WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PERMANENT - Sadell Bradley -11/02/17 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"Sometimes I bust out and do things so permanent. Like tattoos and marriage."    -Drew Barrymore - Actress  On Monday, Sherman and I had the privilege of being guests on Allen and Kyla Woods' Permanent Plus One podcast. When you RSVP to an invitation, the card asks if you'll be attending singly or with a 'plus one.' The show's premise is that marriage is to be celebrated! and your spouse is your "Permanent" plus one. The Woods', who've been married for 6 years, invite couples who've been married longer to share, "Why marriage is so dope."  (that means great ; ) Our Episode, # 9 posts sometime later today. Nowadays, a positive concept of marriage and it's permanency is sadly, rare. Hebrews 13:4 instructs, "Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be un-defiled (kept un-dishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous." Sometimes it's uncomfortable for married couples to celebrate their unions because we want to be sensitive to those who are single; but there's good reason for the festivities! Marriage definitely has seasons of difficulty, but it also yields deep joy and satisfaction. We're sharing the intimacy and security of being with one love permanently. Who can forget the movie,"The Notebook," where protagonist Noah repeatedly retells the beautiful story of their lifetime of love to his sweetheart Allie, who suffers dementia and lives in a nursing home. They eventually die together in each other's arms. One of the strongest and most comforting promises God gives ALL of us is, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) This verse is after the one on marriage. The King James Version says, "Keep your conversation (meaning conduct) free of covetousness (wanting something that belongs to someone else), and be content with what you have." In a world with so many options, the married person is forever devoted to the ONE they've chosen. The mystery of marriage is a sharpening tool God uses to work selfishness, greed, envy and covetousness out of us. It reveals, then builds into us the kind of unconditional, sacrificial love Christ had for His Church, and the reverence his Bride is to have for Him. (Ephesians 5:21-33) That passage will stretch even the most 'spiritual' of us.    PERMANENT means lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely; or lasting or continuing without interruption. The Latin derivation means 'remaining through to the end.'  Marital storms test the durability of our intent to remain committed to our promise. There are not many things we can claim are or should be permanent, but marriage is one of them. That's why these marriage vows are so incredibly powerful when believed and lived out: "I_______ take thee________to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and forsaking all others, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." (I pledge to you, my faithfulness).

SUNDAY Worship

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SHELTER - 10/25/17 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"When the storms of life come, if they come to me personally, to my family or to the world, I want to be strong enough to stand and be strength to somebody else, be shelter for somebody else." -  Anne Graham Lotz  In April, 2014, a tornado hit the city of Vilonia, Arkansas, destroying everything in its path. One Vilonia family escaped without injury even though their house was blown apart. Nick Havens, his wife and three children survived because his in-laws had a small metal safe room installed in the garage. The Havens could hear the sound of splintering wood and crumbling bricks as the tornado hit. They thought the "Family SAFE" shelter was going to take off at any minute, but it held. Though they lost everything around them, they are alive to tell the story.  A SHELTER - is a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger; a shielded or safe condition; protection. Vernon John Charlesworth a Baptist minister, was the Headmaster of the Spurgeon Stockwell orphanage. It was a unique concept: a large set of homes designed to provide children a family-like setting with free housing, food, education and care. A widow of another minister donated the land and a sum of money to shelter the children. Charlesworth, a hymn writer, penned these lyrics that also became popular among fishermen who had to face frequent storms in the Northeast: "The LORD'S our Rock, in Him we hide. A Shelter in the time of storm. Secure whatever ill betide, a Shelter in the time of storm.  A shade by day, defense by night, a Shelter in the time of storm. No fears alarm, no foes afright, a Shelter in the time of storm.  The raging storms my round us beat, a Shelter in the time of storm. We'll never leave our safe retreat, a Shelter in the time of storm. Oh, Rock Divine, oh Refuge dear, a Shelter in the time of storm. Be thou our Helper, ever near, a Shelter in the time of storm. Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land...a Shelter in the time of storm."  I love the capitalization of the word Shelter, signifying the name, reputation or character of God!   Psalm 91 reiterates this assuring Truth. I can't say it any better, so I'll just leave it here for your consideration, meditation and comfort: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night,nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you say, "The Lord is my refuge," and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." Be encouraged! Like the Haven's family, we can hide in the cleft of the Rock when the storms of life are raging and find shelter under God's protective care!

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - INTROSPECTION - 10/18/17 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"To thrive, all businesses must focus on the art of self-disruption. Rather than wait for the competition to steal your business, every founder and employee needs to be willing to cannibalize their existing revenue streams in order to create new ones. All disruption starts with introspection." -

Jay Samit - Vice President Deloitte Digital   

INTROSPECTION is the examination or observation of one's own mental or emotional processes. The Latin introspectare means 'to keep looking into."  Introspection surveys our thoughts and feelings for their hidden roots. Colloquial synonyms like naval-gazing and soul-searching describe a practice that too many of us avoid, but would be valuable for us all to embrace whether in our personal or professional lives. Contemplative meditation, particularly to test our assumptions, can help us destroy erroneous falsehoods we've believed, or practices that have not been beneficial. Self-examination can be a powerful tool toward change. Sometimes an unsettling monkey wrench NEEDS to be thrown into the way we're used to relating with others, perceiving life's situations, and going about our business...that is, IF we want to thrive and prosper.  Years ago, some bad experiences made my light bulb come on regarding the joke in this meme.

 

Paul made several statements about the need for self-examination. When Christians are taking the sacrament of communion, "Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:28) We're to make sure that we're not taking the Body and Blood of Christ frivolously, with contempt, or in an unworthy manner. We're to ensure that there aren't divisions among us; that we're discerning both the relational and spiritual Body of Christ. To give the Lord's Supper due reverence and appreciation of it's power and meaning requires introspection. Failure to do so, invites God's judgment.

The same introspection is required as we live out the holy lifestyle that accompanies our salvation. Paul's apostolic call included meting out correction and restoration when persons under his care were overtaken in faults. (Galatians 6:1) There were some in Corinth whom he had warned a few times to stop sinning. Their habitual and deliberate actions brought him to question the genuineness of their conversion and the seriousness with which they regarded his spiritual authority. He warned, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." (2 Cor. 13:5) 

The first course of action in these instances was NOT for others, even the leader, to jump in and make judgments - but to allow individuals the opportunity for introspection. The power of the Holy Spirit to convict people of sin and convince them of righteous behavior and judgment is still operative (John 16:8). We can be so quick to try to do His job for Him.  He is also the one, through self-examination that helps us keep our own consciences clear. Inter-personal conflicts, difficult situations, and emotional decisions open the doors for introspection. They're wide open doors for transformation, if we're not too afraid to open up and see what's really inside! 

SUNDAY Worship

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PERILOUS - 10/04/17 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"To act coolly, intelligently and prudently in perilous circumstances is the test of a man - and also a nation." - Adlai E. Stevenson The words above were spoken by a former politician and US Ambassador to the United Nations, who took a shrewd stand in the midst of the Cold War between America and Russia. Senator Joseph McCarthy, some believe in order to salvage his political career, leveraged the tensions between the nations. He went on a now infamous rampage accusing various individuals, celebrities and politicians (including Stevenson), of having Communist ties and being, "Enemies from within." In 'McCarthyism'  many were blacklisted and lost jobs who were eventually found not to be Communist. At the time, Adlai Stevenson held that the nation was being duped and overreacted to McCarthy's charges, and citizens were losing their freedoms, liberty and human rights. For this stance he lost several elections. This was a PERILOUS time in US history, and it seems we may be entering another. PERILOUS means full of danger or risk; exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin.    Paul described for his protege Timothy, the climate and attitudes that would prevail in "the last days." I can imagine throughout Church history, many teachers have warned their students that they were in perilous times. I wonder if they could envision what we are now experiencing: 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.  2 Timothy 3:1-9  Sounds eerily familiar, doesn't it? This is actually about apostasy in the Church! people from whom we're to distance ourselves. Paul shared the sufferings and persecutions he endured in the midst of the peril, "but the LORD rescued me from the all." He cautioned, "everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (vs. 11-13)   What are God's people to do when darkness and peril surrounds? Romans 12:2 instructs us not to conform to the pattern of the world. So showing their same characteristics is not the answer. The prophet Isaiah said that in evil times, God's chosen are to be the remedy. "Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the LORD rises and appears over you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance." (Isa. 60:1-3, NLT) Jesus called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and urged us not to lose our preservative qualities, or hide our light under a basket. (Matt 5:13-16) He also warned us to be careful that the light in us not really be darkness. (Luke 11:35) So, let it SHINE!

SUNDAY Worship

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD-DISAPPOINTED - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"There's as much crookedness as you want to find. There was something Abraham Lincoln said - he'd rather trust and be disappointed, than distrust and be miserable all the time. Maybe I trusted too much."  - Coach John Wooten I am at a loss for words. My heart is breaking at what's occurring in America, not to mention the suffering and alarming political things happening around the world while we've been distracted. I know those who are slaves to sin can be self-serving, greedy, wicked and cruel. African-Americans who've lived for any time have experienced racial slurs, economic oppression, suspicion, injustice, and missed opportunities. We've known that individual and systemic racism is prevalent in the US, while others thought it was just in the underbelly of a few fringe groups. It's sad, but somewhat vindicating for the covers to come off for all to see what we've been saying all along... though some are still in denial. As a woman, I could say the same thing for sexism. Does the delay/denial of helping Puerto Rico, a US territory, have to do with it's brown citizens? When authorities call one of us Nigger or Sons of Bitches, (a dehumanizing term that says not only the person, but their mother is a DOG); we ALL feel it. Silent assent from the masses, speaks like loud approval. I'm not disappointed by politicians, white supremacists or sexists who've shown their stripes from the beginning. I'm disappointed by the "Christian" leaders and congregants - with whom Scripture says I'm connected as One Body of Christ  (1 Cor. 12) who are saying and doing incredibly hurtful things: "They should thank God that they don't have to worry about being shot in the head like they would in North Korea," or as one Cincinnati evangelist posted, "deport them all." If you recall, we were IMPORTED like cargo in slavery. The worst thing is that thousands of Christians openly support this craziness, or are eerily silent despite knowing that the language, the hatred and the bigotry are all sins. DISAPPOINTED means to be sad or displeased when someone has failed to fulfill your hopes or expectations. Many 'Christian' mouths (and fingers) are speaking what fills their hearts. (Luke 6:45) I'm starting to feel like Coach Wooten - "Maybe I trusted too much."  We are scheduled to do a Night of Worship at a predominantly Caucasian church. To be transparent, I'm having to do some deep prayer, soul searching and Kingdom focusing not only for this event, but for the cause of coming together that I've championed for so long. The accuser of the brethren is having a field day in this climate. If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I believe in the principles of Scripture on LOVE and UNITY in 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4, Ephesians 2, Galatians 3:28. John 17:20-23; and Rev. 5:9; 7:9, and on love of enemies Matt 5:43-45 and respecting and praying for authorities Romans 13, 1 Tim 2:1-3. Jesus has given us a new commandment  - to love one another as He has loved us. The world will know that we are Christians by that love. (John 13:34-35) Quite frankly, I'm not feeling the love; I'm feeling its opposites: hated and fear. That's why these things are called domestic terrorism and hate crimes. I know most 'Christian' leaders don't think that's what their words have done, but it is. I'm disappointed because I'd hoped and expected for better than this. It's unfortunate that we've lost sight of Jesus' call to make peace, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." I hope the Holy Spirit will convict and there will be more peacemakers surfacing...SOON!

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FOREKNOWLEDGE - 09/20/17 -Sadell Bradley

"Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge." Sun Tzu - The Art of War   Yesterday, after a long day of birthday celebrations, I laid down to watch one of my favorite TV shows. You know what happened next, Lol!! About an hour later, I awoke much to my chagrin to see only the last 10 minutes of the show!  Of course that is when the outcomes of the episode are all revealed. Fortunately, the show re-aired in the next hour and I was able to watch it in its entirety. What a difference FOREKNOWLEDGE- awareness of something before it happens or exists, makes! Foreknowledge took away ALL the suspense! I had NO ANXIETY about what was about to happen to the central characters...I already knew how the conflicts and cliffhangers would be resolved. So I now viewed the intermediary events with the end in mind. For my Theologian friends, I'm NOT going into a discussion on Arminian vs. Calvinistic beliefs on election, foreknowledge and predestination in terms of salvation today. It just struck me how even in something small and fictitious, knowing what was going to happen altered my mental perception and emotions, and brought me into a sense of calm. Though the transitional events in the MIDDLE of the drama were not all positive; I knew the END results! I also knew whether the motives of the characters were pure or if they were believing lies, succumbing to fears, or setting themselves up to fail! Think about the role of prophecy in our lives, whether the LORD is speaking to our spirits, or through one of His prophetic messengers. In Jeremiah 1 God gave the prophet future insight into his life, purpose and calling to the nations "to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." (vs . 10) The road Jeremiah was to travel would not be easy. He could not be afraid of the response of people to God's messages. He was given 'intel' on the outcomes, "They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the LORD." (vs. 19) When tasked with something difficult, it is comforting to know you're in God's will. The LORD did it for Mary in Luke 1 and for Paul in Acts 9.  All of their callings held many challenges and dangers. Knowing in advance what they would suffer and WHY brought strength and resolve. Even Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowlege of God..." (Acts 2:23a) By the grace and mercy of the LORD, we often have insight into future events. He told Isaiah He declares the end from the beginning, His counsel would stand, and He will accomplish what He pleases (Isa. 46:10) I think God does that to help us endure and have the proper outlook during the scary and sometimes tragic decisions and circumstances in the midpoints of our journey. Trusting His revealed will also helps us maintain patience while waiting for His promises to be fulfilled. What would you do? How would you feel? if you knew God was already going to rescue you in the last "10 minutes" of your cliffhanger?

SUNDAY Worship

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

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - MOSAIC - Sadell Bradley- 09/13/17 New Life Covenant Cincinnati

"We become not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams."   -President Jimmy Carter       Yesterday, I had the privilege of leading worship for Mosaix Cincinnati's regional 1 New Humanity Conference. A MOSAIC is a picture produced by arranging together small colored pieces of material into a colorful and variegated pattern. A few hundred regional leaders and speakers from across the nation gathered to learn about and affirm God's heart for ALL people, and coming together for His purposes. Specifically on our radar is the issue of 'Segregated Sunday,' The Mosaix Global Network was formed to create multi-ethnic churches and transition homogeneous churches to become diverse. Currently, 86.3% of US churches are mono-ethnic - they have less than 20% of another ethnicity. In the US, people worship with people who look, sound, act and have similar demographics, even when neighborhoods are diverse. Mosaix believes we are better together. It can be a hard sell. In John's heavenly vision (Rev. 5:9), he cites that before the throne worshiping Jesus, the Lamb of God, the 24 elders sang: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God, persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.  You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth." Scholars believe that the scroll contained the purposes of God to be revealed, or the title deed to redeemed man's inheritance. In the New Testament Church's beginnings, the big announcement outside of the fact that Jesus was LORD and Christ, was that God intended not just the Jews but the Gentiles to become heirs of His salvation. He wanted to put away the dividing wall of hostility and create 1 New Humanity (Eph 2:15). We should be GLAD because if not, almost all of us would be on the outs. New Jewish Christians, including Peter struggled with engrafting in these Gentile 'others.'  Everyone wants to be the 'in crowd.' We love being on top: the most popular, richest, most beautiful and in spiritual terms, the most favored. The sons of Zebedee had their mother ask if they could sit on Jesus' right and left hand in His throne of glory. (Matthew 20) The disciples wanted to know who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. They were stunned with the answer that it would a child-like person, one willing to be the least. (Luke 9) The US has taken meritocracy, greed and a desire for sameness to new levels. The way we evaluate the 'success' of Christian leaders is based on Western and capitalist standards. Instead of the strong bearing the infirmities of the weak and not pleasing themselves (Rom. 15:1); the strong just make themselves stronger and ignore the weak. Sometimes they just give them handouts, but don't welcome them in the fold.  Because of rejection, racism, language, and economics, we have: 'The Black Church,' 'The Latino Church,' 'The Chinese Church,' and predominantly Caucasian churches. Parts of the Body of Christ are saying to other parts, "I have no need of you." This totally contradicts Scripture in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, which emphatically states that WE ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST. We need more practice preparing for God's throne...there's gonna be a heavenly MOSAIC there.

SUNDAY Worship

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