Southside Scoop - 8.18.2024 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

Recognize (As Best You Can)

By RICKI FULLER

Thus far this month we have been looking at hurt and pain from our individual and collective perspectives. Now, I’m suggesting we take a momentary step back to potentially view hurt from GOD’s (Elohim’s) perspective

While referring to this month’s reference scripture (Zechariah 13:6), several questions come to mind regarding Zechariah’s account about a prophet stating he had been wounded at a friend’s house. That exchange recorded in verses 1-6 was specifically referring to some of the known practices/activities of false or idol worshipping prophets

This strikes a memory-chord of how Adam and Eve responded to GOD in the Garden after they disobeyed Him, and almost immediately they tried to cover up their sin by hiding from Him

Perhaps one wonders whether GOD’s disappointment in them led to Him being hurt by their disobedient actions It is apparent that their belief in false words and the felonious character of the serpent led to similar negative emotions and actions of their offsprings

Throughout Old Testament accountings regarding the idolatrous ways of Israel’s people, it is consistently shown that their Father-GOD remorsefully disciplined them In Ezekiel 6:9, we these words: “ they will remember Me They will recognize how hurt I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for their idols. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their detestable sins ” That example gives us a pinpoint view of how GOD’s disgust/hurt/pain opens gates for His children to see the errors of their ways such that they repent

Such recognition leads His childr declare/proclaim that He, alone, Is Je GOD! Look at how Joseph’s brothers re (Genesis 37,42-50) They recognized th and emotionally understood the impact o actions when it became clear they co banished/killed. Now, check out what GO through Ezekiel in Chapter 16:29-31,60-6

After describing the infidelity toward Him from Israel, GOD still loved and protected them. As a matter-of-fact, GOD declared in Psalm 95:10 that He had been angry with and hurt by His children for 40 years.Even Moses was at fault when he expressed anger with both the people and with GOD. He showed selfishness by not demonstrating his worship/honor/recognition of GOD to the people according Numbers 20:1-13. Moses had reverently bowed to GOD in the Tabernacle, but showed contempt outside the Tabernacle (after leaving church service) for the people when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as GOD had instructed. That was a blatant failure to recognize/obey which dearly cost Moses’ inability to enter into Promised Land.

Aside from Moses’ error, we can proclaim that Father-GOD’s love for us is true and evident in our lives each day? It is through Jesus Christ that we are saved from our emotional and sin-prone selves! Hallelujah!

In II Corinthians 7:9, Paul clearly outlined the power of recognizing/repenting: “… not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways.”

Beloveds, let’s daily Recognize GOD and our ways/actions!