WEDNESDAY'S WORD - STANDARD - 02/19/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

   

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God." - George Washington

 

When you say the word STANDARD you could be referring to any of a number of things: a required or agreed to level or quality of attainment used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations; principles of conduct informed by notions of honor and decency; the weight or value of gold, silver, or currency; a song of published popularity; or a military or ceremonial flag carried on a pole. Generally, the word standard is a descriptor of how we view ourselves or treat each other. We say, "I have high standards," when we will not settle for less than an excellent outcome. Or "You are using a double standard," when inequity or injustice is at play.

 

In warfare, 'to raise one's standard,' meant to take up arms and oppose - and lifting a military flag was a rallying cry. Isaiah 59 depicts the LORD our Warrior engaging His enemies. Isaiah illustrates the result of sin, wickedness, darkness, and turning away from the LORD, "It is your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore." (vs. 2, NLT)  The prophet goes on to discuss the murderous, unjust, deceitful, and corrupt way in which people are living, "Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don't know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace." (vs. 7-8)

 

The result of sin is injustice. Truth has fallen in the streets and honesty has been outlawed. "Yes truth is gone and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD was displeased that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He Himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained Him... He will repay His enemies for their evil deeds. " (vs. 15-16;18)  

 

Isaiah proclaims, "So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the West, And His

glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." (vs. 19) This power is portrayed as a raging tide that the breath of the LORD drives over His enemies. Sometimes the wickedness around us is nothing short of overwhelming. I'm glad that our God is the Captain of the Hosts of Angel Armies, that He is with us, and fights for us! 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RUNWAY - Sadell Bradley 02/12/2020

"I think Starbucks created a platform and ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks." - -Howard Schultz, CEO RUNWAY is a word with many meanings: a leveled strip of smooth ground along which aircraft take off; a raised aisle extending into the audience from a stage, especially as used for fashion shows; an incline or chute down which something slides or runs. The general idea implies momentum - the driving force gained with velocity through a process of events. Sometimes we forget that runway is also a business term. A runway is a launching point for an enterprise or endeavor. It propels something forward to an ultimate goal. In fashion, the RUNWAY is a path down which models walk and pose to showcase the creativity of a designer. We marvel at the mannequin-like figures who showcase their beautiful designs. It's easy to miss that at 'fashion week,' whether in New York or Paris, the RUNWAY is also where decisions about fashion trends are made that will affect millions of people and represent billions of dollars in revenue. We teach at MORTAR, an entrepreneurship incubator, that a RUNWAY is also an emergency fund for your business. It's the amount of cash a business owner has on hand to buy themselves time for the months when they're not making money. If a business expends or 'burns' $5,000/mos but the owner has saved $25,000, we say they have a 'runway' of five months.  Which begs the question...how long is your runway? How many months could you live without a paycheck or other influx of cash? In America, 40% of Americans don't have $400 for an emergency. They have a runway of zero months. Without a savings runway, we not only can't take off; we can't sustain ourselves during a hard time. In Genesis 41, Joseph dreamed that Egypt would experience 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. In verses 34-36, he recommended that 20% of the harvest be collected and stored to prepare for their coming time of hardship. The wisdom of this proposal for them to create a 7-year runway pleased the Pharaoh, and Joseph was appointed 2nd in command in the Country. This great decision, "also brought increase as every other nation came to Egypt to buy grain." (vs. 57)   We don’t know what lies ahead, but we’ve been told since we were kids to save for a rainy day because eventually, it’s going to rain. Now is a great time to build a substantial runway for yourself, your family and your business.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EUPHEMISM - 2/4/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

"Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians." - Alan Dershowitz, Esq.

 

A EUPHEMISM - is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. The Greek euphemizein means 'to use auspicious words.' Popular euphemisms include: being between jobs (unemployed), vertically challenged (short), temporary negative cash flow (broke), pre-owned vehicle (used car), passed away (died), expecting (pregnant), over the hill (old), and casualty of war (victim). Paul Johnson said, "Euphemism is a human device to conceal the horrors of reality." 

 

We do a lot of glossing over, massaging, and spinning these days. Why is it so difficult for us to 'speak the truth in love' and grow up? (Eph. 4:15) In Ephesians 4:25, Paul emphasizes the new character we are to live in Christ, "Therefore putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth to his neighbor," for we are members one of another." Fanciful language does not take away the blow of harsh realities any more than political correctness removes an underlying insult. In Psalm 15:1-3, King David wrote, "Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking truth with sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends."  There is a discernible connection between truth and worship. Jesus said the Father is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24) 

King Solomon said, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Prov.15:2) "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (NIV) What a truth-teller says may be hard to hear, but it's often trustworthy. Something unfortunate is happening when we can no longer trust what anyone says. American Musician Bobbie Gentry said, "Euphemism is a euphemism for lying." It's just a nicer way to say it. Paul instructs us as Christ-followers, "Do not lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and its wicked deeds." (Col. 3:9, NLT)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - IMMORTALITY - 01/29/20 Sadell Bradley

   

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do." - Kobe Bryant

A few days ago, one of the most iconic sports figures the world has ever known, Kobe Bryant, died tragically in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna, 6 beautiful and talented friends and their pilot. It is a tragedy the world has been mourning ever since. My husband is a part of #LakerNation. He has been a fan since childhood. It hit him hard. People are saying that Kobe was like a superhero. His off the court persona was as awe-inspiring and intriguing as his Hall of Fame-worthy basketball career. Kobe never went to college but was a very learned man. He spoke several languages, had won an Oscar and an Emmy, and had seemingly shepherded and advised every notable male and female basketball figure, significant athlete, or well known...anyone. Stars have shared how he reached out to help them at significant times in their lives. He was not without flaw or fault, nor did he claim to be. After his significant fall, it seems he did the hard work of redemption with his wife and family, for whom we all are praying. 

IMMORTALITY is the ability to live forever; never dying or decaying; or deserving to be remembered forever.  A mere mortal is a human being that is subject to death and not Divine. We now know despite his iconic status in society, Kobe Bryant was a vulnerable member of the human race. This tragedy has given us all a greater awareness of the fragile nature of life here on earth, and of our own mortality. If someone as brilliant, young, dashing, gifted, handsome, wealthy and accomplished as Kobe Bryant succumbed to a death that was beyond his control; we must all consider how we're living our lives. David said, "Teach us to number our days...or Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) Admonitions to let go of grudges and tell our friends and family how much we love them abound. We will all die someday.

But what if we did live forever? What if we could choose where we'll spend eternity? What if our bodies are just a shell of our real essence? Paul wrote, "God will repay each person according to what they have done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." (Rom2:6-8) Many Christians breathed a sigh of relief to find out that Kobe and Gianna had been to church right before the crash and that they attended church as much as a celebrity can. One article said he would sit in the back, so as not to take the spotlight off of Christ, the one they'd come to worship. An interview with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith had Kobe emphatically stating many times, "God is great!"  As we contemplate his level of influence, some pastors may wonder about his faith. What would happen if more superstars like him would be converted and share about eternal life and the immortality and heavenly home that awaits those who trust in Jesus for salvation? What if we preached the Gospel more? Christ-followers...consider how we can share not only the importance of legacy and destiny but of eternity and immortality. 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PROPHECIES - 01/22/2020 Sadell Bradley

    

"If we bow down before the truth of Christ's prophetic ministry and then stand up on our feet ready to serve the Lord, something will happen."
- Pastor Alistair Begg

At work we were was asked to share about a conversation with someone that, "blew your mind." Folks talked about exchanges with famous people, or an intimate dialogue with significant family members. I shared about a few astonishing experiences I'd had with prophets who'd 'read my mail.' I believe in the spiritual gifts: prophetic utterances, words of wisdom and knowledge, healing, etc. that are found in 1st Corinthians 12. In Romans 12:6, Paul instructs, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith." Years ago, I was in a healing service where the Holy Spirit through Dr. Mark Chironna revealed a thought I had never shared with anyone and spoke about things that would occur in my future. On another more recent occasion, Dr. Matthew Stevenson did the same thing, unveiling things that had happened over a 20-year span, why they'd occurred, and what would happen going forward. I had never met either of these men. Their gifts were used to disclose God's intent for my life, build my faith, and help to direct my future. 

Some are not convinced these phenomena still take place. Most Christians are confident that Jesus' life was the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah. Many also trust in end-time Bible prophecy/eschatology. I am convinced God still speaks prophetically via foretelling and forth-telling. Why would God give us this kind of intel on the present and future state of our lives? The word intel means information of military or political value. Paul gives the answer to this question in 1 Timothy 1:18-19, "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith." Prophecies are given so that we can fight the good fight of faith concerning present and future Kingdom realities. They keep us in line with the will of God despite the warfare we may be experiencing in the interim. That's why we would do well to follow Paul's advice to the Thessalonians, "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold fast to what is good, reject every kind of evil." (1 Thess.5:19-21)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD- PROGRESS - 1/15/2020 Sadell Bradley

    

"Overnight successes are generally years in the making. And most progress is made in isolation, far from the public eye."  - Andrew Yang 

American Poet T.S. Eliot said, "The progress of an artist is continual self-sacrificing, a continual extinction of personality. Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." I love the depiction above of this artist's development over a 12-year span. You can see the result of what probably was thousands of hours of painstaking and precise effort and learning; mostly done behind the scenes. I would imagine that only close friends and family members might have observed the stages of this actual PROGRESS - which is defined as the forward or onward movement toward a destination; advance or development toward a better, more complete, or more modern condition. Too often we are so consumed with destinations that we fail to celebrate progress. That is unfortunate for us because there is joy in the journey that we might be missing. 

In Ezra 5, is an account of a rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the house of God. The Governor, a man named Tattenai, sends a letter to king Darius reporting on the improvements that are being made in verse 8. "The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction." He goes on to describe the historical background of the project, God's oversight of the goings-on, and how the LORD has used many rulers and servants to accomplish His work. He states, "From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished." (16b) 

This reminds me of the renovation project we are currently in the midst of in Over the Rhine at the former Nast Trinty Church on 1310 Race Street. For several months we have been working diligently to prepare the sanctuary of this church, which was built in the 1880s to inhabit the presence of the LORD and our church under the new name, The Warehouse. The transformation that is taking place at the location parallels what we believe God will do in lives. Our Maker will take raw materials and form and equip us for deployment and greater use. It has been a sometimes arduous process that has happened largely behind the scenes. It is not yet finished. Our re-launch is on April 12th, but we'd like to invite you this Friday night at 7:00 pm to celebrate the progress God has allowed us to make, and to intercede for the neighborhood and the work to which the LORD has called us for this season in this territory. Please join us this Friday at 7:00 pm

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RELEASE - 12/18/19 - Sadell Bradley

   

"Anything you can't control is teaching you how to let go."  

-Jackson Kiddard 

Control is the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. I found the quote above to be eerily true, as there are many things over which we have no control. One thing we do control is our ability to release the things or people on which we have a physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional grip. The monkey's willingness to release his grasp would give him the chance to have the banana without shattering the container. Clutching the banana leaves him hopelessly without both. To RELEASE means a lot of things: to allow or enable to escape from confinement; to set free; to allow something to move, act or flow freely; to remove restrictions or obligations from; to allow something to return to its resting position by ceasing to put pressure on it; to allow information to be generally available; to remit or discharge a debt; to surrender a right, or to turn over property or money to another person or entity.  

The power of release is part of Jesus' ministry."The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and release from the darkness for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. (Isa. 61:1-3, NIV)  

The Mamertine Prison in Rome in which Paul was held, was dim, dark and dirty. Known in earlier times as the Tullianum dungeon, its "neglect, darkness, and stench" gave it "a hideous and terrifying appearance,"- Roman historian Sallust. Prisons typically served as holding cells for those awaiting trial or execution. Prisoners were rarely sent there just for punishment. It is easy to see why someone confined would want to get out. Jesus is empowered to free us from situations that hold us captive and have us feeling trapped. He doesn't just want to free us from the prison itself but from its darkness. Darkness is defined not just as the absence of light, but as evil, wickedness, secrecy, ignorance, unhappiness, distress, and gloom. It's crazy how we hold on to darkness as if we have no other choice.  Release the darkness. 

Jesus said in John 3:19, "This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."  We have a choice, "8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth...11Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself. 14So it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you..." (Eph. 5:8-9;11-14) I pray for release from darkness for us.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FRUSTRATE - 12/11/19 - Sadell Bradley

"People don't exist in a vacuum. They're a result of who raised them and who they love and who frustrates them." - Mary Wiseman - American Actress   Did you know that the word FRUSTRATE derives from the Latin frustrat which means disappointed?  The root frustra means 'in vain.' I hope this brings as much understanding to what's going on in your life as it did to mine. We generally look at the meaning of the word FRUSTRATE as - to prevent (a plan or attempted action) from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled; to prevent (someone) from doing or achieving something; or to cause (someone) to feel upset or annoyed, typically as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.   I definitely wasn't connecting the emotion of disappointment with my feelings of frustration, but it's so real. To disappoint means to fail to fulfill hopes or expectations. As a younger leader I used to say, "I appoint, and I dis-appoint," and that is, in fact, another definition of that word- to deprive of a position. You might be frustrated today because your hopes have been dashed, you're disappointed about what's going on, or an outcome hasn't quite turned out as you expected.     In Galatians 2:21 Paul makes this statement, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ is dead in vain." The idea that we could frustrate God's grace; that we could prevent it from progressing or succeeding in achieving its purpose is startling. How could we, in our frail humanity, actually stop the plan of God's free gift of Grace from being fulfilled? By choosing instead to operate from our own righteousness and dead works in a futile attempt to try to keep God's laws. Paul said it this way, "I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down."(vs. 18, NLT) God is calling me to rest in what He's done...but I insist on my own activity. God asks me to trust Him and be undisturbed, even with the foolishness that is going around me, yet I choose to worry and fight. I wonder, how many times I've frustrated and disappointed God by trying to do things my own way, rather than receiving what He desires to give...too many times.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - BRAVE - 11/27/19 - Sadell Bradley

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. - Nelson Mandela To be BRAVE means to be ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage - which is the ability to do something that frightens one, or strength in the face of pain or grief. The other day I was feeling anxious about all of the new things that are occurring in my life. I wondered if I had the strength, the ingenuity, the energy to do them. I speculated as to whether I was still useful. As I continued to prayer-journal, the LORD revealed that part of what I was experiencing was a fear of failure. At this stage of life there's something in me that wants to be done with new things and just rest on whatever few laurels I might have. The idea of another new venture has much less shine and appeal than it did when I was younger, but Dolly Parton once said, "You'll never do a lot unless you're brave enough to try," and she's still doing LOTS at age 73!     It's interesting the number of times that God tells Joshua not to be afraid but to 'be strong and courageous' in taking over leadership of Israel from Moses, and then in possessing the promised land. (Deut. 31:6;31:7; 31:23; Joshua 1:6, 1:7: 1:9, 1:18; 10:25) God told him to be brave multiple times in the same chapter TWICE in his lifetime. He said it prophetically in his preparatory phase, and decades later when the work was being actualized.     Aesop said, "It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." To attempt to do things that few are willing to try takes faith, boldness, and courage. To look in the face of what is and have the audacity to dream and act on what could be, requires strength and valor. It's the metal of trailblazers, forerunners and pioneers - the ones who cut through deadly terrain and jungles to make a path for others to follow. Bravery is having the guts to face down and say NO to your internal cowardice and the willingness to 'suck at something new' or even possibly SUCCEED at something new!  Be brave! you have nothing to lose... but that fear.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SERAPHIM - 11/13/19 - Sadell Bradley

   

"In prayer, we stand where angels bow with veiled faces. There, even there, the cherubim and seraphim adore before that selfsame throne to which our prayers ascend. And shall we come there with stunted requests and narrow, contracted faith?" - Charles Spurgeon

SERAPHIM are angelic beings regarded in traditional Christian angelology (the study of angels) as belonging to their highest rank, associated with light, ardor, and purity. Angels are spiritual beings who act as attendants, agents, or messengers of God.AAA

 The word seraph means 'the burning ones" or "serpents." Seraphs as fiery serpents are referenced in Numbers 21:6-9, the plague sent on Israel after they had spoken against Moses and the LORD. Moses had to lift up a bronze serpent for them to look on, be healed, and live. This foreshadowed the salvation  found through Jesus Christ on the cross. "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:14)  Seraphim are described as six-winged creatures. The only use of the actual word is in Isaiah 6, as the prophet receives His calling:

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  3And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" 4And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 

5So I said,  "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." 

6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.  7And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."  8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for US?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 

Seraphim display for us the posture of worship. They cover their faces with the first set of wings as a sign of reverence. The Holiness of God is so radiant that no one can look on His face and live. They cry out Holy! in homage to the LORD. The seraphim cover their feet with the second set of wings to demonstrate their humility and the awareness of their limitations and unworthiness before Him. The third set of wings represent service, as they fly in joyful obedience to the LORD's bidding as He calls for them to move swiftly into action. Then God uses the seraph as His instrument of atonement in Isaiah 6, to purge the iniquity of Isaiah before he is deployed. These postures of worship, humility, service, and redemption should be ours as well.  

   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SWISS ARMY KNIFE - 11/6/19 Sadell Bradley

"Sleep is the Swiss army knife of health. When sleep is deficient, there is sickness and disease. And when sleep is abundant, there is vitality and health." - Matthew Walker - English Scientist     When asked the question, "What object most represents you?" My answer was a SWISS ARMY KNIFE - a penknife that incorporates several blades and other tools such as scissors and screwdrivers.  The knife was first produced in 1891 for military officers in Switzerland. It brings to mind versatility and problem-solving. The knife can be used in all kinds of circumstances and the phrase is a metaphor for usefulness and adaptability. I often find myself in odd situations that call for the use of different aspects of my past experiences, personality, and gifts. In some instances, administration or strategic thought is required, in another teaching, and in still other musical gifts are the doorway. Some people engage me because I'm African-American, others because I'm a woman...etc. You get the gist.   It is my hope that God will use all that I am for His purpose. That desire puts me in some strange situations both in the church and out in the 'real world.' I'm often in awe of the rooms in which I find myself and the people whom the LORD has me encounter. Effective Christ-following requires a great deal of pliability - the ability to bend when necessary. Our lives our not our own, Paul says, we've been bought with a price. Therefore we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, because they belong to Him. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)   Paul should know because God used every part of who he for His service: his training as a Pharisee, his intellectual prowess, his zeal and boldness, the grace on his life to endure, his writing ability, his apostolic gifts and even his Roman citizenship were all called upon by the LORD for His sundry purposes. It was this Apostle who said:     "19Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. 21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings." (1 Cor. 9:19-22)        Sometimes God is looking for Swiss Army Knives.