Southside Scoop - 7.21.2024 by southsidecoc

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

Candice P. Blount Church Administrator

Quentella Williams Executive Assistant

John Merriweather Online Campus Minister

Dineen Merriweather Online Campus Director

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

Thoughts Matter

By RICKI FULLER

In Proverbs 23:7a, Solomon is credited with having penned these words as translated in the NASB: “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

We have seen where Elijah was caught up in his own thoughts to the point of what could be described as pure ungodly senseless depression and brokenness. To be clear, based on what we know about our Father-GOD, He did not judge, threaten nor abandon Elijah. It was Ahab and Jezebel who threatened him – mere human beings who lacked both power and resources to overtake/overcome Elijah!

Yet, Elijah allowed himself to sink into thinking more about Jezebel’s threat to have him killed than about GOD’s great victory of which he had just been an integral part. Previously in miraculous grandeur, GOD had demonstrated His power through Elijah on Mount Carmel. Yet, Elijah’s mind and thoughts centered on lack and on fear and on weariness and on aloneness. He even told AllKnowing-GOD he was the only one honestly/dedicatedly working for Him. Elijah believed that he, alone, was proclaiming GOD’s goodness and power to the people. So, he was tired and frustrated with continuing to be used as a prophet of GOD among so many sinful and weak and unbelieving people.

While running and hiding from Jezebel’s men, Elijah allowed his mind to think and speak negatively about himself. GOD did not judge nor abandon him. He and His angels saved/sheltered and patiently led Elijah to understand the impact of his own thoughts and words.

Later on during the time Jesus, the Christ, was teaching and preaching on earth, He spoke words similar to those written by Solomon. Christ’s words show what happens in the hearts/minds of people based on what they/we believe/think.

In Mark 11:22-25 (NLT), Jesus told His disciples to “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Perhaps Elijah’s situation would have been quite different if he had heard those words. He would have been able to believein/trust GOD to lead him to forgive Ahab and Jezebel, and the idol worshipping Israelites. He would have been able to not surrender to thoughts of fear and abandonment.

Well, today, we have access to Jesus’ words. And, while we can sense how Elijah felt, it is important that we choose to listen to, believe and implement what we learn from Christ. We have the responsibility to do as Christ says.

GOD’s intent is to save us per Isaiah 55:11!

Let’s thank Holy Spirit for helping us per Romans 8:2,5,9-16,26-27!