THE SCOOP WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
January 21, 2024 / Vol. 3 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 Our Refuge & Strength By RICKI FULLER Last week, we imagined GOD to be our Radio to Whom we intently listened on a daily basis. We saw where, after guiding us, He allowed us to exercise control of the radio knob. That knob control enables us to turn to GOD in the midst of seemingly insurmountable/unconquerable strongholds. The radio knob, also, empowers us to turn down the inner noise of our minds and the exterior noise of worldly influences.
Circling back to last week’s article, we changed the emphasis of ‘stronghold’ from its negative connotation. Instead, we looked at GOD (the Father, Jesus Christ the Savior, Holy Spirit the Indweller & Paraclete) as our Stronghold. The Psalmist of the 18th Division of Psalms wrote: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 ESV; here, horn is ’power’)
So, let’s dive into understanding our states of refuge and strength which are provided us by our Sovereign GOD. First, taking refuge in GOD means that we turn toward Him. It means turning from the false refuges of what’s familiar, self-reliant ways that we seek to solve or escape from life's problems. We are strongly advised to repent of such things: as personally being in control, as self-perfection, as being manipulative, as withdrawal from people, as anger of all types, as rumination (repetitively thinking about negative stuff that can lead to depression or anxiety), and as escaping GOD’s Law of Love.
Since Jesus Christ expressed/demonstrated His Love to Father GOD and, also, to us sinful humans, it is highly recommended that we love Him back (according to His will) and follow His direction(s) as we deal with every good and bad situation/circumstance in our lives (I Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 55:22, 23c). Through the Scriptures we are told to love GOD, ourselves, and others as recorded in Matthew 22:37-39.
Looking at GOD’s Law of Love, you/we are advised to pray that one another takes “comfort in knowing that GOD Is: your/our Fortress, surrounding you/us with His care… your/our Deliverer, giving you/us victory over life’s troubles… your/our Shield, always loving and protecting you/us. He Is a God Is our refuge, safe place, retreat, the Stronghold that will never fail.” (This place we go when we are afraid or piece/paragraph is reimagined from a disillusioned. There is a lot of fear and greeting card.) disillusionment going around in this world, and even privately in our minds/lives today. You can OVERCOME like Jesus did Hence, GOD Is also our strength or “power” (Philippians 4:13, 19)! enabling us to successfully overcome those negative strongholds.
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Based on John 14:16-17, 23, 26 and on Acts 2:38, The Holy Spirit Is our very present Help in the troubles of our lives. As promised by Jesus, the Holy Spirit now lives within us supplying us with refuge/courage to overcome the negative strongholds which reside in our minds/lives!
w w w . s s i d e . o r g
overcome the world.” -John 16:33
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