WEDNESDAY'S WORD - QUANDARY - 09/30/15 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

A QUANDARY is a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. The word derives partly from the Latin quando or 'when.' To be perplexed means you are facing something so complicated that you feel completely baffled.  It has the idea of being entangled or interwoven, as the gentleman above. I'm sure there are times when you've not felt completely confident about a choice or direction.

The mental and emotional weight of uncertainty can be excruciating. The question of 'when?' while waiting even between two good choices is difficult. It would be easier to just quickly decide, but we want to make good decisions.  Not knowing what to do in a situation can be a drain to your hope - your expectation of a good outcome...and hope is what faith is made of!  In 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, Paul described enduring quandaries as a part of his life and ministry to bring the Gospel to the lost, challenge religious systems, and lead Christians to maturity.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

God is after our utter dependence on Him in difficult and complicated situations.  So rest! God has promised to instruct and teach you in the way you should go, to guide and counsel you with His eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8)  We are never alone, nor without hope if we are willing to follow His leading and die to our own will, so that Christ's life and desires might be displayed through us! 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INDECISION- 09/16/15 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Indecision is the inability to make a decision quickly. To decide means to come to a resolution as a result of consideration; to make a choice from a number of alternatives; to resolve or settle a question. Indecision also describes the excruciating delay involved in making up one's mind.  An indecisive person procrastinates a decision to the point of paralysis. American philosopher William James stated, "There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision."  The fear of making a wrong decision is so strong we make no decision at all. Indecision IS a decision that leaves unfulfilling and frustrating consequences for us and for those who are negatively impacted by our failure to decide.

Israel was often confronted about their indecision on worship.   Moses warned them to follow the commands of Jehovah and not to neglect worshiping Him when prosperity came in the land of promise. Their choice would impact their future legacy. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19) Joshua reiterated this urgency to choose to honor God once they'd conquered their enemies, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 

Elijah asked the Israelites a hard question, when king Ahab and queen Jezebel had introduced the worship of Baal and they were having trouble deciding whom to worship. "Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the Lord is the true God, then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word." (1 Kings 18:21)

More often than I'd like to admit, my indecisiveness is directly related to worship and my obedience to God's revealed or prophetic Word.  I know the right answer and what needs to be done, but I'm telling God,"Let me get back to You on that..." as if I'm unsure of what to do. I'm really not. I'm just rebelling,  or I'm too scared to move.  That's what paralysis is - being partially or totally incapable of movement;  rendered unable to think or act because of panic or fear, or bringing things to a standstill that causes disruption or chaos. This FALSE feeling of powerlessness we give in to negatively impacts our relationships and stalls out our future. So...how long are YOU going to be paralyzed by indecision? 

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

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Cincinnati OH 45223

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RESISTANCE - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati - 09/09/15

Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something; or the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. Resistance can come in the form of armed or violent opposition, like secret agencies or movements against governments. Individuals like Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who recently refused to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples, can resist what they believe is an unjust law and suffer the consequences of breaking it. Resistance can mean impeding, slowing, or stopping the adverse effect exerted by one thing on another.  To resist means to withstand the action or effect of something by ignoring or by struggling.
  
We often choose what's called "the path of least resistance."  We want the easiest course of action because we desire to avoid any and all difficulty or unpleasantness.  Most of us are especially resistant to change in all its forms because it's uncomfortable. Jesus said the gateway to life is narrow and strait and few find it. Strait means characterized by a specified degree of trouble or difficulty; close, strict or rigorous. The road to destruction on the other hand, is broad and wide and most people choose that easier route. (Matthew 7:13-14) Christ followers are not to resist -  but embrace difficulties.  The Apostle James tells us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

The other day, the Lord told me to, "Stop resisting your life, and start resting in it."  I was internally arguing with, struggling against, and stonewalling (delaying or blocking with evasive replies) what God has ordained for my life.  All of what is going on is not bad, just very challenging. Scripture tells us where our resistance should really be, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) In my resistant posture about God's will, I have unwittingly been submitting to the devil and resisting the Lord.  I wonder if that's ever happened to you?

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INGEST - Sadell Bradley 09/02/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

Ingest means to take food, drink or another substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing it.  Ingest is also used to describe absorbing, taking in or assimilating information, ideas, time, resources, attention, or experiences. There is an old saying, "You are what you eat." We are also what we view and mentally or spiritually ingest.  I grew up in a simpler time when options were limited. There were 3-5 TV stations and no remotes; no smart phones, video games, personal computers or microwaves. We drove cross country without seat belts. Because of the free love and political influences of the 60's and 70's, Christians were cautioned to be careful what we took into our minds and spirits. I would NEVER have imagined the deluge of images/ideas we now experience!

In Ephesians 5, Paul admonishes us to live as children of the light, and have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. As the light in the world, we are to expose the darkness, not participate in it. (vs. 9-13) He encourages us to walk in love and to not even allow a hint of sexual immorality, greed, impurity, idolatry, foolish talk, coarse jesting or obscenity to be named among us. Nor are we to associate with those who participate in these behaviors. (vs. 2-7) Most of us get that evil companions will corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), but how much of our mental and spiritual intake via media, books, blog and posts, conversations, movies and music violates this admonition? Have we become desensitized to what we were intended to repel? Are we now corrupted?

King David said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalm 101:3) The NIV renders this verse, "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it."  Is this our sentiment, or do we 'wink' at sin and indulge it? and in our failure to cut it off from us silently approve what we know brings damage and destruction to our own and others' lives. Is what you ingest in conversation, social media or other means adding to your life or detracting from it? Does it promote faith or fear? Do you trust God or love people more or less? Does it bring hope or despair?

We ALL could remember this bit of wisdom, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  (Prov. 4:23 NIV)

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

11:00 AM 

SUNDAY WORSHIP
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Cincinnati, OH 45214
Enter through the rear parking lot

 

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or

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ADOPTION - SADELL BRADLEY - NEW LIFE COVENANT CINCINNATI 08/26/15

Sadell & Ms. Marion

Adoption means to legally take another's child and bring it up as one's own, to assume an attitude or position, to assume or accept responsibility for, to formally approve or accept, to start to use or follow (an idea, method, or course of action).  It derives from the Latin adoptare meaning to choose. Yesterday, we celebrated my adoptive mother Marion's 89th birthday in Philly, which makes me a bit nostalgic about the choice that she made to adopt me when she was a single school teacher many years ago.  Adoptions, both legal and assumed are a big part of my family's history.  My grandparents, George and Sadell, took in one of my aunts, Violet, when she was a teenager estranged from her parents.  My cousin Josh was adopted as a baby, and Sherman and I have adopted Robert.  

Sherman, Sadell & Robert

All of the meanings of adoption are important, but the word choose is crucial.  Jesus said of His family of disciples, "You did not choose Me, I chose you." (John 15:6) Adoptions are not unwanted pregnancies, nor are people forced to adopt. A desire is there, and decisions are made and acted upon that are not random.  They change the life of the person and their parent(s) forever.  The day my mom went into the agency, she saw many children but decided I was the one she would choose to love and care for until she dies.  The bible says that God "sets the solitary in families."  He "makes a home for the lonely." (Psalm 68:6) Adoptive families, like all other families are by no means perfect.  Most people understand that children and young people who have been rejected, abandoned and sometimes abused carry scars from trauma into the new family. But everyone involved must make adjustments internally, and explanations for others external of them to grasp the nature of the new relationship. My mother's bravery is inspiring because single people were not encouraged to adopt then. It was a blessing that my aunt and grandfather were also in the home to help to raise me. 

Jesus said believing on, and following Him as Messiah was going to cost us everything - including perhaps some family relationships.  People would be orphaned by this decision and then be grafted into His new family. He said that even His own mother, and sister would not be presumed by blood ties but would become, "Whoever does the will of God" (Mark 3:35):

Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake,but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29-30)

God the Father's intent and choice is to adopt those who follow Jesus as His children. He has taken us out of the realm of the fear, rejection and emotional displacement we have experienced in this world.  He has given us the Spirit of Adoption and has become our Father. He gives us acceptance in His beloved family, people of all nations, tribes and languages who believe. Not only that, but just as I will receive an inheritance from my mother, God makes us His heirs and gives us His inheritance through Christ Jesus. (Eph. 1:6; Rom. 8:14-17) It is GOOD NEWS that we no longer have to be solitary, love is available to us! 

Today I salute my mom, my family and all of those who have officially adopted, fostered, or taken in someone who was bereft of family connections to demonstrate the Love of Christ in a tangible and eternal way!! May you be rewarded for your faithfulness!!

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

SUNDAY WORSHIP
at

Urban Artifact

1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223
in NORTHSIDE

Sunday, August 30th

11:00 AM
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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - UNREQUITED -Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

UNREQUITED means (of a feeling, especially love) not returned or rewarded. In 2009 the movie, "He's just not that into you," was released, and the title phrase became very popular. The story revolves around nine people whose relationships are at varying degrees of crisis because of the desires, unmet needs and expectations, acceptance or rejection of their partners. The protagonist is Gigi, a woman who falls fast for men and misinterprets their every behavior as genuine love interest. As she goes through various encounters, her friend Alex has to explain to her that the men she has clung to do not share or reciprocate her feelings.  Fortunately, for Gigi, eventually Alex discovers that he loves her.

This meme was especially profound in describing the word unrequited. I, myself have loved long and hard and been ignored and devalued, thinking people loved me the way I loved them. I've also had people attach to me too quickly and become wounded when I did not share their depth of passion. The experience and pain of unrequited love is not isolated to romantic relationships (though the closer one is, the more it hurts). It happens with parents and children, leaders and followers, bosses and workers, and friends. Is this as true for you as it is for me?

Our Lord Jesus was,"despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." (Isaiah 53.3) His purpose was to love, serve, and die for people who would reject Him. John said, "He came unto His own, and His own received him not." (John 1:11)  Paul stated he wanted to know Christ and participate or fellowship with Him in His sufferings, and become like Him in His death.(Phil. 3:10) If that is true for us, unrequited love, betrayals and rejection are a part of the deal. The same folks who cried Hosanna! a week later were shouting Crucify Him! It is somewhat comforting to know that Jesus, our High Priest, is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." (Heb. 4:15) He empathizes with our weaknesses, but that doesn't take away the pain of unrequited love. It does however, challenge us to make some hard biblical adjustments. Because whether enemy or friend, there are no guarantees that your love will be acknowledged or rewarded...but it should not change.  Jesus gives us a hard command that sets the standard of His love in Luke 6:

27“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 

It looks like you and I are gonna just have to let the love Christ has for us absorb our pain, and ask for Grace to live out His love for others...Help, Lord!

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

JOIN US SUNDAY
for WORSHIP at
Urban Artifact
1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223
in NORTHSIDE

Sunday, August 16th 

11:00 AM

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD ON THURSDAY - EXCLUSIVE - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnat - 08/13/15

Wednesday's Word is coming to you on Thursday this week.  I was out of town last week, I haven't forgotten! 
Today is my husband Sherman's 50th Birthday!! Please join me in wishing him a very blessed and prosperous jubilee year!! Husband, son, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, pastor and humanitarian! Happy Birthday, babe!! I love you very much!!
   

Our last Wednesday's Word was INCLUSIVE read it here.  This week's word is EXCLUSIVE - excluding or not admitting other things; unable to exist or be true if something else exists or is true; excluding all but what is specified; restricted or limited to the person, group, or area concerned. It is from the Latin excludere, which means 'shut out.'  We stated that the Gospel is inclusive in many ways: everyone has sinned (missed God's holiness) Rom. 3:23. So all are in need of salvation. Each of us is invited to believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, gain a quality of life on earth and access to Heaven. God loved the world so much He sent Jesus to die for all sin. Anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I've always been a fan of "If...then" clauses. They're clear, succinct and you know what to expect. "If you pay your bill on time, then you will not incur a late fee. If your payment is late, then you will incur the fee."  The Bible has stated and implied if...then clauses which seem simultaneously inclusive and exclusive. If...then statements are actually called conditional clauses. Some examples:

“If you love Me, obey my commandments. And (or then) I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. John 14:15-17a

"And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment." John 3:36 (I didn't say it, Jesus did...)

"If we claim to be without sin, (then) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, (then) he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, (then) we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 ('thens' added for emphasis)

In Christianity, as in every other belief system, YOU include or exclude YOURSELF by YOUR belief/disbelief and YOUR subsequent choice(s).  It's NOT the picture on the right, where the bullies or mean girls are excluding someone because they're different.  We are ALL free to believe what we choose, even about the existence/or not of God, and the truth/or not of His Word. For a Christ follower, our faith is the foundation. No one has to believe what I believe, nor do I have to believe what they believe. I can tell you what I believe, but I can't force you to agree or accept it. Even Jesus gives us freedom to follow or reject Him. But if we accept Him, we must do so on His terms because He's God! and we're not.

Christ followers believe that God exists (Heb. 11:6), that He sent His son born of a virgin to save mankind (Matt. 1:23), and that Scripture is inspired by God and designed to instruct us (1 Tim 3:16-17). We believe the Bible to be true and attempt to follow it as best we can. We believe we are not saved by our own goodness, but through faith in Jesus Christ's salvation only! (Rom 3:22 NLT) We believe that God's love is unconditional, but His precepts have conditions.  He doesn't want anyone to perish, but all to repent (turn from sin) 2 Pet. 3:9, and follow Jesus Christ wholly with their lives in love...and that includes me and you!

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

JOIN US SUNDAY
for WORSHIP at
Urban Artifact
1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223
in NORTHSIDE

Sunday, August 16th 

11:00 AM
GOSPEL BRUNCH at 12:00 NOON

featuring Diva G's Catering
$10.00 

 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INCLUSIVE - SADELL BRADLEY - New Life Covenant Cincinnati - 07/29/15

   

Lately, I've heard some discussions about churches/Christians needing to be more "inclusive."  Inclusive in this context means not excluding any section of society or any party involved in something.  This conversation puzzles me. I've always known the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be ultimately inclusive. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17) The world and whoever are inclusive terms.  At first God revealed Himself through His chosen people Israel, but in Christ, everyone can access salvation. "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom. 10:12-13). 
The Bible also makes another point of inclusion very clear.  "Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God." (Rom. 3:9b-11)  All, none, and no one are inclusive statements. Sin is missing the mark of God's Holiness. It is failure or guilt, and everyone has sinned. We were born this way. Christians believe the propensity for sin (in thought, word, deed, motive, commission, omission) is innate and inbred for all since the fall of man. David said, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (Psalm 51:5)   None of us are better than others.  I love how the NLT version put this in Romans 3:22-23:

"We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."  The way to be made right with God for EVERYONE is to place faith in Christ. At the foot of the cross is the great equalizer. All of us deserve death and would be disqualified for Heaven and righteousness on earth without faith in Jesus. (Rom. 6:23) God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) Repent means to turn from sin to Christ for salvation.

Christ followers believe that, "All Scripture is inspired by God (though written through mankind) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Timothy 3:16 NLT) Christianity is not a social club, though there is fellowship. The Church is in a given City not just for historic traditions, or social justice; but because Christ followers believe there is a God, who is Lord and King over everything. We have voluntarily yielded ownership of our lives to Him and live to serve and worship Him as the Word of God instructs. We believe God has the right to dictate the rules/ boundaries by which He is loved and worshiped. But He also gives us EVERYONE freedom to choose whether or not they will.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”Romans 10:9-11

Anyone is another inclusive word. God wants anyone who desires to come to know and love Him. Next Wednesday, the word is EXCLUSIVE...stay tuned.

New Life Covenant is a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class community.  We are a church for the hurting...because everybody wants to be F.R.E.E!

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY
for WORSHIP at
Urban Artifact
1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223
in NORTHSIDE

Sunday, August 2nd

11:00 AM 

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - THE STRUGGLE - Sadell Bradley - 07/22/15 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

   

THANK YOU!! to ALL who made HopeFest 2015 a great success!! despite the sweltering heat ; )  CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS!

After a weekend of impact that encroaches upon the devil's territory by directly assaulting poverty; a struggle inevitably ensues. Struggle means to engage in conflict, or to make one's way with difficulty.  It is to make a forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or constriction; to strive to achieve or attain something in the face of difficulty or resistance. The struggle is not imaginary.  We're not making this warfare up. As they say now...the struggle is real...but it's not with PEOPLE.

 

In Ephesians 6:10-17,  Paul instructs us to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is hard to remember when you are in the midst of a painful personal conflict, but he reiterates, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Paul knew that some of our greatest struggles would be relational, but we wouldn't realize that there were greater forces involved attempting to thwart us from fulfilling God's purposes. We fight battles, not in our own strength, but with God's armor: truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, the helmet of the hope of salvation, the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God, and most importantly the shield of faith to quench the devil's fiery darts. Armor up!!

In 2 Corinthians 2:9-11, a man had brought much offense to the believers at Corinth and to Paul. He affirms that they are upset, but instructs them what to do:

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the  trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. When you forgive this man,  I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

 

Yes, they caused A LOT of painful trouble. It hurt badly, and you opposed them (yelled, gave them the silent treatment, had the hard conversation).  Enough with the punishment. Now...it's time to forgive, comfort, and re-affirm your love for them...so they won't be overcome with discouragement. So that they will know that your love's not going anywhere.  We forgive with Christ's authority, for the benefit of the wounded person, (that's US!) so that Satan won't outwit or take advantage of us! for we are not ignorant of his intentions, designs or devices. These things we know, but they're really hard to do! As we fight for our freedom in this area to keep ourselves from bitterness (Heb 12:15)...the struggle is real!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COVENANT - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati - 07/15/15

A Covenant is an agreement, a contract drawn up by deed.  In the Bible, it's more than just a contract, a covenant brings about a relationship of commitment between God and His people. The French, covenir means to agree. Yesterday, Sherman and I celebrated 13 years of the covenant of marriage: our agreement to commit to one another through everything, until death, forsaking all others.  Over the years we've agreed and disagreed...and agreement is much better!  Amos asked, "Can two walk together except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3) The importance of the marriage covenant is that it reflects Christ's love for His church. There are two kinds of covenants: bilateral and unconditional. Marriage is bilateral, it takes two to ratify and fulfill. If either party fails to meet the terms, the covenant is broken.  When God covenanted with Abram in Genesis 12, 15 (the ceremony) & 17, it was unilateral and unconditional - a covenant set in blood. God moved alone through the smoking furnace and flame torch to say that He was making a promises to Abram that only required Himself to fulfill. Glory to God!  Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen. 12:1-3) You may have noticed that the word Covenant is in our church Pastor Wilfredo 'Choco' DeJesus name. Pastor Wilfredo "Choco" DeJesus, when founding the New Life Covenant churches, desired to bring New Life to hurting people through Jesus Christ.  He covenanted with God to take the gospel to the ends of the earth... and money would be no object. So here, New Life Covenant Cincinnati, even as a small church is doing big things to share God's love for hurting people and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!   Church in Washington Park THIS Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 AM  HopeFest Health & Education Festival Washington Park, 1230 Elm Street Cincinnati OH 45202. Health & Education screenings, and information for school aged children, fun, music, games, giveaways & entertainment.  THIS Sunday, July 19th at NOON  Church in Washington Park.  An inspiring message by Pastor Sherman and music by Life Worship Team. Afterward lunch and games in the park with family and friends!   NEXT Sunday, July 26th at 11:00 AM we'll be back at Urban Artifact  concert venue, 1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223 in Northside for our Gospel Brunch! Brunch by Gwen Diva-G's catering for $10 and music by Life Worship Team.