WEDNESDAY'S WORD - MERRY - 03/13/19 - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

 

"I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad and to travel for it too!" - William Shakespeare 

It's a shame when a great word like MERRY is relegated to use only once a year. When I googled merry, all I got was Christmas images. The word MERRY means to be cheerful and lively; characterized by festivity and rejoicing. The word cheerful denotes that one is noticeably happy and optimistic, thereby causing happiness by their very nature and appearance. In these times where anxiety, pessimism and cynicism abound, cheerfulness is a much sought after quality. The colloquialism, 'the more the merrier' implies that the more people there are, the better or more enjoyable a situation will be. To 'go on one's merry way' means to carry on with a course of action regardless of the consequences. Wouldn't it be great to be just a little more carefree? 

King Solomon said it best, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Prov. 17:22) Simply put, when you are cheerful and full of joy, it brings healing. When you're depressed, and heartbroken, it saps your strength.  I watched episodes of Jerry Seinfeld's show, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Not only have I laughed quite a bit at his interviews, but I was also struck by how much these merrymakers enjoy each other's company. They said when they enter rooms of strangers, they search for another comic - someone who understands the importance of jocundity. Merriment was so important that Solomon advised it more than once, "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." (Prov. 15:13) You can tell when we're up or down; we wear it on our faces. Like some of you, I grew up in a home where anxiety and joy were opposing forces with the former as the default. So I have to resist being fretful and actually choose gladness daily.   

God promised to turn our mourning into dancing and our sorrow into joy. He gives us the oil of joy in exchange for mourning and the garment of
praise for our heaviness. (Isaiah 61:1-3) Sometimes rebounding requires our participation. Paul instructs us to "Rejoice in the LORD always, and again I say rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4) So, whenever you get down, get up and 'Joy again!' We know how to make ourselves miserable, by ruminating on the negative. Did you know that you can make yourself merry?  Merrymaking is defined as the process of enjoying yourself with others. Process is a series of action steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. When's the last time you made merry? Too often we try to handle our woes alone. Have you considered a good dose of merriment...fun, recreation, or amusement with friends or family as a restorative remedy? It'll do you good!  

   

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - JUBILEE - 03/06/19 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The build-up of personal and collective debt in America and Europe should have sent warning signals to anyone familiar with the biblical institutions of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, created specifically because of the danger of people   being trapped by debt." -Jonathan Sacks - British Clergyman  On Sunday, we sang William Murphy's "The Sound," I LOVE this song not just because it's slammin... but for it's spiritual significance. When I started as a worship leader we were taught that God was not just looking for us to sing songs, but to release a sound of the Spirit. At the release of that sound by true worshipers, we could expect to encounter God's presence in significant and tangible ways. The lyrics to "The Sound" chronicle and reinforce this idea in such Biblical accounts as: the sound of the trumpets and the shout when the walls of Jericho fell, and the sound of praise at midnight that loosed the shackles of Paul and Silas. This sound emanates from us when we are desperately crying out to God. Murphy exclaims, "It's the sound that You will use to set Your people free!" The hook declares,"It's the sound of JUBILEE, set Your people free, release my destiny-I want it all back!"        In Leviticus 25:39-41, JUBILEE was a year of emancipation and restoration celebrated every fifty years. It's based on the Hebrew yobel - or ram's-horn trumpet, with which the Jubilee year was proclaimed. One stipulation was that those who were in indentured servitude because of debt were released from that bondage and returned to their families. Sadly, the practice of bond-slavery is intact in countries where people work off what they owe.       In America, we choose to subject ourselves to the slavery of debt every day. According to Nerdwallet.com, our bondage is to the tune of $135,768 per household - a combination of mortgages, student loans, auto loans, and approximately $7k of credit card debt for each family. We are working, not just for ourselves or for God, but for our creditors every day.  Our LORD, in His providential care, knew that debt was getting the Israelites into trouble. He ensured through the Jubilee year that later generations would not have to suffer for the decisions of their predecessors. Lands that families had lost were restored and debts were forgiven. If you've ever been under a weight of debt, you know what a burden it is. If you've had a debt canceled, you've experienced that tremendous sense of release and relief. I'm sure some of us wish this practice was still in place. Spiritually, it's the kind of relief we experience when Jesus Christ cancels our sin-debt and removes the weight of our guilt once and for all...as far as the East is from the West. We pray, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. In Scripture we find that God cares about both our natural and spiritual indebtedness. That's why Jesus is our JUBILEE!

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INTERNECINE - 02/27/19 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

I imagine MMA fighters Tyler Bryan and Shaun Parker both thought they would emerge victorious from their professional debut at the Legends of Fighting event in Indianapolis in 2017. I'm certain they did not envision becoming one of few examples of fighters who simultaneously knock each other out, but that's exactly what happened. They dressed the same, shaved their heads the same and threw the same right hook...I know, unbelievable! It was an INTERNECINE fight - meaning destructive to both sides in a conflict. The word comes from the Latin internecinus fought to the death, or mutually destructive. Prior to the 20th century this word was  associated with wars, most famously in America the Civil War where tragic losses came on both sides. Then internecine came to also refer to political battles, corporate discord, and inter-personal struggles.       In a contest of wills, sometimes everyone emerges defeated. You can also win and lose at the same time - a very valuable lesson. For the Christian, the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5 discusses the warring that goes on between our spirits and our carnal natures. He admonishes us to be led by and walk in the Spirit, so that we will not fulfill our sinful desires (vs. 16-18):   19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.      Which side we choose to indulge has ramifications not only to us, but to others. Paul warns if we use our freedom to indulge our flesh we will violate the command to "Love your neighbor as yourself." (13-14) To satisfy our lower nature, we may find ourselves in an INTERNECINE combat that will end with detrimental consequences for all involved. "If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (15) We don't often reflect on the fact that our words, actions, or inaction have the power to tear down, damage, ruin, or put an end to someone - (their trust, reputation, career, etc). This is a sobering reality. The MMA fight's INTERNECINE clash led to a no contest decision - which means - nobody won. Where do your conflicts lead?

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORDS- AVENGE, REVENGE & VENGEANCE - 02/20/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?"  - Eleanor Roosevelt  

 

Almost everybody on the planet knows The Avengers: mortal and immortal heroes endued with supernatural powers who have been charged with bringing justice and protection to the world. It seems Stan Lee and the other Marvel Comic creators wanted us to acknowledge that there is always warfare going on around us. Forces are fighting on our behalf, and that more than often than not - they win the battle. AVENGE means to inflict harm for an injury done on behalf of oneself or someone else; to vindicate (clear someone of blame or suspicion, to show or prove to be right, reasonable or justified). Have you ever been a victim of injustice, falsely accused or deceived? The importunate woman in Luke 18:3 cried out to an unjust judge, "Avenge me of my adversary!" The premise of this parable about persistent prayer, is that God, our just Judge, will speedily avenge those of us who cry out to Him day and night for justice...if He finds that kind of faith on the earth." (vs.7-8)  

 

What makes REVENGE different from AVENGE is WHO is inflicting the 'payback' hurt. Generally with revenge, YOU are inflicting retribution yourself as opposed to allowing an outside party to execute VENGEANCE - punishment for the wrong. The Apostle Paul in Romans 12 wanted us to understand the difference between these words and their corresponding actions. He desired that we both comprehend and implement Jesus' standard, which is definitely not easy to do. (Romans 12:14-21)   

 

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. 20On the contrary "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

   

Don't you just want God to strike them down with a lightning bolt? Just expose them one good time. Let what they touch crumble.  God says, "Let Me handle it. "You just live at peace with them, bless them and overcome their evil with good. I'll admit, sometimes none of that is my first...or even second response. I liked the 'heap burning coals on his head" part
at first, until I understood it  meant atonement for sin like what Jesus did on the Cross. Your adversary's remorse and change will come via your demonstration of kindness and forgiveness. "It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance." (Romans 2:4) So, instead of revenge...let God AVENGE you as you do good.     

 

 

Join us!

Services Sunday at 10:00 AM

with the Church of the Living God

434 Forest Ave.

Cincinnati OH 45229

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PLATFORM - 02/13/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"The further you go in life, the more you realize what you're going to leave this Earth. It's not going to be, 'It was a great platform. It was great to win the Super Bowl,' but really and truly what you're going to leave on this Earth is the influence on others."  - Coach Joe Gibbs 

PLATFORM has many meanings. If you're a tech person, it's a standard for the hardware of a computer that determines what type of software can be run. If you're a politician, it's a policy or point of view you share with potential voters or constituents. If you're in the arts, entertainment or ministry...a PLATFORM is both a raised stage used so you can be seen by your audience, and the influence or reach the figurative 'stage' provides. These days, many are seeking platforms to get their gifts and concepts out to the public. This blog is a small platform - thousands have read these words, hopefully with positive impact.   

   

Everyone has a platform. Each of us already has an
audience we influence sometimes daily or weekly. You may not be the main teacher or preacher, but each week you prepare a lesson for a class, or even for your children. You aren't a recording artist, but you are dedicated to offering worship before the LORD each week. You may not be Dr. Phil or Iyanla Vanzant, but you've given counsel and prayed for friends and family members in distress. Because you've lived 20, 30, 50 years or more, you've had the chance to be an example, to inspire, to sway, to guide and encourage others in significant ways.  

TD Jakes said, God allows and sometimes designs our trials to be a platform.  What you're going through, and how people observe you handling difficulties is an influential stage. That's why Christians refer to the lives of Job, Esther and Joseph. That's also why the cross of Christ holds such power. Jesus used His platform to display His passion - His willingness to love, suffer and die to save His enemies. Christ warned His disciples that persecution would be the Gospel's platform: 

"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation-just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you-and me-a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. (Matthew 10:17-20, MSG)  

Harry Belafonte is an actor and pioneer in the Civil Rights movement. He said, "My activism has always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism." This perspective begs the question, "Why has God allowed you to be in the situation you're in? Why do you burn for the cause that's in your heart? How can God get glory through you there? Who will be positively or negatively affected by the way you handle your platform?" You have one.

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

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