C4 Connextion Corner

Let's Appreciate The Free Stuff By Min. J.R. Porter From the previous writers, you learned the benefit of having God's Grace, but we often take advantage and don't appreciate it until Grace helps us in the time of need. If Grace is a gift of God, we sure don't act like it. When someone gives you a gift, whether it's good or bad, it's still a gift, and we as humans ought to cherish and appreciate that gift. We choose if we like the gift or not from the person who gave it to us. I'm so glad God doesn't treat us like that. God doesn't say I will give Grace to those I like and not to those I dislike. God says, here's my unmerited and unworked gift called Grace that I give to you. My God, I'm getting excited just writing this blog. Unmerited and unworked means we don't deserve it and don't have to work for it. God freely gives his kindness called Grace to us.  Remember when your parents used to take you school shopping and brought you almo

I would say that when most of us lay down to sleep at night; we have access to some form of covering: a flat sheet, a comforter, a quilt, or something else to cover us. When I was growing up I made sure I had a cover even during warm summer nights to protect my ears from mosquitos which would enter the bedroom that my brothers Tony, Timmy, and I would share. Most people would in fact say that they use a cover for protection, security, and comfort. Isn’t it wonderful that God has already provided protection, security, and comfort for those who have accepted and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? God’s Word declares that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Before we go any further let’s make an affirmation and declare that “I am covered by grace”. There’s so much to say about grace, but I believe even all of that would be insufficient without acknowledging the simple truth that it’s God’s

Mutual Benefactors   Most people when they apply for a job think about the benefits they'll receive first. Whether it's a 401(k), health & dental, paid vacations, etc. Nevertheless, benefits entice us to work. Yet, when it comes to our Heavenly Father (the boss of all bosses) we get lax in our callings or downright quit our post. Truth be told, no benefits can outmatch or outperform the benefits we receive from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. American Express once had the slogan "never leave home without it", Grace resides in that same realm. It's like oxygen. We may not be able to see it but it's real. In fact, I retract that statement. You can see grace. It is tangible, alive, and vibrant!    God’s grace becomes visible when we, His children, turn from our wicked ways and decide that we will always serve the Lord. By taking this stance, God’s love is passed through us, to people that may never receive him. Like Pastor Lula stated,

  Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God. – Anonymous Gra ce to Cancel the Cancel Culture Cancel culture has become a popular theme in our present age. It, in some sense, serves as a punishment for public misbehavior or misconduct of an individual or group . Rather than educating a population of people who need it, we have decided to eradicate them from the face of the earth. Taking away their connections, livelihoods, opportunities and ultimately exiling them from their communities. We, in essence, make a decision of finality about their future and whom they can become. It almost sounds like "you'll never work in this town again"; because we have decided that the actions of their past will dictate their future. Before the gift of salvation, we lived in a cosmic cancel culture. How we mishandled and m ismanaged the gift God deposited put us in jeopardy of being canceled. Cancel Culture ha