Southside Scoop - 3.31.2024

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

Closely looking at the term shame, Christ-followers can very likely surmise what its actual intent is in our lives. We have progressed through this month studying/ investigating the concept of shame, and of our need for overcoming it. Prayerfully we are at a conclusive realization that our perceptions of shame are that it is more of a sham which is designed to denigrate/ disparage and/or distress us. Surely, that is a mouthful, and a bit much to mentally digest. Yes, experiencing shame is a real phenomenon for most of us humans. Yet, additionally, its main function is to remind us of errors/ sins in our lives. Shame’s purpose does not enter our consciences to weigh us down forever. However, we tend to allow it to take up a substantial amount of space and time in many of our innate/habitual beliefs.

There are several Scriptures which beg our indulgence to meditate upon the messages GOD prescribed for us to be able to successfully navigate through the shams we tend to believe about our own selves as it pertains to the shames we wear. For instance, I John 1:9 assures us that GOD will, in fact, forgive our sins and dismiss our lawlessness while continuously cleansing us from ALL unrighteousness based on our freely admitting and confessing our sins. Also, James 4:7 and I Peter 5:7-11 both advise us to be especially mindful about what we allow to negatively bother/impact us. We are advised to stand firm in the thought and belief that GOD will fight our battles while warding off the influence of evil.

A Both Isaiah 43:18-19 and Jeremiah 29:11-13 reveal that GOD is so in tune with those who love and obey Him. They will be, unmistakenly, taken care of by Him! And, in Philippians 4:6-8, there are helpful hints and specific instructions on our prayers and thanksgiving to GOD along with how we should expend our mental energy. DeWayne Woods has a song entitled “Let Go, Let GOD” with these lyrics: “I couldn't seem to fall asleep, There was so much on my mind, Searching for that peace, But the peace I could not find; So then I kneeled down to pray… help me please, But then He said you don't have to cry, 'Cause I'll supply all your needs; As soon as I stop worrying.. how the story ends, I let go and I let God Let God have His way. That's when things start happening, When I stopped looking at back then I let go and I let God,… have His way. There's so much going on, Sometimes I can't find my way, And often times, I struggle…from day to day. I have to realize that it's not my battle It's not my battle to fight, I have to know if I put it in Your hands, That everything will be alright… Let GOD have His way that’s when, Everything will turn around, I can let go and I let GOD!...”

Like DeWayne, you/we can/are overcoming!

“So God created mankind in his own image”

-Genesis 1:26

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