I Corinthians 10:31

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

The secular world is all about first impressions. After the initial impact, people’s impressions are set. What matters is the first-time event.

Paul clearly states that everything we do should be for the glory of God – even the small details. Life is far more than one event.

The great composer Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment.” He always ended his compositions with the letters “S.D.G.” These letters stand for “Soli Dei Gratia,” which mean “to God alone be the praise.”

What does it mean for you to honor God in the small details of your life? Bringing glory to God is done in relationship to others. Here are three areas to reflect upon:

1. Do you intentionally speak to others for the purpose of edifying, encouraging and giving a blessing?
2. Is the joy of the Lord that is in your heart visible on the outside?
3. Giving glory to God means returning to God what he has given to you. If you do not spend time in God’s presence, you will not have much to return to him. This means reading His word, worshiping Him, and joyfully celebrating His righteous, holy rule.

What small things have you given to the Lord today through blessing and encouraging others?

– Written by Edward Bradley, August 7^th, 2007

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

It was only a small bug, but its presence on her [my daughter’s] shoulder caused a nuclear reaction. The decibel level, the jumping up and down with escalating speed – all this was a reaction calling for immediate removal of the small bug as far away as possible. All other issues, cares, conversations were set aside. Only one thing mattered – bug removal.

Our journey of faith is portrayed here as a race. In running such a long race, it is easy to become casual, comfortable, and contented. We can become spiritual tourists focusing on the experiences of the moment, the roadside attractions – and forget we are in a race with a glorious finish line ahead.

Here are three thoughts about this phrase that will help us focus in this race:

1. We all carry encumbrances with us on the journey. These hindrances are to be identified and put out of the way. An Olympic runner removes everything but the bare essentials to run the race.
2. These obstacles you carry with you may be good things. The choice then is between what is better and what is best. What will help me most in the race and what slows me down? No marathon runner carries a backpack with 20 of his favorite CDs, a large sandwich, ½-gallon of a power drink, and the morning paper for his break time. He is not in a race. He is sightseeing!
3. If you are too busy for Bible study, prayer, or serving to bless others, then your business is an encumbrance.

The goal is to run free by the grace of God to bless others, to proclaim His goodness and to enjoy Him forever.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, July 8^th 2008

Mark 14:61-62

“⁶¹But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer, and the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” ⁶²“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus is on the road to the cross. He stands alone before the mob. Mocking questions are hurled at Jesus, but he remains silent. Then the high priest sets forth the definitive question, “Are you the Christ?”

Notice that Jesus’ response is both the truth present and the truth yet to come. The focus of Jesus is to the cross and beyond.

How often do we face trials, even to a far lesser magnitude, and yet our focus is always on our problems and trials. We rarely see past our present struggles. Yet, we are exhorted to live by faith and not by sight.

What is faith? “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

To be a people of hope, we must believe that God is sufficient for all our needs in the present and confident that God is faithful in all his promises for the future.

In Christ our life does not end at the cross, but it continues into the very presence of “the Son of the Blessed One.”

Man of Sorrows! What a name,
For the Son of God, Who came,
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

 – Phil­ip P. Bliss – 1875

 – Written by Edward Bradley, June 23^rd 2006

Romans 8:28

^“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Thursday night I was in São Paulo, Brazil and was taken to a Febem unit (a prison) for teenage girls. The first section was newly finished with a brightly painted nursery. There were five nursing mothers who were between 13 and 18 in age. From there, we went to the larger unit where 43 girls gathered for a short time of singing, prayer and a message. I was the messenger. I told them a story of a beautiful flower:

Everyone loves a beautiful flower, but what many people do not realize is how that flower became so beautiful. The secret is in the growing of the flower. A good gardener knows that she must add something special to help the flower grow, mature, and blossom. What is that secret ingredient?

It is fertilizer if you live in a rich garden, but for most of us who live in a poor garden it is manure. Manure smells awful. No one would take a shower and spread manure all over their body to look beautiful. But somehow the presence of manure around a growing flower gives the flower strength. It increases the size and beauty of the flower.

Your time in prison is a time when you live in the manure of life. It stinks! But God can use this experience to help you grow in your life. It can be a time when you come closer to God and learn of His love and care for you. And someday you will look back on this time and see how God used the manure of the Febem to make you into His beautiful flower.

After the message, 1/3 of the girls went to their knees asking for God’s work in their lives.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, June 22^nd 2004

Psalm 8:2

“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

This is a verse that Jesus quotes when challenged by the religious leaders (Matt. 21:12-17). These leaders go into a rage over the praise of the children during Jesus’ triumphal entry intoJerusalemon the way to the cross. Jesus has overturned the tables of the moneylenders in the temple and healed the blind and the lame. The children cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David.” What does this mean? Salvation has come! Because of this, the religious leaders went ballistic. Psalm 8:2 is fulfilled with the silence of the religious leaders, those who should have known better.

This is a reminder that God has chosen the path of weakness and vulnerability to accomplish His will. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (I Cor. 1:27) Why such a methodology? So that in all things, in all ways, to all ends God would receive the praise and glory.

How often do we respond in the opposite fashion? We want to be clear, calculating, and in control of what we do. We are taught to go from strength to strength. Only the foolish go forward in weakness.

One secret about the ways of Almighty God is that His power is made manifest through our weakness.

Are you willing to serve the Lord in the fullness of your weaknesses? What does your heart yearn for – praise, or silence?

– Written by Edward Bradley, May 22^nd 2007

Hebrews 12:1

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Here is some great wisdom in how to follow Jesus in the midst of the muck and clamor of our world today. First, we are reminded of the cheering crowd of faithful witnesses urging us on. In the last few months, I have discovered on my bookshelf an old book – the Encyclopedia of Missions, printed in 1902. There are hundreds of brief biographies of great men and women of the faith. For many, it is only a few lines. But, I marvel at their faithfulness and perseverance. I am cheered by their memory.

Second, the author of Hebrews exhorts us to “throw off” hindrances and entangling sin. The meaning here is one of separation. We are to be detached from that which constrains our faithfulness. We are to put in place a buffer zone which is devoid of strings of attachment. We are to run the race in righteousness and holiness. Our following after Jesus is to bring Him honor and glory.

How do we create this buffer zone?

We first must examine ourselves to see what limits our faithfulness. We must recognize that it is very easy to become entangled. One sign of entanglement is simply being too busy. If God had something specific for us to do, would we have time for it?

God has given us understanding, experiences, and skills to be used to bring His blessing to others. If you look back at this past week, how has God used you? Or are you just too entangled?

Are there activities, time-wasters, or idle moments which contribute to your being twisted, snarled, and entrapped in that which in light of eternity is fruitless? There are times when all of us need to break free to follow Jesus.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, May 11^th 2004

Isaiah 41:9-10

^“9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.  I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

It often starts with little things – like the mustard bottle exploding all over your burger, shirt, and pants. No one likes a yellow badge of courage. Then the incidents begin to escalate. A car cuts you off as you exit the parking lot, a 747 pigeon splashes an abstract painting on your windshield, and as you walk up the stairs you have a foot failure which initiates a tumbling action with concurrent side effects – 97 pages covering 12 stairs, the involuntary emptying of your soft drink over 9 stairs, and your right knee smashing the remains of your burger. What can be next? It does not end on this day. It progresses from humorous, to discouragement, to frustration, to dismay. I know we all have these days.

The cumulative affect can decimate us. The Bible often uses the phrase, “Fear not, be not dismayed.” The literal meaning of the word dismay is “not to be able.” Circumstances can roll over us like a fog. The affect is that we are unable to see clearly. We begin to doubt what at other times we have seen so clearly.

Discouragement comes when we are unable to see clearly. It is at these times when we desperately need the encouragement of other believers. We need to be reminded of God’s truth. We need help in seeing straight.
Isaiah reminds us that God is with us. He is our strength and help. As He has called us to serve Him, He will make us sufficient for the task.

 – Written by Edward Bradley, May 4^th 2004

Hebrews 12:2

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In running a race, concentration is very important as you seize the moment to gain the victory. All the hard work of preparation and the special equipment and tools used are secondary to the intense concentration to bring it all together to achieve the victory.

What are the options for the focus of our concentration?

Option A:     The finish line. You can focus straight ahead. Good advice, but it can still get very discouraging.

Option B:     The reward. This focus can help our motivation, but we can be all over the road in our perseverance.

Option C:     The fear of failure. For many this is a major motivation, but it saps one of all joy in running the race.

Option D:     None of the above!

The Bible exhorts you and me as we run the race “to fix our eyes on Jesus.” The meaning of the original word here for “fix” implies a two-fold action. We are to turn our eyes away from something in order to fix our eyes on something else.

What does that mean? Let me suggest three things: First, we need to recognize that we can be easily distracted. Again and again, we must pull our attention away from the distractions. We must focus only on Jesus. Secondly, as we focus on Jesus, we will see more clearly the course set before us. Finally, as we focus on Jesus, we will find the strength to persevere through trials, disappointments, and hardship.

As the old chorus says: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

 – Written by Edward Bradley, April 12^th 2005

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins …”

Confession is a reality check in our life. It provides the bridge between our inability to save ourselves with God’s amazing, gracious willingness to do so. Confession should remind us of the enormous price that was paid for us on the cross and the gratitude that should flow as a result.

The term “confess” comes from two Greek words – “homos” which means “the same,” and “lego” which means “to speak.” Quite literally, confess means “to speak the same thing.” It implies the concept of agreeing or admitting to the same thing. To confess our sins means that we agree with God about what he thinks of sin and that the penalty of sin is just.

Confession is not a simple thing. We do not pray, “Lord, if I’ve done anything that is wrong, I’m sorry.” No, rather we pray, “Lord, I have sinned. My sin cost Jesus his life. I accept your judgment. Please forgive me. Through your mercy, love and grace, restore me to fellowship with you.”

Have you had your reality check today?

   – Benjamin Bradley

Job 14:1

“We’re all adrift in the same boat: too few days, too many troubles.”

Suffering can force a person to come face-to-face with reality.  Simple platitudes become offensive. The only honest thing is to stare down at the reality that stares back at us.  It is at this point in suffering that a profound encounter with God can occur.  Here, Job living without any knowledge of the peace and restoration that Jesus Christ would bring, glimpses only life’s darkest possibility.

In all of Job’s suffering, he still continues to cry out to God.  The full fourteenth chapter of Job moves from hopelessness (vs. 1-12), to a cry of faith (vs. 13-17), and then back into hopelessness.  In Job’s darkest hour, he foresees a glimpse of the Gospel: the hope of looking forward to the new heaven and the new earth, and the time when God will wipe every tear from our eyes (Rev. 21:1,4)

Suffering colors every part of our lives.  And as Job states, “We’re all adrift in the same boat,”  so “cry out in faith for all those you know who suffer, knowing that in all things God is at work for our good” (Romans 8:28).

                                                              – Benjamin Bradley