Text:
2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
Observation:
Today there will be a lot of talk in the marketplace about truth as it relates to this world. That will be settled on November 8, 2016, if the Lord tarries.
I’m reflecting over my past, considering the present, and looking forward to the future. Maybe its because my birthday is Friday.
I registered to vote when I was 18 years old. I was a freshman in college, and I was working as a volunteer getting the people in my community to register to vote. Let me share a little history with you. I am an American with a skin color that is black on the outside. Last time I was tested, my blood on the inside was red.
In Louisiana you had to pass a citizenship test to vote. I don’t recall who organized our student group, but I was a part of a group of college students that met with some adult leadership to get out into the community, and help people to register to vote.
One of the requirements of the registration was to enter your age by years, months, and days. It was easy for me because I registered on my birthday. On September 30, 1958, I went to the registration office. I completed the form by entering 18 years, 0 months, and 0 days. As I recall I had to read a paragraph from a document on the wall behind the counter where I completed the form. I believe the document was The Declaration of Independence.
After registering, we went knocking on doors in our community, and encouraging people to register. We helped them prepare by completing the form, and citizenship questions. We calculated the birthday by year, month, and day of the day they would go to register. We provided transportation for those who needed it.
Earlier in 1953 another battle was fought in our community. This was led by the pastor of my church. A compromise was reached by the black community, and the City officials. However, the bus drivers, who were all white, refused to comply. The agreement with the City was ruled unconstitutional because the law at that time was separate, but equal. However, separate was never equal.
Not to be denied, my pastor led The First Civil Rights Bus Boycott in the United States of America in Baton Rouge, LA. in June 1953. After much struggle, the segregation was ended.
The thing I remember about the Civil Rights Movement is how closely it was connected to the Church. I share with you a song that we sang in the church, and the community.
“Verse 1: Don’t be discouraged, when trouble’s in your life.
He’ll bear your burdens, and move all misery and strife.
Thank God we’ve…
“Refrain:
We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord;
Trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet.
Oh, oh – -, oh – – can’t turn around – –
We’ve come this far by faith.”
Everyone has a story. Thanks for listening to a brief portion of my story.
For me, I still have faith in God. I’m still trusting in His Holy Word. And, I have come too far to turn around. As another song from my youth says, “I’m too close to heaven to turn around now”.
Luke 1:37 (HCSB)
37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Prayer:
Father, I praise and thank You for the life that you have given me. Lord, my times are in your hands, and there is no place I would rather be than being in Christ.
Father, I pray for my country, and I rest in the promise of your Word that you will be with your people. Father, I pray that everyone who hears this message will know the truth, and receive the truth. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
John 14:6 (HCSB)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
—
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here:
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