1

“Every Day Instead of A Day: A Reflection on Black History”

The title is a reflection of what I perceive to be the attitude of many African

Americans regarding the month of February. Much energy is expended to

celebrate the particular contribution of historical figures of Black history. The

idealisms of Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Harriet

Tubman, Howard Thurman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, to name a few,

are paraded or pronounced as if their voices and actions are a critical part of our

daily psyche or practice. We hold vigils to mark the anniversary/birthday or

commemoration of their deaths as reminders of their achievements and

contributions to democracy. However, the shameful conclusion is drawn that each

February we pull our favorite individual from the filed place, parade their

importance, only to place them back into their storage until February of the next

year. Do we really believe that this is how our ancestors would celebrate for their

intense labor, blood, sweat, tears, and death? Would they really want us to just

remember their efforts as a one day celebration, or some form of pacification?

I would emphatically answer a resounding “NO”!!! I would argue because they

believed the principle stated by Jesus, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth

and dies, it remains by itself; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). They

were not thinking of their own single day, but the opportunity that everyday their

descendants would remember the sacrificial giving that would

(continued on page 9)

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M A R C H 2 0 1 5 V o l u m e 5 , I s s u e 3

Not sure if H & R Block will

get your billions back,

but this is an exercise

that we must all

participate in if you have

a source of income. So,

buckle down and get to

it. File your 2015 taxes

by April 15th or file an

extension if appropriate!

Like Nike says, “just do

it.”

2015 Theme “Standing the Duty” 2 Timothy 1:3

Reaching the unsaved with

the saving message of Jesus

Christ. Matthew 28:19-20

I T TAX T I ME — AG AI N !

HEALTH WATCH: THE BODY TEMPLE

VERSES TO REMEMBER

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

A WOMEN’S HISTORY MOMENT

TEST YOUR BIBLE KNOWLEDGE

BIBLE STUDY: TAKE A BREATH

In this issue:

FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN

TAX TIME!

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL

EDITORIAL THOUGHT

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE

2

MINISTERIAL LEADERSHIP

Rev. Dr. James T. Murphy, Jr., Pastor

Rev. Estelle Chandler, Associate Minister

DEACON/DEACONESS MINISTRY

Bro. Anthony Bazemore

Sis. Terri Bazemore

Sis. Janie Doctor

Bro. Calvin Parsons

Bro. Alphronzo Moseley

Bro. Don Newton

Sis. Diane Reese

Bro. James R. Reese, III

Bro. Ned Roper

Bro. William Windley

Join

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

in celebration of the

PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY

P a s t o r, m a y y o u a l w a y s h a v e … . .

G O D ’s p o we r t o g u i d e y o u ,

G O D ’s m i g h t t o u p h o l d y o u ,

G O D ’s e y e s t o w a t c h o v e r y o u ;

G O D ’s e a r s t o h e a r y o u ,

G O D ’s Wo r d t o g i v e y o u s p e e c h ,

G O D ’s h a n d t o g u a r d y o u ,

G O D ’s w ay t o l i e b e f o r e y o u ,

G O D ’s s h i e l d t o s h e l t e r y o u ,

G O D ’s h o s t t o s e c u r e y o u .

3

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

Authors: Jamin Goggin & Kyle Strobel

Beloved Dust

We were formed from the dust, but we were made for life with GOD. We often accept less. We make promises and set goals to try and grow, but holiness seems impossible. But the Christian life is not about looking or feeling like a Christian. It’s about abiding in GOD.

If communion with GOD is your goal, self-help strategies and personal resolutions will fail you. But Jesus Christ will not.

Drawing deeply from Scripture and narrating their own experiences, Pastor Jamin Goggin and theology professor Kyle Strobel wrote this book to be a companion for your journey with Jesus in the truth of yourself – as His beloved dust. This is not weighing tasks and rewards, but is a process of patience, prayer, and open-

heartedness.

Prayerfully read this book. Prepare your heart for the gifts GOD has for you. Beloved Dust invites readers to dis-

cover the fundamental simplicity and radical transformation of being with GOD.

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church offers tutoring

in the areas of Math, Science, Social Studies,

Reading, Writing & Business. Tutoring is held

each Tuesday night at GLZBC, 6:30 p.m.—7:30

p.m. The tutoring team includes:

Dr. Al Moseley (Math, Geometry, Physics & Cal-

culus); Dr. Jean Newton (Biology); Dr.

Rosalind Blunt (English, Writing); Ms. Carol

Ann Walker (English, Math, SAT Prep); Mr.

John Rutland (Math, Science, Social Studies);

Ms. Malinda Paige (Math, Algebra); Mrs. Lakita

Jones (Business, Finance, Accounting); Mr.

Mervin Fanfon (Math, Algebra, Pre-Calculus);

Mr. Ed James (Math, Algebra, Physics); & Mr.

Robert Clark (Math, Algebra).

Something to Consider………..

4

MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL "One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy women lived there, and she urged him to come to her home for a meal. After that, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there

for something to eat." 2 Kings 4:8 (NLT)

Don't Give Up!

The Bible speaks of a "wealthy woman" who lived in Shunem. GOD gave her a son when she

couldn't have one. Then suddenly in his twenties he dies. So she picks him up, puts him on a horse and carries him back to Elisha, whom GOD had used to announce his birth in the first place. Imagine what her neighbors must have thought as she passed by. "It's over, bury him!" But not her. She re-fused to stop and get the opinions of faithless people, or discuss her situation with those who were unqualified to help.

Be careful who you open up to in a crisis! Make sure the person knows the LORD and that his/her words line up with the LORD. The warranty hasn't expired on the promises GOD gave you. This woman believed that if GOD started it, He is able to finish it. If He made it, He can also fix it.

And how does her story end? Elisha stretches his body out on top of the dead boy's body and his corpse gets warm. Now that's good, but this lad needs more than just warmth - he needs new life. So Elisha stretches out on top of him again. This time the boy sneezes seven times and comes to life. What's the lesson here today for you?

No matter how bad things may look - stay on top of the situation! Keep believing GOD. Walk the floor and pray all night if you have to, but don't give up. Keep standing on His Word. Your dream may not be fully alive yet, but it's getting warm. Things are improving. GOD is moving. Your break-through is on the way - don't give up till the answer arrives!

5

Editorial Thought

Women’s History Month: “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives”

March is Women’s History Month, and The National Women's History Project’s

theme for 2015 is “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives”. They note that this theme

“presents the opportunity to weave women’s stories – individually and collectively –

into the essential fabric of our nation’s history.” They go on to say that “Accounts of

the lives of individual women are critically important because they reveal exception-

ally strong role models who share a more expansive vision of what a woman can do.

The stories of women’s lives, and the choices they made, encourage girls and young

women to think larger and bolder, and give boys and men a fuller understanding of

the female experience. Knowing women’s achievements challenges stereotypes and

upends social assumptions about who women are and what women can accomplish

today.” I agree with all of this. Oh, but “for such a time as this”, Pastor Murphy has

been preaching about a women who may not be captured in this historical review

and reflection of women, but nevertheless it is certainly captured in the annals of one

of the greatest books to ever tell the story-the Bible. Her name is Esther!

As Pastor Murphy has pointed out in his sermon’s, the Book of Esther does not

mention GOD at all, however, what we know and as it is eloquently stated on got-

questions.com, it “shows the choice we make between seeing the hand of God in our

circumstances in life and seeing things as merely coincidence. GOD is the sovereign

Ruler of the universe and we can be assured that His plans will not be moved by the

actions of mere evil men. Although His name is not mentioned in the book, His provi-

dential care for His people, both individuals and the nation, is evident throughout.”

We see that Esther approached the task before her with humility, strength,

and willing obedience. Her godly attitude won her the favor of those around her– es-

pecially the one that really mattered, the king! This favor helped her to save a nation

-her people, the Jewish nation. Oh for such a time as this!-a woman who we can say

unequivocally embodied the strength and character of being an exceptional role mod-

el who accomplished something great-salvation for a nation! Let’s weave this story in

our lives!

Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Esther.html

Deaconess Diane Reese

6

BIBLE WORD SEARCH PUZZLE

ASH WEDNESDAY

B L O F F I B H U N G R Y

T O W N R N R L E T H E M

H O U S E J I W V N O T A

A S P U E U N I E Y M H K

T E O I W S G T R O E I E

N E O T C T B H Y U L S D

Y Q R H H I R O O R E A N

W H E N O C E N K S S I A

H I N T O E A G E E S A K

E D F A S T D S U L H H E

N E B R E A K I N F A N D

O P P R E S S E D F R O M

B O N D S G O C O V E R Y

OPPRESSED BREAK OWN

INJUSTICE BREAD NOT

YOURSELF BONDS LET

HOMELESS YOKE KIN

THONGS WITH AND

ISAIAH WHEN OF

HUNGRY THIS GO

CHOOSE THEM

SHARE THAT

NAKED POOR

LOOSE INTO

HOUSE HIDE

EVERY FROM

COVER FREE

BRING FAST

UNDO SEE SOURCE: www.geocities.com/lectionarypuzzles/

Isaiah 58:6-7: Is not this the fast

that I choose: to loose the bonds

of injustice, to undo the thongs of

the yoke, to let the oppressed go

free, and to break every yoke? Is

it not to share your bread with

the hungry, and bring the home-

less poor into your house; when

you see the naked, to cover

them, and not to hide yourself

from your own kin?

7

HEALTH WATCH: THE BODY TEMPLE

March is. . . . . . . National Nutrition Month®

National Nutrition Month® offers an opportunity to spotlight healthy eating and physical activi-ty messages at home, school, work, and in your community. Everyone is encouraged to celebrate National Nutrition Month with MyPlate! What is MyPlate? On June 2, 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack released the federal government’s new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. MyPlate is a new generation icon with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times and to seek more information to help them do that by going to ChooseMyPlate.gov. The MyPlate icon emphasizes the fruit, vege-table, grains, protein foods, and dairy groups. Later in 2011, MiPlato was launched as the Spanish-language version of MyPlate. ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information to individuals, health pro-fessionals, nutrition educators, and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for dietary assessment, nutri-tion education, and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online re-

sources and tools can em-power people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children.

MyPlate illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using a familiar image – a place setting for a meal. Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl.

Making food choices for a healthy life-

style can be as simple as using these

10 Tips.

Use the ideas in this list to balance

your calories, to choose foods to eat

more often, and to cut back on foods

to eat less often.

For additional information on wellness

and nutrition tips, please visit http://

www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-

eating-tips/ten-tips.html. Also visit:

http://www.nationalnutritionmonth.org/

nnm/ for information on the National

Nutrition Month’s education and infor-

8

Missionary Opportunity: Help

Restock the Food Pantry! For

items needed, see Deaconess

Geraldine Woods

Every day is a gift! Every day is a day that we have something to be grateful for. This is what Oprah Winfrey had to say on the subject: “For years I've been advocating the power and pleasure of being grateful. I kept a grati-tude journal for a full decade without fail—and urged you all to do the same. Then life got busy. My schedule overwhelmed me. I still opened my journal some nights, but my ritual of writing down five things I was grateful for every day started slipping away.” Ms. Winfrey found her way back to having an attitude of gratitude. In her magazine O, she wrote about what she knew for sure about gratitude. In concluding the article, she wrote: (continued on page 10)

9

“Every Day Instead of A Day: A Reflection on Black History” (continued from page 1)

produce much fruit. This means history has to be acquired in order to realize the significance of “every day

instead of a day” mentality. No single voice conveyed that truth more than Malcolm X. Malcolm believed that

the initial recognition of “Black History” week was nothing more than a sham, a time in which propaganda

about Black history would be paraded for the sake of appeasement. He once provided the example: “Never do

they take us back across the water, back home, they take us down home, but they never give us a history of

back home. … They never give us enough information to let you know what we were doing before we ended

up in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina or Virginia” (Malcolm X, 1967, p. 23). The use of “they”

is a reference to the Western Hemisphere, the majority culture in which we co-exist. Malcolm’s further com-

ment gives birth to my objective with this title, “Negro history week doesn’t remind us of past achievements,

it reminds us only of the achievements we made under the tutelage of the white man” (p. 23). Let’s take a mo-

ment to contextualize Malcolm’s criticism. The Western Hemisphere will certainly not convey a complete Af-

rican American history, only specifics that are less revealing and agitating. Therefore, it behooves African

Americans to learn their own history past America which will evolve the essence of why we should celebrate

our history for more than a day, or in our current state, a month. We must not forget that a tree without roots is

dead; a people without history or cultural roots also become a dead people.

Every day we must find a point of emphasis to connect ourselves to the historical agenda of self-pride,

self-empowerment, self-liberation, and generational progress. Every day is an opportunity to receive divine

love, appreciation, creativity, and hope, which should be transmitted into the purpose of being who we are.

This is why I encourage getting to know the particulars of “Kwanzaa” and how its seven principles should be-

come an everyday practice resembling how our ancestors always claimed spiritual ties to the land— seeing the

everyday comprehension as both vital seeds and essential tools. Just in case someone pass the indictment upon

me of being militant or majoring in the “black thang”, let me encourage you to visit or revisit Deuteronomy 6

& 7. Here, GOD informs Israel not to forget their JEWISH HERITAGE. In fact, they were instructed to make

sure that their history was generationally conveyed. If that “Jewish Thang” is alright, what’s wrong with “the

Black Thang” regarding history? It was not to be just “a day of remembering” but “every day” even though

they had certain days of celebration and recognition. Black history-every day!

Reference: Malcolm X. (1967). Malcolm on Afro-American History. New York: PathFinder Press.

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

GIRLS MINISTRY A Titus2Women’s Project sponsored by the Deaconess, Women’s & Youth Ministries

Meeting the spiritual needs of girls as they move through the many changes of their lives and giving them a godly focus that reinforces their value and worth in GOD’s kingdom.

POC: Deaconess Diane Reese

10

VERSES TO REMEMBER

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that

Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the LORD’s holy people, to grasp how wide

and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled

to the measure of all the fullness of GOD.

(continued from page 8)

“I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you

in life changes your personal vibration. You radiate and gener-

ate more goodness for yourself when you're aware of all you

have and not focusing on your have-nots.”

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Oprahs-Gratitude-

Journal-Oprah-on-Gratitude#ixzz3Sv4Y3GnG.

What are you grateful for? Start your gratitude journal today.

You will begin to see life from a whole different perspective!

11

J o i n t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n

F I F T Y S H A D E S O F G R E Y A N D C H R I S T I A N W O M E N

A l l o f s o c i a l m e d i a i s a b u z z a b o u t t h e m o v i e , F i f t y

S h a d e s o f G r e y . N o n e m o r e t h a n r e l i g i o u s s o c i a l m e d i a

a n d w e b s i t e s . T h e r e w a s a w e b s i t e w i t h a n a r t i c l e w h i c h

a s k e d , “ W h y A r e C h r i s t i a n W o m e n W a t c h i n g F i f t y

S h a d e s o f G r e y ? ” T h e A m e r i c a n F a m i l y A s s o c i a t i o n

( A F A ) a i m s t o p r o m o t e m e d i a i n t e g r i t y a n d p r o t e c t f a m i -

l i e s b y f o s t e r i n g f u n d a m e n t a l i s t C h r i s t i a n v a l u e s . T h e

A F A w a s o n e o f t h e m a n y o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o p r o t e s t t h e

b i g - s c r e e n a d a p t a t i o n o f t h e E L J a m e s ’ b o o k . T h e o r -

g a n i z a t i o n a l i g n e d w i t h t h e p o p u l a r s o c i a l m e d i a m o v e m e n t

# 5 0 D O O L A R S N O T 5 0 S H A D E S w h i c h u r g e s m o v i e g o e r s t o b o y c o t t t h e f i l m

a n d u s e t h e m o n e y t h e y w o u l d s p e n d o n t i c k e t s , p o p c o r n a n d d r i n k s ( $ 5 0 )

t o s u p p o r t a d o m e s t i c v i o l e n c e s h e l t e r o r a g e n c y

A F A P r e s i d e n t T i m W i l d m o n s t a t e d , “ N o t h i n g i n f i f t y S h a d e s o f G r e y

b u i l d s u p s o c i e t y , r e s p e c t s o r e m p o w e r s w o m e n o r d e m o n s t r a t e s h e a l t h y

r e l a t i o n s h i p s , r a t h e r , t h e f i l m g l o r i f i e s a b u s i v e r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d g l a m o r -

i z e s a b u s i v e t e n d e n c i e s s u c h a s s t a l k i n g , b o n d -

a g e s e x , i n t i m i d a t i o n a n d i s o l a t i o n . I n f a c t , t h e

C e n t e r s f o r D i s e a s e C o n t r o l ’ s S t a n d a r d s o f E m o -

t i o n a l A b u s e a n d S e x u a l V i o l e n c e i n c l u d e n e a r l y

e v e r y o n e o f t h e i n t e r a c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e t w o

m a i n c h a r a c t e r s . B o t h m o v i e t h e a t e r s a n d m o v i e -

g o e r s c a n s t a n d u p t o t h i s k i n d o f d i s g u s t i n g c o n -

t e n t t h a t ’ s t o u t e d a s “ e n t e r t a i n m e n t ” a n d c h o o s e

n o t t o s h o w o r p a y t o s e e t h e f i l m . ”

S o , w h y d i d C h r i s t i a n w o m e n a s k w h e t h e r t h e y

s h o u l d s e e t h e m o v i e ? B e t t e r y e t , w h y d i d t h e y

g o s e e i t ? W h y d i d C h r i s t i a n w o m e n b o o k c l u b s

c h o o s e t h e b o o k t i t l e d b y t h e s a m e n a m e t o d i s -

c u s s ?

( c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 1 3 )

A Women’s History Moment 2015 Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives—Delilah L.

Beasley At her memorial service, which was a testament to her life-long crusade for justice, all attending stood and made the following pledge—Every life casts it shadow , my life plus others make power to move the world. I, therefore, pledge my life to the living work of brotherhood and material understanding between the races. Delilah L. Beasley was the first African American woman to be regularly published in a major met-ropolitan newspaper and the first author to present the history of African Americans in early Califor-nia.

Growing up in Ohio, Beasley started writing social columns for black and white newspapers while still a teenager. After her parents’ deaths, she sought a career path that would better support her younger siblings, working as a hair-dresser, massage therapist, nurse, and maid for many years. In 1910 she moved to Oakland California where she

immersed herself in the local black community and again started writing articles in local newspapers. (continued on page 13)

12

GOD’s Promise—When You’re In Need

Find GOD’s promise hidden in these words by following the instruc-

tions below:

1. Cross out all books of the Bible.

2. Cross out the name of a familiar hymn.

3. Cross out a saying by Benjamin Franklin.

4. Cross out the name of a biblical garden.

5. Cross out the names of various foods and herbs.

A LEAD PENNY ASK NUTS AND JONAH THOU SAVED

HOSEA YE ME IS BARLEY SHALL A RECEIVE FIGS

ON THAT EDEN BREAD PENNY ONIONS JOB YOUR

AMOS EGGS EARNED JOY MAY BE SALT MINT JOEL

BEANS FULL FISH

Bible verse: _____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________.

T E S T Y O U R B I B L E

K N O W L E D G E

T h i s m o n t h ’ s t e s t o f

y o u r B i b l e k n o w l e d g e i s

f i n d i n g G O D ’ s p r o m i s e

h i d d e n i n t h e w o r d s

p r o v i d e d . A n s w e r

a p p e a r o n b o t t o m o f

p a g e . E n j o y !

Answers: Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. John 16:24

And because of His glory and excellence,

He has given us great and precious

promises. These are the promises that

enable you to share His divine nature

and escape the world’s corruption

caused by human desires.

13

.A Women’s History Moment 2015 Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives- Delilah L. Beasley (continued from page 11)

In 1915, Beasley started writing a weekly column in the Oakland Tribune. Her articles protested the stereo-types contained in the movie The Birth of a Nation. Through a column called “Activities Among Negroes,” she campaigned for African-American dignity and rights. Highlighting activities of local churches, women’s clubs, literary societies, along with national politics, and achievements of black men and women, her column aimed to give all readers a positive picture of the black community and demonstrate the capabilities of Afri-can Americans. Deeply interested in the history of black Californians, Beasley trained herself in archival research and oral histories. In 1919, she self-published The Negro Trail-Blazers of California, a groundbreaking book chroni-cling the lives of hundreds of black Californians from the pioneer period through the early 20

th century. Her

book included an unprecedented amount of Black women’s history, focusing on the strong roles women played in their communities and featuring countless biographies of women leaders. In the thirties, Beasley was the driving force behind the passage California’s first anti-lynching bill. She con-tinued her column and was active in the community until her death in1934.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY AND CHRISTIAN WOMEN (continued from page 11)

What is interesting is the perspective from religious groups who oppose the movie as op-posed to the perspective of the women discussing this movie in their book clubs. Chris-tian groups opposing the movie did so from the perspective of its “moral reprehensibility of all domestic violence and sexual exploitation." The discussion among Christian women books clubs focused on how this book improved their sexual relations with their spouses. Go figure!

There are two scriptures that come to mind here:

For this is the will of GOD, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know GOD; - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. and

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of GOD's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to GOD--this is your true and proper worship. –Romans 12:1.

So, what do you think? The questions are: Why did Christian women ask whether they

should see the movie? Better yet, why did they go see it? Why did Christian women book

clubs choose the book titled by the same name to discuss? Why is there such a different

perspective on what the movie was really conveying? Join the conversation. Tell us what

you think at: ziontrumpetglzbc@gmail.com.

14

TAKE A BREATH by Dr. Charles Stanley, Bible Study, taken from InTouch Magazine-March 2015

The Bible was written, quite literally, by divine inspiration.

There is no more meaningful sound in a hospital delivery room than that of a newborn taking the first breath.

Whether part of a sputtering cough or a dramatic cry, that initial respiration is a significant moment. Even if you’re

unfamiliar with the maternity ward experience, you can imagine how in tune the doctors, nurses, technicians, and

parents are for that telltale sound of life.

Why? Because respiration—the process by which the lungs absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide—not

only is vital to life but also is considered the very sign of it. Life itself depends on this thing we call breathing,

and GOD chose to create us in such a way that it is essential to our every moment.

As Christians, we believe there is something else that should be considered vital to life: GOD’s Word. How-

ever, when was the last time you considered Scripture to be as important to your life as breathing? It’s one

thing to acknowledge the Bible as a source of wisdom and counsel for our daily endeavors, but is it really some-

thing we can’t live without?

READ: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

The apostle Paul believed strongly in Scripture’s ability to guide, teach, and deepen one’s faith. Our Bibles

contain two letters he addressed specifically to his dear protégé Timothy. Both are chiefly concerned with en-

couraging and advising the younger man in the task of proclaiming the gospel in Ephesus, a unique and difficult

place for ministry. (See Acts 19-20.) An important hub for commerce, this affluent city also boasted the magnifi-

cent temple of Diana (Artemis, to the Greeks), which drew tourists and worshippers from all across the Medi-

terranean world. No wonder Paul urged Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8), and to be pre-

pared for persecution from those resistant to sound godly teaching.

In this second letter to Timothy, it becomes clear Paul knew his own time on earth had grown short. Begin-

ning in 3:14, the apostle encouraged Timothy to stay the course. Whether or not Paul believed he’d get to see

his beloved student again, he made sure to point Timothy to the things the young man would always have with

him—his education, upbringing, and grasp of Scripture.

It was important to Paul that Timothy have something solid—something eternal—he could look to and trust

in, especially as the work became harder. So, in the midst of his encouragement, Paul offered his protégé a

powerful image to contemplate.

“All Scripture is GOD-breathed,” Paul wrote (v. 16 NIV), using the Greek word theopneustos, (from roots

meaning “GOD” and “breathe”). This is the only place in Scripture that the word appears. However, it is not the

only place we find the image of GOD breathing.

REFLECT

In Genesis 2:7, what makes Adam into a living being rather than merely an arrangement of dust? The (continued on page 15)

15

Hebrew word ruwach (1:2; 3:8) carries multiple meanings, including “breath,” “wind,” and “spirit.” What corre-

lations do you see between the Spirit of GOD present at the start of creation, and GOD breathing into Adam to

make him a living being?

In John 20:19-23, the resurrected LORD appeared to His fearful disciples; why did John believe the detail of

Jesus breathing on them was significant? How did “the breath of GOD” change them? (See Acts 4:13-20,

31). How should it change us?

The Bible can at times seem intimidating—a colossal collection of histories, laws, outlandish stories, and

outdated letters. Yet before GOD breathed into Adam, the first man was just a collection of dust. Before

Jesus breathed upon the disciples, they were just a collection of nobodies. How does Paul’s description of

Scripture as “GOD-breathed” move us to trust and rely upon it?

RESPOND

Think back to when you have felt anxiety about an impending task or sadness over tragedies befalling our

world. How does the image of GOD breathing into you shift your perspective? What counsel can the Scrip-

tures offer at such times?

In your personal Bible study and prayer times, consider how even the simple act of breathing can serve as a

constant connection and immovable anchor to GOD’s presence. Try one of the following:

1. As you start to pray, take three deep breaths and hold each for a moment.

Another word for inhalation is inspiration. Imagine you are breathing in GOD’s Spirit anew. As you exhale, ask

the LORD to remove any self-centered buildup that’s accumulated within you.

2. Type selah into an online Bible search and read one or more psalms containing this worship direction.

When you come to the word—which the Amplified Bible renders as “pause, and calmly think of that” - take a

moment and relish a deep, life-giving breath before continuing.

3. Whether praying for yourself or others, don’t rush through the list or hurry to finish.

Rather, separate each request with a breath, which will force you to slow down and allow each subject of your

prayer time to be fully called to your mind’s eye.

REVISIT

Too many of us are addicted to hurry, filling days with tasks and leaving little if any room for stillness. This week,

spend at least a few minutes each day in silent reflection. Sit on the porch, take a walk around the neighbor-

hood, or even switch off the car radio. Job knew that GOD had “the breath of all mankind” in His hand (12:10).

So commune with GOD simply by listening to the sound of your own breathing. Hear it as a reminder that the

LORD is intimately close—as close as the air you breathe.

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10185 Zion Drive

Fairfax, VA 22032

Tel: 703-764-9111

Fax: 703-764-9162

E-mail: admin@glzbc.org

Office Hours

9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Rev. Dr. James T.

Murphy, Jr., Pastor

E-mail:

James.T.Murphy@

glzbc.org

GREATER LITTLE

ZION BAPTIST

CHURCH

GLZBC Sunday Morning

Prayer Time

A quiet time in the sanctuary

to sit and pray between

services.

Starting at 9:45 a.m. & ending

at 10:15 a.m. (approximately)

POC: Deacon Ned Roper

M O R N I N G P R A Y E R T I M E

We’re on the web:

www.glzbc.org

Where Everybody Is

Somebody and

Christ Is All.

Worship Times: 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.

Prayer Service: Wed, 7 p.m. Bible Study: Wed, 8 p.m.

2015 Theme “Standing the Duty” 2 Timothy 1:3

Mission

The mission of Greater Little Zion Baptist Church is to

lead everyone to a full life of development in Christ.

Luke 4:18-19

Vision Reaching the unsaved with the saving message of

Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:19-20