Climate Change: Is It Our Concern?

Climate change has been a very hot topic in the past few months. It is all over the media and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that it is an issue that has been getting a lot of attention and opinions from both sides. 

By now, you may already have your own opinion or stance on climate change. Whether or not you believe in climate change, the Bible tells us something that we should keep in mind.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Genesis 1:27-28

What does this mean for us, as Christians? 

The first thing we have to remember is that God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 clearly states this, but we seem to forget that the land live on is a blessing from God that deserves our care and respect. Deuteronomy 10:14 says, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.” This means that the earth belongs to the Lord; and as Christians who love and serve God, we should take good care of what belongs to Him.  

The second thing we have to remember is that God had made man a steward of His creation. We, as humans, were made to dwell and have dominion over the earth that God created. 

Whether or not you believe in climate change, whether or not the effects are real, it should not stop us from taking care of what God has entrusted to us.  

 

 

 

Radical Approach to Grief

What is grief?

Grief is defined as deep and poignant distress caused by loss. While it is commonly associated with the loss of a loved one, it can also be caused by the following:

 

  • Loss of a relationship – romantic partner, friend, or family member
  • Loss of a pet
  • Loss of a job
  • Loss of a business
  • Loss of good health
  • Loss of finances
  • Loss of a home

These are just some examples of the causes of grief in a person’s life. Dealing with grief can be a very difficult journey, but you don’t have to go through it alone!

 

What do you do when you experience grief?

Different people turn to different things when they experience grief. Some turn to substance abuse (i.e. drugs or alcohol), emotional eating (overeating or under-eating), compulsive spending, hoarding, isolation, over-working, sexual activity or aggression. 

While these things can give the false impression of comfort in your time of grief, they are, in fact, more harmful to you in your state. Not only can it make things worse for you, but also for the people around you. 

So, what can we do when we experience grief? As children of God, the best thing for us to do is to turn to Him.  

In times of grief, God sends ways to help us handle it! Next month, a special event is coming to help people experiencing grief to seek comfort from the Lord and restore peace in their lives. 

Zoe Ministries invites everyone to the Radical Approach to Grief event on November 29 – 30, 2019 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm). Let Pastor Debra Jordan, Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan and Coach Jean Lloyd teach you how to manage grief through the grace of God.

Discover the best approach in grief management through prayer and faith. The Radical Approach to Grief event will take place at the Zoe Ministries Church: 310 Riverside Dr, New York. Click the link below to register.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

 

Kingdom Building Women’s Conference 2019

Be part of the 2019 “KINGDOM BUILDING” WOMEN’S CONFERENCE!

 

CALLING ALL WOMEN!

I am inviting you to join me on October 11-13, 2019 (Friday to Sunday) at the Zoe Ministries Church for the “KINGDOM BUILDING” Women’s Conference 2019

This event is created for women from all walks of life to learn of God’s love and recognize the divine power that they have within. 

As women, we have an untapped power that has been laid upon us by God. Many of us lack confidence in ourselves and what we can accomplish through God’s promises. But the Bible says in Luke 1:45 :

 

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Believe in what you can accomplish through the grace of God! It is time for us to recognize the power we have within. We are women of WORTH and of GLORY in Christ Jesus!

Join me in the “KINGDOM BUILDING” Women’s Conference 2019 and be in the midst of anointed women of God. Let the special guest speakers Bishop Aretha Wilson, Bishop Janine Hyman, Pastor Mascareen Cohen and Pastor Cynthia Gee West inspire and empower you in this amazing event.

I am sure that this will be a POWERFUL WEEKEND for all women who will attend this event. Bring a friend or a family member with you to celebrate the power of women in the Kingdom of God.  

The second day of the conference (October 12, Saturday) will be specially dedicated for women only. All women are encouraged to wear PINK for the last day of the conference (October 13, Sunday).

Text WOMEN to 646-762-0433 or call 888-831-0434 for inquiries or more details. I hope to see you there! 

 

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” 

-Proverbs 31:30

 

 

Who Are the People Who Rely on You?

Who are the people who rely on you?

 

As women of today, there are usually a lot of people who rely on us. Our children, our husbands, our parents, our siblings are just some of the people who rely on us for different things. They have different demands and their dependence on us is based on various levels and reasons. 

 

Sometimes, our countless responsibilities towards them can make us feel overwhelmed. But what we must understand is that we cannot give them all 100%  satisfaction, 100% of the time. Although we love them immensely and we want to give them everything they want and need, it is impossible to fulfill and satisfy them all. 

 

The best thing we can do, as women of today, is to manage our time wisely. By practicing time management, we can have more time to focus on the needs of our loved ones who depend on us. Here are three (3) Ps to help you manage your time: 

 

THREE Ps for TIME MANAGEMENT

 

  1. Plan

 

Whether it’s for work or for your home, planning out your week makes a big difference. At home, you can make weekly meal plans to save you time in looking up recipes or heading out for the grocery for last minute ingredients. Also, planning your work outfit the night before helps save you time in the morning. Writing a to-do-list is one planning tool that can save you a lot of time and make you more efficient. 

 

  1. Prioritize

 

After writing your to-do list for the day, mark which ones are the priorities. Though many tasks may seem equally important, try to reduce their number and order them by significance. 

 

  1. Pray 

 

Prayer gives you strength to face a new day. It gives you the courage to do all the tasks you need to accomplish. Fears, worries and anxieties can slow you down; but prayer can clear them away from your consciousness. When you have a clear mind and heart, you will be able to do your tasks better and faster. 

 

Start each day with a prayer and be guided by God. Good time management begins with grace from God to conquer your day. With this, you can make sure that the people who rely on you will not be let down.   

 

Radical Forgiveness May Be What You Need

Are you currently carrying something heavy in your heart? 

That heavy feeling may be caused by many different things. Most of the time, when people carry something heavy in their heart, it is rooted in the need for forgiveness. 

Whether you need forgiveness from someone or there is someone whom you need to forgive, it causes you disharmony in your soul. Your peace is disturbed and a heaviness in your heart takes over.

The Lord taught us the importance of forgiveness when Peter asked Him about how many times he is supposed to forgive. Jesus answered Peter by saying, “I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.” 

The Bible also says in Colossians 3:13:

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

As the Lord has forgiven us, so must we also learn to forgive. We need to bear with one another and forgive one another as God has told us. Only then can we rid ourselves of that heaviness in our hearts and be able to move forward in our lives. 

Moving forward is not always about giving forgiveness, it is also about receiving it. We all need forgiveness from God, from other people, and also from ourselves. Now, ask yourself, am I ready to move on? 

Know more about moving on and moving forward at the Radical Forgiveness event on Sept. 27 – 28, 2019 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm). I invite you to join me so that you would not miss this amazing opportunity to learn how to create new relationships, let go of the past, and experience the freedom of forgiveness. 

 

The Radical Forgiveness event is hosted by the Zoe Ministries. The event will take place at the Zoe Ministries Church: 310 Riverside Dr, New York. Sign up here in this link to learn more about radical forgiveness and how to enjoy the life that God wants for you. 

 

 

You Can Be a Hero

A hero is basically defined as one who shows great courage or a person admired for his or her achievements and noble qualities. We mostly know our heroes from movies, books and TV or streaming series. We have many heroes in fiction, but have you ever encountered one in real life? 

Despite all the chaos in the world today, there are still heroes among us. 

When tragedy strikes, when accidents happen, or when there is terror in the city, there are heroes that emerge to rescue people in need or help out in any way they can. Despite risking their own safety, they answer the call of the weak, the injured and the suffering. 

Many people, from different walks of life, do not realize that they have a hero inside of them. It is only during the times of crisis when their inner hero emerges. It is the result of courage and bravery and the willingness to do good in this world. 

God calls us to be heroes in our own way. You can be a hero even by doing the smallest act of kindness to someone. Your act of kindness, though it may seem small, can mean a lot to someone, especially when that person is in distress. A simple act of goodness can do complex things, like pave the way for a person’s success or even save a troubled person’s life. 

 

The Bible says:

“Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

Hebrews 13:1-2

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;” 

Romans 12:10-11

 

We have the power to make a difference in someone’s life. Face the mirror and say, “You can be a hero!”

 

 

The Fruits of Your Labor

This week, we celebrated Labor Day in the United States. Labor Day is a nationwide holiday that is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers in America. It is a tribute to American workers for their contributions to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. 

 

Labor Day is celebrated every year. For most people who get the day off from work, it is a day of rest and relaxation. It can be a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor by spending quality time with your loved ones and doing the things you love. 

 

The Lord knows how hard you’ve worked this season. He sees you and knows the work of your hands. Even though it may still seem far away, there is a reward for you waiting. The Lord wants you to enjoy the fruits of your labor because you deserve it! 

 

“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.”

-Psalm 128:1-2  NKJV

 

God is pleased every time He sees us walk in His ways and follow His Word. He reaches out His hand to give us what is necessary for our well-being and happiness. The early Christians knew the importance of walking in Jesus’ footsteps and how it can bear fruit for us. The apostle Paul wrote to the Collossians:

 

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

– Colossians 1:9-10 NKJV

 

Our work may be often tiring and exhausting, but there is always a day of rest waiting for us. In the same way, being a Christian / follower of Jesus demands a lot of things. Pleasing God is not always an easy task, it often involves sacrifices and selflessness. But if we strive to be faithful to Him, we will reap the fruits of our labor through the grace of Christ Jesus. 

 

How to Cope with Stress

As women, we often place the needs of others first before ourselves – our children, our spouse, our family members, even our friends. Our daily duties and responsibilities, when they become overwhelming, can take a toll on our emotions and also on our physical body and appearance.  

Here are some of the common effects of stress in both men and women:

 

  • Headaches
  • Aches and pains
  • Lack of energy / loss of interest in things
  • Loss of focus / becoming disorganized
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Overeating 
  • Mood problems – anger, depression and anxiety

 

When this happens, how do you cope with stress? 

Stress affects everyone, but people handle them differently. Some cope with stress through substance abuse, such as alcohol or drugs; while others cope by overeating. These are dangerous paths that can cause even bigger problems in the long run. 

If you are under a lot of stress, remember that there are healthier ways to manage it. The easiest way is through prayer and meditation. Stop whatever you are doing, take a deep breath and talk to God. Seek comfort from the Lord and let Him guide you with the situation at hand. His presence will give you the calmness you need to overcome stress. The Bible tells us in Luke 12:25-26 (NKJV):

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?”

The scripture reminds us that worrying will bring us no real benefit. When we experience stress, the best thing for us to do is to lift it up to the Lord. The Lord says in Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV): 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

God is the source of all life. Through Him, we can draw the strength that we need to cope with stress and do the things we need to do.  

 

How to Turn Failure to Success

You can turn failure to success through five simple words:

If you fail, try again!

Try to recall the first time you learned how to ride a bike. For most people, they learned this skill during their childhood. A child rarely learns how to ride a bike in one try. The first time a child tries it, he or she may fall or slip. But that doesn’t stop the child from trying it again. Once he or she has recovered from the pain or embarrassment, the child tries again and eventually learns how to ride independently.

When we let the pain or the shame get the best of us, we will never grow. We will be stuck like a child who does not know how to ride a bike, while all of the other children are having fun and going places.

God wants us to go places and be blessed with success and happiness. But if we keep ourselves focused on our failures, we lose sight of the things that God has for us.

The Bible says in Psalm 37:23-24 :

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”

 As a follower of Christ, your steps are being ordered by the Lord. Trust in Him and keep yourself in the path of righteousness. For even at times when you fall down, the Father will be there to give you a hand. He will lift you up and bring you a brand new start. His grace is sufficient to turn your failure to success.

Pray with me:

Dear Lord, I come before You in faith and hope. I humbly ask You to pour Your grace over my situation. Give me courage, give me strength. Help me rise up every time I fall. Cast out the spirit of failure and let me be mindful of the power and help I have in You. Amen.

 

 

Dealing with a Major Decision

When you have a major decision in front of you, what do you do?

Before making any major decision, people often seek help from outside sources. We do this to prevent ourselves from making a mistake. We acknowledge that we are human and that no matter how intelligent or wise we may have become, we still do not know everything.

Where do you go when you need some advice in your life? Some people immediately gravitate toward the ones who are closest to them – spouse, friends, parents, siblings or other family members. Others go to figures of authority in their lives – bosses, mentors, leaders, etc.

This shows the importance of having a good network of support in your life. God has placed and assigned certain people to help you and guide you in your daily living. Whenever you are faced with a major decision, the best thing to do first is to come before the Lord.

The Bible says in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

God is the true source of wisdom. He has all the wisdom we need. All we have to do is to call out His name and immerse ourselves in prayer, asking for wisdom to help us make the right decision.

The Lord gives wisdom liberally, but one should always ask with faith and trust in Him. A person should never doubt, because someone who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” – James 1:6

As Christians, we are blessed with the grace of knowing God and being able to come to Him for guidance in our decisions. Heavenly wisdom is given freely by God and enters our life through different ways. All that is required is our faith in Him.