Happy New Month

Team Work in The Body of Christ

The first teamwork was established by God, The Father, God, The Son, and God, The Holy Spirit at the beginning of creation.

 It states in Genesis 1: 26, "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Again Genesis 11:7 states, "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." The phrases in these two verses reveal a joint effort to accomplish a goal. 

Scripture tells us again in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, "Two are better than one Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. "

"This scripture depicts an excellent picture of teamwork and its benefits. God created Eve at some point in the creation story to be a helpmate and support for Adam, then becoming the first human team to work together, hence establishing the union of marriage Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:31. Even though the word "teamwork does not appear in the bible, the word of God contains much information about working together in one accord.

Teamwork is evident in the societal structure of marriage, family, business, community, etc. The critical thing to understand is how to apply biblical principles of teamwork to your business, marriage, or ministry. As believers, we must first understand that to be a successful teammate or member in the body of Christ; you must first become a born-again Christian, accepting the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Your new identity in Christ then grants you automatic access to the family of God. When you surrender your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a part of God's team, and then your assigned work in the group begins. On God's team, each person is given an assignment to complete, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, our director, guide, and teacher, each believer will be able to know their position or role. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12

When the whole team is working for God's glory, they are in one accord, and their primary purpose is to do the will of God. No one should have their own personal agenda because it will never end well. Everything should be done for the good of the team and the glory of God. If you look at the scriptures, you will observe that God's people worked in groups throughout biblical history, and there was also a leader who received directions from God to guide them. Examples: Noah & his family during the time of the flood; Abraham, leading his family and people to the land of promise, Moses who led the Israelites out of Egypt to the land God had promised them; Jesus and the 12 disciples who later became the Apostles responsible for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. In our Christian faith, teamwork acknowledges the Lord God as the leader of the primary team (the body of Christ) and the sub-teams ( families, marriages, businesses, etc.) One major characteristic that will bring divine success in any team is LOVE., the love described in 1 Corinthians 13, and without this type of love (godly love), we cannot achieve divine success.  

Beloved, let us make an effort to be good, compassionate, and efficient team members in the body of Christ and in the individual sub-teams we are a part of, i.e., our homes, families, church family, businesses, communities, etc. Whatever your assignment is on the team, do it well so that it may please the Lord, and at the end of the day, He alone takes the glory.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day from our family to yours.

Happy 6th year Anniversary

Blessing the Lord today for 6 years of Ministry. 
Happy Anniversary Daughters of Zion. Appreciation to family, friends and co laborers in this work who have supported this ministry all these years with their prayers, encouraging words and resources.

DOZme's 5th Annual Outreach in May

https://www.linkedin.com/company/daughters-of-zion-a-ministry-of-excellence-dozme-int'l
Local Outreach Event on Mother's Day, May 13th-14th. If you are in and around the Albuquerque area and you know a single Mom who needs to be encouraged and pampered, send her our way.

What is your Story?

      Beloved, everyone has a story to tell. The Bible tells us that we are chosen by God to declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9.   This means that God has chosen you to share your story, the story that will proclaim His glory for all to hear.  I read somewhere that our story might just be the prescription or medication for the addict who is looking for hope of freedom, for a light at the end of the tunnel.  It might be for the lonely sister who need hope of love, the regretful individual seeking hope of a new beginning or the youth who needs hope that God's power is available to hold him or her in purity.    Whatever your story reveals, do not give up, do not back up or shut up,  but speak up because it needs to be heard.  

 Do not let the enemy of your progress i.e satan shut you up, it is not until you have gone to prison, being a drug addict, prostitute or alcoholic before you know you have a story to tell.  Many people have never experienced or being any of the above stated but they have had their own struggles and challenges in life that gives them a reason to speak up and testify.   No matter what you have gone through in this life,  know  that as a believer, Christ has put His Spirit in each of us which therefore gives us  the ability to share with the world His immeasurable love and His plans for those who love Him and want to serve Him.

    The Lord has deposited in each of us gifts, (spiritual) gifts that will bless and impact the lives of others for the kingdom.  These gifts are to be used to serve Him in different capacities in the body of Christ.  It is to be used to change the lives of others  for example, setting those in bondage free.  When you tell your story utilizing the gifts God has deposited in you,  He is using you to deliver somebody from the stronghold of addictions ( sex, drugs, alcohol, food etc.)  and not only is the person able to see that you understand what they are going through because you have been where they have been or have gone through similar challenges, but God has also given you a supernatural gift of healing and deliverance to change their lives. 

Saints do not let the enemy deceive you into thinking your story is not good enough to speak up and empower because it is a big lie from the pit of hell.  Your story or testimony will surely change a life for Christ, it will make a difference in the life of a person, a family and a community.

 Shalom. 

Using Our Time Wisely

Time is a very critical issue for the present day woman. Many things compete for her time both at home and outside. Many women are so overworked at home that they have little or no time to relate with and affect other people outside and in the church. Others neglect the home and concentrate on their ministry, job or relationships outside.

Yet God's plan is for us to walk with God and serve His purpose effectively both at home and outside, beginning from the home ( Proverbs 14:1, Genesis 1:27-28.

The issue of handling our time effectively then becomes a very crucial issue to consider so that the right thing will be done at the right time and the time God gives us to live on earth will not be wasted.

" To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

And they shall lay thee even with the ground and thy children within thee; and they shalt not leave in thee one stone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” Luke 19:44

"So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps 90:12

We therefore need to look up to God in this study for wisdom to do the right thing at the right time and the right purpose, wisdom to use our time here on earth effectively. We have only 24 hours in a day. May God grant you into this matter so you will not face eternity empty handed.

 Definition and Concept of time

Time can be defined as:

1.  A system created by God for reckoning the passing moments.

It is measured in units called seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years.  Gen 1:14, Col 1:16,  Ps 90:10, 12.

2.  It is the interval or period or season at which things happen.  E.g  the gestation ( pregnancy) period of a woman is normally 9 months.  Certain things are purposed by God to happen within a certain period of time.  If it happens outside that time it becomes abnormal. (i.e pregnancy)  Jn 7: 1-8, Jn: 12:35-36, Jn 9:4, 1 Cor 13:11, Heb 4:6-8, Heb 5:11-14.

3).  Time can also defined as a point or a moment at which something normally regularly happens.  

It may or many not be pre-arranged.

Eccl 3:2, Mk 1:15, 35; Matt 21:33-34, Acts 2:1-4

For example,  Works begin at  8am. 

4).  Time is also a measured period of time allocated for a work to be completed or something to be achieved.    John 9, 4; 11: 9-10, Luke  16: 25; 2 Cor 5: 10; Neh 2: 6, 6: 15;  Acts 13:36, Prov 22:6

5).  Time can also be defined as an opportunity that you have to do a thing.  Luke 19:42-44, John 9:1-4; Acts 1:15-20.

6.   Most opportunities come but once in life time;

Every woman is given a chance and a time to be born, to live, to serve God and fulfill His purpose in her own generation, for which she will give account to God.  

Sisters, what are you doing with your own time and seasons?  

- Excerpts from What Makes a Woman Spiritual
by Gbile Akanni

This is a great bible study resource for every women, group and ministry.