THE SCOOP WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
January 14, 2024 / Vol. 2 Southside Church of Christ 800 Elmira Avenue Durham, NC 27707 info@sside.org www.sside.org 919.688.3535 STAFF Orlander R. Thomas Senior Minister William A. Stephens Minister Emeritus Wiley Shearin, Jr. Elder Emeritus D’Andrea Fanning Candice P. Blount Church Administrator Quentella Williams Executive Assistant DEACONS John Alcox Anthony Green, Sr. Arthur Hackney John Mathis Chester Mayfield, Jr. Roger McDougal Joe Williams Keith Wright
WEEKLY WORD Turn that Knob to the Right – To the Left… By RICKI FULLER There are various methods available for controlling volume on external devices such as radios, speakers, televisions, computers, etcetera. To manually adjust the sound output on a radio one simply turns the knob to the right to increase the volume. In order to decrease the volume, one turns the knob to the left. That’s simple enough, wouldn’t you say? Knobs are usually relatively small round fixtures located on radio devices found in most automobiles. Those knobs give the radio listener control to elevate or decrease the ‘noise’ that broadcasts from whatever data is being transmitted from their stations of choice. There are also knobs designed for users to select broadcast channels that suit their preferences. With that in mind, let’s imagine GOD as a radio that has various stations (triune nature [Father-Son-HolySpirit], books of the Bible, revelators [preachers, teachers/encouragers), guides]. Also, imagine that we humans are receptors who daily listen to, and intake, information that is being disseminated by our personal radio(s). In this scenario, we can see that each of us is implicitly in control of how we access and use the radios in our possession. Correct? Now suppose we humans find ourselves within the confines of restrictive circumstances or situations. Inside the seeming walls of those restraints, we begin to ‘feel’ as though we have no power to overcome the debilitating restrictions. (Kind of a reminder of the plights of people of African descent in the U.S.A. and other countries, as well as the plights of several other peoples of varying cultures who reside on this land.)
w w w . s s i d e . o r g
With all of the animosity and hatred surrounding all human receptors, there is still (and always will be) very good news! The assuring words of Jesus Christ are openly right there for us to clearly see in John 16:33 as depicted by the Good News Translation of the Bible: “I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” Also, the Apostle Paul confirmed Jesus’ words in Romans 8:31-39. Having such great evidence of advocacy by our GOD/Radio, there is surety that we can (and will) overcome whatever negative strongholds that appear in our lives. We have the Lord Jesus Christ at the Father’s side, right now, speaking to Abba Father on each of our behalf regarding our individual cases/situations/circumstances. Oh, hallelujah, that is rich! Therefore, in this state of Christ-given assurance, we can turn the knobs in our control to the right by praying in Christ’s Name in thanksgiving and petition. In a confident/determined fashion we can turn those knobs to the left, thereby, deafening the hurtful/demeaning words/actions of those who hate us and who periodically frighten us. He Is our ever-present good Stronghold as seen in Psalm 18:2 Turn your knob to GOD’s Word which is designed to free you/us in Christ!
...I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33
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