Faith, Family, & Friends by Keith A. Bradley

During this past holiday season we all got together to spend time with family and friends and lock in on the focus of our faith: The life we’ve been afforded through Christ. I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with so many of my family members and friends this past year and just wanted to share a few thoughts of reflection with you all. Faith, Family, and Friends are so invaluable in ours lives, but these necessities can easily be taken for granted. Jesus in His infinite wisdom summarized God’s desire with this statement, “habitually love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself”! God and our neighbors (FAMILY AND FRIENDS)! Seems like a simple task – “LOVE THE ONES YOUR WITH”! If I can be a little vulnerable and transparent here, I would have to say I didn’t do this very well in my early years. I was so focused on getting out of my craziness, that I ran past the catalyst for my peace: The Friends and Family that I laughed with, played with, and TOOK RISK WITH! If that wasn’t bad enough, I took God and His Love for granted. When all he did was fearfully and wonderfully make me, gave his son’s life for me, and planted me in Newark, New Jersey to grow, learn, and handle all he had prepared for me. All I did in return was to let fear and fantasy delay fulfillment. I realize this now because of the tremendous impact Faith, Family and Friends have in my life (NEW AND OLD). They challenge me, grow me, strengthen me, awaken me, encourage me, love me, and empower me. I know we all have our twos and fews that can hurt from time to time, but they never out weigh the impact and love of our agents of change or remnants of reality! Let’s celebrate Christ’s Birth by appreciating all the gifts he’s given us in the form of Faith, Family, and Friends! I Love You FAMILY!

Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 22:37-40, John 15:13, John 3:16, Hebrews 10:25, 1Corinthians 12:28

“MISUNDERSTANDING” by Keith A. Bradley

I woke up in a strange world with no written rules, no clear defined path, and no explanation for existence. Just some weird cards dealt with an unsaid understanding to endure. Easier to stay hidden than to question, to stay neutral than to challenge, and to stay safe than to walk by faith. If that’s not difficult enough you’re birthed in an unkind, feeling less environment that only supports the cold and care – less. You’re then equipped with a face of flint, a bold tongue, and words that can pierce a soul. Now what do you do? They conclude, before comprehension and reach their absolutes, before understanding. “I KNOW WHAT I SEE”, they scream. “YOUR NOT FOOLING ME”, is their cry. Oh, If They’d just look a little harder! Just peak a little further behind the scenes. The bible says, “God doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but gazes into our heart to assess His response to us. What a novel idea, “LOOK ON THE HEART”! “FEAR NOT THEIR FACES, OR THEIR SPEECH AND JUST LOOK HARDER”. God in His infinite wisdom was anticipating the effects of our birth into a world of sin and iniquity. He knows our outward man would perish in the darkness, but our communion with Him would renew our inner man day by day. I know it’s hard not to react and respond to what you see. It will take a walk in the spirit to not fulfill the flesh’s desire to react, attack, and ignore every fact. God is challenging us to harmonize, not demoralize. He desires us to heal rather than hurt. This will take a total decrease in him to discern everyone through his lenses and not the eyes of man. Brothers and Sisters give the understanding, patience, and love you desire from others. Work to discover and not react, to inquire and not condemn. Don’t limit the wisdom, expertise, and passion of your fellow soldier by creating an eggshell or LAND MINE environment around them. Allow everyone the freedom to be themselves, share themselves, and express themselves. In closing make this a time where we offer “LIBERTY AND LOVE” to all: if you are the one “MISUNDERSTOOD”, endure the contradiction, “GOD HAS DELIGHTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DIVERSIONS”!

 

Scriptures Reference: 1Samuel 16:7, Jeremiah 1:6-8; Galatians 5:16, 2Corinthians 3:17,

2Corinthians 5:18-21, John 15:13

Too Busy To Pay Attention by Keith A. Bradley

What a life we’ve signed onto: communion with God apart from conforming to this world. We now strive to be “steadfast and unmovable, ALWAYS abounding in the faith”. We now pledge to maintain our peace by “KEEPING OUR MIND STAYED ON GOD”! RIGHT? Surely we’re not still “conformed To this world”, we are not “CAUGHT UP WITH KEEPING UP”?

Webster’s defines distracted as the inability to concentrate – it describes busy as having one’s mind is occupied, engaged, immersed, or having a great deal to do. It’s these “taken for granted” practices that are stealing our ability to see the big picture. Our preoccupations are creating what we call “BLINDSPOTS”. Why is this important? If we don’t recognize these subtle diversions, we’ll be drawn into “fitting into the world without thinking about it”! It’s amazing how we fight to protect “OUR BUSINESS” or should I say, “OUR HIDDEN INDISCRETIONS”, but will yield, support, or even endorse falsehood and immorality that may corrupt our families for generations. How do we muster the energy to establish absolute perspectives based on their flow – not His Faith? We throw out empty statements of belief, followed up with preparation for the worst! We confess we are “children of God”, “Joint-Heirs with Christ”, “Redeemed From the curse of the law”, but we push to be comforted, pacified, and enabled at every turn. We hear or should I say listen to God when comfortable or in conflict only. Why does God only have our ear at our convenience? This selfish listening to only what relates to us, clouds us from downloading all that God desires for us to have. It’s time for us to wake up and only endorse what we’ve investigated, not just what we’ve heard about! Let’s Stop Agreeing to contracts we haven’t even looked over: let’s commit to evolve from being too busy to read, too busy to study, or even care. We have to get beyond fast food living and return to absorbing nutrition, both physically and spiritually.

This quest for a more diligent and disciplined focus can only happen with a reconnect with God: an “all in” communion with Him and His Word. The bible says ‘the entrance of his word giveth light and giveth understanding to the simple”. We must meditate on God’s word day and night to return to lifestyle of “good” success and prosperity and impacting every life we encounter. There will always be those that are unresponsive to his word; some will start with zeal and fizzle out, and others will be PREOCCUPIED and distracted from His Word. God desires that we are those that are CONVERTED from His Word and will live to CONVERT others with His WORD. God desires that we are not “TOO BUSY TO PAY ATTENTION!. I pray this inspires all to “NEVER GET WEARY IN WELL DOING”, but to thirst for God’s Word daily. Live out of what you “KNOW”, not just what you’ve heard about.

Scriptures Referenced: Isaiah 26:3, steadfast, Romans 8:11-14, 17; Romans 12:2, Galatians 3:13, Psalm 119:130, Joshua 1:8, Mark 4:13 -21; Galatians 6:9

A Letter To The “WEARY”! by Keith A. Bradley

Our lives are compiled up of 10-12 crucial and unpopular decisions. These decisions arrive unannounced and with no regard for our convenience. Yes, we’ve claimed an allegiance to God, through our confession of Christ, & supposed yielding to the Holy Spirit. But, where is the body we’ve sacrificed to God? When does Christ get to see the life he died for? Does the Holy Spirit get to use the vessel we’ve agreed to yield? When we honor him with our lips, do we follow this with the corresponding actions of keeping his commandments or loving his people unconditionally? When we request patience, forgiveness, love, and understanding – are these attributes something we freely give, when received? We have a tendency to wart off those who lay down their life (like) to truly love us, just to embrace those who give up nothing to pacify our complacency, compromise, and weakness. When do we finally break through the wall, press pass the pain, resist and endure the temptation? Not just in moments, but as a way of living? The bible says,  the just shall “LIVE” by faith: not as a place to visit, but a permanent residence! We think getting “weary in well-doing” is an option, but it’s really just a “bribe”! On the other side of our “suffering in this present time” is a glory beyond comprehension. On the other side of our “obedience” is an unimaginable fulfillment! This letter comes from the heart of God through a broken vessel that’s endured rejection and abuse (mentally and physically) by those cried on and relied on; been betrayed by those trusted, cared for, and sacrificed for; and been misunderstood by many! Guess What? We’re Still Standing and So Will You! Finally – I’m praying this penetrates your heart, ignites your love, and stirs up the gifts in you to return to “LIVING” by Faith!

Scriptures Referenced: Galatians 6:9, Romans 12:1, Galatians 2:20,21; 1Corinthians 6:14-20; Romans 1:17, Romans 8:18

“THANKFUL” by Keith A. Bradley

David prayed, in Psalms 19, verse 13, to be kept from “presumptuous sins” (overconfidence or taking things for granted). This seems to be one of the toughest things for all who climb beyond the norm or elevate to different levels of achievement. I can remember many humbling experiences awakening me to my rest in success. My history as a basketball player was a great example of this: every time I mastered a level of dominance, overconfidence would open the door to a humbling injury that would shock me rightback into focus. Why do we put God in these positions of correction, rebuke, or punishment? Why can’t we follow his instruction to stay “Clothed With Humility”? If we can just appreciate all that’s been afforded us and remember “It Is He That Giveth Us The Power To Get Wealth”! All that we have or have done is “Not Of Ourselves – It Is The Gift Of God”! Let’s challenge ourselves during this season of thanksgiving to appreciate what we do have, not just complain about what we don’t. Let’s work hard to be content, though not completely satisfied! We don’t have to all go through a “PRODIGAL SON” experience to come to ourselves. We can “keep our mind stayed on him” and be at peace in “whatsoever state we’re in”! If we challenge ourselves “to be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer, and supplication through thanksgiving, let our request be made known unto God” – we’ll see He already wants our; He just wants us to defer the glory, not corrupt ourselves by absorbing it!

Scriptures Referenced: Deuteronomy 8:11,17,18; Ephesians 2:8-10; Luke 15:11-17; Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:6, Psalm 23:1-6; 1Corinthians 10:31, Acts 12:20-23

CHOICES by Keith A. Bradley

 

They Never Seem To Go Away – do they?  

Those tests and trials that measure our trust in God or better stated “Can God Trust Us! These opportunities of choice continue to challenge us at every phase of our lives. “Alright Already”, is our scream, at the arrival of the next “MEASURE”! But, why are we so frustrated? Aren’t we being allowed the platform to display the love we’ve confessed?Where is the “unconditional surrender” and “obedience” we vowed to God? Didn’t we choose to be a “living sacrifice” or was it just “LIP HONOR”? Is our choice only in isolation, but never in the midst of options? Guest What? You have another chance today. Again, you’ll be tested! Again, you’ll have choice! Again, you’ll be needed! CHOOSE wisely, this time!

Scriptures Referenced: Deuteronomy 30:19, Jos24:15, Deuteronomy 8:2, Genesis 18:19, 1Timothy 3:10, Romans 12:1, Romans 8:19, Matthew 15:8, 2Corinthians 10:6

“BURST THAT BUBBLE” by Keith A. Bradley

It’s so amazing how so many us begin relationships in a bubble (operating under our own protective custody). Some have lived in this ‘BUBBLE” so long we’ve forgotten we’re in captivity (i.e. Stockholm Syndrome). What’s even tougher is discovering we’ve worked to comfort ourselves in this prison. The bible calls it opposing and deceiving ourselves!

How do we get here or let alone stay in this place for so long? The obvious answer is “fear”… but let’s look a little deeper than that. We have to avoid the “too good to be true syndrome”! Afraid to trust or should we say leap into the things of God (walk by faith and not by sight). We may “trust God” if we can determine the outcome, but very few have trusted Him in uncertainty. We hold on tight to what little we have, think, “This May Be All I’ll Ever Have”! We don’t expect to receive, so we restraint our giving. When God’s blessings come knocking, we state, “Oh! That’s Too Much”. For Who? The overflow is not for you anyway. There are many that will never be fulfilled, because to them fulfillment isn’t real! The others don’t think it’s worth it and the rest don’t want it, if they can’ t control it. We have to stop running back to the panic room every time purpose is calling. Stop hitting the self-destruct button in the face of challenge. On the other side of our openness (transparency, vulnerability, & comfortableness) is FULFILLMENT! We must no longer listen to the adversary’s lie that you don’t deserve it and will lose it anyway. Ignore him whispering that pain is an eventuality and Here God’s word that “All Things Work Together For The Good Of Them That Love God And Are Called According To (In Harmony With) His Purpose! God is “OUT AHEAD OF US”, opening doors, securing provision, and galvanizing support. “OUT AHEAD! “Not where you’re at, but where we’re going”. We just need to “TAKE THE NEXT BEST STEP FROM HERE”! It’s time to break out of our “BUBBLE” of comfort, complacency, and control! There’s exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or think waiting for us. “LET’S BURST THAT BUBBLE”!

 

Scriptures Referenced: James 1:19-21; 2Tm.2: 24,25; John.10: 10, Ps.53: 6, Heb.11: 6, Num.14: 10,11; Heb.4: 1- 12,Gen2: 25, Gen3: 17, Isiah 45: 2I, Ex14: 13,14; Psalm 27: 13, Ps46: 10

 

 

 

 

A Changing Reality by Keith A. Bradley

There seems to come a time in all of our lives where we have to give account for our choices. When we have to face the truth of whose we are, who we are, where we are, & where our steps are actually taking us.

It’s called REALITY! Some embrace it, others avoid it, but very few live in it. The interesting thing about this stalking perception is that, “IT’S ALWAYS THERE”! You can ignore it mentally, run from it psychologically, or even try intercepting it pharmaceutically, but it never goes away. What an amazing phenomena – the thing that frees us the most (TRUTH or FINAL REALITY), has been viewed as optional. God’s word tells us that we’ll find our freedom there. Yes, our liberty from bondage is forged in reality and despite popular belief – IT’S NOT A OPTION!

Think about it – how can we advance to our destinations in life, if we’re not honest about our present location? A map can only be of assistance when given a true starting point and an ending point. So, whether we’re using a natural GPS or a spiritual one, “we can’t get where we’re going, if we’re not honest about where we’re at”!

This particular letter is to challenge us to face the truth about what we’re doing or not doing. Stop tolerating pain, staying stuck in familiar, & running from change. God “gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he gives strength” – we just have to realize we can’t do it by ourselves. “In our time of weakness he’s strong”’ “apart from God we can do nothing”. What are we saying? Embrace what you could never do in your own strength – CHANGE! “It is he, that giveth us the power”; “he’ll work in us to will and do his good pleasure”. The reality is “we’ve been bought with a price”, “our life is not our own”, so we must, “present our bodies as a living sacrifices”, and let GOD do “exceedingly, abundantly, above, all WE CAN ASK OR THINK, according to the power that will work in us” FOR CHANGE. It all begins with us “Coming To Ourselves” & and finally “Considering Our Ways”. It’s Time For “A CHANGING REALITY”!

 

Scriptures References: John 8:32, 1Corinthians 13:12, 2Corinthians 12:7-12; Isaiah 40:29-31; 1Corinthians 6:14-20; Romans 8:28, Romans 12:1,2; Luke 15:17, Haggai 1:5-7; Ephesians 3:20

What Are We Waiting For? (A Letter From God) by Keith A. Bradley

“YE HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE THAT AFTER YOU’VE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE”. “I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARDS YOU NOT OF EVIL TO BRING YOU AN EXPECTED END”.

I desire so much for your cup to run over and for you to experience exceedingly, abundantly, above, all you can ask or think. The challenge has been your inability to walk by faith and not by sight.  Even when you’ve embraced faith, you haven’t added patience to press tenaciously towards my promise. I’ve given you the road map, the script, Cliffs notes, advanced information, hints, a flat out full proof map to fulfillment. Yet you allow your faith to be weakened through bribery, lust, and ungodly counsel. Why can’t you trust me with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, and allow me to direct you path.? “What Are We Waiting For?”, you ask. A better question is “What Am I Waiting For?” I’m waiting for you to complete FULFILLMENT SCHOOL. Yes, pass every test of preparation that’s been designed to equip you to handle all that you’re destined to receive. The issue has always been the inability to handle purpose & fulfillment, not my shortage of blessings for you.

I’ve shared with my son (who is writing this letter), that “I want the world to see all that I can do through you”, just as much as I want them to see “all that I have for you”! It will take patient consistency to endure all the preparation for what I’ve purposed in your life. So, the answer to your question, “WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?” YOU ARE WAITING UNTIL YOU PATIENTLY TAKE & PASS ALL THE TESTS!

 

Scriptures Referenced: Hebrews 10:36, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 3:20, 2Corinthians 5:7, Galatians 5:16, James 1:12-15, Galatians 4:1,2; Proverbs 3:5,6

“MISSTEPS to Fulfillment” by Keith A. Bradley

 

 

Wow Fulfillment! Such a powerful, taken for granted word or better stated, taken for granted goal. We’ve placed more attention on moments of pleasure, seasonal thrills, & fleeting successes, than we have on “FULFILLMENT”. Yes, something deemed by God as INEVITABLE is now reduced to seemingly IMPOSSIBLE. Why? One of the reasons is our choice to replace God ordered steps with “MISSTEPS”!God’s steps embrace challenge, joy in tests, endure temptations, & patiently prepare. Yes, these good men & women recognize the value of holiness, excellence, & faithfulness in that which is another man’s. They give their all to assist another vision, knowing God has promised them their own. It’s amazing that farmers know to give their best seed to God’s vineyard to reap a future harvest, but we’ve held on our seed thinking we can reap from planting it into ourselves or better yet storing it in our barns (pockets). “Trees Don’t Eat Their Own Fruit. It’s a “MISSTEP” to consume that which was given to benefit others. You’re not just eating a seed at that point (YOU’RE EATING YOUR FUTURE HARVEST). We must return to being “faithful in that which is another man’s”, “looking not on only our own, but the things of others”, “esteeming others better than ourselves. We are charged to re-institute God’s system of seedtime & harvest, whatsoever we sow we reap; freely give what’s been given to us. God wants no longer to be robbed of the opportunity to pour out blessings that flood our existence. He desires to remove anything and everything that tries to consume us. His passion is to birth a vision that doesn’t just THRILL us – It FULFILLS us. He just requires us to replace our “MISSTEPS” with “HIS STEPS”! The bible states the “liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (live in abundance)! Let’s return to “living by faith” in giving! Return to sharing your gifts, talents, resources to build God’s kingdom before you go swimming in the unfulfilling waters of establishing ONLY your brand! RETURN FROM “MISSTEPS” TO “HIS STEPS”!

Scriptures Referenced: Ephesians 3:19,20; Luke 16:10-12; Philippians 2:2-4; Psalm 1:1-3; Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:7-9; Malachi 3:8-10; Proverbs 11:25, Romans 1:17, Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 3:5,6