Ellen L. Grant
Huffing, puffing, and cussing…………..why are you acting this way and you just left church?
Are you the same person after church that you are during worship service?
After the Benediction is a reality-based effective tool addressing challenges that many Christians face today such as controlling in-laws, hellacious bosses, pretentious pastors, dysfunctional families, illnesses, financial ruin and the most gratifying temptation of all…….flesh. This compelling and unique book offers victory, strength and salvation to overcome those challenges. Although the journey of life is sometimes unpredictable, believers must know an abundant, victorious, peaceful life is a reality.
This extraordinary book opens with a preface that is all too familiar. "Saturday-Night Special" has a sultry, provocative storyline with opposing influences of good and evil. The decisions we make are not necessarily based on our moral conduct or religious heart ties. Sometimes we do what we like because it feels good and then comes the guilt. Each chapter thereafter makes verbal contribution so that the reader can be inspired because God is not like man. He does not engage in one night relationships. His love is so everlasting; you can call him the morning after.
Christians experience empowerment for approximately 2 hours on Sunday. Upon their departure from service, sin approaches in all forms to discredit the word of God. Once the doors are closed, there is a real devil desiring to tear believers apart. Therefore, truth and knowledge are needed to guide individuals from remaining cemented in the problem to seeking answers.
Therefore, nonbelievers can truly benefit because salvation is offered. Believers are balanced, bless and empowered because the power and glory of God is available After the Benediction.
I was born and raised a Southern Girl (Mt. Airy, Louisiana) to Linton and Glendora Joseph Grant. My father was a pastor. My mom is a retired school teacher. I am the fifth child with four older siblings (three sisters and one brother). My family has basically been rooted in Christ but that foundation has not exempted us from obstacles, challenges or pain. The ground work simply meant disappointments were not going to last always. Growing up and attending church activities such as Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, Mission Studies, and singing in the choir prepared me for such a time as this.
Currently, I am social worker in the school system. I attended Southern Universities where I received BS and MSW degrees.
Remember the party when your parents went out of town, you invited a couple of friends over. Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang, because your friends invited other friends and the party escalated. Now it is an all night affair of doing it all. When you awake the next morning, the house is a mess. There are remnants of the uninvited guess. You were left alone to clean it up. You now have more than what was bargain for. Sin plays a trick with us every time. Satan invited lying, lying told gossip the party will be the bomb, since gossip cannot hold anything, gossip called (speed dial) stealing. Since stealing is mastery at taking what's not his, stealing went to pick up fornication and adultery. Fornication said I can go because I know the flesh is weak (Matt 26:41). Adultery went because it was not please with one virtuous woman. These foes made certain addiction was there so the party could continue if not at your house then some where else.
As a result, we have fallen down on our knees for help in crying out for mercy.
We must learn to rise above the occasion. The devil will try many attempts to keep us in bondage. However, there is an overflowing fountain of pure blood that has set us free. Pray for your deliverance and most importantly, receive it from the Lord. Sin‘s flight is not automated. From time to time, we select our poison because:
1. I know God will forgive
2. I have God in my head not heart
3. I am carnal
4. I want to be weak
5. I enjoy the act
6. I do not belong to the father
7. I have credentials (a certified sinner)
Whatever the reason may be, God's anger will not always chide (Psalm 103:9). All unrighteousness is sin. We have been dictated to believe a little white lie is different from a lie. Adultery and fornication are major sins. Idolatry, lying, gossiping, covetousness, and stealing whether it money or time from the job are minor sins. In actuality, sin is sin. Sin is going to God and telling him, Lord not your way but mine. With the sin, come strong winds of delusion. The enemy clouds our judgment.
Judgment becomes activated on others when my sin is no longer visible to the human eye. As a result, we commit secret sins and judge those whose sins are exposed. God cannot bless us abundantly. We condemn others through our self righteous and holier than thou dispositions. Our lives have become the measuring stick. Our sins are acceptable if and since:
I use protection
I love him
Her spouse does not treat her like a woman
His spouse does not respect him as a man
My boss does not know
I do it in the privacy of my own home
I pay my tithes
I attend church regularly or the morning after
