Scripture & Meditation February 2023
John 14:23. "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
Deuteronomy 28:1, "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.
   law blessing

          What the Bible Says about Obedience. 
God’s call us to a life of obedience is clear throughout the Bible. The Holy Spirit is given for obedience.
 (Ez. 36:26-27, NIV Says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." 
​Luke 11:28 - But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. 
Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

​Here are some reasons for us to obey God.

1. We should obey God because he guarantees us a painless life.   
2. We should obey God because it's the right thing to do.
3. We should obey God because obedience leads us to a fulfilling life.
4. We should obey God because Jesus taught us to do so. 
Read Leviticus 22, it provides us with reasons for us to obey God, ways that we might easily overlook.

Verses to study for the first few months of 2023 
​                 Look them up and study them.
1. Proverbs 15:15- Be Cheerful All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast. ...
2. Proverbs 23:18-God’s Family Is One There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. ...
3. Psalms 98:1- God Can Do Marvelous ...
4. Romans 8:18- Live A Godly Life ...
5. ​Isaiah 43:19- God Gives Fresh Starts ...​

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 1 John 4.9 And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him."

Matthew 2:2 Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

​John 1:9-10 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him…”

Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

Matthew 2:10 “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

Luke 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Zechariah 13:1 “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.

Luke 2.11 ‘This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born — Christ the Lord!‘   

1. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1)
2. "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." (Psalm 7:17)
3. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
4. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
5. "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

           What is challenging your faith right now?

Our Faith must be tested, because it can only become our intimate possession through conflict.  The test will either prove our faith right, or it will kill it. Jesus said, Matthew 11:6) “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me”. The ultimate thing is confidence in Jesus. (Hebrews 3:14 says, “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…”). Believe steadfastly on Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God— trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us. 

We confess to God “I will walk in the Authority that You have given me. I will walk in a divine spirit meaning (things regarded as eternal and based on truth). I will walk in divinity (supernatural power), and I am covered in Your Blood.”
I declare that the spirit of the Lord is going to work through me, because I have submitted my life to You Lord.” In Jesus Name
           

​​2 Peter 1:3, 4 says “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
V4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature; having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Apostle Peter tells us that Jesus has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us in glory and virtue. (As we walk in obedience).
     2 Peter 5, 6 tells us “He will empower us to add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness, and brotherly kindness charity.” If all of this fruit will remain in us, our prayer life will be fruitful. When God directs a situation, we don't have to force circumstances they will automatically flow. God has no limitations; the limitation is through us. When we stop wanting what we want, and want what God have for us, say to the Lord, “Not my will, but Your will be done.”   
 

 1 Timothy 4:4
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;

Psalm 50:14
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High;

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

1 Peter 2:11-12 says, (NLT)
"11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors."                   
 The Bible tells us about being a child of God in
Galatians 3:26 says, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” We see that it is faith in Jesus Christ that makes us children of God. God tells us that when we have faith in Jesus Christ, we also become the children of Abraham.                       

                                                     Scriptures and words of Encouragement

​​ Look up each scripture and finish and embrace them. NIV version
 
 Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for …         Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great …                Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my … Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against …

 Ephesians 6:10 "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."
True strength comes from our connection with the Lord. Out of our relationship with Him comes strength and power. We have a heavenly source of divine strength in our lives. We cannot do without it; we need His strength and His mighty power.

Give God your weakness and He'll give you His strength." "The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. ... "Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and ... "Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light."
 
Christ is our source of strength.
Christ is our source of strength. There is an infinite amount of strength available for those who are in Christ.
1. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
2. Psalm 28:7-8 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

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The great consideration is that the kingdom of heaven is indeed a treasure, a treasure surpassing all others in riches and desirability.

 Parable of the Hidden treasure.
(​Matthew 13:51-52) says, “Have you understood all these things?" They *said to Him, "Yes."]And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old."
 
Jesus’ teachings are likened to valuable goods that are put in a storeroom where they are added to the things that the owner already has, namely, the Old Testament Scriptures. The disciples of Jesus have a wealth of teaching available for their benefit, And so we do also as one of His disciples                                                                                                                                             

  Hidden Treasure holds the key for those who want to have a stronger and closer relationship with God. Through a unique and simple method, as readers of the word, we are shown how to open the Spirit of Christ, that will allow each one of us to acquire divine strength, salvation, and inner peace.

 1. As our only treasure, we should value it above all the riches in the world.
2. Search for it in the Scriptures, till we fully understand its worth and excellence. Have they help change
3. Deeply ponder it in the secret of our souls. Meditate on that word
4. Part with all we have in order to get it. Leave that sinful life 
 5. Place our whole joy and felicity in it; and

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     Staying Thankful 

We Should Always Stay In An     Attitude of Gratitude 
    It’s always a good for us to reflect on the things in life that we are truly thankful and grateful for. Most of us take in our lives take for granted what God has given us. Every one of us has their own busy life and sometimes we do not have the time to stop and think about things to be thankful for.

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
― William Arthur Ward

​“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Luke 2;14, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Angles, Peace and Worship
    

                         
​ Speaking Gods Word
Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

2 Peter 1:20-21, "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

1 Peter 4:11 , "Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever." Amen.

1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Mark 13:9, “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them."

Proverbs 18:20, "From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips."

 
​“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2. “Now, Lord… grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word…” Acts 4:29.

 In Isaiah 41: 10, the Lord says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” When we have faith in God and our sufficiency is from Him, then we can have great boldness in the situations of life to do and speak what He works in our hearts. It doesn’t matter how weak and helpless we may feel; God Himself has promised that He will strengthen us to accomplish His will.

 It is written in Revelation 12:11 that the God's people overcame Satan “by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.” As Christians, we need to follow Christ in truth, and keep God’s Word with all of our hearts.
(John 14:23) If we are doing this, we have power and authority in our testimony. Then we can speak about God’s Word with great boldness, as we have personally experienced God’s working in our lives. Satan, who is also known as the “accuser of the brethren,” wants nothing more than to silence God’s people. When God’s Word is spoken in power and boldness, Satan is powerless. So, he tries to intimidate us with accusing thoughts, and feelings of inferiority and weakness, reminding us of our failures. Again and again, he tells us that we have nothing to give, and it is better if we just remain silent.           

Sufficiency from God:  In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” When we follow Christ on the way of humiliation then it is clear that we actually receive the light of life! This is not something of ourselves, or something that comes from our own intellect or personal abilities. No, it is something that comes from God Himself. “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant…” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6.

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​   6 simple ways we can speak God’s Word together as a family:
1. Memorize a weekly Bible verse, or as often as you choose.
2. Choose a passage to read aloud every night.
3. Create a scripture answer list and be ready to face life’s challenges with the Word. Choose a verse for when you need courage, in any area of your life.
4. If you have a family, Choose a family scripture verse and display it in your home. Refer to it regularly and say it together.
5. Study the Bible for yourself, and if you are a family, study together.  Choose a passage and read it aloud then discuss it together.
6. Keep right on doing what you are doing out loud… simply speak out the scriptures  and stories you read, as a family or individually.
There is great power in the spoken word. Speaking aloud something  can make a huge difference in hiding God’s Word in our hearts. When we declare God’s Word together as a family or for ourselves, we cover ourselves and our home in truth.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."                                          

    In Isaiah 41: 10, the Lord says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” When we have faith in God and our sufficiency is from Him, then we can have great boldness in the situations of life to do and speak what He works in our hearts. It doesn’t matter how weak and helpless we may feel; God Himself has promised that He will strengthen us to accomplish His will.    
                                              

 For God speaks to the world through a deeper Knowledge within the individual and through the power of united relationships, where this deeper power can be expressed and experienced between two or more people. 

​Say It! Then Pray It! Speaking God’s Word Aloud
Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words."

​God desires that we as His servants do and speak His Word with all boldness of faith. We are to encourage and exhort one another, to build one another up in our faith. But, often, there are a multitude of thoughts which can hinder us from doing so.

                                                                 ​Sanctification by Faith
​Ephesians 4: 22-24 “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 
Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy.”  
​We should put our past behind us and leave our old desires and impulses behind. Think of the new pathways God is forging for you! It will be a process; Satan will work hard to try to turn us back into our old selves. Our job is to change our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions for the better. God gives us a new nature, but it is up to us to choose to resist sin.

                             Guard your heart 
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” 
Proverbs 3:5 NLT “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” 
Psalm 51:10 ESV 
                       Grow Strong in the Word
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” 
Hebrews 4:12 And one of my personal favorites: “
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 •

​                             Worship
“Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Psalm 95: 1,2,6  “Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” Luke 4:8 •
                                   Prayer  
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7  “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
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 Perseverance is the path to new beginnings Perseverance is the pathway to a new start because a new beginning often requires patience.  James 5:11 says, “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24). Here we see the beauty of a new day. A new morning. New mercies awaiting us​

  Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 says, “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;” ​

. We see that they are new every morning… thus acknowledging that we are on this journey and it’s not a one time fix all. Today is a new day! Let’s be grateful!  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). We see in this passage that while Jesus was here on earth, even He was doing a new thing! He was teaching believers a new way of living, a new commandment, a new covenant: to love as we have been loved. 

• Faith refers to a strong belief or confidence one has in something or someone. This faith is what helps us get through the major problems and obstacles we experience in life.
  If you are facing any issues and you’re feeling hopeless because of a problem, just relax and rely on your faith. Remain calm and believe that a solution is coming your way.
  Here are the most inspiring faith quotes for you.
  Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.
  Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible. – Sir William Osler

As you practice counting your blessings, you will find that your faith is being suddenly revitalized. 
Robert Schuller

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. 
Martin Luther King, Jr..   

Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere. We can’t always understand them, but we have to trust in them. I know you want to question everything, but sometimes it pays to just have a little faith. 
Lauren Kate       

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Sometimes we just need to let go of the past and embrace the new season. Just like God does.  “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah’” (Jeremiah 31:31). The new covenant was given to us through the blood of Jesus. This is our hope. Newness is our inheritance. Jesus is the truest gift of newness in our lives. Newness of heart. Newness of eternity. From death to life.  “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19). We are given a new spirit as children of God. He turns our hearts from stone to flesh. New beginnings. New mercies. Newness of life forevermore. 

                     We place our faith in God and expect the best.
Having faith is having joyous expectation. Placing our faith in God, we must expect and accept positive outcomes. When we pray to successfully accomplish our goals, we receive clear direction. If we are praying for healing, we expect to be healed. When we pray for a loved one, we place our faith in the presence and activity of God at work within them to bring forth their highest good.
We must release negative thoughts, worries, or fears for they indicate our attention has drifted away from God. We must redirect our expectations with positive outcomes in mind. Growing in spiritual understanding requires ongoing practice. It's a lifetime journey. So we must step forward in faith with our mind and heart on God, secure in the knowledge that divine love is at work in each of us
1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us, "Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong." 

                                                      ​   God words of encouragement for us.

                                   We should always celebrate the power of forgiveness.
We are a divine work in progress—continually learning and growing. In the process of becoming all that we can be, we may make mistakes; yet when we know better, we do better. To remember the truth of our being, we breathe gently and pause for a sacred time of prayer. As we connect to our divine nature, we must surrender negativity and perspectives that do not serve our highest good. Self-limiting thoughts dissipate, and we can see who we are. From this higher perspective, we will recognize the wholeness within ourselves and others.
Even though we have made mistakes in the past, we should remember that we all are loved and loving. We celebrate the power of forgiveness that sets our self and all others free around us.
Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes ... mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Blessings and love to and for you!

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We must believe we receive when we pray, and we can have what so ever we believe. The word tells us we have to have forgiveness in our hearts when we pray.
Read Mark 11:22-25.                                           I am not trying to say that this is all the answers! We should really understand the power we have when we pray. God has given us a pattern to go by when we pray Gods word, according to His will. We have to be in order with His will not our own.
 Sometime we can be so focus on our problems when we pray that we forget about the promises that God Himself has given us through His word. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So is my word that goes out my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent” (NIV). That is awesome! God’s word cannot and will not return void! Praying God’s word we can never go wrong.

        Always remember
"Nothing goes right on the outside when nothing is going right on the inside"
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature. Old things has passed away, behold all things become new."
​Everyday from the first day I prayed this prayer, I'm just thanking Him everyday, it's already done, in Jesus Name!    
                  Carolin Morgan                    

​Beautiful words and encouragements, that different authors has given us to embrace.
enjoy each clip as they stroll by, and allow them to minister to you.

         Something to remember   
 Beauty is only achieved with a balance life, and having a personal relationship with Christ realizing His love for us and taking care of God’s work. Our lives are watched by the world. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Beauty should always be a complement to our inner spirit and never a hindrance to the Kingdom of God.
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We learn over the years that it is by love that God works. 
Love is His power to convert and change our lives. His power to heal and mend all brokenness, no matter what that is. Matthew 26:33 says, "I will not be offended in Him."
No matter what happens, His love calls us to obedience and makes it our joy to obey, no matter how rough the road or difficult the way. 
We learn, that the fullness of the truth that God's grace is indeed sufficient, and that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
His grace and His strength never fail, and with Him all things are possible. Matt 28:20 promises that, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

                                                   
Click on download, and read what Jeremy Binns wrote about pain and forgiveness; Awesome!

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If you haven't received Christ as your personal Savior, and you want to, just click download. 

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Chaplain Phyllis Murphy
Be who you say you are, learn your identity, and walk in your purpose

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Montella Wimbly:
Always stop, and take time, and smell the roses.

Minister Jan Chandler: 
    God has called us all to greatness. Always Remember: "All's Well"

Sharene Thompson: Minister of music Chior Director
Always take time to enjoy God's creation!

 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4;16 ,NIV

1. Pray that God would awaken the passion inside of you to live for Him and Him alone.
2. Ask God to set a fire within you — a hunger for more of Him and His Word.
3. Pray that your desire to be close to God would only continue to increase.
4.Spend a few minutes remembering and journaling about how you felt when you first came to know Jesus. Ask God to make you feel that way again.
​We are, WOMEN WITH A PURPOSE that stand together for a cause,  and we join together praying for one another. Prayer is a God given purpose, and when we pray we express our dependence on God, and at the same time, we are affirming God's promise for spiritual power. Prayer becomes an attitude of the 
​"Heart of God."

    We are praying for women all over the world. 
What ever you're going through, "we got you"