You Shall Overcome

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19: 1-15

Worship Song/Song to meditate on: I Smile – Kirk Franklyn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43csvsPrYeg)

Do you find that you feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless a lot lately?

Like many people in our world today, you may be depressed or experiencing depressed moods. This is a normal reaction to certain life events especially, when there seem to be no hope in sight. Many economies are experiencing recession, increase in crime, countries are fighting against each other, poverty is very prevalent and people are so uncaring. Just thinking about these things will cause anyone to become depressed and feel hopeless.

Like Elijah, in the scripture reading you may be feeling as if you are alone in this world, you have done everything you can do and just want to give up. You may even be having some suicidal thoughts. This could be as a result of any of life problems such as joblessness, little or no money, failed or failing marriage, loneliness, an abusive relationship or no sense of direction or hope.

Whatever you are going through today I would like to encourage you that there is a way. This too shall pass and you shall overcome. You just need to find the will.

Remember that God will never put more on you than you can bear. He will never take you where he does not provide for you. Rest assured that God sees all things and knows all things and He has not left you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

Get support, no man is an Island. If you can’t talk to your family members, talk to a friend and do not be afraid of getting professional help if you need to.

Let go of some of your expectations, our expectations sometimes cause us to lose focus of who is really in charge and cause us to turn to our own strategies. Expecting too much also causes us to be anxious hence expecting things to happen in our own timing and on our own terms. Learn to trust God and other people to assist you. You cannot have control over everything.

Have faith that you will overcome. See yourself moving to another level. See yourself smiling instead of crying. The bible says that with faith as small as a mustard seed you can move mountains (Matt 17:20). Believe in God and exercise faith. Don’t be afraid to step out and find another job if you feel like you’re stagnant or take steps to start your own business.

Set small realistic goals and work toward them. This is will cause you to feel like you are achieving something. You may not have any money but you will feel fulfilled.

Help others, if you don’t have a job, volunteer in a community programme or at a church or mentor someone. If your marriage is falling apart encourage another couple. Whatever skill or talent you have use it to help someone else. This will at least cause you to feel better as you will remove the focus from your own problems. Also, you may find some solutions to your own problems.

Ladies, I pray that as of today, you will start your process of overcoming depression. I pray that you will feel the comforting presence of God in your life as you go through your journey. He will strengthen to overcome.

God Bless

We Have Everything We Need To Succeed

Worship Song/Song to meditate on: Don’t count me out – Marvin Sapp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2VRdj_HtI)

As a teacher it becomes necessary to encourage your students, as such I try to encourage mine as often as possible so that they  know that they can be anything they want to be. In the process of giving my talk one evening a student exclaimed “we cannot be successful at everything."

Now, when I was a little girl I was taught, “if at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again.” As such, I believe that you can be successful at anything if you have the right attitude, work hard at it and never give up. Also as a Christian, I believe what the Bible says is true, therefore I believe that God has given us everything we need to succeed.

Here are five scriptures which affirm that your success is guaranteed if you trust God, believe in yourself and never give up.

“I can do all things all things through Christ who strengthen us” Phil 4: 3 (NKJV) – There are times when you feel like giving up and you think you are failure because nothing you do seem to be successful. Remember that God himself strengthen and support you. In other word God has your back so your success is certain. Don’t give up just trust God.

“As I think in my heart, so am I.” Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) - If you tell yourself that you won’t succeed then you won’t, however if you think big, if you think you are the best at what you do then that’s what you are.

“God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) – Do not let your mistakes or your past define who you are. Believe you can change, read autobiographies of successful people, get to know successful and listen to others who have achieved what you want to achieve and learn from them. Use the power that God has given you and achieve your desires.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) – In achieving success you are going to meet up on failures consider these failures as setups and not setbacks. Consider your failures as lessons learnt and find ways to improve on them.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." ~Proverbs 16: 3 – In everything, no matter how insignificant you think it is, ask God to bless your plans and lead you in the right direction. Then listen, obey and allow God to make a way.

Blessed are the Poor…

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 5:2-12

Main Verse:  Worship Song/Song to meditate on: Count Your Blessings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODZDmBimiM)

One day, a rich dad took his son on a trip; he wanted to show him how poor people live. They spent time on the farm of a poor family. On the way home, dad asked, "Did you see how poor they are? What did you learn?” Son said, "We have one dog, they have four, we have a pool, they have rivers, we have lanterns at night, they have stars, we buy our food, they grow theirs, we have walls to protect us, they have friends, we have encyclopedias, they have The Bible." The son said, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."  

A friend of mine sent this fable to me the other day, it wasn’t the first time I saw, but this time my perspective was different.  It caused me to reflect on just how much I have. I might not be wealthy yet, but I have so much more than others and I can truly say I am happy. For that I am grateful.

I suppose the dad wanted to teach the boy about appreciating what he had since the poor family had so little. However, the little boy understood that it is not material things that really make us wealthy; it is actually the simple things. Those things that we take for granted so many times like our family, our friends and the fact that we are able to breathe.

 I am reminded of this hymn that I learnt at Sunday School. The chorus and two verses go like this:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by...

Ladies today let us be content with what God has blessed us with. The fact is many times we think our situation is the worst and all we have to do is ask someone else how is their day and we realize that what we are going through is nothing compared to what they are going through. Let’s take some time to reflect on what He has blessed us with, and then spend at least ten minutes today thanking Him. Today, this devotion will be devoted to counting our blessings and thanking God for them.

Thank him for bringing you through last week, thank him for your children, and thank him for your family, your husband, thank Him that you live in Jamaica, thank him for life and everything else you can think of.

Have a Blessed Day.

Change Agent

Scripture Reading:  Jeremiah 4 - 10

Main Verse:  “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms,To root out and to pull down,To destroy and to throw down,To build and to plant.” Jeremiah 10 (NKJV)

Worship Song/Song to meditate on: Man in the mirror - Michael Jackson

There are many people who have tried to effect changes in this world, some successfully, some unsuccessfully, some we know about and some we have never heard about.

As women, we have an uncanny ability to influence change. There is a common quote, "behind every successful man there is a woman". This woman is usually a partner, a mother, a mother figure or a very supportive friend.

 Many women choose to change the world by motivating and supporting their sons and husbands, but there are some women who have actually made a tremendous impact on our world and have become famous. Examples of these women are Mary Magdalene, Mother Theresa, Rosa Parkes and Oprah Winfrey.These women were all women of humble beginnings; they all had constraints and issues like any other woman. However, they saw a need for change and decided to do something about it.

 I am not suggesting that you start a revolution or become an activist, although that is not such a bad thing, you could just change the world. I am merely suggesting that today you start a revolution within yourself and then move to your sphere of influence. Change usually start within, it usually starts in the mind and in our hearts. Mathma Ghandi encourages us to "be the change you wish to see in the world."

Today, start by changing the way you think and changing the way you do things. You might be in an abusive relationship, you might be in a job that underutilize or underpay you, you might lack self-confidence or have a low self-esteem. You may not be the one in the situation but you may know someone who is in a situation that needs to be changed.

Don't allow fear to paralyze you. You might fear that if you leave he will kill you; you might fear that there is no better out there so it's best to settle with the job, you might thing that no one will listen to you. Let me remind you, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore we are empowered to do anything we set out to do. 

My sisters, I urge you today, we can effect changes like the women mentioned above. William Jennings Bryan said "destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved."

Stir the gift that God gave you and make a change even in your little corner. You may  not be successful on your first try but with God all things are possible. If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. If the world does not know your name at least your sphere of influence will, your children will, your husband will, your co-workers will and your friends. Most importantly however, you would have known that you did your best. You would have fulfilled God's purpose.

 Inspirational Quotes:

"The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking." Albert Einstein

 "Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Barack Obama

 "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." Mother Teresa

Divine Guidance

Scripture Reading:  Psalms 23

Main Verse:  …He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)

Worship Song/Song to meditate on: God Blocked it – Kurt Carr (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLLUlYSu_H4)

Most of us when we are going to work in the mornings whisper a word of prayer for ourselves and our loved ones. We often ask God “to guide us throughout the day” or “to direct our paths” or if we pray the Our Father Prayer we ask God to “lead us not into temptation,” some of us even say “let your will be done.”

We often pray like this, because like David in the 23^rd Psalms we realize that God is our guide and He will lead us in the right path. Today, let us look a little closer at what we are really asking for as we leave our homes in the mornings.

The Hebrew word for “guide”means to lead, to carry and to conduct one’s life. As such we are giving God authority over our lives and our loved ones lives to carry out these duties. Therefore, like a good shepherd in the field that keeps his sheep walking on the right path, so does God lead, protect us and ensure that no danger comes to us.

 If a sheep walks on the wrong path, disaster is sure to follow. A sheep on the wrong path can stumble and fall, get caught in briars and bushes, or get attacked by predators like wolves. Sheep in the field need the leadership, protection, and guidance of a shepherd. In the same way God instructs us in His word and directs us by the Holy Spirit and wisdom. He will lead us to right paths that are pleasing to Him.

Sometimes these prayers are only rituals. However, God still ensures that He leads us on the right path.  Psalms 23: 3 tells us that He leads us in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Understand that He takes on the name Protector, Guide, Leader, Saviour and Father; as such He will guide us because He is true to His word and will never break His promises. Also what He does is not dependent on whether we prayed or if we were bad or good today as His grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning.

 So when you pray this morning for guidance, rest assured knowing that God will provide Divine Guidance. He will intercept dangers and give His angels charge over you and your loved ones today. I pray today that you and your loved ones will allow God to guide you in the paths of righteousness.

Scriptures for further reading:

·        

      Psalms 91

Spring is here: It’s Time to Bear Fruit

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Main Verse:  To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)

Worship Song/Song to meditate on: Seasons – Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxUqOK_EcoI)

Spring is that season between winter and summer.  It signifies emergence of new life because it’s that time when plants and animals are born. It is said that when you notice a newly budding leaf, be sure that spring has arrived.

Dr Anthony Scioli in a Psychology Today article likened spring time to hope. Spring brings added light and heat as the days are warmer and longer. One effect of this is improved moods which engenders hope. Spring is also a bridge from the darkness of winter to the bright warmth of summer. The earth softens so seeds are planted which results in beautiful flowers at this time. The grass is often greener and trees starts budding. During spring animals stop hibernating, hundreds of bird species return home. Also, it is the perfect time for outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, gardening and farming.

Spring is also considered a time of healing as people who are normally depressed in the winter are normally less depressed during this time. There is also an increase in Vitamin D which is involved in promoting bone health, proper cell differentiation, boosting immunity and helps with the healing of Cancer.

Now, in this time of recession where there is so much unemployment, companies closing down, rising prices, inflation is at an all-time high, crime and wars are everywhere around us. You must be asking where the hope is. Where is this spring?

My answer is, it is right here. If you look hard enough, believe hard enough, you will find hope. Look in the faces of your children, look at all the beautiful things God created, look within yourself, look to God and you will find hope. Despite all that is going on around us we just have to believe.

A few Sundays ago my Pastor declared that 2013 is going to be a year of Divine Blessings. I held on to this and I believe that it will be an extraordinary year

.

However, like the farmers we need to plant in this season so that we can be ready for the harvest when it comes.  

Your spring time is a season of giving – like the farmer, we reap what we sow. Therefore give of your time, money and substance. This is a biblical principle and one that many successful persons adopt. Give today by volunteering or by encouraging someone. Buy lunch for someone or just simply smile with someone.

Your springtime is a season of Imagining – The fifth Law of Success by Napoleon Hill, Author of “Think and Grow Rich” is Imagination. “You will never have a definite purpose in life, you will never have self-confidence, you will never have initiative and leadership unless you first create those qualities in your imagination and see yourself in possession of them.”  Therefore dream big today.   I often tell people that one day I will sing solo at church, today I often called “tone deaf” and told that I can’t hold a note to save my life.

Your springtime is a season of speaking positively – Speak life over your dreams. The bible tells us that faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Allow no one to tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams. With Christ all things are possible.

Your springtime is a season of believing – There is a saying that goes “What the mind believes and conceives that it will achieve.” You can do it if you believe you can.

Let Go, Let God

Scripture Reading – Matthew 6: 25 - 34

Main Verse:  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matthew 6:25 (KJV)

Worship Song/Song to meditate on – Let Go, Let God – Dwayne Woods

How many of us can truly say we don’t worry about tomorrow? How many times do we worry about where the next meal is coming from? or how will the children go to school tomorrow? Or when will I get married? Or when will my husband start going to church? Or how will the mortgage be paid? Or how will the school fee be paid?

Yet our heavenly father, the only one who can truly answer these questions promises us that it is not necessary to worry about these things

In today’s scripture God is simply imploring us that we should not worry but trust Him. He encourages us to put Him first and He will make a way. Philippians 4:5-7 further encourages us not to be anxious for anything but to make our concerns known to God in prayer and thanksgiving.

Sisters, there is nothing new under the sun, nothing that God don’t know about so stop worrying about things you have no control over. 

Today you don’t have to commit suicide, or have that abortion or give up on your relationship. Don’t be discouraged; don’t be dismayed.

God promises us abundant life. He promises a peace that passes all understanding.  Therefore, stop condemning yourself. It’s no fault of yours that you were abused or you didn’t get to finish your education or the other that someone else is prettier or more successful than you. No need to condemn yourself because you lost your virginity at fifteen or had that affair with a married man.

    God see’s you in a different light. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

    As women we often over think the problem, dissect it, turn it upside down and even make false assumptions. This gets us nowhere and only causes us more pain.

    Action Steps:

1. Pray - Ask God to help you to see yourself in a different light. Let God know that today you will stop worrying and leave your problems to him. Even if you don’t believe it, say it. If you say it long enough it will manifest.

2. Forgive yourself - This is very important for healing.  Promise yourself that to day you will no longer condemn yourself

3.  Empower yourself - Read motivational materials. Read the Bible. Declare positive things over your life. Stop listening to negative talk.

4.  Take Action – Motivate someone else, send out job applications, join a support group, start a support group, invest wisely, budget your money etc.

    If you can’t do the action steps by yourself get someone you can trust, that is willing to help you. Speak to a Pastor or a trusted friend or a counselor at a women’s center.

        

   The scriptures below will encourage you, declare them over yourself and break that curse of worry now in Jesus name.

·         Philippians 4:19                                

·         Isaiah 61:3

·         Psalms 118:17

·         Romans 8:37

·         Deuteronomy 28:13

N.B: Illness caused by worrying includes stress, panic disorder, depression, social phobia and post traumatic, stress disorder

Uncommon Favors

Scripture Reading – Genesis 39

Main Verse:  Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. Genesis 39:4

Worship Song/Song to meditate on – God Favors Me – Hezekiah Walker 

In life we are often placed in “uncomfortable” situations where we have to ask God “Why?” or “Why me?” or “Why must I bear this cross?”

 Recall the lives of David, Joseph, Ruth and Esther.  These persons were all placed in “uncomfortable” situations; however they came out with remarkable and uncommon favors. David after fleeing from Saul to save his life, eventually became King of Israel; Joseph became the 2^nd most powerful man in Egypt after his brothers sold him into slavery. Ruth despite hardship got married to a rich man and became Matriarch of the lineage of King David and Christ Jesus. Esther won the favor of the King in a remarkable way and thwarted the massacre of the Jewish nation.

There are many more examples in the bible of persons who have been placed in “uncomfortable” situations but came out being victorious in the end. In the same way there are many stories that we can tell from our experiences.

How many times have God asked us to do things and then rewards us one hundred fold or even a thousand fold?

I remember praying for a friend of mine to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. I was instructed to sew my entire months’ pay.  Now, this was rather uncomfortable as I didn't know how I was going to pay my bills if I obeyed. So, just imagine me asking “God, are you for real?” After putting up some fight, I obeyed. A couple of months after my friend gave her life to Christ and her husband and children eventually did the same. Also, I received some money I didn't expect and I got a promotion. I am still reaping the benefits.

Women, sometimes we have to become uncomfortable to receive what we have been praying about for so long. Sometimes we have to take off the mask, take off the high heels, wash off the makeup and just do what we know we must do.

Mother, to get your son back you may have to go out there and minister to those boys on the street corner, sit with them, encourage them and be a mother to them.   Single women, the men are out there but they need someone to tell them about Christ. The husband that God have for you may just be one of them. Married women don’t be afraid to go cry at the altar so that you can break that curse off your family or get that other woman out of your life.

Don’t be afraid of the faces, don’t care what your haters are going to say, God wants to take us to another level. He wants to bless us. He wants to give us uncommon favors but we can’t be afraid of the “uncomfortable places.”

You know what God has been talking to you about. So women, with attitude this time, lets hold our heads up high, stick our chests out and do that uncomfortable thing God has wanted us to do.

For encouragement read:

Life of David - 1st and 2^nd Samuel

The book of Ruth

The book of Esther

Life of Joseph – Genesis 37 to 50

Encourage Yourself in the Lord

Scripture Reading – 1 Samuel 30 vs 1-6

Main Verse: And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30 vs 6 KJV

Worship Song/Song to meditate on – Encourage Yourself in the Lord – Donald Lawrence and Tri-City Singers

Have you ever been placed in a situation where you felt all alone? No one is there, only you?  Kind of like doing a test where the teacher stops talking and is now invigilating or maybe one of those experiences where you are given something to do and you don’t have a clue how you’re going to get it done. All signs on the road say impossible.

I am reminded of a time when I was a child and my mom sent me to the shop, it was so dark and I was so terrified. I ran so hard to that shop and back, that when I got to my gate I didn’t stop to open it, instead, I  jumped over it, today I have a scar on my leg to show for it.
Well you know what women; we face these situations all the time. We feel helpless, alone and have no idea where to turn. However, we don’t have to despair or be afraid, or feel depressed, sad and worry. Yes, it is natural to feel that way, even David felt that way when his own soldiers threatened to stone him. He was distressed (anxious, distraught, troubled, concerned, and worried). These men were angry. I think he envisioned himself lying there dead.

However, he encouraged (inspired, strengthened) himself in the Lord. So today when the troubles come whether it’s related to the job, your husband or lack thereof, your children, family, finances etc. Speak over yourselves, encourage yourselves in the Lord and trust him.

Look in the mirror and affirm yourself with the scriptures below. Personalize them and speak them over yourselves today. Remember life and death is in the power of the tongue, if you speak negatively, you reap negatively. So speak words of healing and encouragement over your life today.

Scriptures:
·        Phillipians 4:6
·         Isaiah 55: 8- 11
·         Romans 8:37
·         1 Thessalonians 5:24

Peta Gayle Oates (Miss)

For speaking engagements or to leave a comment email petagayle.oates@gmail.com