Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Worship in Pink
“One More Day!”
Psalm 118:24
Dr. Venus L. Butler, Associate Minister
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This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NIV
On this day, as a Minister of the Gospel, I want to share with you that I am a breast cancer survivor! It has been six years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Praise God! After receiving my annual mammogram, the results appeared abnormal. I was called to come in for a second mammogram, that was followed with an ultra-sound and a biopsy, all on the same day. The results were positive or malignant, indicating breast cancer. Prior to my diagnosis, I was a Breast Cancer Ministry supporter at Second Baptist, as we held the annual Worship in Pink worship services and various educational events, lead by our ambassador, the late
Helen J. Starks. The Breast Cancer Ministry was a vision of Diane Myrick, who is also a survivor.
Now, I am one of the survivors – after receiving chemotherapy, then surgery, which included a lumpectomy, and then radiation. Today, I am still followed by my oncologist on an annual basis. I want to emphasize the fact that I did not have a sizeable lump or tumor. My cancer was discovered with the mammogram. I cannot emphasize enough the importance for women to obtain an annual mammogram.
I was followed on an annual basis because I was considered a “high risk.” My younger sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer; at that time she was
a 13-year survivor. Today, she is a 19-year survivor. Praise God! I was also considered “high risk” because I lost an aunt to breast cancer.
During the time of my diagnosis and treatment, I received an outpour of prayers, love, and support from my family, church family, Breast Cancer Ministry, friends, and co-workers. Many of the survivors of Second Baptist shared their journey with me and I observed how they continued to enjoy many facets of life. We continue to extend our love and prayers to those who have lost loved ones to cancer and we thank God for the lives of our members who have passed from this life to eternal rest.
I am just so thankful to be here, just “One More Day!” As survivors, we thank and praise God for just One more Day! Isn’t it a blessing for all of us to begin this day, acknowledging that “This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24
Consider how the support from others can help you face life’s challenges.
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When we examine Psalm 118, the psalmist is writing at a time in the life of the Israelites where they are facing challenging situations. Such time required them to call to the Lord in anguish, for they were surrounded by their enemies. Amid all of these struggles, the psalmist begins and ends Psalm 118 with the same verse, giving thanks and praise to the Lord. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; God’s love endures forever!” Psalm 118:1,29
Tough days are hard on everyone. On tough days we need to recognize that every day we are breathing it is a gift from God. In Psalm 118, the nation of Israel is in a state of rejoicing. Enemies have been defeated and God’s people are in a heightened state of gratitude. Psalm 118 is a significant passage because it underscores God’s love but also provides an example of people turning to God in response and giving God thanks! The entire passage can be read as praise and mentions specific examples of God’s provisions.
Consider the times in your life that you were able to remain focused on God’s goodness when faced with challenging circumstances.
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Tuesday, October 18, 2022 |
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In Psalm 118:24, the statement, “The day the Lord has made,” can be interpreted in two ways: First, as today, the present day. Secondly, this can be interpreted as the day of deliverance. In the first interpretation, the writer is giving God thanksgiving for His blessings - past, present, and future. As the psalmists sing their own praise, they also invite others in thanksgiving. With this in mind, “the day the Lord has made” is currently happening. The psalmist does not suggest delaying praise for any reason. If God’s love “endures forever,” then the psalmist wants to offer praise in the now.
The second interpretation of that verse make sense because the Psalmist mentions praise that will be given to God now and upon receiving deliverance. The Lord is constantly making the day, and the Psalmist knows a day of deliverance is not a question. The day of deliverance is inevitable, and thus God deserves praise - both then and now!
Consider how you have been blessed by God in the past
and are blessed by God in the present day.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2022 |
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This is the day that the Lord has made! One more day to behold the wonders of God’s works! One more day to say – Thank you Lord! One more day to worship God! One more day to honor the Lord! One more day to say, I love you Lord!
One more day to begin a new day! One more day of life and living!
No, we don’t know about tomorrow or what tomorrow may bring – but, today – on this day – I will trust you, Lord! Today, on this day, I will put my faith in you!
Today, on this day, I will rejoice and be glad!
During these past two and a half years, we all have come to value and cherish the sanctity of life as we experienced the pandemic of this 21st century. We all thank
and praise God for “One more day!” And for each and every day, “we rejoice and are glad!” As we grow on this spiritual journey of faith, we are learning to celebrate and appreciate life with all of its many facets. Therefore, I will bless the Lord on this day!
I will worship the Lord on this day! I will magnify the Lord on this day! I will praise the Lord on this day! I will rejoice on this day! I don’t know about tomorrow, but I am here on this day!
Consider the meaning of the phrase, “One More Day” when
reflecting upon the past 2½ years.
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Thursday, October 20, 2022 |
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We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24b
When we think about the word "rejoicing", there are many references in the
New Testament. In the midst of persecutions, suffering, death, destruction, and martyrdom, Paul encouraged the first century Christians to rejoice, not because all was well, but he encouraged them because they were the premier models of Christian life style and faith. They were to rejoice because they believed and knew that God was with them, and an ever-present reality. They counted it as joy to suffer for the cause of Christ, for they looked toward a future, in which there would be no more pain and suffering, no more death and destruction. They looked towards the day that they would be united with Christ. They looked toward the Second Coming of Christ. While here on earth, they would proclaim Jesus Christ for, “at the name of Jesus, every knew shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!”
Some find it difficult to rejoice in the midst of present-day realities, such as unemployment, natural disasters, a reduction in income, an increase in the cost of living, problems in the home, problems on the job, and problems in our government. Some find it impossible to rejoice. One sure thing about the word of God: it is not predicated on our feelings. The word of God has stood the test of time and these words in sacred writ – that were proclaimed within the early Church – mean the same yesterday, today, and forever more. We don’t stop believing just because we are dealing with hard times and circumstances of life. We continue to bless the Lord.
Consider how you can praise God when experiencing difficulties.
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Philippians tells us that we are to rejoice always. We are to rejoice eternally and unconditionally because God’s love for us is unconditional and eternal. As you are rejoicing, Paul instructs the church at Philippi, “Do not be anxious or worried about what is happening in your life and in the world, but take it to the Lord in prayer, with thanksgiving. Thanking God for what God has already done in your life and thanking God for what God will do in your life. Let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Each day is a rich and precious gift from God with new grace and new opportunities. So therefore, on this day, "This is the day that the Lord has made”, for God has created every day! I will praise God with my voice. I will praise God with my hands. I will praise God with my feet. I will praise God with my body. I will praise God with my life. I will praise God with my actions. I will praise God with every fiber of my being.
As the song writer states:–
With every fiber in my body, with all of my heart, soul and mind.
I worship you, heavenly Father, at his appointed time.
I’ll let nothing get in the way of what I’ve come to say.
You are worthy of all the praise that I bring.
Consider the fact that each day is a gift from God
and how this impacts your life.
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Saturday, October 22, 2022 |
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Romans 12:12 states that we are to rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. We have one more day to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that we belong to God! We have been adopted as God’s sons and daughters. We have been kept by God, nurtured by God, loved by God and strengthened by God.
We have one more day, to thank God for Jesus, for Jesus coming to the earth as God in the flesh. Thank God for Jesus, who walked among the people, taught us how to live, how to pray, how to love, and how to serve. We have been blessed by the Lord, redeemed and saved by the Lord. As we have been drawn to Him and chosen by Him. One more day to reflect upon who is Jesus in our life.
Do you know him as you Savior? Do you know Him as your healer? Do you know Him as your comforter? Do you know Him as your all in all? Do you know that you can call Him, in the morning? You can call Him in the noonday? You can call Him in the evening and even in the midnight hour?
Whatever we are going through in life, we must continue to hold on to our faith in Jesus Christ. Those who are survivors of Breast Cancer, survivors of other forms of cancer, survivors of COVID-19 and its variants, or survivors of other health challenges – I know you have a testimony of how the Lord has enabled you to make it to this day – One More Day! For those who have suffered hardship and despair, challenges of life that you couldn’t handle on your own, and for those who have experienced sorrow in the loss a loved one – I know you have a testimony of how the Lord was on your side and you have “One More Day!”
No, we don’t live in a perfect world, devoid of adversities, heartaches and pain, or perfect health, but we praise God – for “One More Day!”
This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it forever and ever.
Consider how you are a survivor and what are your
expectations for the future.
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2412 Griffith Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Phone: (213) 748-0318
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