Southside Scoop - 3.24.2024

T H E S C O O P

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

D’Andrea Fanning Director of Ministry Operations & Non-Profit

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

W E E K L Y W O R D

Continually Empowered to Overcome Shame

By RICKI FULLER

The words ring loudly within our spirits as written in I John 1. Verse 9 is powerfully assuring for Christ-believers. This can be perceived and received by us as a definite promise from Christ: “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

When I was a little girl, in elementary school, my grandmother would read the First Psalm to my uncle-brother and me every night. Well, after all those years, I can honestly say that I have some semblance of an understanding about ‘Muh’ drilling that Psalm into our minds each-and-every night. She wanted us to know that we’re blessed/fortunate/favored by GOD especially if we did/do not follow the advice and examples of seemingly ungodly/wicked people. She wanted us to know from the Word of GOD that it is unwise to intermingle, or stand around, or sit (long) with ‘sinners’ who are shallow-minded and disgruntled people. Instead, as best she could, ‘Muh’ was intent on encouraging us to aspire to live in the ways of righteousness. From that Psalm, it is relatively clear to me today that as we find and experience pleasure in reading/studying/practicing GOD’s Word, we will assuredly be blessed beyond our individual imaginations. And, Verse Three makes it clear that we will prosper and mature in whatever we do because GOD plants/ fortifies/feeds us spiritually ensuring our success(es).

Somehow ‘Muh’ (whom I called Mother as I grew older) saw the Hand of GOD on my life regardless of the many shameful deeds and associations I got caught up in during my young adult years. I know that to be true because of the highly encouraging words she spoke directly to me just minutes before passing away from her 84 years of earthly existence. She, emphatically and lovingly, told me to “keep on doing what you are doing.”

Her last statement to me before taking her last breath, freed me from the shameful errors/sins of my past. By pounding Psalm 1 into my psyche at an early age, Mother’s last words encouraged and empowered me to continue forging ahead doing GOD’s work to glorify Him, and to obey her words!

So, as we meditate on I John 1:9, we can see that admitting and confessing our sins activates the ever-present faithfulness/mercy and grace of GOD! In His faithfulness and justness, He continually forgives and cleanses us from ALL that doesn’t conform to His will and purpose.

What an awesome revelation for us to live with for the rest of our lives! We know that we are recipients of His continual Mercy and Grace as we view Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross assuring us that we overcome because He has already overcome the world and all its evils (John 16:33, I John 5:4&5)!

“So God created mankind in his own image”

T H E S C O