WEDNESDAY'S WORD- INTREPID- Sadell Bradley- 10/23/24

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD INTREPID 10/23/2024 "Thanks to generations of curious, intrepid explorers of the past, we know enough, soon enough, to chart passage for ourselves far into the future." -Sylvia A. Earle - American Marine Biologist and Oceanographer   I am currently a tri-vocational pastor and doctoral student. I know, I know...Nevertheless, for just this year, I am serving part-time at two churches, and at a secular job at a non-profit called MORTAR Cincinnati. MORTAR was founded in 2014, and also has locations in other states. We primarily support entrepreneurs of color from disenfranchised neighborhoods— offering these daring souls a tightly-knit community, small business education, access to capital and resources, and the connections they need to test out their ideas in real time. Entrepreneurship is not an easy task. Armed with an idea, these dauntless folks defy societal norms to pursue their dreams. The U.S. Small Business Association says only 9.29% of the population can be considered entrepreneurs. That means over 91% of us enjoy the 'safety and security' of working 40 hours for someone else, while just under 10% have chosen the risk and freedom of working sometimes 80 or more hours for themselves. One word that describes these outliers is INTREPID, which means fearless; or adventurous. It derives from the Latin intrepidus which means not alarmed. Webster's Dictionary defines intrepid as bold and brave; characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude, and endurance. Entrepreneurs are examples of living by faith. The same INTREPID spirit is found in church planters like us and missionaries. We follow the call of God to start ministries in new places and challenging seasons with a vision to tell the world that Jesus Christ is LORD and King. Our friends Joe and LouAnn Luken left the U.S. to follow a dream they'd had since their 20's. They decided to raise their own financial support each year to minister to human trafficking victims in Thailand in their 60's. The Lukens moved their entire life, and learned Thailand's language and customs to love hurting people in Jesus' name. Paul wrote, "I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” (Rom 15:20-21) We underestimate the courage it took to start the New Testament Church, and the boldness, faith, and perseverance it takes to obey the LORD's voice even today. In many places across the world, to identify yourself as a Christ-follower brings persecution, imprisonment, or even death. This is the climate early Believers in Jesus faced when Paul told his protege Timothy, 3I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Paul's admonitions to Timothy prepared him to be a dauntless and daring leader in the face of trying times. King Solomon wrote, "If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10) Paul advised Timothy not to give up, cave in, or quit, but to endure in the face of tribulation. He assured his mentee: 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began... (2 Tim. 1:3-9) Have you lost or retained your sense of adventure in life? Would you call yourself fearless or fearful? Are you intrepid—willing to risk it all to proclaim and follow Jesus?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FIDELITY - Sadell Bradley - 10/16/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD FIDELITY 10/16/2024 "Total loyalty is possible only when fidelity is emptied of all concrete content from which changes of mind might naturally arise." - Hannah Arendt - German Historian   "Scandal sells books. Fidelity does not." —Coretta Scott King FIDELITY is faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support; or sexual faithfulness to a spouse or partner. Upon hearing the word fidelity, one might think of the investment company that secures many retirement accounts. Another will remember John Cusack playing a lovelorn Rob Gordon in the movie High Fidelity, which in musical terms is the reproduction of sound with little distortion, giving a result very similar to the original. The French fidelite and the Latin fidelis mean faithful. Sadly, we are more accustomed to the concept of  INFIDELITY - the action or state of being unfaithful—than we are with fidelity. Infidelity also means unbelief in a particular religion, especially Christianity...hence the word infidel. We might say an unbeliever, atheist, or agnostic. The Apostle Paul gives this admonition to the church at Corinth in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, KJV: 14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Unequal yoking causes stagnation and conflict in relationships, business alliances, and partnerships as two individuals or entities, with and without faith in God, pull or push in opposite directions. In 1 Timothy 5, the word infidel is used as Paul instructs his protege to ensure the care of widows in the congregation:   3Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. God is serious about fidelity. We usually think of infidelity in the context of marriage because one of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery (Ex. 20:14). Adulterers in that day were immediately put to death by stoning if they were caught. Jesus said to even lust after a woman who is not your wife is to commit adultery with her in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28). God is not a fan of infidelity and divorce. Malachi 2:16b, NLT says “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Faithfulness is a fruit of God's spirit dwelling within the Believer. (Galatians 5:22) Christ followers are covenant people who love and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. We are to be covenant keepers, not breakers. Our lives are to be marked by fidelity, trustworthiness, commitment, and constancy.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD- OPTIMISM - Sadell Bradley - 10/09/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD OPTIMISM 10/09/2024   "Optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable." - Voltaire, French Philosopher 

Some of us grew up with actor Michael J. Fox. We watched him play Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. We cheered as he traveled through time as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies. Later, we enjoyed his wit on Spin City, where he played Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York, alongside a hilarious cast of characters. We believed Michael J. Fox had lived a charmed life until in 1991, at age 30, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremors, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movements, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Fox announced his diagnosis to the public in 1998 at age 37. We've watched him progress with grace through its stages. In the Bible, the word for this disease is palsy—paralysis accompanied by involuntary tremors. Jesus healed a man with this condition in Mark 2, when four friends cut through the roof to bring their companion to Him. Verse 5 says, "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic (man with palsy), “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” This statement indicated that Jesus had both the power to forgive sins and to heal the man of his condition. Disease is one of the marks of sin being in the earth. Jesus claiming He could absolve and pardon sins for the Jewish leaders was a scandal and blasphemy. Who did He think he was, God?! He told the paralytic in verse 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” God does miraculous things to demonstrate His power and to turn our attention toward Him. Jesus is all about redeeming hopeless circumstances. He doesn't share His glory. He works when we can't do anything about our situation. The faith of this man's friends to bring Him to Jesus, and his own faith to obey the command of God to arise and walk despite all evidence to the contrary—showed his belief, trust, expectation, and optimism. OPTIMISM is hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something. In philosophy, it is the belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe. So many trying things are happening all around us right now. It can be difficult to be positive and optimistic with such negative forces in the atmosphere. To feel trapped and unable to move, whether physically like this man, or emotionally, vocationally, spiritually, or in relationships brings all kinds of anguish. When Jesus performed the miracle, it evoked worship and praise from the man and all the witnesses. It is awe inspiring to see individuals who are facing particular hardships like Michael J. Fox persevere and overcome. Some are given grace to endure trials that would cause most of us to succumb to anxiety, hopelessness, and depression. Adversities turn into stepping stones as these individuals lift themselves into positive attitudes and triumphant dispositions. In one video clip, Michael J, Fox said, "I realized that with gratitude...optimism is sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for, you can find something to look forward to...and you carry on." I love that! Optimism is not just fleeting in a particular moment...it's sustainable: able to be upheld, maintained and defended. Some of us struggle to ward off negativity and pessimism. Do you have sustainable optimism? One Scripture that reflects optimism is Psalm 27:13-14, here king David writes, 13I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - READY - Sadell Bradley - 10/02/2024

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD READY 10/02/2024 "Read my letter to the old folks, and give my love to them, and tell my brothers to be always watching unto prayer, and when the good Ole Ship of Zion comes along, to be ready to step aboard. " — Harriett Tubman, American Activist CLICK HERE TO RSVP & PAY $25 FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 5th MEN'S RETREAT       One of my favorite Gospel artists of all time is the Grammy, Stellar, and Dove award winning group Commissioned. The all-male Christian artists preceded Boyz to Men and other iterations of boy bands. They were known for stirring evangelistic songs like "Go Tell Somebody," "Running Back to You," and "Will You Be Ready?" The lyrics of the latter boldly ask, "Can't you see the signs of the times? Don't you know that the time is short? And soon the LORD, He will return, will you be punished, or get your reward? There will be no more time to get it right, when the LORD, when He cracks the sky. So just keep your hand in His hand, and be ready when Jesus comes!" Soloist Keith Staten's compelling plea urges us to: "Get your house, get it in order! In your life make Jesus first. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning bright, make a stand...stand up for what you know is right. Keep the love of Jesus always on your mind...and...be ready when Jesus comes." It was a strong altar-call song and many have received Jesus by considering the questions posed within it. Any of us with eyes to see can tell that the times we're in are different than others within our lifetime. This week we're seeing the fatal affects of climate change and natural disasters. Hundreds have died, are missing, and are attempting to recover from hurricane Helene. We feel helpless to do anything but stockpile groceries and necessary equipment as the ILA workers of the 3rd largest port in the US strike for better wages and not to be replaced by robots. Some are stockpiling because they believe items will run out, others because price gouging is probable, while inflation is still high. We grow in our concern about an impending war in which the US may have to become involved, as Iran has now inserted itself in the Middle Eastern conflict. As our elections are looming, strong responses from a lame-duck President may be unlikely. All we can do is view the debate of Vice Presidential hopefuls. If those are not enough signs of the last days... To be READY means in a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully prepared; made suitable and available for immediate use; eager, inclined, or willing to do something. I remember running track and field in my youth. After months of preparation, I knelt at the start line as the announcer said... READY... SET...and then fired off the gun. If you did not have focus and patience, you could take off running at the wrong time and be disqualified. If you did not respond quickly, you could lose the race. Your body didn't just need to be ready, your spirit, mind, and emotions had to also be prepared. The song "Will You Be Ready?"  referenced Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the Ten Virgins: 1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’12“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. True Christ followers are called to live our lives in holiness, filled with the Spirit, and in anticipation and hopeful expectation of Christ's return. Half of the virgins were foolishly unprepared and tried to get the oil (consecration)  from the wise virgin's personal relationship with the LORD. The wise would not sell or give away what was most precious to them. They were anticipating the Bridegroom's arrival. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Are you prepared if Jesus returned today? If your appointment with death was sooner than you thought would you be ready? There's an urban saying that fits perfectly. It's... "If you stay ready,  you don't have to get ready"