WEDNESDAY'S WORD - VICTORY - 02/06/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"If there be no enemy, there's no fight. If no fight, no victory, and if no victory there is no crown."  - Thomas Carlyle 

 

"Victory is mine! Victory is mine! Victory today is mine! I told Satan, get thee behind, Victory TODAY is mine! That's an old chorus. I love that it makes a declaration that I have VICTORY, gives the timing of the win (TODAY) and puts the enemy in his place. VICTORY is the act of defeating an opponent in a battle, game or other competition. As Christ followers, we don't fight for victory, we fight FROM victory. Our ultimate warfare surrounds the issue of sin and death - everything else we face in this life are battles and skirmishes. Jesus won the greatest victory over the last enemy (death) at the Cross of Calvary and with His resurrection. Paul said it this way:    

 

"54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: " Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 15:54-57)  

 

While on earth, we are challenged to view life's situations from a Heavenly perspective. As Kingdom citizens who are strangers and pilgrims in the earth, (Hebrews 11:13) we see things through the lens of faith. We are called to pray that the will of God be done in earth as it is in Heaven, (Matthew 6:10) to set our hearts and minds on things above and not on the earth, (Col. 3:2) and to store up treasure in Heaven and not on earth. (Matthew 19:20) It is easier to do if we realize that when God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He seated us with Him in Heavenly realms. (Ephesians 2:6)  When our perspective rises to a Heavenly vantage point, we see things differently and can say like Elisha did to his servant, "Fear not, for those that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16)   

 

The time to celebrate the victory is NOW because it's already been won.  Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not yet see. (Heb. 11:1) The Apostle John labels us overcomers. To OVERCOME means to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty; to defeat an opponent; to prevail. Part of being a victorious Christian is to seize the victory before you see the victory. "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."  (1 John 5:4)

 

 

Join us!

Services Sunday at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONFIDENCE - 01/30/19 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won before you have started."  - Marcus Garvey  

 

At work today, we were asked, "If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you have with you?" My answer was The Sound of Music, a favorite for many reasons, not the least of which is the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Classics like My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, and Climb Every Mountain, evoke all kinds of emotions and introspection. I've been humming "I Have Confidence," which chronicles the lead character Maria's (Julie Andrews) journey moving from her calling as a nun to that of a nanny of the Von Trapp Children. As she walks the road to her new destiny she has mixed feelings of energy, excitement, fear and doubt. Maria's voice crescendos as she sings and dances with bravado into the chorus, "All I trust I leave my heart to, All I trust becomes my own! I have confidence in confidence alone! Besides which you see, I have confidence in me!"

        

I wish I had more CONFIDENCE - the feeling or belief that you can rely on someone or something; a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities. I want to have full trust in God and my abilities, yet I find myself too often in self-doubt. It's an internal struggle with - Am I good enough? Do I measure up? Having confidence in the LORD is one thing. Scripture says, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose confidence is in the LORD." (Jer. 17:7) Having confidence in yourself is quite another. Joshua and Caleb made a confident statement as they shared with fearful Israel about the promised land, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)

 

The things God wants to do in the earth require human participation. If we are insecure and lack confidence, we'll never even attempt what God is asking for. We'll be like the other 10 spies who looked at a good land but were too chicken to go and conquer it. Your very first battlefield is in your own mind. It's your negative self-perception, and comparisons to others that God wants to heal. The folks Israel feared were terrified of them! Caleb and Joshua weren't being prideful, they were confident and courageous. The presence and power of the LORD was with them, so they were not weak or limited. The enemy wants you to think you're going it alone. He wants you to believe that everyone else is better and you don't belong in the greatness to which the LORD has called you. I'm glad that the accuser is NOT the decision maker. Let's say like Paul, "Now all glory to God, who is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20) Intimidated? Say, I choose today have CONFIDENCE in God and in me.    

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OVERWHELM - 1/23/19 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Too many choices can overwhelm us and cause us not to choose at all. For businesses, this means that if they offer us too many choices, we may not buy anything."  - Sheena Iyengar - American Educator     Guided-selling.org named 2018 The Year of the Overwhelmed Customer. They reported that information overload was the cause of the problem, and suggested that simplicity was the remedy. Businesses should devise marketing methods that make 'yes decisions' easier. I don't think I've associated having too much information and multiple choices as a source of OVERWHELM. I've tended to think of overwhelm as the result of trying circumstances or not enough time to finish tasks. All of these sources are also real, but sometimes overwhelm doesn't have a negative root. I just have many choices and don't know which to take, or I want to do them simultaneously. I felt this overwhelm on Monday, a rare day off, while attempting to accomplish everything in a day. OVERWHELM means to bury or drown beneath a huge mass; to give too much of a thing to someone; to have a strong emotional effect on; to overpower. Customers are overwhelmed by the number of potential purchasing options. My attempt to tackle my entire to-do list all at once overwhelmed me. Maybe we need simplicity to overcome our overwhelm, settle our emotions, regain our confidence, and make uncomplicated 'yes' decisions.      I'm sure there have been moments, days or seasons that you've felt overwhelmed. We experience pressure from all sides: work, home, church, extended family relationships, finances, and internal stressors like worry over impending decisions. Sometimes it feels like everyone is pulling on us to have all the answers. King David felt this angst and poured out his soul to God:       Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah 5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. 6 You will prolong the king's life, His years as many generations. 7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him! 8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows. (Psalm 61, NKJV)    David wasn't just overwhelmed in the moment,   he was concerned about his lifespan and ultimately his legacy. Though I'm certainly no king David, I've shared similar concerns. How much time do I have left? I haven't completed all God wants me to, but I want to finish it all. David had to sing this psalm to reassure himself that God, his Rock, had historically ensured every step of his life. God held David's times in his hands (Psalm 31:15), so the king declares that God will prolong his life and safeguard his legacy. What a bold statement! David also asked for mercy and truth to preserve him. He committed to worship the LORD and to DAILY perform his vows. Each day he would do what the LORD was calling him to and allow God to determine his lifespan, his efficacy, and his legacy. We'd be wise to let go of our overwhelm and do the same.

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OVERBOARD - 01/16/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"You are overboard in deep open water without a PFD (personal flotation device), or at least that is what your instructor is yelling. Sink or swim, plebe."  - David Robinson - Former American Athlete & Naval Officer     OVERBOARD - means from a ship into the water; figuratively it is to be very enthusiastic; or to react in an immoderate way. To throw something or someone overboard means to abandon or discard it or them. All of us have had situations where our response was overboard due to anxiety, disappointment or some other emotion. I was listening to this powerful message MERCY OVER JUDGMENT by Pastor William McDowell. In it, he referenced the familiar story of Jonah, an Israeli prophet whom God instructed to go to a city called Nineveh, which was at that time wicked and he believed should be God-forsaken. Jonah's emotional response was overboard. He did not want to preach repentance to Nineveh because he knew that God would forgive and bless them if they turned from their wickedness. He wanted God to judge them. So instead of going toward his assignment to preach salvation, he went the other way, "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord..." (Jonah 1:1-3a) Pastor William asked, "Do we choose to withhold the Gospel from people because we want God to judge them while God wants to show them His goodness and mercy?"        Jonah didn't realize that in disobeying God's command, he was not only running away from the Ninevites, but from the LORD's presence as well. He gets on this boat and a storm so powerful arises that the ship and it's passengers are in grave danger. Jonah is asleep in the bottom of the ship. The captain wakes him up saying ""What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish." (vs. 6) The passengers cast lots to see who is the cause of the trouble. They hear that Jonah has been fleeing from the presence of the LORD. He tells them, "Throw me overboard. Then the sea will become calm. I know that I'm responsible for this violent storm."  (vs. 12, GWT) Is it possible that you're on the ship of life with someone whose disobedience has you almost shipwrecked? Is YOUR disobedience  causing trouble or delay in the lives of others? Most of us know that God mercifully provided a way to make Jonah repent - three days in the belly of a great fish. Once the fish spit him out...he was ready to go to Nineveh. What's it going to take for you to obey? Even the fish threw Jonah overboard! Lol!     Unfortunately, Jonah end up reluctantly preaching to Nineveh's citizens. He was still mad at God for offering them His mercy and making him the vehicle. Jonah really wanted the LORD to give them the smack down. He didn't desire the same second chance he was receiving to be extended to them...they were obviously more wicked than he. God had to take Jonah through some more dealings. I'm glad that sometimes God let's us be thrown overboard to save US when we didn't even know we needed to be saved.

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONSECRATE - 01/09/19 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"It does not take great men to do great things; it only takes consecrated men."  - Phillips Brooks - American Clergyman    The lyrics of the Hymn, "I Am Thine, O Lord" are ringing in my Spirit today:   "I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice  and it taught Thy love to me,   But I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee.      Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord to the Cross where Thou hast died.   Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.  Consecrate me now to Thy service, LORD  By the power of grace divine Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope And my will be lost in Thine   CONSECRATE means to make something sacred; to dedicate formally for a Divine purpose. Churches set aside times of consecration - services with prayer, fasting and worship. Some people retreat for a time apart to commune with God in silence and solitude. With so many distractions, our inward ambitions, and cravings for entertainment; it can be a challenge to consecrate ourselves to the LORD. Consecration, the separation of our lives to God for His purposes, was not ever intended to be a segmented period of time, but a way of being. The LORD commanded the Levites, "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7) Consecration was not just for the clergy. Before entering the land of promise, "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.'" (Joshua 3:5)    Perhaps Fanny J. Crosby, the writer of "I Am Thine, O Lord," was able to connect more closely to God because she was blinded at 6 weeks of age. Crosby became a teacher, an important advocate for the blind, and a friend of several presidents. The power of God's grace did indeed help her to flourish. Her consecration caused her to bear much fruit, writing over 8,500 gospel songs from age 6 to her death. She and her collaborator, William Doane, talked about the nearness of God in their lives. Stanza three exclaims, "When I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God, I commune as friend with friend!"     The Scriptural reference for "I Am Thine, O Lord" is found in Hebrews 10:    "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God...Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."  (Hebrews 10:19-23)    How would your life look different if it was consecrated to the LORD? What would you do more of, or not do at all? What would you focus on, or not watch at all? How would your thoughts, attitudes and speech differ? How would you treat your body? or your decisions? How would you treat others? A consecrated life is a gift to God, a response to His loving gift of Jesus.

Join us! Services Sunday at 10:00 AM with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SHEPHERD - 01/02/2019 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"When we are fearful and worried all the time, we are living as if we don't believe that we have a strong and able Shepherd who is tenderhearted toward us, who only leads us to good places, who protects us and lovingly watches over us. "  - Joseph Prince 

 

"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." (Psalm 23:1-4) Almost every Christian has memorized this entire Psalm.  A SHEPHERD is a person who tends and rears sheep. This word is also used to describe a member of the clergy who provides spiritual care and guidance for a congregation. Jesus described Himself in John 10 as "The Good Shepherd." He describes His characteristics:

• His sheep listen to Him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He goes ahead of them and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. They will never follow the voice of a stranger, because they don't recognize a stranger's voice (vs. 4-5)
• He will lay down His life for His sheep. He cares for the sheep and will not abandon them in trouble.
• His sheep know Him, just as the Father knows His Son, Jesus. 

I am struck by where the LORD as Shepherd leads His flock and what He makes us do. David said, "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." Phillip Kellers seminal book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" reveals:

   

"The strange thing about sheep is that because of their very makeup it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met. 1) Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear. 2) Because of the social behavior within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind. 3) If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax. 4) Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger. It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations, and hunger.  

 

The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences. It is actually he who makes it possible for them to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content and quiet and flourishing. A flock that is restless, discontented, always agitated and disturbed never does well. And the same is true of people."  Selah...

   

In 20 9, as one of the LORD's sheep and as an under-shepherd, I'm glad to know that I can apply this Scripture to better trust God's care and discern His guidance.  As I make decisions the LORD reminds me of the reputation of His name, Jehovah Rohi - God my Shepherd. I look forward to a great New Year!    

 

Join us!

Services Sunday at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INCARNATION - Sadell Bradley - 12/25/18 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"The Incarnation is the medicine of the soul, undoing the Fall and bringing man to the Tree of Life, and the office of a priest is to administer this medicine in the sacraments. "  - Arthur Middleton 

 

INCARNATION  means a person who embodies in the flesh a deity, spirit, or abstract quality; it is also one of a series of forms which a person reflects on earth.  In Christian theology, The Incarnation is the embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ. Though December was probably not Jesus' birthday (scholars believe it was actually Spring), the Incarnation is what many celebrate today. As we gleefully open gifts and share experiences with family and friends, let's not forget that God's PRESENCE is His PRESENT to us. When the angels approached Joseph and Mary, their salutations were the fulfillment of prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."  Immanuel means God with us. Jesus Christ was not just an historical figure whose life we can read about. He was not just another baby being born into humble circumstances.  He was and is the King of all other kings and Lord of all other lords. He is the glorious Ruler of the universe. Paul said, "For in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead (the Father, Son & Holy Spirit) in bodily form. (Col. 2:9)  

 

As in the quote above...Jesus, whose name means Savior, the Christ - the One who is anointed or empowered, came to rescue us from the eternal penalty and consequences of sin and the Fall. He came to restore us to a right relationship with God the Father and to offer us the free gift of an eternal quality of life as we identify with Him. Joseph was encouraged to maintain the engagement to his mysteriously pregnant future wife because, "the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, (Yahweh is salvation)  because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20b-21) This same Jewish baby boy who was born in a manger would one day be crucified, die, be buried, and resurrect from the dead. He will one day soon return as Lord and King of His Heavenly Kingdom. 

 

Many people experience sadness and loneliness during this season. They wonder if they are really loved. Somehow the Christmas songs, trees, gifts, and even the presence of other people leaves us wanting. It's supposed to. We have a God-sized hole inside that only Jesus Christ can fill.  So, I want to reassure you today of God's love for you. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, no matter your ethnicity, culture or background...it doesn't even matter what you've done...the Bible says that the Incarnation both proves and demonstrates God's love for us.  "9God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."(1 John 4:9) This is a gift you won't want to return. The gift of God's presence is one that will not break, rust, fade, tear or wear out.  It's a gift that all the money in the world can't buy. It's a gift that we can never work for nor repay. As you celebrate today, I pray you will take a moment to thank the LORD for His indescribable gift. Merry Christmas!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GRATIS - 12/19/18 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"Justice, however, never really was administered gratis in any country. Lawyers and attorneys, at least, must always be paid by the parties; and, if they were not, they would perform their duties still worse than they actually perform it. "  - Adam Smith

 

GRATIS is a word that is not often used. Why? because it means without charge; free; as a grace or kindness; given or done for nothing. This is where we get the word gratuitous - given or done free of charge; given freely and spontaneously. Gratis is not often used because it's not often done. When someone gives to us gratuitously, because of our historical wounds and cynicism (an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest), we look for hidden, usually negative, reasons or motives. We think, "Surely they couldn't be doing this just because they're kind..." It is sad that kindness, ostensibly a fruit/manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Christians, is such a rarity that we are suspect when it shows up. It is possible, and should be probable for Believers to love freely and spontaneously. In fact, Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:35:

"But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." (CSV)  

 

MERCIFUL - another word we don't often see in action. It means to bring someone relief from something unpleasant. Mercy and compassion are not just to be felt, but shown. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7) Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Mercy is given to those who don't deserve it, and to those who give it away. God's demonstration of mercy also means we didn't get what we deserved, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) 

   

No strings attached. That idiom is used to show that an offer or opportunity carries no special conditions, restrictions, rules, obligations or arrangements that must be made. Whatever is happening is occurring solely because of the benevolence of the giver...who expects nothing in return. There is no manipulation nor power-play involved, and no repayment expected. In commissioning His disciples, Jesus instructed, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8) When we give, share and do a kindness GRATIS, it announces that we are both under God's rule and bringing the rule of the Kingdom of Heaven near to a broken person or situation. Remember when God's mercy and grace met you GRATIS? Be a conduit of that same blessing to others. 

 

 

CHRISTMAS SERVICE 

Sunday, December 23rd at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INHERITANCE - Sadell Bradley- 12/12/18 - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day."  - Canadian Scientist, Orlando Aloyisius Battista    The Lion King is one of my all-time favorite movies. Disney is doing a live remake of this cartoon classic. I'm excited about another generation receiving strong revelatory images of fatherhood, family, destiny and leadership succession. To our delight James Earl Jones is still the voice of king Mufasa. One of the themes of the movie is INHERITANCE. In the photo above, Mufasa shows the entire kingdom, called the Prideland, to his son and heir Simba. He informs his successor, "All this will be yours." Simba is so excited that he dances around the other animals singing, "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" Simba thinks he's going to inherit the kingdom and its power quickly. He doesn't realize that though he is entitled to all of his dad's inheritance, he's nowhere near ready to possess it. These are big paws to fill, Lol! Paul explained it this way in Galatians 4:1-2  "Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father."  We watch as Simba is prepared to lead via the trials and challenges of life and the schemes of others who would try to take the throne...until he is mature and equipped enough to rule. Selah.      "Today is the day of your inheritance." I was awakened yesterday to that strange phrase. I'm still not sure of its ultimate meaning. Today is an interesting word in Scripture. It does not just refer to chronological time, but to kairos (appointed or opportune) moments and seasons. "God again set a certain day, calling it Today...Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart..." (Hebrews 4:7) When the LORD says Today, it could be a literal time (in this case Tuesday), or a spiritual moment, i.e. God's NOW..."Now, is the acceptable time, Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)     Was God saying to me like Simba...now you're equipped enough to rule. For decades, I like some of you, have been in the LORD's training process in various places and positions under lots of leaders, enduring the trials of life and faith. God has allowed me over that time different spans of authority. He has challenged me with every one of them. Will you lead this group of 10, 50, 200..inter-generational, mutli-ethnic, multi-class, of varied educational backgrounds? Can you manage  in this business, non-profit, family, or ministry environment? I am introverted, generally surprised by, and usually shy away from leading roles. God and I often wrestle over my hesitance. Leading is hard. Still, He has confirmed over and over that for some strange reason He's chosen me to lead and to inherit what He has for me. Psalm 37:11 says that "The meek (humble and gentle) shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Jesus affirmed this in the beatitudes, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5)  Is it possible that God wants you to lead, but He has to mature you first to make you more meek? Or could it be that the next level of leadership and your inheritance is ready for you to possess Today?

Worship Service Sundays at 10:00 AM through December 31st with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - QUERULOUS - 12/5/18 -Sadell Bradley -New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"That some are poorer than others ever was and ever will be: And that many are naturally querulous and envious, is an evil as old as the world."  

- William Petty 

Adding to our vocabulary today. ; ) You might want to slide QUERULOUS into a conversation this week. The person(s) you're addressing might have to look it up later to get it, LOL! QUERULOUS means complaining in a petulant or whining manner. Petulant means childishly sulky or bad-tempered. Whining is a long, high-pitched complaining cry. The Apostle Paul gave a strong command to the church at Philppi:     

Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.  (Philippians 2:14-16) 

   

Everything, how is that even possible? What makes us prone to whining? In the quote above, querulousness is tied to envy - a feeling of discontent or resentful longing arising from someone else's possessions, qualities or good fortune. The children of Israel are well known for complaining throughout their Exodus. They expressed a longing for the leeks and
onions they were given as slaves in Egypt. (Number 11:5) They griped about being hungry AND about the LORD's provision of Manna and Quail in the wilderness.(Ex.16) They grumbled against God, Moses, and Aaron even when they were about to enter the promised land, ""If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." This murmuring sparked God's anger and brought severe consequences:

26The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 27"How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.28So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say: 29In this wilderness your bodies will fall-every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.30Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. 33Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. (Numbers 14)

  

We don't believe that our QUERULOUS attitude and speech will bring repercussions, even to our children, but it does. We think we're just sounding off, but a constant diet of negativity repels bosses, spouses and friends... and it disgusts the LORD. I wonder if He asks, "How long will (insert your name here) grumble and complain against Me?"  Are you missing out on God's promises because you're querulous?   

Worship Service Sundays at 10:00 AM through December 31st with the Church of the Living God 434 Forest Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229