WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FULFILLED - Sadell Bradley - 11/24/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD FULFILLED 11/24/2021 "I can't stress this enough: The single thing that will guarantee a happy, fulfilled, and calmer life is the quality of your human relationships, especially the people you love and who love you back." ― Joanna Coles - American Editor

 WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY CONTENTMENT TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

Tomorrow, the US celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday. Though history classes told us the first Thanksgiving was a joyful feast between the American Colonists and the Native Americans they were dispossessing; most of us know that was not the case. Now, we observe a time of gratitude to God, enjoy time with our families, and gratefully count our blessings. I'm wondering...Are you fulfilled in life? FULFILLED means you are satisfied and happy because you're fully developing your abilities or character. When a task is fulfilled, it has been brought to completion. Something that was desired, promised, or predicted has been carried out and realized as pledged, or expected. We become unfulfilled: when we stop growing or maturing; when something we've started or desired has stalled and we've not finished; when we're not where we desire to be relationally; or when we're impatiently waiting for God's promise. The virgin Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel. He tells her she will birth the long-awaited Messiah. She humbly replies, “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled..." (Luke 1:38) God was making good on His Word to Israel— bringing prophecy into reality. Mary was willing to believe, and to put her body, her reputation, her marriage, and her life on the line to be the one through whom that promise would be fulfilled. Are you willing to do the same? When Mary goes to tell the news to her elderly cousin Elizabeth, also with child by a miraculous visitation, her cousin gives this affirmation and confirmation, "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45) Elizabeth's baby leapt in her womb and she was filled with Holy Spirit. God made these ladies a promise. They had to believe, live, and walk it out to experience its fulfillment. During this season, I encourage you to go back and look at what God has said. Whatever God has spoken will be fulfilled.

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WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ADMINISTRATION - Sadell Bradley - 11/17/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ADMINISTRATION 11/17/2021 "The sublimity of administration consists of knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions." ― Montesquieu - French Philosopher

 WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY MANAGEMENT TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

I had never heard the words ADMINISTRATION and sublimity in the same sentence until I read the quote above. Sublimity means there is excellence, grandeur, and a beauty that can inspire great admiration or awe. When we encounter someone who really knows how to properly execute ADMINISTRATION—the process or activity of running a business, organization, church; the management of public affairs; government; the action of dispensing, giving, or applying something...it is truly sublime. We mainly hear the word administration when discussing politics. Perhaps that's why we neglect its Biblical and spiritual value. In Acts 6, Luke used ministration to describe the many vital and necessary functions needed for the burgeoning New Testament Church: e.g. dealing with finances, and distribution to the poor widows so the Apostles could focus on prayer and the study of the Word. The word minister (Greek diakonos - deacon) is someone who provides assistance, help, or care. Leading, serving, and governing a church is A LOT more than just preaching and singing. Pastors are chosen as much for their gifts of administration and supervision as they are for speaking or congeniality. Administration is not only sublime, according to Paul, it's a gift of grace given by the Holy Spirit to some for the profit of the entire Body. "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." (1 Cor. 12:28) Montesquieu intimated that the one who administrates has to know how to gracefully wield and distribute their power: information, connections, governance, influence, resources (human, financial, in-kind), and abilities. They organize people, tasks and programs. If you are graced with a gift of administration, and you use it well...it is a glorious blessing to your family, church or organization. The gift of administration is often unrecognized because the ones who wield it with excellence and dexterity make things happen in orderly and undetectable ways. As a leader, you're just glad they're on your team. Thank you so much—you know who you are!

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - ADAPT -Sadell Bradley - 11/10/2021

WEDNESDAY'S WORD ADAPT 11/10/2021 "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." ― Stephen Hawking - Physicist  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY RESILIENCE TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org "There are two options: Adapt or Die," the famous words of Andrew Grove, former CEO of Intel Corporation. If businesses don't adapt, they fade away...ask Blockbuster. "ADAPT means to make something suitable for a new use or purpose; to modify; to adjust to new conditions. Evolutionist Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." The ability to adapt was key to Darwin's 'survival of the fittest.' Though most Christians would not deem themselves evolutionists—the need to adapt in our society is real. How easily do you adapt? We've seen tremendous change over the last 50 years. After moving from rotary to push button phones, we've adapted thru pagers, palms, and blackberries...to smart phones. We started with typewriters then moved to word processors. We then adapted to personal computers, the Commodore 64 and Macintosh. Now our phones are computers in our hands. Do you use gold, paper money, credit cards, or crypto currency? Are you in school, at work, or retired? I could go on about our need to adapt through life by changing, learning, and growing. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11) Did you know that this often quoted verse is an invitation for God's people to adapt to a long-term change in their environment and circumstances? The prophet announced that the Lord was going to allow Israel to be subject to 70 years of exile and captivity to the Babylonian Empire. After this 70-year period God promised to restore them to Jerusalem. In the meantime, they would have to adapt to their new surroundings and conditions as prisoners of war. During their time of captivity, they were to adapt: build houses, plant vineyards, marry, have children, and multiply. They were to pray that the city in which they were being held captive would have peace. (Vs. 5-6) Adapting meant finding ways to live and flourish in new and less than optimal conditions. Like the little plant that is somehow able to sprout in the desert; there are times we must adapt...tor die.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TRESPASS - Sadell Bradley - 11/3/2021

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD TRESPASS 11/3/2021 "He who cannot forgive a trespass of malice to his enemy, has never yet tasted the most sublime enjoyment of love." ― Johann Kaspar Lavater - Swiss Philosopher, Theologian In some Christian circles there is huge debate over the Lord's prayer. Some quote Matthew 6:12 as, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," while others say, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." The Amplified is powerful, "And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]" (feelings of bitterness or indignation). The Greek opheilema—DEBT is that which is owed, an offense, or a sin. But verses 14-15, say, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses." This word paraptoma or TRESPASS means a false step, a falling away, a lapse, a sin. It is to fall away after being close-beside; a lapse or deviation from the truth, an error, a slip up, a wrong-doing that can be (relatively) unconscious, or non-deliberate. It is clear that Jesus meant we are to forgive BOTH one another's debts (intentional offenses, what is owed us) and trespasses (people's errors or lapses in judgment). We want God to forgive ours, don't we? To TRESPASS means to enter the owner's land or property without permission, to make unfair claims on or to take advantage of, to commit an offense against a person or a set of rules. If we infringe upon another's property, the police can be called or we might be shot by the owner. But we trespass relationally all of the time—intentionally or not in areas where we do not belong, or with people and situations that aren't ours. Israel gave a trespass or guilt offering when they had inadvertently committed a sin against someone or a violation of God's holy things. The offending person had to pay 20% in reparations over the damages they'd inflicted. Violations against God's holiness and against one's fellow man were very serious and required restitution. The priest would slaughter a male lamb, then put blood and oil on the violator's right ear, thumb, and big toe. Someone had to pay for debts, sins, and offenses. Then, it was an animal. For us it is JESUS, the spotless Lamb of God, who paid it all once and for all! He's also forgiven our missteps, and lapses in judgment. We are to do the same.  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY BOUNDARIES TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - DARING - Sadell Bradley - 10/27/21

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD DARING 10/27/2021 “ "Whatever there may be of progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring." —Henry Miller For his birthday in August, my husband Sherman jumped out of an airplane. Yes, he checked it off of his bucket list. Loot at the experience his courage bought! He has a daring personality. DARING means adventurous or audaciously bold; boldly unconventional; adventurous courage, to take the risk, to be brave. Author Alvin Toffler said, "It is better to err on the side of daring than the side of caution." I wonder how many would agree. One of my strengths is intellection according to Gallup's Strengthsfinder 2.0. The weakness of that strength is a tendency to overthink. One of Sherman's strengths is activator—he moves. We both have strengths—together we have balance. Do you remember the game Truth or Dare? You were given the choice to answer a private question, or accept a dare to do something adventurous in front of your friends. We didn't know back then that relational vulnerability is just as daring as audacious actions.We know it all too well now. Do you take relational risks? Daring is another word for boldness: the willingness to take risks and act with innovation; confidence or courage. Psalm 28:1 declares, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion." Daring is an attribute of Christ followers who, even in trial and injury, boldly declare His Word and promises. They daringly love in the midst of rejection, abandonment, persecution, and relational difficulty. The psalmist cries out, "Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I’ll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!— relishing every fragment of your counsel." (Psalm 119:41-48, MSG) Where in your life could you be more daring?  WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY COURAGE:  RELATIONAL RISK TONIGHT 7:00 pm EST @warehouseOTR on Facebook or YouTube thewarehousechurch.org