Voice Of
Liberat
BY REV. Ci. WESLEY RANEY
TEXT: “To keep me from becoming conceited because of the sur
passingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a
messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord
to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ ”
Bible scholars are not in agreement as to what Paul's “thorn in the
flesh” was. Some say it might have been a painful eye problem. Some
speculate that it might have been malaria. Some have suggested that
this “thorn in the flesh” may have been the constant and unremitting
opposition of Paul’s enemies.
This problem, whatever it was, affected Paul so badly that he went
before the throne of God’s mercy three times to petition God for relief.
HE begged the Lord to take it away. But each time Paul prayed, the
Lord answered him by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.” In other
words, God promised not to remove the problem, but to bless Paul with
the power to endure the problem.
This “thorn in the flesh” kept Paul humble, and reminded him of the
constant need to have contact with God. If it were not for the thorns of
life, some of us would become too “big-headed.” Our achievements and
accomplishments would rob us of a humble spirit. God allows certain
“thorns in the flesh” to torment us to keep us from becoming Mr. or Ms.
Bigstuff.
We learn from Paul that life goes on despite “thorns in the flesh.”
Even though he had this particularly agonizing problem, the apostle
kept on preaching the gospel, teaching the Word, witnessing to God’s
love, nurturing the saints, and writing inspiring letters.
A great violinist was giving a concert, and the “A” string on his
violin broke. Without hesitating, the violinist transposed the music and
finished the concert on three strings. A lesser violinist might have
stopped the concert and complained about his misfortune. But it takes a
great artist to say, “If I can’t play on four strings, then 111 play on three.”
Sometimes in our lives it seems as though one of the strings breaks.
It may be the loss of a loved one. It could be word that one of our
children is in trouble. Perhaps it is the news that someone we love is
seriously ill. Strings break in our lives all the time. When these times
come, are you likely to fall to pieces, or are you determined to go ahead
and produce a beautiful melody with what you have? If you cannot play
on four strings, will you tiy to play on the strings that you have left?
In Switzerland there is a town called “End der Welt.” In English it
means “End of the World.” This town is surrounded by high mountains,
and the road to it suddenly stops on the farther side of town before an
impassable rocky cliff. When one arrives, he immediately feels that he
can go no further. But hidden away in that rocky cliff is a narrow path !
that leads up the mountain to the heights above. If one searches dili
gently, he can find that path and travel on.
At some time or another, nearly everyone arrives at a place which
seems to be the “end of the world.” In Charles Dickens’ novel, Great
Expectations, there is a character named “Miss Haversham.’ Elaborate
preparations had been made for her wedding. But just before the wed
ding day, her lover jilted her. In grief and humiliation, Miss Haversham
closed all the blinds in the house, stopped every clock, left the wedding
cake on the table to gather cobwebs, and continued to wear her wedding
gown until it hung in yellow decay about her shrunken form. Her disap
pointment became the end of her world. Have you allowed some disap
pointment to become the end of your world?
Trials dark on every hand,
And we cannot understand,
All the ways that God would lead us,
To that blessed promised land;
But He guides us with His eye.
And we’ll follow till we die,
For we’ll understand it better by and by.
Indeed, God’s grace is sufficient for all the “thorns in the flesh” that
life may bring. In the midst of suffering and pain, God can demonstrate
His power in our lives. Our weakness opens the door to God’s strength.
Remember, God’s power is made perfect or complete in our weakness.
Ii .
r Come 1
ILet’s Think!
BY EVA L. PERRY
BLOOD COVENANT
Through the Blood of Jesus I am
redeemed out of the hands of the
devil. Through the Blood of Jesus
all of my sins are forgiven. Die
Blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son,
is cleansing me now from all sin.
Through the Blood of Jesus I am
sanctified, made holy, and set
apart for God.
My body is a temple for the Holy
Spirit. I am redeemed, cleansed
and sanctified by the Blood of Je
sus. I belong to the Lord Jesus
Christ, God’s Son, body, soul and
spirit. His Blood protects me from
all evil.
Because of the Blood of Jesus,
Satan has no more power over me,
and no more place in me. I re
nounce him and his host com
pletely and declare them to be my
enemies.
Jesus said, "These signs shall
follow believers: in my name shall
they cast out devils." I am a be
liever in the name of Jesus Christ.
I exercise my authority and expel
all evil spirits out from wherever
they don’t belong. I command
them to leave me and you now. Ac
cording to the Word of God, in the
name of Jesus Christ, the Son of
the living God—Amen.
FOLLOW JESUS
Do you wonder where you are,
While you gaze up at a star?
If your way seems dark as night,
Follow Jesus, He ia right.
Ddyeu often suffer scorn,
When your friends talk up a storm
Because they fail to see your light?
Follow Jesus, that’s all right
When your mind is keen and
Clean,
And moat people think you're
Meant
Because they do not know your
Bright—
Follow Jesus, and stay right.
i
Editor
Rejects
Racism
ATLANTA, Ga. (AP>—The sen- ’
ior editor of Ebony magazine told
Morehouse College graduates last
week there will be no solutions to /
urban problems that generated ri- '
oting in Loe Angeles until there
are more studies of the upper
class.
Lerone Bennett said there has 1
been too much study and concen
tration on the “Negro” problem 1
while “the problem of race in
America today is a white problem.”
Bennett challenged the More
house graduates to become strong
leaders who can ask the hard
questions. He said they must
“teach this profound and ignorant
country and move scholars and TV
commentators away from the dead
end of studying and blaming the i
victims.”
The country, he said, needs new |
graduates “who do the electric
slide and work computers and
dam dunk science and technology
as Well as a basketball.”
Morehouse’s class of 447 is be
lieved the largest single class ol
black male graduates of any school
in UJ3. history.
Among those receiving diplomas ,
was Enis Cosby, son of actor-come
dian Bill Cosby, who, with his
wife, attended the ceremonv.
• * *
The National Hockey
League had to cancel its
Stanley Cup league
championships in 1919.
Why? Because of a raging
flu epidemic.
Wisdom is often just
knowing when to keep
_your mouth shut
If yourlife Be short dr long, i
Learn to live it with a sang;
Heavenly thing are your delight—
Follow Jesus, and end up right.
—EVA PERRY
Read your Bible prayerfully and
think!
i
9t. ram
Church To
Hear Choir
On Sunday, May 31, at 4 p.m.,
St Paul AME Church will present
in concert the Male Chorus of
Turner Memorial AME Church of
Washington, D.C. The 35-member
choir is currently on tour of South
eastern states and will come to Ra
leigh after performing in Colum
bia, S.C.
Their concert tour is also in sup
port of the candidacy of their pas
tor for the Bishopric of the AME
Church, the Rev. Goodwin Dou
glas.
The public is invited to come out
to hear the songs of praise and en
joy the fellowship.
Women Hold
Conference
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP)—The
Women’s International Convention
of the Church of God in Christ was
attended by about 15,000 people in
Milwaukee last week.
The gathering of the predomi
nantly black church group began
with a prayer service Wednesday.
The theme of the convention this
year was “Christian Women
United for Effective Leadership in
These Crisis Times.”
“The most essential role for
women is to exercise more care to
ward our faith,” said Mattie
McGlothen, president of the con
vention.
Ms. McGlothen, 82, said
women’s leadership skills need to
be strengthened to ensure “better
homes, better churches, better
communities and a better world.
WE HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN DRUGS.
FKHTMA6 YOUTH DRUG USE - HHS Secretary Load
W. SnHvan, MD, L, wn Joined by Atlanta Mayer Maynard
Jackson in Washington, D. C. tar the May 13 launching of
a national media education campaign to cut alcohol and
drug use among African American youth. The By Our Own
Hands campaign focuses on 14 cities but the educational
materials an available to elites across tbs nation from the
National Clearinghouse ter Alcohol and Drug Information
at 800*729-6686. Targeted cities hi addition to
Washington and Atlanta are Now York, Los Angotes,
Baltimore, Chicago, Dalas, Ft. Worth, Memphis, Houston,
Philadelphia, Raleigh, Durham and Detroit.
Methodist Conference Contributes
Assistance To L.A. Riot Victims
T ATTTrttrrr r rx rr
WVAUTUiAJiJ, xvjr.-1UWI C bUOll
$24,000 contributed during the
United Methodist General Confer
ence here for emergency assistance
in Los Angeles was part of a re
sponse that a key church official
called a “godsend to thousands of
hurting people.”
In the stricken areas them
selves, pastors and church mem
bers set up collection and distribu
uuu ueiibeiB iui iuuu, v-iuuuii^ aiiu
other necessities. Emergency shel
ter were provided, and a legal-aid
“hot line” established. Many
church members lost their jobs as
a result of the violence, including
at least 50 in one predominantly
Hispanic congregation.
“John Wesley [founder of
Methodism] would be proud of the
way our people are responding,”
»aia JDiuiiup uauk. iu. iiwii wi
\ngeles. Tuell paid special tribute
to the Rev. Robert Smith, superin
tendent of the Los Angeles Dis
trict, who initiated the church’s re
sponse there, and who character-'
zed response at the General Coh
erence and elsewhere as a “god
send.” The special offering was one
>f several actions here related to
Los Angeles.
United Church Of Christ
2004 Rock Quarry Road
Raleigh, N.C. 27610
Phone: 832-2784
Prayer Line: 828-PRAY
Radio Ministry (WCLY, 1550 AM)
Saturday—7:00 P.M.
Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.
BMe Study Wed., 8:00 p.m.
METROPOLITAN
A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
558 East Cabarrus SI.
Raleigh. N.C. 27601
(014)832-0270
Sunday Schal.9:30 a.m.
Morning Warship.11:00 a.m.
V.C.E...6:00 p.m.
Evening Worship.7:00 p.m.
Prayer Service.7:30 p.m.
Office Phone:
C.E. WILLIE, M (019)632-6628
Minister (»iwagr|g79
J'ai
Free Transportation
inf!5w;
Lincoln Park Holiness Church
13 Heath Street • Raleigh. NC 27610
(919)832-5119
BISHOP ELIE RATCLIFF, JR.
Pastor 9:00 A. M. Sunday School
BISHOP ELIE RATCLIFF, SR. 11:00 A.M. Morning Worship
Founder 6:30 P.M. Evening Service
Wake Baptist Grove Church
302 Main Strsst Garnor, N.C.
SUNDAY
Regular Sunday School 0:45 am
8:00 & 11.-00 am
TUESDAY
Continual Witness Training 7:00 • 9:00 pm
WEDNESDAY
For The Sower Bible School 7:00 pm
- THURSDAY
Lay Institute For Equipping 7:00 - 9:00 pm
TUESDAY S FRIDAY
rcessory Prayer 5:00 am
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
SnrgUs, Coupkt. QoUtn Xgt. <Yo*ik & CfOUrtti
Hum. Unarms Utgtu. Missionary Cm Us.
Muttt Ministry. Cnm* Ministry, Olhin.
772■ 6123
FIRST COSMOPOLITAN
BAPTIST CHURCH
1515 Crosslink Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27610
OR. W. B. LEWIS. PASTOR
Sunday School.
Morning Worship.
Baptist Training Union.
Teachers Meeting 8 Prayer Service
Wednesday.. 7:30p.m.
SBRVICBS
• a.m. 6 11 p.m.
.9:30 a.m.
. 7 p.M. Tuesday
. • p.m. Tuesday
Pastor: Rev. J. Wilkins, Jr.
WAKE CHAPEL
BAPTIST CHURCH
4990 Hand deed
BaMfk, N.C. 27109
Rhone: B7B-4006
KNTKR TO WORSHIP
OBRARTTOSBRVa
.... 9:99A.M.
... 1100 A.M.
.... 5:00P.M.
.... 7:00P.B
09. CHAM.ES T. 9ULL0CK, PASTOR
MARTIN STREET
BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday
School
Lesson
FOCUSED ON THE
FUTURE
II Peter 8:3-14
One of the purposes for
Peter’s writing this .letter
was to prepare believers for
dealing with false teachers
within the church. Peter
knew these false teachers
would attempt to cause con
fusion in the church by
questioning whether Jesus
really meant what He said
about His second coming.
At the time this letter was
written, a long enough pe
riod had elapsed since Je
. sus’ ascension to cause some
doubters to question whe
ther the promise of Jesus’
return was a false hope. As
time continued to tick away,
false teachers and skeptics—
“scoffers”—within the Chris
tian community seized upon
these questions and used
the confusion to direct the
church away from Christ
and His apostles. They knew
that the more believers
questioned the promise of
Christ and the teaching of
His apostles, the greater the
following they would gain
for themselves.
The foundation for the
scoffers’ question would be -
their view that everything
continues as it has since the
Creation. In essence, the
false teachers would say
that God does not visit the
earth—never has and never
will. Since the Second Com
ing has not occurred yet, it
never will.
The scoffers that Peter
~ warned believers about
doubted that God intervenes
in human history. For the
most part, their belief in
God went only so far as to
acknowledge that God had
created the world and set it
spinning.
Their perspective took
God out of the everyday
workings of the world. It left
nothing to believe in but the
earth itself.
h
Pray For Peace!
'Join us each Wednesday evening at 7:30
p.m. as we honor the Black Madonna,
Queen of Peace and pray for an end to
War and God’s own Peace for or World.
Peartree Lane ai Poole Road
Raleigh. North Carolina
SUNDAY MASS
9:00 AM
11:30 AM
A parish m the Roman
.tradition small enough to call
home
i
Attend Services
PASTOR: Rev. Nathaniel Boykin
FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH
101 S. Wilmington Stroot
(DOWNTOWN RALEIGH)
Phone 832-1649
Church School.9.30 ».m.
Sunday Worship 11.00
4
Getluemane Missionary :
Baptist Church
Bunn, North Cantina 27508 ■
(010) 406*0681
May Moot - mi l*
warship Sonin .11:M a.wj
“Savina Mm Bunn ana far Gad so
that we can Save the WsrMT
DR. JOSEPH C. PAI6E, PASTOR.!