POLITICS - 02/01/17 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"I never considered a difference in opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy as cause for withdrawing from a friend."  - President Thomas Jefferson   "Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage." -   Ambrose Bierce - American Journalist & Satirist "I hate politics. I try to avoid politics as much as possible." I've heard people say these things recently. Given the nature of what's been going on, that's understandable. POLITICS are the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power; the activities of governments concerning the political relations between countries: activities within an organization that are aimed at improving someone's status or position and are typically considered to be devious or divisive (e.g. corporate, family, church, politics);  a particular set of political beliefs or principles: the assumptions or principles relating to or inherent in a sphere, theory, or thing, especially when concerned with power and status in a society. The word derives from the Greek politikos, from polites 'citizen,' from polis 'city.' Whether we like it or not, politics are everywhere if you live as a citizen of a city, town, state or country. POLITICS are also pretty much unavoidable in personal, work, and familial relationships. The phrase 'to play politics' - means to act for political or personal gain rather than from principle. How many of us have leveraged information or a situation to our advantage for status or position? We link up with important people for future power moves. We try to elevate our status by taking selfies with an influential or famous person. Many of us have voiced or posted a dissenting opinion or belief, with the knowledge that our views would be divisive and with the desire to be deemed more knowledgeable or intelligent than others. Almost all of us have manipulated a situation with a spouse or family member to gain an advantage, or loaned money/done favors knowing that now you're one up on them. If that's you, or even if it's been done to you...you've been involved in politics. Politics is more than voting, posting and protesting. It's ultimately about power, status, position and beliefs. Politics is about one side or view winning and the other losing. It gets to be about deeper issues like wealth, identity, security, and self-image. We definitely don't like it when we feel we're on the 'losing side,' but Christ followers could be uneasy about the subject for other reasons: We believe all Authority & Power belongs to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20). Then Jesus commissioned His disciples to go to all the world, preach His Gospel to every creature and make disciples of every nation. We don't struggle with Who's in charge. God has allowed delegated authority in the earth, but He is regulating them all. Whether they are heads of households or bosses (1 Corinthians 11:3, Eph. 2:1-6), churches (1 Tim.3:1-3), or governments and their citizens (Romans 13), they must all answer to God. Christ's way of leading is not about being the greatest, seeking the highest status or lording over people, but humbling yourself, serving them and giving your life for them. (Mark 10:35-44) Jesus demonstrated this not by politicking to gain power but by humbling himself, laying down His life and being obedient to the death on the Cross (Phil 2). Then he was exalted by God with the Highest name ever known. He instructed us to have this same mind. It is important to understand Scriptural perspectives when we engage worldly systems.  Christ's Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) and our primary citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20). Though we are in the world, we are not like the world, but are re-presenting Heaven to the world (John 15:19; 2Cor 5:11-21). If we get distracted, or caught up in any other identity, gospel or mission, we will lose credibility and our witness in the earth and the spiritual power that God intends for us to wield.  Just a reminder...

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE - 01/25/17 Sadell Bradley

"I always tell people this: to be a savvy politician or a good head of state and to be charitable are not mutually exclusive things."  - Natalie Dormer, Author

 

"Doing business and doing good are not mutually exclusive, and it is our responsibility to prove that every day anew." - 

 Ofra Strauss -  Owner of 2nd Largest Food Producer in Israel

 

It's amazing how polarized our thinking is. It's as if we no longer believe that two things can be true at the same time. Perhaps because I'm an outlier, it's not as difficult. I can love the character, poise and lack of scandal that former President Obama and his family have shown in their time in the White House and disagree strongly with some of his policies. I can be concerned about the damaging fall out of some of President Trump's immoral statements and actions, yet still recognize the authority of the office and pray for him. I can see government propaganda and press spin and know that true  information and power is not as much in the people's hands as we'd like it to be. These concepts are not MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE: which means being related such that each excludes or precludes the other; incompatible; not both true. I can support police officers yet be against police brutality and mass incarceration. I can support the quality of 'All Lives' yet understand that particular emphasis might need to be on 'Black Lives' because of high abortion, murder and mortality rates and systems that steal away quality of life in a myriad of ways for those at the bottom of the US economy. I can desire equal pay and opportunity for women who have been disenfranchised without agreeing with the entire 'feminist' platform. I could go on and on. This reality poses dilemmas and sometimes internal wars. We were taught critical thinking skills in school, but the palpable  emotions of this atmosphere make them difficult to use and acknowledge.

We can look at the Bible and shop for the Scriptures that suit our particular platforms and try to rank sin or God's heart if we'd like. I'm not sure how He feels about that though. The God that cares about the unborn also cares about the living: the poor, the prisoner, the brokenhearted, the widow, the stranger and the orphan. (Matt. 25, Lev. 19:34, Luke 4:18-19; James 1:27) The God that tells us to pray for and respect governments, kings, and those in authority (Rom. 13; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) also made Nebuchadnezzar bow (Dan. 4), and tells us not to be conformed to this world's systems (Romans 12:2), not to be greed filled lovers of money (1 Tim 6:10), and that ultimately the kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever. (Rev. 11:15)  It's important for us to understand the Bible from whole to part - not part to whole. Jesus was a lover, a savior and a teacher, but He was also a defiant insurrectionist to the religious and political systems of His day. So as we engage others before we become arbiters of our perceived 'truths,' maybe we should ask "How true is this?" and "Is it mutually exclusive?"

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OUTLIER - Sadell Bradley 01/18/17 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Who we are cannot be separated from where we're from."                          Malcolm Gladwell - Outliers   "I realize that Camilla is our very own statistical anomaly, an outlier that no one seems to know where to place." -   Melissa Keil, Author Life in Outer Space  An OUTLIER is a person or thing situated away or detached from the main body or system; a person or thing differing from all other members of a particular group or set.  In statistics, an outlier is a data point on a graph or in a set of results that is very much bigger or smaller than the next nearest data point. I'm an outlier. My orphaned status differentiates me. Living in Black and Caucasian environments (some hostile, others embracing,) made me aware of my 'otherness.' I was bused from one side of City to another for private education. I fit in neither circle. I'm an African-American female minister in a male-dominated field. My presence is often not acknowledged. I've been the youngest and the oldest leader on a team. The ways I land in situations are really out of the norm, as are my perspectives on life, socio-economics, the Kingdom and politics. I love sports and I'm a creative. Outliers are usually not captive to monolithic or 'group-think.' It makes it easier for me to empathize with a variety of folks and navigate difficult subjects. I have an outlier personality: INTJ on Meyers Briggs, representative of only 2% of the population - the vast majority of whom are male. My thinking is dual-brained, almost 50/50 left to right. My religious experiences range from silent Quaker to Pentecostal. It's interesting how Outliers can fit in everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Christ followers are to be outliers in the culture. (Rom. 12:2) We're to love our enemies and pray for users, false accusers and persecutors. (Matt. 5:43-45) Where the world is dividing, we've been given a reconciliation ministry. God's not counting people's sins against them, but wants them to return to Him. (2 Cor. 5:11-21)  We're to be so selfless and loving that we'll sell our homes and share our possessions with fellow Christ-followers so no one has need. (Acts 2:42-45, 4:32)  We're to reject racism, classism and sexism and demonstrate our unity and oneness in Christ (Gal. 3:28) Our lives are not about fulfilling ourselves, but denying ourselves, taking up our crosses daily and following Jesus! (Matt. 16:24) We believe in the foundation stones, including the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment in Heaven or Hell. (Heb. 6:1-2) We lay down our lives and offerings of time, treasure and talent for Christ. Perhaps we've forgotten, but we are unconventionally called Heavenly outliers. 26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are,29 so that no one may boast before him. God calls outliers. Most every Biblical figure, including all of the disciples were outliers. Jesus was and is an outlier. He stands alone, Supreme and outside of all others. There is none that can be compared to Him. His ways and thoughts are not only outside of the norm, they're higher. (Isaiah 55:8) In this season, we must be prepared to demonstrate that we're really different...and we're not ashamed.

SUNDAY Worship 11:00 AM Worship The Great Room Sunday Class 9:30 AM Youth Room Basement at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TRANSITION - 01/11/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else." - Playwright, Tom Stoppard "I've always believed that there are moments in our lives which can be defined as a transition between the before and after, between the cause and the effect." Author, Benjamin X. Wretlind.  Last night millions watched the farewell address of President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Some mourned, others celebrated. No matter your political persuasion, one thing about the US is very impressive in contrast to the world: President Obama stressed the importance of maintaining America's outstanding tradition of the peaceful transfer of the presidency. I hope that we all, particularly Christ followers, will do what we can to uphold that civility in the coming weeks. If we protest, do it peacefully. If we disagree, challenge in a courteous way. Unfortunately, due to our mishandling of this earthbound political sphere, much damage has been done to our Kingdom focus and the love that is supposed to be our identifying mark as Christians. (John 13:34-35) I hope that will change. TRANSITION is the process of a period of changing from one state or condition to another. It derives from the French transire or to 'go across.' Across is an adverb whose origin means "in the form of a cross."  Interesting...transitions sometimes feel like crucifixions. We are always leaving behind or dying to one  thing, identity, or position, while moving on to the next. . Birth is a transition. The baby leaves the internal, secure state of their mother's womb to transition to life in the world. The Bible calls this process travail (John 16:21), because the transition is a painful, laborious process but once it occurs; it brings a joy that makes you forget the agony. Death is also a transition from living in this earth realm to the eternal destiny we've chosen. In between, we get a lot of practice with transitions. Each stage of life: the various physical, mental, emotional, educational, relational and occupational stages are all transitions.  Even our spiritual development goes from being born again to converted and moving on to maturity. (John 3, Matt 18:3, Heb.6:1) Transitions are everywhere. At the same time we're going through them...so is everyone and everything else! and we're all bouncing off of each other from puberty to the 'change' of life. Think about it. Our houses settle, cars wax old, government officials change, new movies, TV shows and music are offered. Sports teams that once had all the championships transition to rebuilding years returning to the bottom of the totem pole.  If you are averse to transitions, life is going to be really difficult for you. We act as if we don't want ANYTHING to EVER change. Deep down we know that transitions bring challenge and growth.  When outwardly imposed transitions are not to our liking; we learn to resolve to stand for the things we believe in and make a change. When we become stagnant, frustration and restlessness about our lack of progress sets in. We realize we CAN DO SOMETHING, though difficult and uncomfortable, to get to where we desire to be. No matter what transition we face, we can be assured that GOD is working all things together for the GOOD for us because we love Him and keep His commands.  No transition can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PERFECTIONISM - Sadell Bradley 01/04/17- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance." - Brene Brown   Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor. - Anne Lamott PERFECTIONISM is the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection. Normally, a child would just scribble on the wall, but this young lady is measuring out her drawing to make it perfect, and taking all the fun out in the process. She simultaneously creates and criticizes her work, saying, "The sun is NOT yellow! Too big a tree! and Not even CLOSE to a stick person!" Perfectionists torment themselves doing tasks for the pleasure or approval of important others: parents, leaders, bosses, spouses, neighbors, family, friends or a larger audience. To be perfect means to have all the required or desirable elements qualities or characteristics; to be as good as it is possible to be; to be free from any flaw or defect; to be precisely accurate. To be perfect is to be approved of. Mistakes bring rejection. Anxiety can build so much internally, that it's hard to sign-up for projects. It's not so much in anticipation of others response, perfectionists often perform at high levels. It's avoiding the internal emotional war, and the irrational fear of failure. It at times presents with physical symptoms like a tight chest, headaches, or gastro- intestinal issues. You'd rather do nothing versus something at which you're not guaranteed to excel. I've been delivered from this oppression. Now I can feel it and arrest paralyzing perfectionist tendencies. GLORY! The doctrine of some religious and social circles is that perfection is attainable - even moral/spiritual perfection. This flies in the face of the GRACE Christ offers. God's grace is not just unmerited favor, but the Divine enablement to do what He has called us to do by HIS power. Prophet Mark Chironna said, "Grace says I can't; therefore God must!" In 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 Paul describes the 'thorn in the flesh' that the Lord allowed Satan to buffet him with so he would not become prideful. After asking 3 times that this issue be removed, God told him, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness" to which Paul replied, "So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." Remember, God resists/opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) He looks for weakness! The other matter God deals with for perfectionists is the issue of APPROVAL.  We are completely and eternally loved by God. (Jeremiah 31:3) We don't have to win God's approval! WE are approved, which is not the same as saying that everything we do is ok.. .no more than it is with your son or daughter.  WE are approved by our loving Father. Our identification with Jesus Christ and His finished work bring us into adoption and ACCEPTANCE in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) If God is for us, who can be against us! Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)  Quiet as it's kept, we are often unknowingly approved of even by the people we so desire to hear it from - whether they say it or not. One small or large mistake isn't going change that. Most people don't even notice the things perfectionists deem so traumatic. So if perfectionism is holding you back, shed it in 2017. Perfect can be the enemy of good! It certainly is the enemy of peace, fun and progress. Don't let perfectionism win!

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DISORIENTED - Sadell Bradley -12/28/16 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Change is always tough Even for those who see themselves as agents of change, the process of starting a new thing can cause times of disorientation, uncertainty and insecurity. "-Joyce Meyer I went home for Christmas to visit my mother who has been ill. I made arrangements to take her to church for the first time in months, and to attend the family dinner in New Jersey, about an hour away from Philadelphia. It was a daunting task, but praise God it was accomplished. Leaving from the church versus our home, I found myself on a new highway. Philadelphia was familiar, but the road I was taking was uncharted. I was DISORIENTED -which means to make someone lose their bearings or sense of direction; to make someone feel confused or lose the sense of time, place, or identity. I attempted to calmly navigate the change as the cars zoomed by or rode my bumper trying to make me go faster. My internal panic was not helped by my mother's, "Are you lost?"  I was relieved to find that the new highway was linked to a familiar one. Once I got to I95, my breathing relaxed and we arrived safely at our destination. This time of year invites change.  We make resolutions about the future. Proverbs 4:25-27 encourages us to "ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established." Though we ponder what we plan to do, we rarely consider how it will feel to actually DO it. If we really DO what we've set out to do, or GO where we've never gone before...we will at times feel disoriented.  Even if our surroundings are familiar but we're taking a fresh approach, or doing the same thing with different people, we'll deal with temporary awkwardness until what is uncomfortable becomes our comfort zone. Then we'll have to adjust and transform again. Now that I've driven the new route, next time it won't be disorientating. I HATE to feel bewildered and adrift, but I LOVE growth and change. Old Testament scholar Walter Bruggemann described the Psalms as depicting three experiences we as humans face in relation to God: orientation, disorientation and reorientation. Cool Blog on This We first experience the Lord and are filled with awe, wonder, and worship, "When I consider the heavens, the moon and the stars thou hast ordained..." (Psalm 8:3-4) Our faith is tried when we are faced with our limitations and are required to put our hope and trust in God; groping in unseen, unfamiliar places. "How long wilt Thou forget me, oh Lord? Forever?" (Psalm 13:1) Then we gather ourselves, finding His steadfast love and faithfulness no matter what we experience, and realize His goodness. "Whom have I in heaven but thee?...My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:22-28) I'd love say you're never going to feel disoriented in life. That's just not how this thing works. Disorientation is temporary. You will get through it and get your equilibrium back. Happy New Year! and Happy New You!!

THIS SATURDAY JOINT NEW YEAR'S SERVICE Tryed Stone New Beginnings 5550 Reading Road 10:00 PM THIS SUNDAY NEW YEAR'S DAY SERVICE 11:00 AM Worship The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 For information 513-212-1131