STRESS, we all have it, but how can we get RID of it?

Let us face the facts: we all have stress. It is the way we deal with stress that differs. The good news is that prayer for stress relief works! Prayer is that unique form of communication with God available to the believer that, when used often and in accordance with God's will, brings us into alignment with God's viewpoint. Being in good alignment means that our whole being is put into its proper perspective and that means life is less stressful and we are better able to deal with the stress we do have.

A proper perspective of our reality is often the biggest stress reliever there is. There is a saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff, it is all small stuff." The proper perspective helps us to understand that our stress is not unique or strange and it cannot defeat us without our help. In other words, when it comes to stress, we give it the power that it has over us. Living a prayer-centered life changes that equation. It is also an amazing thing of irony, but praying for others or intermediary prayer helps to put our own needs into perspective. Because when we focus upon the needs of others, our own needs become less of a focus. "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

The adage that "Prayer changes things," is only partly right, especially in stress relief. Prayer changes the one doing the praying. God is sovereign and when we pray, we are told to pray with in the will of God as Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13. This model of prayer is a good basis to start from and it can lead us into a deeper life of prayer. This deeper communion with Christ has a result of bringing a clearer understanding of our dependence upon God and His grace, which changes us and can consequently result in changing "things."

James makes this statement: "You ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" (James 4:15). Therefore, when we are praying, we need to do so not with a personal laundry list but with the attitude of submission to God and His will. That is not to say that we should not use prayer for stress relief. "You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:2). There is nothing in our lives that God does not know about so when we pray we are not informing Him. Rather, we are bringing our will into alignment with His Will.

But how does prayer relieve stress? When we communicate with God, we do so on a one-to-one basis with no intermediary. This is the only time when we can be honest with ourselves and with God. You'll find no artifice in the prayer closet. One can't simply mumble "I'm fine" when one is alone with God. The realizations that God knows our frame, has a clear understanding of who and what we are, and that He loves us anyway gives us a humility that strips us of false pride and opens our heart to allow the LORD to change us. Situations that cause stress in our life may not change instantly, but our attitude of peace in the face of the stress will make our life seem different. The result of prayer as a stress relief is the recognition of our dependence upon the "Prince of Peace" to bring us through anything!

A prayer for stress relief might include some of the following statements to God:

"Father, I know that You know my life and You know the problems and stress that I face. Help me to keep my eyes not on the problems or the stressful situations, but upon You and Your mercy and grace. Father, I cannot change the situations that cause stress in my life but I know that You can. LORD, keep my heart humble and willing to submit to the 'all things' that you have allowed into my life. Father, give me Your strength to stand because although I do not understand how this will change me, I know that You are working in and through me to conform my life to glorify You. Lead me into Your truth by helping me to surrender to Your Word. In the name of Jesus, Amen."

Hi! My name is…

Have you ever wondered what your name is? I mean, NO, not your birth name in a literal sense, but the name that captures who you really are. I thought about this after reading the story of Jacob.

Gen 32:24-31-

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."
But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

²⁷ The man asked him, "What is your name?"
"Jacob," he answered.

²⁸ Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, ^[e] because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Upon doing some research, I realized that the name Jacob was actually a summary of his lifestyle and personality traits up to the time that he had a divine encounter with God. Jacob means "he who supplants"- which could be explained- "he who takes someone else's place by force, scheming, strategy and the like". Looking through Jacob's life, he had been all those things (a cautionary tale to mothers). He had deceived his blind father and had stolen his brother's dignity (through stealing his birthright) and had lived a life of trickery and of being tricked ever since.

I don't know if Jacob ever realized the bad luck of his name before this incident, but he did come face to face with himself when he met God. The angel asked him his name and he could not help but realize how awful he was.

However, one thing must be noted. Jacob didn't just stop there. He refused to let go of God until there was change. The angel renamed him "Israel" which means "God perseveres/contends". This really encourages me! I saw myself in Jacob's place, and I began to wonder what I would answer if God asked me my name. Would I say "my name is hypocrite"? Or how about saying, "My name in 'inconsistent', 'insecure', or 'procrastinator'"? It brings me shame to think of who I really am.

GLORY BE TO GOD that when I meet him, He changes my name, if I seek Him with the whole heart! God has renamed me! He has changed, and is continuing to change and free me from the bondage of my past personality, and stereotypes, and compulsions. I can finally say

"HI MY NAME IS…"

--
Liselle Coker
DKA Clayborn,Lovely Lambda#08FA08, Reverse Osmosis
Howard University School of Architecture, May'09

Provision: CFAITH Devotions

God Will Get It to You!
By Gloria Copeland
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

Whatever you need today, God is your source. He is your supplier. Whether you need a new car or a place to live, He has it to give to you. All you have to do is access it by faith. You don't have to figure out in your natural mind how He's going to get it to you. All you have to do is believe and receive.

Let me give you an example. Remember in the Old Testament when Moses and the children of Israel were wandering in the desert? Remember how God supplied them manna to eat? In the account of that, the people of Israel began to complain and murmur. They grew tired of manna.

They decided they wanted some meat (Num. 11). Well, on they went, complaining about manna and talking about how good it was in Egypt.

Oh, how quickly we forget.

Well, Moses began to try to figure out how and where God was going to get enough to feed all of the people. Moses began reasoning with God. He said, "Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them? …Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them?" (v. 22). And God said to Moses, "Is the Lord's hand waxed short?" (v. 23).

God did not appreciate Moses' line of questioning. Moses was saying, "Lord, it will take all the cattle we've got to feed this bunch for 30 days. It can't be done."

Not only did God not appreciate Moses' questions and attitude, God got hot! "Is the Lord's hand waxed short?"

You need to remember that when you have a need in your life. You have no business reasoning in your own mind how God is going to get something to you. Well, I wonder if He's going to have someone in the church give it to me. I wonder if somebody's gonna die and leave me a bunch of money.

God is not limited by your natural reasoning. His hand is not waxed short. He has ways that you've never even considered (Eph. 3:20). He knows how to get it to you. That's His business. He is your source. He dropped quail on the Israelites that lasted for 30 days, right there in the camp.

God might just drop a house next door to you. He might leave a brand new car in your driveway one night. He can. He's God! He can do it however He wants to. So stop reasoning and start believing. Release your faith and receive. God will get it to you!

Speak the Word: My God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

For Further Study: Numbers 11:18-23
Daily Scripture Reading: Joshua 21-22; Acts 27

Source: Pursuit of His Presence by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

Like David (like the song..by Kiki!?...Ok, I thought it was funny...)

1 Samuel 17: 34-37,45-49

 

34And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

 45Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

 This was definitely a favorite story of mine, growing up. A little boy defeating a giant? I think that is one way to catch and keep a child's attention in sunday school. Now, it is, to me, a great story of faith. David was "only" a shepherd. Clearly, his family did not think that one day he would kill a Philistine..and they certainly did not think he would do it when he was young. Before the faith aspect, it also shows how God prepares us for what is to come. David told Saul that in the past he had been confronted by both a lion and a bear. Two different obstacles, on two different occasions, but each time, because of God, David was able to defeat them and save his lamb. Perhaps, at the time, David thought it was something incredible or something only in coincidence, but NOW he realizes that the lion and the bear were to prepare him for facing Goliath. Although they were big obstacles, they were only to train him for something bigger that was coming. And David realized this and told him, God delivered them into my hands, and He will do the same with the Philistine. Which brings us back to faith. It reminds me of how the Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. David had faith and knew that since God did it for Him in the past, He would do it for Him on that day.He also recognized that no matter the trial or tribulation, God is with you. David also pointed out a distinct difference between Goliath and himself, which is also important to mention. Sometimes we will do something and it will fall apart, will not work no matter what we do..and then we try it again and it works! We may not realize it at the time (sometimes I do..sometimes I realize it after the fact), but the reason it finally works is because this time we allowed God to come in on it. Instead of trying to do it ourselves or getting the help of the world, we gave it to Him. I mean to say, not that we dont need others help, but we need God's first. Another thing, which I have been making a point to remember to do, though at times I still forget, is that David gave all credit and praise to God. I think I read somewhere that even if you dont think you have anything to be thankful for, thank Him at least for waking you up in the morning! That's very true..that's one of, if not the best thing that the Lord continues to do for us- putting breath in our bodies. David said that the battle was God's and when he won, everyone would know that it was because of the Lord. Everything the Lord does, no matter how big or small, we need to give Him credit. Praise Him and thank Him..everyday.

Love & Blessings,
*** DS Adeola Oyelabi***

CHARACTER: THE QUALITY OF BEING - MIT JoAnne Jennings

The Following devotional is by a Minister in Training (MIT) at my church, Breath of Life Ministries Christian Fellowship. Enjoy!

~DS Brittany J. Bibb                 

Psalms 15:2-5 (NKJ) – He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue…who keeps his oath even when it hurts.  He who does these things will never be shaken.

We live in a time where the focus of many is "what must I do, and to whom can I do it to get ahead?"  Climbing up the ladder of success, as well as, receiving recognition from people is more important to some than the sacrifice of their integrity. As we have seen in the allegations against the governor of Illinois, it didn't matter to him what he had to do to get to the level of authority that he wanted, he was going to do it.  But, as we know, what is done in the dark eventually comes to the light.

Psalms 15:2-5 in the Message Bible reads, "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth.  Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this."  How straight to the point is that?  

The quality of being is directly related to issues of integrity and honesty, how we treat others, and what we do with and how we handle our money. God wants us to "be someone" rather than to "get somewhere."  He doesn't want us to measure our worth by achieving things by any means necessary, nor to trample on others in order to advance ourselves. Good character does not happen overnight, and we must be willing to endure the process to achieve it. James 1:4-27 gives us the measure by which God evaluates the development of our character. He is interested in who we are through long-term growth, not a quick fix. Honesty, compassion, endurance, generosity, and trust in Him build strong character and integrity…with this, God sees our heart, and is pleased.

Dear Father, we love you for who you are; for the patience and love that you give to us when we are slow to trust in You, and the directions that You give to us.  In these times of microwave meals, the competitive nature of the environment in which we live, and the desire to please others, we ask You, Father to help us to remember the importance of our character. Father, help us to remember that we are created in Your image, and that the world needs to see You through us – strong in character. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

With Love In His Greater Service,
~ Min. Brittany Bibb
Breath of Life Ministries
Alpha Nu Omega, Inc
DS TRUST est.FA06
Lambda Chapter Sorority
2008-2009 Director of Ministry

Seasons

When God puts us in challenging seasons it's for us to grow closer to Himm, not for us to build ourselves up but so we can become strong in His strength and weak in our own.

--
Samara Pearson
Parliamentarian
Alpha Nu Omega Sorority Inc. Lambda Chapter

404 423-4081
exquisite06@gmail.com

Rejection

So, I figure that rejection can be seen either two ways.  It can either be that "reeeejeccteddd" that people shout when they block a shot on the court, or it can be that, "Ouch, I just got rejected".  Well yesterday, I definitely experienced the latter.  And oh what a big ouch that was.  No, it wasn't by my dream man, but it was from my top choice grad school (dang, I hate even typing it).  As much as I could have gotten all depressed and sad like there was no hope in the world, I really was surprisingly ok with it.  But I promise you, the only reason I was ok was because I learned to let God have grad school a long time ago.  When I realized I was beginning to get too obsessed, I had to start telling myself that I will get in to wherever God has destined me to go.  As bad as I wanted that destination to be my top choice, God has other plans.  However, I am still grateful for what happened.  As Rev. Watley (the executive minister at Reid Temple AME) says, "Rejection is just God's way of leading you in the right direction".  Now I know you might be thinking, "How in the world is that supposed to make me feel better?".  But can you imagine if you ended up getting all those things in the past that you got rejected from?  Would you still be the person you are today?  In my own situation, I can honestly say that I am glad God's direction took over.  It's a hard pill to swallow at times, but I know He knows best.

 

In Proverbs 19:21 it states:
²¹ Many are the plans in a man's heart,
       but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

 

So, next time your feeling a little dejected from that rejection, just smile and thank God for His interjection and redirection of your life!

 

With Love, 

Renee

Release so God can Heal

Rom 15:1
Acts 20:35
Psalm 126:1-6
Not feeling to well this morning so I am posting from my phone so I cannot post scripture. Please take the time to read them as God revealed them to me last just for my situation and I think I must share.

I have really been feeling the weight of people that I am close to lately. A lot of people in my circle are going through some tough storms in their lives and I have been emotional behind closed doors just feeling their pain. I was in choir the other day after a friend of mine had shared with me some stuff the devil was throwing at her and I was just in tears. I wasn't sad or angry...I just felt her pain and frustation and I just began to pray. Most of you who know me know that I am a crier...lol...but this was different. My spirit has been crying out on people's behalf and it really has nothing to do with my emotions or hormones--- I promise. No...my spirit is really is really longing for people and their well-being.

I encourage those of you out there to really discern whether you holding onto the burdens of other people or if is the devil attacking you to see how much you will fight on their behalf. If you carrying burdens pllleeaasse let thim GO! But if you have picked up some of the spiritual warfare that comes with God involving you in praying and fasting for their situation....remember to not be naked spiritually. Ephesians 6:l0-18 says put on the whole armor of God. Not just a few pieces...thinkin "Oh this isn't my battle I'm just helping a little" No guard yourself! And trust that if God has put you in this situation to feel someones pain...sometimes even physically(the devil is crazy y'all) PLEASE be on your spritual A-game.

Love y'all and please pray for me!

Valencia Caroline Thurman

Alpha Nu Omega Sorority Inc.

Lambda Chapter President

Increasing Our F.O.L.D. Mark 4:3-8

Fervor-Obedience-Love-Discernment

Letter to My Daughter

Dear Daughter,

This letter has taken an extraordinary time getting itself together. I have all along known that I wanted to tell you directly of some lessons I have learned and under what conditions I have learned them.

My life has been long, and believing that life loves the liver of it, I have dared to try many things, sometimes trembling, but daring, still. I have only included here events and lessons which I have found useful. I have not told how I have used the solutions, knowing that you are intelligent and creative and resourceful and you will use them as you see fit.

You will find in this book accounts of growing up, unexpected emergencies, a few poems, some light stories to make you laugh and some to make you meditate.

There have been people in my life who meant me well, taught me valuable lessons, and others who have meant me ill and, have given me ample notification that my world is not meant to be all peaches and cream.

I have made many mistakes and no doubt will make more before I die. When I have seen pain, when I have found that my ineptness has caused displeasure, I have learned to accept my responsibility and to forgive myself first, then to apologize to anyone injured by my misreckoning. Since I cannot un-live history, and repentance is all I can offer God, I have hopes that my sincere apologies were accepted.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Do not complain. Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.

Never whine. Whining lets a brute know that a victim is in the neighborhood.

Be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.

I gave birth to one child, a son, but I have thousands of daughters. You are Black and White, Jewish and Muslim, Asian, Spanish-speaking, Native American and Aleut. You are fat and thin and pretty and plain, gay and straight, educated and unlettered, and I am speaking to you all. Here is my offering to you.

-Maya Angelou

The following is an excerpt from "Letter to My Daughter." I just started reading it, but what drew me to it was the letter. I didn't see a letter from Dr. Angelou, but rather a letter from God giving an account of Christian life.

My sisters, open your book more often and read God's letter to you, his daughter. You will find in this book accounts of growing up, unexpected emergencies, a few poems, some light stories to make you laugh and some to make you meditate.

So sit back in your comfy cozy pjs and heat up a nice hot glass of green tea (or hot cocoa) and smile as God pures out his love to you in the Word.

Your sister,

Brann Poe

Get Ahead!

Hey everyone. Over the past few weeks, I've received an enormous
amount of encouragement and revelation from a Word that has been
reoccurring in my devotion. It's found in Philippians 3: 12-14

It reads:

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made
perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have
taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

..... There are so many instances in which we feel like we have
shorted God. There may even be people around you who 'help' you
realize your shortcomings in your past/ your walk with Christ.
Unbeknownst to them and us, these things are weights that will hold us
back in our race to "forget what is behind" and to " strain toward
what is ahead". Ahead may be your calling, healing, or change but
we'll never know until we free ourselves of condemnation. The Bible
says, in Hebrews 12:1,2 :

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that
so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked
out for us.

Be patient with yourself. Surround yourselves with people that are
patient with you. Be patient with others. The Bible says in Romans
3:23:

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

All of us... Now that does not excuse sin. But because Hebrews 8:1 is
true we must always recall the day that we surrendered our lives to
Jesus Christ. The day that we allowed the blood atonement of His
sacrifice to go before us and shelter us from condemnation and the
penalty for sin.

In Philippians, Paul admits his imperfections. But he doesn't wallow
in it. He gives it to God. He moves on, becomes better than his past.

Philippians 2: 12-13 states,

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my
presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to
will and to act according to his good purpose.

Let's work out our salvation. Let's do everything we can to make sure
that we make heaven. Live according to the standards of Jesus Christ
as recorded in the Bible, not the 'hip, cool jesus' that let's us do
whatever we want and is OK with it.

And, still, let's beware of our enemy, the devil, who will try and
discourage you and remind you of your imperfections. God is the Author
and the Finisher of our faith.

Be Encouraged

DS Ekpin

One thing at a time

Today I feel a bit conflicted. I am happy that God has been transferring me from a place of complacency to a place of growth. Simultaneously, however, I feel burdened and overwhelmed and almost as if I am not ready for all this responsibility.

 

Have you ever wanted to change and then you end up with a list of 50 things that need to get better? It can be so discouraging. Sometimes, it seems even too much for me to be able to pray about. The only relief for my mind comes through this word:

 

James 1:22-25

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

 

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

 

The thing I get out of this is that all I can do is respond to God's requests as places them. I can act on the things He has shown me. He may reveal a thing or two in each season, and each time He shows me my face, I'll address that thing that I've seen. Forget the 50 things….I'll get to them if I address them one at a time.

--
Liselle Coker
DKA Clayborn,Lovely Lambda#08FA08, Reverse Osmosis
Howard University School of Architecture, May'09

Making Plans

I am the type of person who like to make plans. I make plans for everything, everyday. I make plans for events. I do budgets. I do schedules. I have a one year, five year, and ten year plan.

However, lately I have been drawn to Jeremiah 29:11. DeAnna's paraphrase "For I know the plans I have for you, says God, Plans to benefit (and be perfect just for) you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope."

This is so awesome. For real. I think on it every time I'm stressed.

But then today I realized something. When I'm stressed, most of the time it is because my plans didn't go how I wanted them. Then it hit me. I got comforted because I just assumed that my plans were God's plans, and eventually my plans were going to be achieved.

But what if my plans are whack, and God is like, nah, I got something better? I would be so upset!! Why aren't my plans working?

But why can't I understand that God's plan for me is perfect? Why can't I just trust that God will work it out because He's just amazing like that?

I don't have an answer for that yet. But I am working on it. I will let you guys know. And if you have any suggestions, advice, anything, please let me know.

Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes
deanna.rhodes@gmail.com

We love You!

Happy Birthday to DS Ade Oyelabi!

Love your Lovely Lambda Sisters!

Happy Tuesday to all!

Valencia Caroline Thurman
Alpha Nu Omega Sorority Inc.
Lambda Chapter President
Increasing Our F.O.L.D. Mark 4:3-8
Fervor-Obedience-Love-Discernment

Emergency Numbers

NOW...I got this from work and thought it might bless someone...it blessed me...or if it's not for you, maybe someone you know can use it. But, unless you memorized it, this requires having your Bilble on your person or at least being around a Bible most of the time. But if not...you can always 'call' God directly :) ...either way, He knows what you're talking about.

 

When in sorrow...call John 14
When you are lonely or fearful...call Psalms 23
When you want to be fruitful...call John 15
When you want rest and peace...call Matthew 11:25-30
When you have sinned...call Psalms 51
When you grow bitter and critical...call 1 Corinthians 13
When you worry...call Matthew 6:19-34
When you feel down and out...call Romans 8:31-39
When your prayers grow selfish...call Psalms 67
When you are in danger...call Psalms 91
When your faith needs stirring...call Hebrews 11
When God seems far away...call Psalms 139
When others fail you...call Psalms 27
When you leave home to labor or travel...call Psalms 121
When you want assurance...call Romans 8:1-31
For Paul's secret of happiness...call Colossians 3:12-13
For Paul's idea of Christianity...call 2 Corinthians 5:15-19
When the world seems bigger than God...call Psalms 70

 

***DS Adeola Oyelabi***

Got Milk?

We all remember the old "Got Milk?" commercials, and we were all told while growing up to drink our milk so we could grow up "big and strong."  A lot of good that milk did us for the real world. Real world strength we have matured to see requires way more than milk to survive. Milk alone just cannot give us the strength we need.

Nothing in this earth can make us strong enough alone to deal with life day to day. No matter how much we try to train up our outward bodies, they are still susceptible to pain and weakness. Life daily takes a toll on us. Whether it is stress on the job, illness, home issues, or even issues in ministry, living in this world hurts. Yet, we have been provided a way of escape from the daily bruises. Meet your milkman: Jesus Christ.

God sent us Jesus to give us access to His "milk", that is God's supernatural power. Milk gives calcium to your bones that increases your strength. God's milk, delivered to us by Jesus Christ gives us access to His supernatural "bone" strengthener. The closer we draw to Jesus, the more milk we get, and the stronger we become. The word states that in our weakest moments is when His strength is perfected. That's because He can move through us without us getting in the way. In weakness we are not strong enough to fight for ourselves, which puts me in the perfect position to receive God's blessings. The experiences of life simply set us up to be even stronger that we were before, and simultaneously draw us closer to God. What an awesome design!

We as Christians have to understand that we are nothing without God. God gives us everything. We cannot expect to survive, and especially not thrive in this world without Him. When your world is crashing down around you, or life is simply getting on your nerves, get like Popeye got with his spinach and go and get your Milk! Seek God for His strength and you are sure to reap the bountiful harvest!

Father, we bless You for Your awesome design. When you gave us all free will, you designed our pain to bring us closer to you. God we honor and draw close to You today, for we need our milk! God remind us that we are nothing without You so that we are in line to reap the bountiful harvest in this season! We love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

~With Love In His Greater Service,
~ Min. Brittany Bibb
Breath of Life Ministries
Alpha Nu Omega, Inc
DS TRUST est.FA06
Lambda Chapter Sorority
2008-2009 Director of Ministry

The Power of Standing

The events that have occurred in my life over the past few days have shown me that I tend to do too much unnecessary fighting.  I have literally been allowing myself to get so mentally drained because I am just trying to be such a busy body.  I have been trying to be like a fairy godmother, just waving my wand to fix each issue, but it hasn't been that simple.  God has had to remind me that all I need to be doing is standing on the Word that He has already given me and let Him do the rest.  If He said I was going to get into graduate school, then I need to just stand firm in that and stop spiritually running around like I have no sense.  If He said that certain situations were gonna turn around, then I need to let go of the wheel and just stand on His word.  In the passage below, you see a clear example of this...

 

2 Chronicles 20: 15-17

 15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

 

I especially like verse 17, because it doesn't say hide from the fight, it says to face it and then just stand!  How powerful is that? Who really goes into a fight and just stands there as the opposition is coming towards them? Only a bold, down for the count, faith toting soldier would do that.  Man oh man, and then you just wait for the deliverance that the Lord will bring to you.  Wow, I'm telling you, standing is powerful.  If we just all take a minute to stop where we are and truly stand on what we know is true, can you imagine how much sweeter the victory will be in the end?

 

 

 

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Be Blessed and Happy Thursday!

 

Renee

Wouldn't Start From Here

Wouldn't Start From Here

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Why do we choose to disobey God?(so you can read it;)

The chaplain of RHC made a very good point last night...oft times people know the WORD of God and can spit backwards and forwards  how God would have us live on this earth. It's amazing because we still  manage to disobey God. It's not like we are just so defiant and we despise obeying our Father...it's something keeping us latched to our DISOBEDIENT ways! An alcoholic Christian may be able to stop drinking but if they dont get to the root of the problem they will just pick up another habit to replace the drinking. Only God can change our hearts to make them sincere...when our hearts are sincerely changed then and only then can we turn away from the things that displease GOD!

Ask yourself why you are continuing to disobey God in areas of your life. If God said you need to stop talking to a certain person or stop hanging out in certain places then it's for a reason. You choosing to find ways around it will only harm you in the end. He can see further ahead than you can in these situations...so why not listen. We can go on and on with examples and i can share a few firsthand experiences(hit me up if you need some)but at the end of the day we must ask for a NEW HEART...A SINCERE HEART. 

 

 

 

Deuteronomy 28 (New International Version)

Blessings for Obedience

 1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

 7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

 8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

 9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.

 12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Curses for Disobedience

 15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country.

 17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed.

 18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

 19 You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out.

 20 The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him. ^[a] 21 The LORD will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you from the land you are entering to possess. 22 The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish. 23 The sky over your head will be bronze, the ground beneath you iron. 24 The LORD will turn the rain of your country into dust and powder; it will come down from the skies until you are destroyed.

 25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth. 26 Your carcasses will be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors, festering sores and the itch, from which you cannot be cured. 28 The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. 29 At midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In Love In Service,

Valencia Caroline Thurman

 

DEPEND ON IT

Greetings love,

I've been studying 2 Timothy 4 for the past week nad thought I'd share it with you. This devotional will be like a "Where is Waldo?" only, in this case, "How Do I Press Onward In My Chrisitan Walk?"

I rarely use the Message version; however, I thought it would fit for today. Read over the passage and as you do so, look back on your life and try to see if what you are doing is lining up to what we are called to do--in the good times and bad. Ready? Ok, here I go...

2 Timothy 4: 1-8

1-2 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.

3-5 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

6-8 You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

Stay encouraged my love. Open the Word, Read the WORD, BELIEVE the Word. Just as the WORD says, "He'll do right not only by me, but by EVERYONE eager for his coming." Stay eager and remember He has His arm around you.

ONElove,

Brann

Keep Yoour Head Up

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Life will bring trials and tribulations. They may be unfair, they may be upsetting and hard to deal with, but it is almost guaranteed that they will come. What matters is how you deal with them. Simply keep your head up and look to God. Proverbs 3:6 says that when you acknowledge the Lord, He will direct your paths. So trust in the Lord and submit to Him, in times of success as well as times of trouble.

John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

When it seems like you have no where to turn, keep your head up =)

Love,
Angel Vosburgh
DS Fidelity

Patience in love...

 

Recently, God has been showing me the meaning of true love. Love has so many attributes. Most of us are aware of the 1 Corinthians 13 version– (patience, kindness, selflessness, hope for life and for relationships...) See, I wish I could go on, but I'm stuck there for a bit. I never thought having hope for relationships and being longsuffering could be so difficult.  Specifically, in Romans 12, Paul elaborates on how love in relationships is supposed to play out.

 

Romans 12: 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

 

Do you see that last part? You know the part of being joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer? THAT PART! It hit me like a ton of bricks because I realized that in order to preserve any kind of relationship in a Godly way; I had to be willing to hope that there could be a positive future for the relationship. This hope, dreams of happiness and loyalty and memories to be made and shared, would propel me to be able to endure hard times.

 

But hope isn't the end of the story. There's also that NOT SO MINOR part about being FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. When I read that, I wondered about it for a long time. "What does praying have to do with that?" I asked. I then realized (through the Holy Spirit) that prayer is what changes things. It is only so long that any one of us as humans can endure unpleasant situations and press forward. As believers in Christ, however, we can be sure that God sees and that He has the ability to change the hearts of people. When the reality of that sinks in, we then realize that God can completely change the nature of any relationship, and align it to His will, all through the power of your diligent, private prayers.

 

So now we see the complete picture. We don't need to stress out and secretly resent each other. Being patient with each other while praying allows God to work on all of us, while keeping the love alive! :)

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Liselle Coker
DKA Clayborn,Lovely Lambda#08FA08, Reverse Osmosis
Howard University School of Architecture, May'09