WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DISCIPLESHIP- Sadell Bradley- 11/09/16- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Jesus said to the people who believed in Him,"You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32 NLT)

As a pastor, few things are more gratifying than when your student says your teaching has positively impacted their choices or outlook in a crucial situation. That happened last night in the throes of the presidential election. They said, "I'm not allowing fear to shape my mindset, but I'm choosing joy, hope and gratitude instead. Thank you, Healing is a choice!!" I immediately felt peace not only about what I would write; but about our continual teaching on the Sovereignty of God, the priority of His Kingdom, the Christian's call to service, faith, rejoicing, inner healing and the cross life, forgiveness and the ministry reconciliation to Christ and to one another. When tests come, we find out if we are really Jesus' disciples or if we're following other ideologies. Sadly, it seems many have succumbed to dogma that excludes the two greatest commands: to love God with our hearts, minds, souls and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matt. 22:36-40)

A DISCIPLE is a personal follower of Jesus; a disciplined student or learner of His philosophies.  DISCIPLESHIP describes the mission of making disciples. Discipline in Christianity is the practice of training people to live and love within the code of conduct that Jesus Christ prescribes-despite external circumstances and internal feelings. True disciples of Christ are commanded: to love, bless and pray for enemies and persecutors; (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27) to pray for kings and those in authority; (1 Tim 2:2) to be armed with a disposition to suffer; (1 Peter 3:14) and to make Jesus and His Kingdom priority over family, possessions, power, position, and yes, country no matter the cost.

Jesus said, "If you want to be My disciple, you must hate (or love less) everyone by comparison - your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters -- yes, even your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27) He admonishes us to count the cost to see if we are really ready to take on that mantle...and if we'll train others to do the same.

The breach that has been created within the Christian community in this season will be difficult to repair, but sincere followers of Jesus Christ are called to demonstrate the identifying mark of discipleship, "By THIS all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have LOVE for one another." (John 13:35) It is better to be reconciled than to be right.

THIS SUNDAY
9:30 AM Class
Youth Room 
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215

513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ON THURSDAY - UNSTOPPED-11/03/16- Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

The eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. The lame leap like a dear and the mute tongue shouts for joy. Isaiah 35:5-6 UNSTOPPED means to be freed from obstruction. We use this term to describe removing things from a sink or other plumbing. UNCLOG is a similar term that means to remove accumulated matter. At an event I was agitated over what's happening with the 'multi-ethnic' worship.  I wondered, why is this upsetting me? Through discussions with leaders, I was challenged that I have some contribution to make to this issue. It was odd, because I knew it to be true, but couldn't get a firm faith grasp on it. I somehow wasn't able to spiritually hear this challenge. So...   I had a dream. In it, I was a teacher about to administer a test.  I was cleaning my office, about to write the test out, but made a detour to the dining room. I sat down and felt something in my ear.  It was an entire tube of toothpaste. I pulled it out and immediately all kinds of things started to come out of BOTH my ears! like toys and jelly beans, until there was a pile of things at my feet and my ears were finally clear. Then I was free to go and teach and administer the test. When I awakened from the dream, I felt a sense that my own ears had been unstopped. I immediately recalled a pastor 20 years ago prophetically saying that, "I would teach worship, not just the techniques but teaching people to worship God." "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."   (Hebrews 10:17) Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you can't see, without it we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:1;6)  Faith is also the ability to believe God and be persuaded about His Divine Truth. The Apostle Paul declares that this persuasion and confidence comes through our ability to hear, and hear the Word of God.  The message about Christ and His salvation, and the proceeding Word that comes from the Holy Spirit and prophetic voices bolsters our faith. If other things are clogging our ability to hear, we are not able to walk and live by faith. Jesus taught the disciples that the cares of life and the deceitfulness of riches can choke the Word and make it unfruitful. (Mark 4:19) Our insecurities, past failures, long-term stress, poor self-perceptions, distractions, and other things can have us to the point where God is speaking, but we can't hear Him.  That's probably why He says over and over, "He that hath an ear, let Him hear what the Spirit is saying..." It was obviously time for me to get my ears UNSTOPPED.  How about you?

THIS SUNDAY 9:30 AM Class Youth Room  11:00 AM Worship The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian 225 Wyoming Ave., 45215 513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FULFILLED - 10/26/16 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12    FULFILLED means brought to completion or reality; to achieve or realize something desired, promised, or predicted. To fulfill oneself means to gain happiness or satisfaction by fully developing ones abilities or character. Finally, it meas to carry out a task, duty or role as required, pledged or expected; to satisfy or meet a requirement or condition.  It is from an Old English word fullfyllan meaning to 'fill up, or make full.'  Often when we quote the passage above from Proverbs 13:12, we focus on the sadness, frustration and impatience of deferred hopes, dreams and desires. We seldom celebrate the fruit from the tree of life when our longings are fulfilled.That happened to me this past weekend.   Last week's word was on the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, an annual harvest celebration in the Judaic culture.  One of the things commemorated was the faithfulness of God to increase us and bless all of our work! (Deut. 16:14-16) After several years of discussions, scheduling conflicts, and other kinds of opposition, I was FINALLY able to bring our friend and brother Pastor William McDowell here for a night of worship.  Pastor McDowell, an internationally known Grammy award nominated, Dove and Stellar award-winning Christian artist with a powerful, life-changing ministry, hails from this area. He has ministered in over 40 countries, but had not ever been invited for a concert here in his home town. So I decided to collaborate with my friend Pastor Freddie Piphus to do two things: 1. Celebrate the GLORY of the Lord Jesus in worship and praise at the Feast of Tabernacles, and 2. Honor Pastor William for all he has done to advance the Kingdom of God. There were times in the journey toward this vision's fulfillment that we were not sure if it would happen, or if people would attend, etc. Because Pastor McDowell's church and ministry had recently experienced  32 doctor-confirmed miracles  through the presence of God in worship, we knew there would be spiritual opposition to his coming to this Region. Then there's the 'a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown' thing. (Mark 6:3-5)  Still, by faith we expected the presence of the Lord to shift the atmosphere in Cincinnati, bringing breakthroughs in individual lives and pronouncing healing of what divides in a city that is top ten in segregation. People of all ages and races came. We knew we would see emotional and spiritual healing, but also believed to see someone physically healed...and all that happened! Glory to God! Pastor William was honored with a glorious proclamation and eloquent words from Councilman Wendell Young as the day was deemed, "Pastor William McDowell Day," in Cincinnati. I had not done an event of this magnitude in 12 years, and it was a personal restoration of abilities that had been on the shelf too long.  Venita Thomas, a military veteran, reported that she was able to bend her knee and kneel down for the first time in 10 years! A miracle!  All that we'd desired and worked for was FULFILLED!! Be encouraged and persevere! What you desire may take longer and be harder than what you initially thought; but endure to the end. The fruit of your tree will be JOY!

THIS SUNDAY
9:30 AM Class
Youth Room 
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215

513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FEAST - Sadell Bradley- 10/19/16- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

A FEAST is a large meal, typically one in celebration of something; or an annual religious celebration. We feast at Thanksgiving and Christmas, for birthdays and anniversaries. In Judeo/Christian tradition, in this season we celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles (Hebrew:Sukkot), a 7-Day festival found in Leviticus 23. Verses 33-43 describe the activities which are to be observed each year from generation to generation to commemorate God's faithful provision and supply in the wilderness as He delivered the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. Bracketed by two Holy sabbath-like days of rest, the Children of Israel observed the Sukkot with offerings to the Lord, charity, and feasting and celebration with family, friends, foreigners, and strangers - 'to honor the LORD who blesses us with bountiful harvests and gives us success in all our work.'  The festival was to be a time of great joy for all. (Deuteronomy 16:14-15, NLT)

This culminating harvest pilgrimage after Passover (planting season), and Pentecost (grain harvest); the Sukkot celebrated the final harvest of the year - the fruit harvest, and offered praise to the LORD, who continually supplies our needs, has given us life, and has brought us to this season. In the same way that Moses was commanded to build a tabernacle for God's dwelling in Exodus 25:8, each person was to build a personal tabernacle (Sukkah) for worship. The Feast of Shelters/Booths, was also called the Feast of Ingathering, and the Season of Our Joy. The inside of the shelter was beautified to embody the sentiment in Exodus 15:2 that our God is enshrined or extolled in praise there. Imagine setting aside a whole week for JOY!!

There were Four Species of plants/fruit waved before LORD as
blessings were recited. The Etrog, a citris fruit, symbolized the heart, repentance, humility, healing and redemption. God, rid us of pride and arrogance. (Psalm 36:12) The Lulav, a date palm branch, symbolized the spine or backbone - spiritual strength and conviction.  Hadass or Myrtle leaves bunched in threes, symbolized the eyes or vision that God gives. The Aravah, willow leaves, symbolized the mouth. Willow leaves required lots of water to sustain. The order was to Extol or sing praises and rejoice in the LORD's presence (Psalm 68:4). On the last day, called Hoshanah Rabba, the willow branches were beaten against the ground until many leaves fell out.  This 'beating of the willows' symbolized ultimate victory over their enemies.  Blessings were recited praising the Eternal and Sovereign God for consecrating us with His mitzvoh (commands), giving us life, holiness, and instructing us to commemorate The Feast. 

The Feast of Tabernacles expresses our utter dependence on God, and our need for Him to tabernacle with us. It foreshadowed the Word incarnate, Jesus Christ, being made flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14), and His Holy Spirit being given not to just be with us, but to live IN us! (John 14:17) Now each individual Christ follower is a moving dwelling or tabernacle of God's presence! This fulfills the prophetic statement in Ezekiel 37:27, "My dwelling place also will be with them, and I will be their God and they will be my people."  Our eternal hope in Rev. 21:3-4 echoes this thought, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they will be His people, and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." This week, as we prepare for Friday night's Feast of Tabernacles Concert with Pastor William McDowell, (see below) let's celebrate and give thanks for God's continual presence, power, protection and provision! 

2016 Dove Award Winner in Worship Category

THIS FRIDAY!!  

Join us for an awesome time of worshiping Jesus with International Worship Leader

Pastor William McDowell
Friday, October 21st 8:00 PM 
at Zion Global Ministries 
9180 Cincinnati-Columbus Road 
Tickets $20 VIP $40

 GET YOUR TICKETS HERE 

or contact me directly

THIS SUNDAY
9:30 AM Class
Youth Room 
11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215

513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INTERCEDE -10/12/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else's place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God's place; it is having His mind and His perspective." -Oswald Chambers    INTERCEDE means to intervene on behalf of another; from the Latin intercedere or 'go between.' INTERCESSION is the action of saying a prayer on behalf of another person. I love that word action. All too often we see prayer as passive or a last resort. Action means to do something that has effect or influence, to achieve an aim. Action is an exciting or notable activity, and intercession is action that gets results!      The Apostle Paul said we are to, "Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)  At all times with the Spirit's power, with all kinds of prayer (public, private, corporate, individual, silent, written, at home, at work, etc.) and all persistence, for all God's people. What would happen if every time we opened our mouths (or typed with our fingers), instead of giving opinions, we allowed intercession to flow out for the person, situation or nation?   "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:1-5)  Here's a photo. You can act on God's Word right now. Ask the Lord to help them. Give thanks for them...yes all of them. Intercede for them. Stand in the gap for salvation, for deliverance, for healing, for guidance, for wisdom and integrity, for reconciliation to Christ and one another, for revelation to come to the knowledge of the Truth. Pray for the world and its leaders, local and national. Pray for our spiritual leaders to have a moral compass.  Stand in the Spirit between what you've seen and heard, and what you know God wants. Now do the same for the people in your life and all the circumstances you face. Intercession is an influential and effective action that pleases God. America needs less vain and useless talk and more intercession...and so do we.   2016 Dove Award Winner in Worship Category 10 DAYS AWAY!!   VIP TICKETS SELLING FAST  Join us for an awesome time of worshiping Jesus with International Worship Leader Pastor William McDowell Friday, October 21st 8:00 PM at Zion Global Ministries 9180 Cincinnati-Columbus Road Tickets $20 VIP $40 GET YOUR TICKETS HERE  or contact me directly

THIS SUNDAY 

 Wyoming Presbyterian
11:00 AM Worship

The Great Room

225 Wyoming Ave, 45215

513-212-1131

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TACTILE - 10/04/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"I desire with my creative work for 

people to become more tactile."
- Aprina Johnson - Aprina's Revolutionary Love- Musical Communal Activist & MORTAR Entrepreneur

 
I listened as Aprina told her story and explained the educational arts workshops that she offers. She's teaching children and adults to be more sensitive in communicating and living together. She believes art, dance and music are vehicles to reconciliation and understanding. As tensions across the country grow, this kind of unconventional approach could do much to transform our communities.  Aprina said she wanted people to become more tactile, which gave me pause.  TACTILE means of or connected with the sense of touch. Figuratively, it means given to touching others, especially as an unselfconscious expression of sympathy or affection. The root word TACT means adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues. Oh, that we would all be more tactile in this season!

Most of us are aware of the healing power of touch to convey comfort, calm anxiety and impart love. Jesus proclaimed that healing virtue went from him when the woman with the issue of blood reached forth her hand to touch him. (Luke 8:46) When the leprous man, who was labeled unclean and forbidden to be touched, said, "If you're willing, you can make me clean," Jesus didn't just give him the words "I will, be thou clean." He also erased any sense of rejection or isolation associated with his condition by stretching out his hand to touch him. (Mark 1:41-42) Jesus declared that signs and wonders would follow His disciples, that they would lay hands on the sick and they will recover. (Mark 16:17-18) Touch is important to God.  Even in marriage, Christian counselors Gary Smalley and John Trent wrote in, "Love is a Decision," that wives require 8-10 meaningful non-sexual touches a day to stay emotionally healthy. 

Beyond physical touch is the connection we find when we mentally, emotionally and spiritually touch the life of someone else. The tactile person is sensitive. They display a delicate appreciation of the
other person's feelings, and are able to respond properly and wisely to slight changes, signals or influences. It is a wonderful experience when another person makes every attempt to 'get us,' to empathize with what we're going through and be willing to respond. We have no greater example than Jesus, our High Priest, who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." (Hebrews 4:15) Christ gets us. He understands our weaknesses and His love meets us at the point of our need.  Let's explore how we can be more tactile with others.

16 DAYS AWAY!!  

VIP TICKETS SELLING FAST 

Join us for an awesome time of worshiping Jesus with International Worship Leader 

Pastor William McDowell 

Friday, October 21st 8:00 PM

at Zion Global Ministries 9180 Cincinnati-Columbus Road

Tickets $20 VIP $40 
 GET YOUR TICKETS HERE 
or contact me directly 

 THIS SUNDAY October 9th

JOINT WORSHIP

10:00 AM
  

Wyoming Presbyterian

WINTON WOODS PARK

Harper Meadows Entrance 

/Oak Opening Shelter  

513-212-1131