Sunday Jan 4, 2009
By Mother Logie Dismuke
Elder Martha Gibson and Sister Gerald
Reed magnified the Lord with a high vibration of praise on this first
Sunday in the new year as they led the congregation in singing;
“Grateful” and "The Center of My Joy.” While the saints were engulfed
in praise the call was made for altar prayer and Minister Thomas
Stringer prayed the intercessory prayer. After prayer, Elder Martha
Gibson read the scripture from 1st Corinthians 2:6- 9. She
also allowed time for sharing special testimonies.
Sister Phyllis Stringer gave the
announcements, recognition of visitors, birthdays/ anniversaries.
Sister Stacie Thomas led the congregation in singing “Happy birthday”
to those celebrating.
Elder Loraine Rancifer made the
call for the ministry of giving and prayed the offertory prayer. After
prayer, the “Life and Living Sanctuary Choir rejuvenated the spirit of
praise as they sang one selection entitled “Today I Want To Be Closer
To You, led by Sis. Gerald Reed.
Following the choir, our Shepherd,
Bishop Moses Gibson came forward in preparation for the morning
sermon. After brief preliminaries he proceeded to read the following
scriptures and ministered on “The Importance of God’s Light”
1: The LORD is
my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2: When the wicked, even
mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they
stumbled and fell. 3: Though an host should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this
will I be confident. (Psalms 27:1-3)
The preacher explained that light is
very important because when you are working on any task you need to
see what you are doing. It is hard to work in darkness. In fact, it’s
almost impossible. If you are driving down a dark road at night and
your lights go off, you have to stop. You are going to fix them or
wait until you can get some light. When traveling this Christian road
you must have some light. This light is God’s Holy Spirit. When you
commit your life to Christ and study his word, he will give you the
light through his word. This is why the scripture tells us the word is
a lamp unto your feet and light unto your path.
Whenever you are in a dark place, the
first thing you want to do is find some light. Many people are walking
around in spiritual darkness. You confess to know the Lord but your
life does not line up with his word. When you are walking in the
light you will obey the righteousness of God. This is why the word
say, you should sanctify yourself. God gives you the choice to clean
yourself from sin. When David sinned against God and was confronted
with his sins, he immediately went into repentance and laid in sack
cloth. This is why he could say the Lord is my light and my salvation
whom shall I fear. The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I
be afraid.
When you know you have God on your side
there is nothing to be afraid of. You know when your enemies come
against you they will stumble and fall. The word tells us no weapon
formed against you will prosper. When you come into the light; you
must let your light shine so men can see your good works and glorify
God. We are living in troubling times when everything looks bleak, but
saints hold on. There is light at the end of the tunnel. If you have
God in your life, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Saints hold
on and know God is your light! When you know God is your light, there
will be no fear.
GOD BLESS, SHEPHERD FOR SUCH AN
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH.
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