Category Archives: Prayer

When Last You Made a Mistake?

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Have you ever been wrong? I”m talking about embarrassingly wrong where you are ashamed to even approach the person? But of course the God in you would have it no other way.

This was me just two days ago. What made it worse was I had literally just finished praying, asking God to help me to be, “Quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath” (James 1: 19). When I said egg was all over my face, look here, I wanted to bury my head in the sand!!!!

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At first, I was so shame, I couldn’t open my mouth and speak. I had to pray within my spirit, asking God to forgive me. I figured the enemy was having a field day, laughing at how I had fallen but the scripture which came to mind was, “A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…” (Proverbs 24:16). I won’t go into details about the situation, but I didn’t do due diligence and jumped to conclusions. I was professional in my approach, BUT I was wrong. Dead wrong. I had read wrong…made a mistake. When it was brought to my attention, I had to apologize.  I do thank God my apology was quickly accepted. I am certainly reminded of the importance of crossing all t’s and dotting all i’s – basically doing my research before I approach someone on a matter.

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So have you ever been in such a situation where you’ve made a mistake? Haven’t we all?  The important thing is to not stay in mistake mode. We could beat ourselves up to the point that we carry that weight around and it’s not worth it. We are admonished in 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.”

I must admit that the incident was humbling and showed me I still have some growing to do. Sometimes, I experience a victory and other times…defeat. In any case, I thank God that according to Psalm 138:8, He will perfect that which concerneth me. He will NOT forsake the works of His own hands. THANK YOU JESUS!

I’ve confessed to God, apologized to the person, got up, dusted myself off and am back on track. The race is not to the fastest runner, but he who endures to the end. See you at the finish line – even if you have to dive across the line! Go Shaunae!!! 🙂

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Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

 

 

 

Pray for ALL Families in the Bryant Crash

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13-year-old daughter, Gianna (Gigi) Bryant and her father, National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar, Kobe Bryant.

 

Yesterday when I heard about the tragic death of basketball superstar Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna (Gigi), I was in shock. The next thought was, “We know not the day nor the hour.”

Kobe and his daughter were among the nine victims of a helicopter crash on a hillside in Calabasas, California. And to be honest, my initial heading was, ‘Pray for the Bryant Family.’ But I caught myself quickly and realized, this crash is exceptionally popular worldwide because of Kobe, a celebrity being involved, and his daughter. However, we must not forget the other seven victims, all of whom have family members who are in mourning.

 

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As I ponder this situation, it is so real that we all have plans: Plans for today. Plans for tomorrow. Plans for later this year, next year…perhaps within the next five years. But though we plan, ultimately, God is in control. He knows the day of conception, the day of birth, the day we have an appointment with death. It’s an appointment we cannot cancel or be late for. The truth is, we know not the day nor the hour. Most important is to be ready to meet the Great God of the Universe.

Admittedly, I’m not big into basketball and as a child, I was a LA Laker, simply because my father was an LA Laker. And having a brother and several cousins who are into basketball, I knew Kobe’s name, face and was well aware that he was among the greatest basketball players of all time. I don’t know much about basketball, but there are names of some players who I know are at the top of the totem pole like Kobes, Shaq, Jordans and Steph Curry.

Meanwhile, I’ve been praying for Vanessa and her three daughters. My heart goes out to her as she has to deal with the loss of her husband of 18 years and her daughter, who had not too long become a teenager. It’s a double whammy. A blow. Heartbreaking is an understatement.

What I do love, is the fact that Kobe seemed to be a family man. Despite whatever past indiscretions he made, he seemed to relish in the love he had with his wife and children. He also seemed particularly close to Gigi, perhaps because of her love for basketball and her desire to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). They were often seen together. He was her father. He was her coach and mentor.

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Gigi was a rising star in her own right.

 

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I believe this photo sums up the relationship between Gigi and her father.

 

We need to pray for Vanessa. She and particularly the eldest daughter, 17-year-old, Natalia need strength. However, there are also Bianka, who is three and seven-month-old Capri Kobe Bryant, who will grow up without their father’s presence. Let us all who know what it is to pray to the Almighty God, pray for this family and the families of the other seven passengers of that helicopter, who have been plunged into mourning. It’s a call no one ever wants to receive.

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Christmas 2019

 

My prayer is that Matthew 5:4 becomes a reality to them all: “Blessed are those who weep and mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah

All Access Pass

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Buckingham Palace, London, England
                                                                                                                 Photo: The New York Times

In 2016, I visited my beloved goddaughter in England, where she was attending the University of Nottingham.

We spent some time however in London and of course, who visits the city without checking out Buckingham Palace?

I – like multiple visitors from around the world – posed and took photos at the large fortress-like iron gates. But that was it! That was as far as we could go. The hoisted flag was an indication Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II was in residence; however, none of us had the privilege to walk through those gates and meet with her.

As I am presently in the book of Hebrews, I am reminded of the privilege I have to “boldly approach the throne of grace…” (Hebrews 4:16). I do not have to go through a human high priest, who first has to pray for his own sins, then mine before offering sacrifices for forgiveness (Hebrews 7:27). Because Jesus paid it all and only needed to shed His blood once for the remission of our sins, we have access to the longest reigning head of state: the King of ALL kings!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!

Because of the blood, and faith in what is wrapped up in that blood – healing, deliverance, salvation etc. – I have an ALL ACCESS PASS to MY FATHER, MY KING.

NO guard could stop me from approaching MY GOD at anytime within the 24 hours in a day…365 days a year! I do not have to wait in line, nor do I have to write a letter requesting permission to meet with the God of the universe. In faith, I simply approach Him. In fact, I love when I turn off the two-station radio in my car (yes, TWO stations) and literally talk aloud in prayer or when I take time out at my desk to pray. It’s me and God – anywhere…anytime. No appointment necessary. And guess what? He’s ALWAYS in residence!! NEVER on vacation or too busy! Thank you Jesus!!! Although many people worldwide might be praying to Him simultaneously, I KNOW I have his attention when I pray. Isn’t that amazing??!!! He cares enough to listen to YOU, while listening to ME and many others worldwide. Our omnipresent, omniscient God!

So as we are already halfway through January (can you believe it?!), I pray that 2020 be the year we draw closer to God in prayer and study of His Word. And as you pray, do so boldly in faith and in the name of Jesus. 

Growing in Christ,
Hadassah

Did You Share Christ at Thanksgiving?

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We are officially into the festive holiday season. For many, it’s party time! Shopping, gift giving, eating, drinking etc. But have you ever wondered whether the King of all kings is being glorified?

I recently chose the word glorify for Bible study because it has hit me more than ever that ONLY God ought to be glorified and lifted high. The Word – through St. Paul – admonishes us to glory in nothing save Jesus and the cross (Galatians 6:14).

This wretched world will be gone someday and the flesh shall disintegrate and return to the earth. What profit had a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul (Mark 8:36)? Nothing in this life is worth our soul salvation.

Earlier this week, I thought: “If I don’t get the desires of my heart, will I still serve the Lord?” My answer was, and remains, a resounding YES! We must be prepared to give up the world and the flesh for Jesus. As Job says, “Naked I came and naked I shall return. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21).”

Let us be ready for the coming of the Lord. Let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Meantime, let our mission be to share AND show the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to family and friends. Did you tell someone about Jesus at your Thanksgiving gathering yesterday? Did you give someone hope of a better life in Christ Jesus through His saving grace? In all of the eating and drinking, did you give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross to redeem us from our sins?

Jesus said we ought to occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13), but the eating and drinking, and the worldly achievements are for the here and now. They shall be gone someday. Let us not become so consumed that our vision becomes skewed. We must ensure we do not lose our souls with it all. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

My focus has recently been: Does it glorify God? From conversations to actions and even thoughts: Do they glorify God? My prayer is for more God in my life. My prayer is that He would increase and I decrease. More God. Less self.

Set your affections on things above and not on things of this earth (Colossians 3:2). His coming draweth nigh.

Growing in Christ,

Hadassah