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UPCI Ladies Ministries |
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Gwyn Oakes
UPCI LM President
Linda Gleason
UPCI LM Secretary
Wanda Fielder
Connections
Ruth Harvey
Debbie Akers
DOZ Coordinator/Editor |
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"If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
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Join Un in a Unified
Effort to Seek
God's Face |
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Ladies Ministries of UPCI has declared 2009 as The Year of Seeking. During this year we will seek God's face through fasting and prayer for an awakening in our souls for His heartbeat.
Unite with us each evening at 8:00 PM (CST) for one minute of prayer as we come before God with humility to seek the paths of righteousness and holy living.
We also ask that you join with us in fasting the first Monday of each month.
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" (Ezra 7:10).
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The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him.
-William McGill |
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Render therefore to all their dues...Honor to whom honor is due. Romans 13:7
Daughters of Zion: 1999, World Network of Prayer Director, Thetus Tenney shared an interesting article about the Praying Mothers of Brazil with Gwyn Oakes. Sister Oakes had a burden for this type of ministry and Sister Tenney suggested it as a venture for the Ladies Division. Sister Oakes shared her burden with the National Ladies Committee. Ruth Harvey expressed a desire to work with the program and was chosen as director. From the many titles submitted Daughters of Zion was chosen. Debbie Akers joined as editor of the Daughters of Zion newsletter.
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Daughters of Zion Newsletter |
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Back to School Prayer Guide |
 Praise the Lord for our Children!
- Pray our kids will understand they can be the influencers in their schools as they display salt and light. They will be the ones creating peer pressure for good!
- Pray our children will become missionaries willingly and boldly sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with their classmates.
- Pray for the protection and safety of our kids and schools and schools across our nation.
- Pray for Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, and Support Staff.
- Pray for parents and their service as volunteers to the teachers and activities at school; PTO, PTA, Parents' Support Groups.
- Pray for a Spirit of Excellence in the classroom and on the playground.
- Pray for healthy, godly relationships and friendships.
- Pray for revival in our schools. -WNOP
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HEAVEN ON EARTH |
 By Ruth Harvey
Have you ever heard or used that phrase-"This is like a little heaven on earth"? Understandably, this expression is loosely used to somehow try and depict an idyllic setting such as sipping fruit juice on the beach in Hawaii, looking at Alaskan glaciers, going on a European cruise or whatever you envision as the perfect little vacation spot. However, in our current society it seems harder and harder to achieve "heaven on earth". In spite of the current craziness, I would like to share a little secret with you so lean down and listen closely. Did you know that Deuteronomy 11:18-21 gives exact directions to that particular place of perfection?! Let's see what it says:
18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
When reading this particular passage of Scripture it is important to note that there are five key areas of instruction to help you arrive at this dream destination.
- And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house: This refers to a lifestyle of obedience in our homes on a continual basis. Whether we are sitting down to a meal, relaxing in the living room, or doing a family project, God is to be the central focus of everything!
- When thou walkest by the way: Addressing our outside activities, the Lord is instructing us to keep Him at the helm of our home even when we are running errands and fulfilling daily obligations. What kind of conversations do you have with your children when you are riding in the car? Does the choice of music blaring on your car stereo glorify God or uplift evil? Every occasion must be taken advantage of in order to preserve our precious legacy of faith!
- When thou liest down: Bedtime is another golden opportunity to bless our children with the benefits of obedience. When they're tucked in at night, the last sound they should hear should be our nighttime prayers followed with lots of love and affection before turning out the light on another day. I started doing this when my girls were newborns and even though they are now young ladies of 18 and 21 years of age, we still pray together at bedtime. It has become an established ritual in our home and it allows a God-consciousness to prevail even during the night.
- When thou risest up:Morning rituals are another splendid occasion to instruct our families in the ways of righteousness. As our children are preparing to face the power of hell in their classrooms, it is imperative to pray over them. Cover them with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and plead the blood of Jesus over them. Proverbs 31:21 states, "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." My footnotes say "scarlet clothing" refers to a "double garment." A virtuous woman makes sure her children are clothed in more than the latest fashions. She covers them with the protective power of the blood of Jesus. Even in this crazy world, we do not have to be afraid when sending our precious children to school if they are covered with the spiritual second covering of Calvary's blood. What a glorious benefit for God's people!
- And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: This particular portion is telling us to literally cover the entrances and exits of our homes with God's Word. His divine principles should govern everything as we go about our daily routines.
So there you have it-detailed directions perfectly mapped out in God's Word and if they are followed correctly, you will indeed be able to enjoy some days of heaven upon the earth. Now that is what I would call the destination of a lifetime!
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From the Mailbox |
New Zealand It is wonderful to hear from the New Zealand ladies. There are many others around the world also. When I visit other countries I invariably find that they are praying with us on the first Monday of each Month. -Gwyn Oakes, UPCI LM President
Fiji The ladies in Fiji have very strong Daughters of Zion chapters. It would be wonderful to hear from them and other countries to be included in our newsletter. -Gwyn Oakes, UPCI LM President South Africa Greetings Women of God. Many thanks for the wonderful newsletters I receive each month. I am happy to tell you that the ladies of the UPC Sparks Estate Durban South Africa are excited about meeting together the first Monday of each month to pray FOCUSED PRAYER. We are seeing quick results in the lives our children and trust God for their total commitment in serving Him. We praise God with all of our beings. God bless all of you in this "life changing" department as you dedicate your time to bless others. Once again, many thanks. -Rosemarie Blair. Durban South Africa.
Mexico Most respected sisters of the Name of Jesus, recieve greetings and blessings in the Name above all names. Thank you for sending me each month such valuable and important information that allows us to work with the Pentecostal ladies of the church that the Lord allows us to pastor. This month of July I find in this Jesus name newsletter very good teaching, instruction and messages for the soul that is hungry for the living word of God. Keep going forward and thank you for sharing with us such a valuable spiritual treasure. God bless the board and leaders. Blessings, -Bishop Mario A. Villalta
Thank you for the article on 11Chronicles 7:14-15. Just this morning as I was driving in to work I felt as if God was trying to speak to me on being truly humble ( I thought I was humble/honest with who I am). I then received this email a few minutes ago and read it and realized it was confirmation, I need to grow more and stretch with the tasks I am willing to do, nothing if it is according to God's will and plan is beneath me. It's amazing how we go through life thinking that we are one way and then God speaks and opens our eyes and we realize that we missed something. I thank God he has shown me truth and shed his light so that I can continue to draw close to him. I am willing to say to his will and his way and I will humble myself and continue to pray. -Jacquie Britto
Thank you DOZ for sharing, I am glad that I obeyed when it was impressed on my heart to sign up for your newsletters.-Claudette Ferguson |
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"To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition."
- Samuel Johnson |
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Focused Prayer -Guard Your Heart |
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Week 1 - Heart Conditions
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Fill our hearts with righteous thoughts.
- Help us to be genuine women of God.
- Prepare us to be a sanctuary, tried and true.
- Renew us daily as we bind Your Word in our hearts.
- Make us strong, compassionate women of God.
- When troubles come our way, fill our hearts with peace.
- May Your Word be forever bound in our hearts and lives.
Week 2 - Healthy Hearts
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Deliver us from negative thinking.
- Let sincere worship abound in our hearts and lives.
- Convict our hearts when we act unwisely.
- Reveal to us the value of a pure heart.
- When our hearts are overwhelmed, lead us to the Rock!
- We are made strong through prayer and the Word of God.
- Help us to follow the path towards healthy spiritual hearts.
Week 3 - Safeguards For The Heart
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Let our lifestyle portray kindness to everyone we meet.
- Remind us that emotional healing is available to all of us.
- Set us free from wrath and bitterness.
- Heal our anxieties as we cast every care upon You.
- Teach us to do justly, love mercy & walk humbly with You.
- May our priorities in helping others be pleasing to You.
- Instill faithfulness in our hearts to tithe and give offerings
Week 4 - What Does Your Heart Portray?
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Make us women of integrity.
- Keep lying and deceit far from us.
- Cast confusion and doubt from our minds.
- Let us become pursuers of peace in our relationships.
- Remove strife and discord from our hearts.
- May we be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
- We seek Your face for wisdom in family situations.
Week 5 - Renewed Heart
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray . . .
- Deliver us from bearing grudges or seeking revenge.
- Help us to genuinely love our neighbors as ourselves.
- Stir up the gifts of God within each of us.
- Cause us to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- Rekindle the desire within us to daily seek Your face.
- Help us not to faint, but to be renewed in You day by day.
- Let the times of refreshing be abundant in our daily lives.
-Brenda Hudson, Riverview Apostolic Church
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