WEDNESDAY'S WORD - AFFLUENCE - 05/15/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many with great affluence, are utterly miserable." - Tacitus (Roman Historian)   

 

AFFLUENCE is the state of having a great deal of money; wealth. Wealth includes an abundance of possessions, plentiful supplies of a particular resource, and material prosperity. I've often been in the company of people and organizations of affluence. It happened this past week and is always really interesting to me. I wonder how they feel about their position. Do they see themselves as self-made? What will they choose to do with affluence? For Christians, how is the Kingdom positively affected by God's choice to allow them great means? Paul instructs, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Paul extols the virtues of PHILANTHROPY - the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. You may not believe it, but in the world most Americans are affluent. According to globalrichlist.com, someone in the US making the Median income in Cincinnati $34,000 is in the top 0.88% of the richest people in the world by income. According to a 2015 CNN article, 71% of the world lives on less than $10 a day...or $3,650 per year! That definitely gives some perspective, and hopefully will inspire you to think of ways you can use your affluence to help at least one other person on the globe.   

 

In the US, we compare our lives with each other and generally find ourselves lacking. We too often say that we're 'poor' and 'broke.' Not only is this not true for most of us based on the data, but it's also unwise. Our America-centricity and lack of world view causes us to be ungrateful. We are the rich: that brings with it responsibility. If you still think you're in a bad place, King Solomon issued perspective on how to think about our financial state and our relationship with God. "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil." (Prov. 15:16) "Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice." (Prov 16:8) "The little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked." (Prov. 37:16)  

 

Solomon's thoughts on the transfer of affluence have always caused me to yearn and look forward with hope to be able to be a conduit of blessing. "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just." (Prov 13:22) "Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." (Proverbs 28:8)  

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - OVERCOME - 5/8/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"My story is a freedom song of struggle. It is about finding one's purpose, how to overcome fear and to stand up for causes bigger than one's self." - Coretta Scott King  

 

This week I had the honor of visiting the Smithsonian's National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The building has seven floors dedicated to the contributions of African-Americans to our society. As I perused exhibits on our achievements and struggles in education, science and technology, the arts and entertainment, athletics, politics and government, the military, community activism, etc., tears welled up in my eyes at the collective strength and resilience Black people have shown over the centuries in the United States. Against all the odds, the forces of racism, sexism, and classism...we're moving from being owned to owning our own lives and experiences, and leaving a legacy in this Country. The freedom fighters in the Civil Rights Movement sang, "We Shall Overcome, Someday." The song tugs at me because as long as we have to keep singing it, someday will never be today. The Bible refers to today as the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2), if our hearts are not hardened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love for ALL. To OVERCOME means to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty; to defeat an opponent; or to prevail. I have so much respect for those who have borne stripes, felt heartache, and faced domestic terrorism in order for me to enjoy the freedoms the Founding Fathers proclaimed in their documents were for everyone. Their prophetic statements are not fully realized, by faith they will be. 

It's been less than 60 years since images of children and the elderly being dragged, hosed down by fire departments, and accosted by police and their dogs were seen across the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s strategic philosophy of non-violent resistance reflects Paul's instruction to the Christians in Rome who also suffered at a cruel government's hands, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, 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 a drink. For in so doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:14-21)

 

 

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INTUITION - Sadell Bradley 05/01/19 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself." - Alan Alda

 

INTUITION is the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. It is spiritual insight. The word derives from the Latin intueri which means to consider. You may be familiar with the Meyers-Briggs Personality Indicator. One thing it measures is how you take in information. Some folks are Sensing - they focus on the reality of how things are by perceiving them through their 5 senses. They like things described in a specific and literal way. They prefer facts, details, and ideas that can be practically applied. I am an Intuitive. I imagine the possibility of how things can be. I notice big pictures and I can see how everything connects. When I am in an atmosphere, I intuit all of the inputs and components involved and am led into a flow of decision-making. I value ideas and concepts for their own sake and I describe things in a figurative and poetic way. My husband and son are sensing, by the way. It makes for very interesting conversations.

Christians believe science describes what God has created. When the LORD replied to Job's questions about the reason for his trials, He established firmly that He was God and Job was not. He asked Job, "Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct?"  "Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of Heaven?" (Job 38:35-38, NLT) It's clear that intuition, or wisdom from the innermost being, is as Einstein says above, a gift from God. 

 

But how much do you trust your intuition? Do you believe your gut, that little voice inside that attempts to direct you? I don't know how many times I've thought, "I wish I'd followed my 'first mind.'"  Paul instructed that even the belief that we will enjoy an eternal home in Heaven requires intuitive knowledge, "we walk by faith and not by sight." (2 Cor. 5:7) So often the avenues and directives God prescribes defy the senses...they don't make rational sense.  Christ followers have the Spirit of the Living God within us. We are instructed to walk in and be led by the Spirit of God in Galatians 5:16-18, so that our conduct will represent the character of Christ as opposed to our carnal nature. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would show us what is to come (John 16:13). Paul reiterated that the Spirit of God would reveal the mind of God to us and give us understanding of what God has freely given us. (1 Cor 2:6-16) We have the mind of Christ. When making decisions, do you trust your God-given intuition?   

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CALLOUSED - Sadell Bradley -04/24/19 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it, and a lethargy steals over the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. She becomes all outer show and inward emptiness, dull, callous, and indifferent." - Virginia Woolf -Author 

 

A CALLOUS is a thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subject to friction. In Spring, some form callouses on their hands with yard work. As Summer approaches, many will get pedicures to cure the callouses on their feet on their way to the beach. A callous is the bony healing tissue which forms around the ends of a broken bone, or a hard formation of tissue, especially new tissue over a wound. Figuratively, CALLOUS means showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others. Where you see a callous on or in a person...there's been some kind of friction or a wound. They've developed a hardened exterior in order to protect the wounded interior. There are a lot of calloused-hard skinned folks. Callouses are supposed to lead to healing.

CALLOUSED doesn't necessarily indicate that a person is mean and surly. You can be nice and jovial...yet still be calloused, insensitive and broken inside. The disciples asked Jesus why He spoke to the crowd in parables. "He replied, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you and not to them...This is why I speak to them in parables, 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand...For this people's heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them." (Matthew 13: 11,13,15) Too often, we fail to look beneath the surface of what seems to be a cruel disregard for others or an inability to empathize with situations. We see the callous exterior, but we don't discern the wound that caused it, or the need for healing.

   

In Acts 28, Paul was in Rome invoking his citizenship there because of accusations from the Jews in Jerusalem who wanted to put him to death for his beliefs. He didn't chide them for the callousness, but appealed to the Jews gathered in Rome, "23So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe."  Paul invoked the same reference from Isaiah that Jesus did above, 27 "For this people's heart has grown callous they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and I would heal them."   

From Isaiah, through Jesus, to Paul...we see God's love and passion reaching out over the generations to those whose wounded hearts have become callous toward Him. Sometimes a person with a callous cannot or will not respond to your love or even to God's. But love will find a safe place to land. Even our salvation requires a warm reception, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name." (John 1:12) So Paul, like Christ, embraced those whose hearts would soften and left the Jews in Rome who would not believe with this statement, 28 Be advised, therefore that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"    

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GOOD FRIDAY - 04/17/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

""The dripping blood our only drink, The bloody flesh our only food: In spite of which we like to think That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood-- Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good." - T.S. Eliot    What's good about Good Friday? This is the day during Holy Week that Christians celebrate the Passion of Jesus Christ. Passion does not just describe Jesus' intense emotional feelings for us. It reveals His willingness to suffer, to be betrayed and to be killed - martyred for your sins and mine. Scholars debate that Jesus may have been crucified on Wednesday, with 3 days and nights time before a Sunday resurrection. Others believe He was crucified on Friday, the day before the Sabbath. Nevertheless, across the world a commemoration is held on the day known as Good Friday. 'Good' meaning holy and set apart. This year, Good Friday and Passover are on the same day. Jewish people celebrate the deliverance of Israel from enslavement to Egypt. God decreed through Moses that Pharaoh must let His people go so they might worship Him. After 9 awful plagues on the Egyptian citizens, God capitulated His wrath by killing the first born son of every family including Pharaoh's. The sons of Jewish families were saved by sacrificing an innocent lamb and placing it's blood on the doorpost of their homes so that the angel of death would 'pass over' and preserve their son's lives. What's good now? Jesus, our spotless Lamb of God, was slain before the foundation of the world so that we could enjoy eternal life and be restored to relationship with a loving Father God. We are saved by His blood. (1 Peter 1:19-20) What's Good? Jesus' intense love for us. It's hard to comprehend that someone would have this kind of love, compassion, mercy and the courage to substitute their life as a ransom for their enemies. Paul said that one might die for a good man, or for a righteous man, but God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! At the time we were without strength, Jesus CHOSE to die.(Rom. 5:6-8)   What's Good? The 39 lashes Jesus bore were for our healing. In fact, ALL that Christ endured on the journey and the Cross was for OUR benefit. (Isaiah 53)  It was the punishment that WE deserved. It was the penalty for OUR sins, iniquities, transgressions and failures.  He was beaten and whipped so that we could be made whole. He was chastised so that we could enjoy peace. Another Good thing is that Jesus knew all that would befall Him, for whom He  would suffer, how it would go down, how brutal it would be, and why He had to do it...and He did it anyway...so we could have peace with God.        What's Good? Jesus not only endured the cross, (Hebrews 12:2) He embraced the dying process for the joy of our salvation set before Him. Though He agonized about the decision at Gethsemane, once His will was set to the Father's will, we saw Him obey to the lengths of taking up His cross for God's will to be done through His life. Jesus understood who He was - God in the flesh, the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. (Col 2:9)  He had the power to ask God to call down legions of angels to save Him. (Matt 26:53) Though it looked like He was helpless and this was being done to him by men, His perspective on His crucifixion was just the opposite.  "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." (John 10:18) Jesus is our example of a love that knows no bounds, an unconditional, sacrificial love that would spend it all for the ones He loves...If that's not Good News...I don't know what is!  So enjoy and be thankful this Good Friday!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - STILL - 04/10/19 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Learning to be still, to really be still and let life happen - that stillness becomes a radiance. It's what I learn from the great actors that I work with. Stillness. That's all and that's the hardest thing." - Morgan Freeman In prayer, with all kinds of storms swirling around me, I asked the LORD what I should do. His reply was..."Nothing." This answer was both freeing and unsettling. I wanted specific action steps. In this case, the action was inaction. Be STILL - not to move or make a sound; to be undisturbed by wind, sound or current; to be in deep silence and calm; to quieten; to be fixed; to stand. Psalm 46 reminds us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble." (vs.1) This assurance is meant to assuage our fears no matter what tumult external forces are creating in our lives. "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God...God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved, God shall help her at the breaking of day." (vs. 4) The waters are definitely troubled, but we are riding the waves with Jesus in a boat with no oars. This means we have given up control and are allowing Him to steer us to safety. "The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge." (vs. 7) So we are instructed to, "Be STILL, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (vs. 10)  In 1 Kings 19 the LORD instructed Elijah to stand at Mt. Horeb. He was about to pass by. We would think that God's entrance would be a grand gesture that all would notice, but a great wind, an earthquake and a fire occurred, yet the LORD was not in any of those..."after the fire a still small voice." (vs. 12) Other versions say God was present in a low, gentle, soft whisper or the gentle breeze that came afterward. If God were to present Himself to us this way, would our internals be quiet enough to hear Him? or would the clamor of our distress and anxiety drown Him out?  The disciples were in a training exercise in Mark 4, but they didn't know it.  Jesus was already in the boat. He beckoned them to join Him saying, "Let us go over to the other side." (vs. 35) They were being set up to learn something new about Him, and about themselves. A violent storm arose, but Jesus was on the boat fast asleep. The disciples woke Him up in a panic, "Master, don't you care that we are perishing?"  In my prayer, it was more like, "You see this, don't You?!" His response was a calm, "I do..." We know that He sees, knows, and has the power to do something about our situation, but does He care? Jesus did not accept the invitation to their pity party. "...Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. "Silence!" He commanded, "Be still!" And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." "Why are you so afraid?" He asked. "Do you still have no faith?" (vs. 39-40) Man, that stings when I read it to myself! It's my teeny tiny faith that's the problem...not the storm that's swirling. It's also that I really don't know the One I'm dealing with...Jesus is on this boat with me! Until He intervened, His disciples didn't  realize or appreciate the strength and mighty power of their Teacher. It brought them into wonder. "Overwhelmed with fear, they asked, "What manner of man is this? even the winds and the sea obey Him!" (vs. 41)  So...silence yourself. Be still. Examine your faith. Allow it to rise. You might learn something new about yourself and your God!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - POLITICAL - 4/3/19 Sadell Bradley New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia. Political language...is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." -George Orwell I'm not a fan of politics. It took me a while to realize how ubiquitous (present everywhere) they are, and not just in the systems of our government. Our families, churches, schools, and workplaces can all house political activity. Political situations sometimes catch me by surprise. "Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted." (Titus 1:15, NLT) Politics is defined as activities associated with governance, especially a debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. Power, in this case, is the ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.   POLITICAL means relating to the government or the public affairs of a country; or to the ideas or strategies of a particular group. Political also means affecting or acting according to the interests of status or authority within an organization, rather than matters of principle. Politics are described as activities within an organization aimed at improving someone's status or position that are typically considered to be devious or divisive. Conflict. Power. Strategy. Authority. Status. Devious. Divisive. VERSUS -Pure. Conscientious. Matters of Principle. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said, "In weak companies, politics win. In strong companies, the best ideas do." Christ followers believe ALL power belongs to God. "Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth." (Matt. 28:18)  God gives authority to whomever He wills. "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." (Rom. 13:1) For me, this nullifies the need to jockey for  power and position. I don't want or need it unless God gives it to me...and even then.     This passage in 2 Chronicles 1:1-3, when Solomon was crowned king over Israel, describes what a Christ- following leader should do when placed in a position of power and authority. "Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful. Solomon called together all the leaders of Israel-the generals and captains of the army, the judges, and all the political and clan leaders. Then he led the entire assembly to the place of worship in Gibeon, for God's Tabernacle was located there."

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COMPLEX - 04/27/19 -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Visit Our Website

"I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter." - Walt Disney    The other day I watched a documentary on the life of Walt Disney. I was raised on classics like Snow White, Pinocchio, Mary Poppins and the Lion King.   Floyd Norman, Disney's first African-American animator. So Disney's stories greatly impacted my childhood. My mom took me to Disney World when I was little. It was the happiest place on earth, lol! The finished products of Disney's imagination look so natural, it seems they would be easy to produce. When you discover the actual creative process, the business acumen, and the financial and personal risk it took for Disney to establish both the Studios and his creations-you find that the truth is much more complex. COMPLEX means consisting of many different and connected parts; not easy to analyze or understand; complicated or intricate. It's hard to believe Disney's vision for 'The Disney Florida Project,' (Epocot and Disney World) was in his mind in the '50's, or that his chain smoking caused his death at 65.        Our God is LORD of both the simple and the complex. When people say that the LORD isn't into complexities, I remind them of His instructions to Noah, Moses, David and Solomon for the construction of the Ark, the Tabernacle and the Temple. (Gen. 6; Ex. 25-31;1 Chron. 28-2 Chron. 5) God can allow us to discover something in the simple flow of faith or He can tell us in intricate detail what, who, when, where, how, and sometimes even why He wants something...and we still won't comprehend fully all that He's doing. Paul exclaimed, " Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33) So glad the Holy Spirit reveals His mind!     On the flip side, our lives are often too complex. Solomon said, "God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising." (Eccl. 7:30, JB) I crave a life of simplicity! When life is as complex as the picture to your left, you can get a COMPLEX - a disproportionate level of concern or anxiety. This is not from the LORD. Distractions turn our focus to many other things outside of Christ, and all that activity can become an idol. It's my desire to rid myself of this type of complexity, so that I can be open to receive God's complex and creative ideas.

 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - REMEMBER - 03/20/19 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." - Henry Ford 

 

Our Church's Anniversary was Sunday. So I showed our congregation a series of slide shows of many things God has done through us over the years. In the midst of trials, we can forget how good God has been despite our faults and failings. Tears began to well up in our eyes after seeing hundreds of photos of all kinds of ministry to the young and old, the rich and poor, and people of every ethnicity. We fed the hungry, clothed the naked and equipped ministers of all kinds. We saw salvations, baptisms and re-commitments. We watched our children grow before our eyes and celebrated giving gifts and service to the community. We are SO blessed! After recalling these things, our worship was palpable. We gave God all the glory, honor and praise! and looked forward to our next chapter with anticipation. An atmosphere of gratefulness, joy, peace and even relief entered. "By remembering all these good things, we can see that our lives have counted for something." Our awesome photographer, Anthony Tribble, powerfully tells our story through his lens. The Levites in Scripture were called to record what God had done, to thank and to praise Him.(1 Chron. 16:4) REMEMBERING God's goodness is like a fuel that keeps us full of joy and strong.    

 

One of our greatest problems is that we forget the things we should remember, and remember the things we should forget. This causes many to be stunted in emotional and spiritual immaturity. I love the visual above because it reminds me that I can fill my mind with any type of memories I choose. To REMEMBER means to be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of something one has seen, known, or experienced in the past. Which things do you want to remember? What would you prefer to forget? David asked God not to remember the sins of his youth, but to remember him according to His love. (Psalm 25:7) We also have the capability to remember love and forget trespasses and sins for the best possible relational outcomes. Throughout Scripture, people prayed for the LORD to forgive and forget their transgressions. In Hebrews 10 God promised, "their sins and iniquities I will remember no more."  (vs.17) Amazing how God doesn't remember our sins or the sins of others...but we can't forget them.  

Sometimes the LORD wants us to forget former things. He doesn't want us to dwell on the past because He wants to do something new. (Isaiah 43:18; Phil 3:13-14) At other times, He wants us to put a marker on a good thing. "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me." (Isaiah 46:9) Here's a great challenge. This week, rid your mind of your own sins, and the failings of others, and fill your mind with good remembrances.