Purpose driven lady magazine 2016 issue1

The THE

PERPECTUAL WOMAN PURPOSE DRIVEN ISSUE #1| JULY/AUGUST | JULY 2016 2016 ISSUE #1

FIND YOUR PLACE, POSITION FIND YOUR PLACE, & PURPOSE POSITION & PURPOSE

Lady

With With OMOWUNMI OMOWUNMI OLUNLOYO OLUNLOYO

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Purpose Driven Lady is a movement in which busy working women are encouraged to take action to find their place, position and purpose so that they create their reality and live their best life.

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The wisdom of God is at work in me mightily, I know what to do, I know when to do what to do, I know how to do what to do, I know what to say, I know when to say what to say, I know who to meet at all times. I never miss my way. The knowledge of God is increasing in my life.

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Letter from the

Editor

It brings me great joy to welcome you to the maiden edition of Purpose Driven Lady Magazine Issue 1 2016.

A

magazine

to

motivate,

encourage and educate you to create your reality by finding your place, position & purpose so that you can live your best life ever.

I want to remind you that you are valuable and can live a fulfilled well-blended life in the busy world you live in. I want to give you information that will help you realise your inner strength and guide you towards your purpose.

6

To get access click on the link below

Purpose Driven Lady Magazine

omowunmiolunloyo.blogspot.com

Sincere appreciation goes to all Purpose Driven Lady Magazine Contributors. I could not have done it on my own. We did it. Thank you for your time, support

was conceived May 20th 2012 after listening by

Terri

to

the

Savelle

message

– Olumuyiwa for his love. We have

Conference

come a long way together. Thank you

held at KingsWord International Church

for letting me Be, and allowing me to

Chicago on “Occupy”. She shared how

express my creativity. My life is sweeter,

she wrote her vision down in a book, cut

richer and better because I have you in

out pictures that symbolizes her dreams,

my life. I love you so very much. Thank

read it everyday for about 5mins, sowed

you.

Women’s

during

I will also like to appreciate my husband

the

International

Foy

taught

and resources.

seeds toward her dreams and kept her vision before her eyes at all times until the manifestation arrived. I copied her idea and here I am today; “Making My Dreams Bigger Than My Memories”.

Purpose Driven Lady Magazine talks about Woman, Motherhood & Spirituality.

I believe that as you read each article, it will minister life to you, it will touch you and cause a change in your lifetransformation, restoration & renewal of mind and your life will never remain the same.

As an introduction to Purpose Driven Lady Magazine, I am going to share a free resources that will guide you to find your place, position & purpose

The journey has just started for Purpose Driven Lady Magazine, here is to Better, Bolder & Beautiful.

SO UNTIL NEXT ISSUE BE BOLD & COURAGEOUS, REMEMBER IT IS POSSIBLE AND YES YOU CAN. Should you have any questions and suggestions,

please

send

them

to

info@thepurposedrivenlady.com To living In Purpose, Omowunmi aka Toks P.S: Share this magazine to your friends and family so that together we are creating our reality and living our best life NOW. 7

Issue #1 | July/August 2016

Maiden Edition 14-15

CONTENT

Jehovah Tailoree 16-17 Plugged IN 19-20 The Essence of WomanHood 22-24 Purposefully Created Let’s start from the very Beginning 25 Woman 28-29 The Physchology of your Child 31-33 Call Me Mom 34 Love by Jumoke Ekong 35-37 The Importance of Forgiveness 38-39 Rejoice Again and Again 40

10-13 FIND YOUR Place, Position & Purpose

So I Dance

Steps to Finding your Place, Position and Purpose

42-44 The Anxiety Factor

38 8

28

Featured Contributors

Oluwadunsin Ogunsumi

Pastor Taye Adelanwa

Victoria Wya

Modupe Lanre-Akinsiun

Jummy Poku

Jumoke Ekong

Sia Egede

Temitope Osinubi

Deby Okoh

Nike Duro-Ishola

Olabisi Oluyele Adebiyi

Tomike Ogunleye

Labake Olaoye

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FIND YOUR Place, Position & Purpose Admit it, you’ve been

Perhaps you feel you have

in

asked that question too

lost yourself, maybe you

A place is position, an

many times, “So, what is

are beginning to worry a

area, a spot, or a space;

your life’s purpose?” in

little or a lot about your life

an area set aside for a

reaching;

arrive

at.

Place, Position & Purpose every

social

gathering,

church event, conferences even at trainings. You

smile, nod and reply, “ I

and maybe you are losing

particular purpose; assign

sleep at times?

a location to; an abstract

Perhaps where you want

mental location.

to be is where you are

A position is a point where

designing

so

something is located, as in

it is a true reflection of

on a map or the posture

your purpose and maybe

it’s arranged in such as an

you want the joy of living

upright position, a job in an

according to your purpose;

organisation; an item on a

and perhaps where you

list, or in a sequence; the

want to be in your life is

act of putting something in

How do you find your

where you are making a

a certain place.

place, position & purpose

difference.

think (blah, blah blah) and (blah, blah, blah).

Repeating your job title and

where

you

work

as your life purpose or perhaps you say I don’t know I am still searching.

in life and occupy it? I’m not talking about your

employment, your daily duties, or even your longterm goals. I mean the reason why you’re here — the very reason you exist.

Why are you here?

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your

life

When you do something

According to vocabulary.

with purpose, you do it

com to find something

with determination. When

means to discover it; to

your

determine the existence,

purpose, you have an

presence, or fact of; come

aim or intention in mind.

upon, as if by accident;

Purpose is what something

obtain through effort or

is used for; an anticipated

management;

outcome that is intended

succeed

activities

have

a

&

or that guides your planned actions.

A woman’s primary call is to be a helper.

You were made to help. Every celebrated woman has helped e.g. Esther the Queen, Deborah the Prophetess and a

fight of faith), even when you did not have any fight left in you. You weathered the storm, you withstood opposition and infact when you look back, and you don’t know how you made it this far.

judge, Ruth wife of Boaz, Abigail wife

You need to realise that the challenges

of Nabal, Mary mother of Jesus and the

you go through are not meant to bring

list is not exhaustive. There is a place

you down; but to stir you up; they are

that

God

has

not yours they are

prepared for you

for your generation.

John 14:1-6 that

God

is why you can

protected you and

approach

life

covered you; how in

with

calmness

the world could you

and

peace

think that you went

God

through all of that

because has

prepared

sign

There

reserved

of you that is more

your person is

important

All

behind

is find your way

happened in your life. Seriously think about it again.

You

otherwise you won’t have the opposition

Think about it

you survived all the challenges that

you.

must be significant

into the place.

so far. There has to be a reason why

than

everything that is

you have to do

for a moment; reflect on your journey

must

something in front

where

concerned.

you,

for nothing?

a place. There is

kept

that you have in your life.

This is for you; if you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and ready to break out of the box and be all that God has called you to be. I want to share with you

You persevered and endured in difficult

how to get from where you are to where

situations, you fought back (the good

you want to be.

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STEPS TO FINDING YOUR PLACE, POSITION AND PURPOSE 1. Know who you are: who are you? The Bible is clear about that in Gen1: 26-28. Understanding who you are make a massive impart on how you act, behave and carry yourself. Believe and say what the bible says you are continually.

2. Know you gift and calling: what do you have is the question Elisha asked the widow in 2Kings 4: 1-7 and she replied nothing SAVE a jar of oil. This jar of oil is what paid her debt and changed her life. So I ask you what do you have. Romans11: 29, Proverbs 18:16.

3. Know where you are: where are you right now? What seasons are you in?

What works have you done? What is burning on the inside of you? What has God said to you? What makes you angry? What are you passionate about? Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Ecclesiastes 9:10. The key lies in the answers to all these questions.

4. Know your fears: what is holding you back? What self-limiting belief are you holding on to? What scares you? What is your mindset? What is stopping you? Deuteronomy 31:6, Isaiah 41:13, 2Tim1: 7. Release your fears to God. 5. Know when to start: timing is everything. Seek Gods face and spend time in His presence and God will reveal himself to you. God has all the answers.

6. Matthew 6:33, Jeremiah 29:11 12

“Your life is meant to make impact”. God’s will is that your life makes impact, start living that life Now. There are lots of needs in the world, there is a ministry in you, and there is work to be done. You can only function when you are in your place. Find your place, position and purpose and stay in your place. Occupy till Jesus comes.

For further information and advice about finding your place, position and purpose www.

omowunmiolunloyo.blogspot.com Connect with us Omowunmi Olunloyo/Facebook @OmowumiOlunloyo/twitter

To a purpose driven life, Toks 13

So many times when the Lord is fixing us, He starts by ‘tearing’ us. Tearing our confidence in ourselves, Tearing all our philosophies, Tearing our pride and fake humility, Tearing the things we call dear and giving us the truly dear things.

O

n

Saturday

urgently

I

needed

to fix my Dress as I needed to appear LIKE a child of God where I was

heavy stone sinks in water. I couldn’t talk again...

She’s the tailor, and I’m just a customer.

Even though I couldn’t relate tearing with sewing but the Tailor says “I KNOW”.

to speak that day. I took the cloth to my

Child of God I bring you good tidings

tailor and asked her to fix the LITTLE

today...God is saying, ‘I KNOW’...

opening near the pocket.

The lady turned the cloth inside out and then began to TEAR the pocket with her hands... Hah! I was like, “I said you

I hear your complaints and I also hear His reply.

Father, My fiancée just left me... I know.

should sew, not tear”...

I have no man to pay my fees... I know;

So I shouted, ‘You are tearing my cloth o’

I was rejected at the embassy again...

But She replied “I KNOW”.

Those two words sank into me like a 14

I know My rent is due... I know

JEHOVAH TAILOREEE THE LORD THAT FIXES ME!

I failed my exams again... I know

peaceable fruit of Righteousness.

I am childless... I know

So in reality, God tears no man... He only

I am in debt... I know All my mates are getting married... I know So many times when the Lord is fixing us, He starts by ‘tearing’ us. Tearing our confidence in ourselves, Tearing all our

MAKES...

We call it tearing, He calls it Making. We call it breaking... He calls it building. He knows you have need even before you ask... That’s why when we complain...

He responds thus: I KNOW

philosophies, Tearing our pride and fake

Jeremiah 29:11 For I KNOW the thoughts

humility, Tearing the things we call dear

that I think toward you, saith the LORD,

and giving us the truly dear things.

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to

The only thing necessary is wisdom...

Wisdom to know when it is the Lord and When it isn’t the Lord... The devil tears to kill God tears to FIX. God tears the old to give you the new.

God’s teary fire only refines His own.

God’s teary approaches only yield the

give you an expected end.

Trust God...

My cloth came out better. You are coming out better too in Jesus name!!!

Oluwadunsi Ogunsumi

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PLUGGED IN ‘’I’m tired and frustrated’’ ‘’I can’t seem to get a grip on everything’’ ‘’My whole world looks like it’s going out of control’’ ‘’I’m burnt out’’ Sounds familiar? Do these words echo thoughts that sometimes run through your mind?

Food for thought….

Devices that carry out work/perform an

This might happen to be the case most

do what it was meant to it. It can be

times in our lives as wives, mothers, children, siblings, friends, career women or entrepreneurs. It sometimes feels like we are on a roller coaster, our lives are moving so fast on the fast lane that if not careful we feel like we are losing ourselves or our identity. We get overwhelmed from the pressure of meeting the demanding needs of the relationships we are involved in.

More often than not, we may often feel that we cannot even meet up to the expectations of the ‘’ virtuous woman’’ in the Bible - the woman who has it all together Proverbs 31.

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operation need to be powered for it to powered by being connected to a live source or powered by a stored source of energy like a battery; and in most cases the battery can be recharged.

Just take a minute or two to think about your lovely mobile phone. Nowadays, our phones can do pretty amazing things that it could not do a couple of years back. We of course make calls, send text messages, takes pictures, make voice and video recordings, set reminders and basically organize our schedules and diaries all on this amazing mobile phone of ours.

The life of a woman can sometimes be

Unlike the device mentioned above that

likened to the many functions of a mobile

can be powered by stored energy, we

phone, a device doing so much and

need to be plugged in to a higher source

making life easy for those in possession of

of power to remain charged up for life.

it. A woman wears many hats

and

more

often

than not can become

a

super woman saving

the

lives of the relationships around her by being all that is

needed

to everyone.

But

like

the

mobile

phone, whose battery (which is the life of a phone) needs to be powered for optimum performance; a woman needs to be constantly powered up to be able to stand in her place.

The powering up is not literally referring to a woman getting a cable and connecting herself to an electrical socket. I am referring to the powering up from within (her spirit) by being connected to a higher source of power.

This higher source of power infuses her with strength that makes it easier for her to handle the different aspects of her life.

Jesus

said

in

John 15:5 ‘’I am the vine, you are the

branches:

He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings

forth

much fruit: for without me you can do nothing’’ We

need

to

stay connected to our source of

life

by

fellowshipping with God. This can be achieved by spending time reading, studying and meditating on His Word and in prayer.

Stay plugged in by developing an intimacy with God in His presence.

Spending time with God infuses us with the strength to be all that He wants us to be. Isaiah 40:31 says ‘’ but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint’’ Minister Nike Duro-Ishola 17

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coach@thepurposedrivenlady.com

NEXT SESSION STARTS FROM JULY2016 Have any other questions not covered here; please email us at The email address again

coach@thepurposedrivenlady.com

To creating your reality in 2016, Toks

PART 1

THE

ESSENCEOf

WOMANHOOD “When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable”. These were the words of Late Dr. Myles Munroe and it runs deep into everything that exists.

I f the purpose of a laptop is not known, it can be mistaken for a television especially since it’s got a screen & power cable and it can be used to watch movies, video musicals etc. If the purpose of a tray is not known, it can be assumed to be a very large plate for food.

When the purpose of a woman is not known, she is abused. Abuse simply means “use something for a bad purpose”, misuse, treat with cruelty or violence, mishandle etc. With the recent rise in violence against women, I must say that there is a gross misunderstanding of who a woman is by those who abuse them. While that may be bad enough, what will be worse is when women do not even understand their own purpose.

While it may be bad enough that men abuse women, what is worse is when women abuse themselves.

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Of course, by now, you know I do not mean the verbal exchange that happens between some women, what I mean is when a woman does not even understand the concept of womanhood or the purpose for which she was created.

Without trying to speak to each person’s discovery of purpose, I would like to briefly speak to the general purpose of the womenfolk.

Why did woman?

God

create

the

Reading the scriptures, I realized that God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Man had existed. In fact, he had a level of accomplishment: he had named ALL the animals God created!

Wow! “What a feat”, you may say but the truth is, God saw that the man could do much more than he had done with help.

Man was alone in His journey of fulfilling God’s purpose and then God made the man a help meet. A “Help Meet” simply refers to a help that is suitable. Before God made the woman, He paraded the animals before Adam but Adam did not find any one suitable to help him.

When Eve came, Adam felt his bone of bone and flesh of flesh that had been made for him. That speaks to Compatibility. Before I delve into the subject of compatibility, I would like us to look at the word called “Help”.

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What does “Help” mean? According to Dictionary.com, help is defined something done “to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need, contribute strength or means to, render assistance to, cooperate effectively with, aid, assist etc. Another definition says “make it easier or possible for (someone) to do something by offering them one’s services or resources”. Help is synonymous with words like assist, aid, help out, succor, advice, guidance etc.

So if we put all these definition into the woman God created, it simply means that God created the woman as a suitable advice, guidance and someone who is able to make things easier or possible for the man by providing her services/ resources!

This is a woman of substance and stamina. This does not sound to me like a second-class citizen.

Modupe Lanre-Akinsiun ...living a purpose-driven life deliberately!

DEAR NIGERIA,

I

n Jesus name, we call forth all that is

We bind every hindrance to Power in

lacking in you; we call forth visionary

this nation. In the name of Jesus we

leadership at levels of governance

destroy every ungodly alliance that is

in this country. We call forth an

working 24/7 to hinder the Power sector.

expansion in our economy. We call forth new industries; we call forth revitalization of existing industries.

We command all obstacles to be removed in Jesus name. We call forth the wisdom required to solve the power

We release the life of God into every

issues of our nation, we call forth the

industry in this nation, to bring about

financial resources, human resources

growth,

and partnerships required to achieve

expansion,

innovations

and

profit. We declare that the Lord, our

this in Jesus Name. Amen.

redeemer is our teacher of profit and gives wisdom, directions, and illumination to our industry leaders and citizens.

We call Nigeria a producing nation and not a mere consumer of resources. We call forth increase in exportation. We call forth the enabling environment for all businesses to thrive in Jesus name.

Pastor Taye Adelanwa

We call forth Power.

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PURPOSEFULLY CREATED – LET’S START FROM THE VERY BEGINNING

“Then God said, “Let us make human

about making man as a replica of them.

beings in our image, to be like us” (Gen

God, though the Father and the head;

1: 26a NLT).

He cannot do anything without His Son

In the beginning God had a plan, though the earth was without form and void and darkness covered the face of the deep, yet God had an image of a beautiful earth, with luscious garden filled with beautiful flowers, plants, herbs

and the Holy Spirit. I believe man was first of all made in the mind of God and He must have shared this vision with His Son and the Holy Spirit. Hence the reason He said “Let us” referring to the, Son, Holy Spirit and Himself.

and animals grazing around the field;

God’s plan was to make a replica of

with lots of fishes in the sea and birds

himself, though in human nature to be

chirping in trees. He had an image of

in charge of the earth. In today’s world,

Himself enjoying the beautiful scenery

we call it a clone. However in the mind

and tending the gardens and animals

of God, it was more than a clone, it was

in it.

His seed, His child, His complete being.

Thus God set to work, He created the

Therefore man was created with the

heavens and the earth with the Word

fullness and power of God’s nature

and the Spirit; they created the beautiful

without any clause of gender. “So God

earth we still live in till date. “Then God

created human beings in his own image;

said, “Let us make human beings in our

in the image of God he created them;

image, to be like us” (Gen 1: 26a NLT).

male and female he created them.”

God who is triune in nature was referring to the Son and the Holy Spirit 22

(Gen 1.27 NLT). Therefore regardless of gender we are created as God in his own image and after his likeness.

The agenda of GOD was to create man both male and female to be just like Him with all of His qualities, genes and DNA. Therefore, Woman, you are created just like your Father and you possess same qualities as Him, creator, thinker, innovator the list is endless and He created you to be master over all things.

“ Can I reassure you that you are not an afterthought? Although God made the male first, and woman second; however, you were both part of God’s agenda from the beginning. God knew that man could not live by himself but he wanted man- male to find that out for himself.

God brought every animal in the field to man to name them but man did not find a helper just right for him. God saved the

So God created human beings in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1.27 NLT).

creation of the helper- female for last.

Woman, God has need of you to cocreate and populate the earth and man has great need of you to jointly fulfil the plan and purpose of God.

You were

created as a helpmeet because man cannot go down this road by himself.

He needs all of you, your femininitygentleness, sensitivity, finesse, empathy, 23

emotions, intuition, wisdom, perspective, support and love.

None of the animals that God brought to man possessed any of these qualities that man had been longing for, but God knew what was missing, He knew man’s longing within his heart and soul so He got back to work. You just had to be made perfect, a mixture of compassion, nurturance, gentleness with a load of tolerance, empathy, sensitivity to make you sweet. Another mixture

of

fortitude,

perseverance, assertiveness,

diligence, resilience to make you strong; balanced with vivaciousness, creativeness confidence,

the saying, behind a successful man there is a woman.

independence to make you a leader.

Dear woman, God created you with the

God finished you off with a graceful

same nature and power has Himself

and lustrous body frame with sleek hair

and He skillfully created you with a rib

and tender eyes to make you beautiful

from man so that you can identify with

just like Him.

his pain, burden and assignment. You

Man is placed as the head of the home because God is a God of order (1 Cor 14: 33& 40), he is in charge not because the woman is subordinate to him or cannot rule but because without the order of a leader and helpmate then the earth will return to chaos and darkness. Hence the reasoning behind

Jumoke Poku 24

are not without a calling or ministry of your own you are called into the ministry of womanhood. This ministry is not inferior to man’s ministry; they are both valuable and honorable in the plan of God because one cannot do without the other just as God cannot do without the son or the Holy Spirit.

W-O-M-A-N

by Victoria Wya

As a little girl, mum always would say Say a prayer and be thankful for every day God is the Alpha and also the Omega That is why in between we need to trust our Maker There have been good times And also not so good times But in every step of the way God has always been there to be the gateway Though everything is not perfect I am confident in a God who always protects And I’m proud to be called His W-O-M-A-N Wisdom to trust God in all things through prayer Optimistic of building a greater generation Maximising her God given gifts Attitude to strive for the best Notable for compassion for people

25

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THE PSYCHOLOGY OF YOUR CHILD Olabisi Oluyele Adebiyi

Y

our child is SPECIAL. Just like every individual you have had the benefit of encountering in life, there are some things similar and a lot more

unique about each person.

Your child is not YOU. He/she is more than an idea of the kind of child you want to have and how you want him/ her to turn out. Your child’s behavioral pattern is spurn from the very character of God and you need to realize first that you do not own that child. You are more than a carrier, you are a trainer.

28

You are A source to your child but not

of human beings than we had growing

the SOURCE and SUSTAINER of your

up…. We need to let them identify their

child. It is somewhat hard for mothers

personalities in God at an early age….

especially to handle most times because

Can I say this to my African mothers……

we consistently give the essence of

you cannot train your child the same way

ourselves to our kids. This is important to

you were trained… including the way you

their psychosomatic development. Your

were disciplined.

admiration for their accomplishment and your truth in giving them guidance is unquestionable and priceless The older they get, they more they NEED to discover themselves by themselves.

It is ironical that parents think that they know their child so well that they can predict what the child would do in a situation and how they would react to a circumstance. This is true. This is the “Some Things Similar” I explained earlier.

Make memories… plenty memories. Help them see who they are, should they forget and life with its pressures try to turn them to something they are not.

Like Mary, who kept a lot of the things Jesus said and did in her heart, I would advise that you keep records. If you cannot remember, then keep a journal.

Trust me in this days and time, records would help. You will be glad you did.

The shock happens when a 4yr old child behaves absolutely different from the pattern that you the parent have seen or predetermined would be norm. Before you begin to try to ‘reshape’ your child, remember that he/she needs to discover their thresholds daily and it is our task to help them identify where they fit in this life and how best to adapt to the many changes their lives would go through.

Understanding that your child would have some of you in him/her and a whole lot of GOD in them is key. Help them daily understand their behavior. We live in the times where there are many more types 29

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, ye I have a goodly heritage. Ministering angels are at my disposal, working for me. I am a world over-comer. I am more than a conqueror. All things are orchestrated for my benefit.

30

CALL ME

MOM

31

My daughter loves to tease me a lot. One of the ways she does so is by calling me

Let’s get the definition of who a Mother is…

“Mama”, pronounced “Maaa-Ma”

Definition of Mother by Merriam-

Me: Could you get me a glass of water please?

Webster dictionary

CALL 1 a: a female parent

Daughter: Yes Maaa-ma Me: Who is your Mama?

Daughter: You are my Maaa-ma

b

(1):

a

woman

specifically:

the

in

authority;

superior

of

a

religious community of women

2: an old or elderly woman. 2: source,

MO

Me: I’m your Mommy not your Mama Daughter: You’re my Maaa-ma

…….On and on we go arguing, with me

origin <necessity is the mother of invention>

3: maternal tenderness or affection.

getting hot under the collar (pretentiously

These above definitions seem very

of course) while she giggles and giggles

explanatory, don’t they? It goes to show

(bless her heart)

that beyond being the actual person to

Meanwhile when she was much younger, she called her Aunt, who is my younger sister “Aunty Mommy”

birth a child, you can actually ‘mother’ that child. There is a strong natural

instinct placed in all women by God, which make them ‘motherly’ regardless

So I asked her one-day “Why do you

of who actually gave birth to that child.

call your Aunt ‘Aunty Mommy’?”

Of course there are evil people who

She said it’s because she takes care

of us and does everything just like you our Mommy, especially when you’re not around.

sometimes chose to silence the voice of their conscience and choose not to

follow that motherly instinct, but this article is not about them.

Being a mother is all about nurturing, caring,

guiding,

directing,

creating

memories, correcting, lauding successes, encouraging, loving, comforting….the list

goes on. In all of these, the children you ‘mother’ are left with positive and strong 32

memories of who Mother is.

She said “Mom? Is that because you’re

We have 2 Mother’s day celebrations

My Own Mommy? (giggles)

in a year – One is called Mothering

I love it! But you know what? I’d prefer

Sunday held in March, while the other

to say it’s because I’m a mother who is

L ME is held in May. I’ve seen some women feel bad when Mother’s Day is being

celebrated. They feel sad because they have no biological children and it doesn’t

help that the society doesn’t recognise them on that day. I laugh! My questions

Making

Outstanding Memories

(Impactful,

Positive,

Endearing, ….add more adjectives if you like but they stay in the bracket *laughs*)

OM usually are:

Do you have siblings?

So as long as I’ve impacted your life

Do you have a husband?

positively and left outstanding memories,

Do you have cousins or relatives

just call me Mom *winks*

you’ve helped?

Deby Okoh

Do

you

have

friends

you’ve

impacted?

Do you sincerely love people?

Do you always seek to help others?

If you answered yes to that and many

more questions, then to me you are a mother. You don’t need anyone

celebrating you in order to feel good.

Pick yourself up and join heaven in celebrating

what

a

unique

God’s

creation you are!

So after my daughter and I had our usual argument one day, I got wearied and said to her “Okay, just call me Mom”

33

BY JUMOKE EKONG The Outpouring of your life Calms my fretful spirit The Comfort in Your words Keeps my heart strong Your Everlasting Arms Keep me safe

Where can I hide from Your Love?

Overwhelming yet not Oppressive Overtaking yet not Abandoning Surrounding Yet not Suffocating.

Perfect Love so Compelling.

Oh the Love of God Eternally in Christ Jesus

34

THE

IMPORTANCEOf FORGIVENESS Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all been there! People hate you, do all sorts of things that hurt you directly or indirectly, use you spitefully, gang up against you and calling you all sorts of names. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even get me started on the works they will try to do to stop & break you down.

Absolutely not! If we retaliate it will lead to no good for the dangers of retaliation lies in the furtherance of violence and hatred.

FORGIVENESS

So what do you do? How do you react? Do you pray for God to avenge you? Do you retaliate and give them back twice as much?

Do you pray for their deaths?

Have you ever wondered why people face unprecedented hardship, everything that could possibly go wrong going wrong at the same time, prayers upon prayers, fasting and still no positive results? This is one of the reasons why!

35

Unforgiveness

leads

us

to

Satan’s

surrendering all to our Lord for Him to

path (killing, stealing and destruction)

act on our behalf. That way, the battle

instead of God’s way which is us

really will be the Lord’s and He will make

having abundant life (see John 10:10).

a way for you to triumph in His name.

Remember the Holy Bible says the battle

We cannot possibly walk with God in

is the Lord’s? Well to make the battle

true fellowship if we refuse to forgive

the Lord’s in the truest sense, you have

others.

to refrain from taking matters into your own hands. How do you do this? Simple, by walking in obedience to the word of God. Jesus has advice about handlings our enemies in Mathew 5:43-48 NJKV: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your

Ephesians 4:26 says “Be angry, and do not sin” do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”

1 John 3:15 reads “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

enemies, bless those who curse you, do

Let me ask you another question? Have

good to those who hate you, and pray

you ever murdered someone? Will you

for those who spitefully use you and

ever? Before you are quick to answer

persecute you, that you may be sons

please read on. You are made of three

of your Father in heaven; for He makes

parts, the body, soul (mind, will, intellect)

His sun rise on the evil and on the good,

and the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23,

and sends rain on the just and on the

Genesis 2:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:44,

unjust. For if you love those who love

Hebrews 4:12); all these three make up

you, what reward have you? Do not even

our being here on earth.. With this in

the tax collectors do the same? And if

mind, there are dangers when we harbor

you greet your brethren only, what do

an unforgiving heart it leads to hatred.

you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

What you don’t realise is that when you a door way has been opened for the enemy to come in. My heart bleeds when this happens, falling into the

When we forgive, we are not only setting

common trap that the enemy likes. Evil

ourselves on the road to being perfect

communication begins to proceed out of

like our Father in Heaven but also

their mouth that is not edifying going as

36

far as cursing the next generation who has done no wrong; that generation is already cursed as they begin their journey in life and the circle continues from generation to generation until it is broken by the precious Blood of the Lamb.

Have you ever wondered why horrible accidents and unexplained illnesses happen? Have you ever wondered why many people, communities and lands

face

underdevelopment

and

unprecedented hardship, outbreaks of wars and diseases?

This is could probably explain why. It is not the government or those with authority and power all of the time.

How amazing is that!

On the plus side, lives will be saved that will be a blessing to themselves and all they come in contact with because you chose to forgive. You win when you forgive.

Now, I ask you the question again: Have you ever murdered someone? Will you ever? Will you ever again? If you had, like me in the past until God corrected me, all you have to do is ask God for forgiveness and truly repent (that is change of ways, renewal of mind and heart) Romans 12:2.

God answers prayers; He loves you so much and cares about what bothers you. Forgive as your heavenly Father

We may not serve the enemy directly

forgives. Cast your care and burden to

but when you fall into this trap, a gap

the Lord not to Man. God will show up

has been made that gives him access

strong because He is not a man. He is

if not closed quickly. Unforgiveness is

faithful and just. Be the best version of

likened to murder and 1 John 3:15 NKJV

yourself and leave peaceable with all

talks about itâ&#x20AC;? Whoever hates his brother

men.

is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in himâ&#x20AC;?.

You can only overcome evil with good not evil with evil. When you forgive as

Sia Egede Author Of The Forthcoming Book - How To Have Abundant LifeÂŽ.

your heavenly Father forgives, pray for deliverance for those who persecute you, God stands up strong on your behalf and give you the victory to the thousandth generation and beyond.

37

REJOICE AGAIN AND AGAIN

G

od does not repeat himself in vain, in fact

“

Cultivate a grateful attitude and watch your altitude soar. Give thanks in every circumstance for this is God’s will for you in

emphasise his points to elaborate its importance; just like the apostles. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice’ Philippians 4:4.

In this particular verse, Paul encouraged the

Christ Jesus 1thessalonian 5-18.

believers to rejoice in the Lord because the joy

The story of Paul and Silas

of the Lord is our strength Nehemiah 8:10. When

comes to heart, they praised God when they should have been

we fully commit to being joyful irrespective of the

complaining and full of sorrow,

situation, we draw strength from Him. We make

heaven opened unto them, the

power available for ourselves, which emanates

prison door opened, the chains and shackles were broken Act 16: 25 Glory Halleluyah!

38

he doesn’t like wasting his words but only

from inside out and saturate the whole of our being.

F

God has done in the past, for what he

of Joy and at His right hand there

is doing now and even for that which

are pleasures for evermore Psalm

you believe him for. Be thoughtful about

16:11. It is impossible to be joyful in the

his goodness and his steadfast love

Lord and be sorrowful at the same time,

that endures forever and be thankful

as a joyful heart makes a cheerful face,

and watch your tank full with more

But when the heart is sad, the spirit is

testimonies.

REJOICE

or in His presence there’s fullness

broken Proverbs: 15 -13. In other words, divine strength comes from being joyful in the Lord. Hence careful consideration should be given to the verses of the

scripture that is repeated for the purpose of emphasis.

Cultivate a grateful attitude and watch your altitude soar. Give thanks in every circumstance for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus 1thessalonian 5-18.

The story of Paul and Silas comes to heart, they praised God when they

Dear Purpose Driven Lady, what

should have been complaining and full

is the situation like for you right

of sorrow, heaven opened unto them,

now? Do you feel there is no way

the prison door opened, the chains and

out? Have you fasted and prayed

shackles were broken Act 16: 25 Glory

about it, yet it seems the solution is not

Halleluyah!

fast coming. I implore you to get over your feelings and try to ‘praise’ Jesus

interpreted

that

scripture

in

Matthew 21:15 and said ‘’ Yea, have you never read; out of the mouths of babes and suckling thou have perfected praise another

translation

says

(ordained

So when you wake up let your declaration be Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”.

strength). This goes to show that there

is a direct link between strength and

praise. The devil gets mad when you praise especially when you don’t have any reason to. Praise puts him in a very tight corner and he will have no choice than to back off.

Travel in ward and be grateful for what

Finally, I encourage you to bless the Lord at all times, let his praise continually be on your lips Psalm 34:1, always giving thanks to God the father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Amen. Peace and Blessings always Temitope Osinubi 39

SO I DANCE. Tomike Ogunleye His help....everlasting He delivers....mightily Even though the earth gives way & the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the sea roars & foam & there’s a quaking of the mountains....let it be known that the Lord is with TOMIKE like a mighty & terrible one....He’s set to do her good, now & always....

So I dance & rejoice in this God of all flesh, my King, my strength, my yea & amen.

40

I am like a tree

planted by the rivers of water; my leaves are evergreen and shall never wither. I am flourishing like the cedars of Lebanon. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know when dryness comes.

41

THE ANXIETY ANXIETY FACTOR Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendour, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. (Isaiah 52: 1-2)

issues that I met recently, all she kept crying and saying is, “I see no future, all I see is death, I will leave my children behind and they will end up in foster homes. I drink alcohol because I don’t know what else to do to keep the thoughts away. “My children will become orphans,” she wept.

These are classic examples of how anxiety has taken over the lives of a lot of women and as a result, some have been silenced into the graves, depressed or living a life of agony, pain

It was a beautiful Sunday morning in

and unhappiness. They fear for their

church, a lady sat beside me and said,

lives, see no future at all, with different

‘Please I need your help, I have anxiety

thoughts clashing in their minds. If you

issues and it is really affecting my mood

are anxious, please don’t give up where

and everything. I can’t think straight, I

there is life there is hope.

keep having different thoughts and the last one I had was suicidal. I think am depressed”.

I also remember a lady who had alcohol 42

Let’s go together on a journey to understand what anxiety is and how to deal with it.

WHAT IS ANXIETY

Anxiety according to Wikipedia, is

All these questions coming up might

an unpleasant feelings of dread over

cause panic and as a result you fail the

anticipated events, such as the feeling of

exam not because you did not know the

imminent death. Anxiety is not the same

answers but because of anxiety.

as fear, which is a response to a real or perceived immediate threat, anxiety is the expectation of future threat. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, uneasiness, and worry, usually generalized as an overreaction to

Even

though

statistics

shows

that

women are twice likely to have anxiety than men; I am here to tell you there is a way in God.

a situation that is only subjectively seen

Look at the woman in that scripture

as menacing. It is often accompanied by

above (Isaiah 52:1-2) the daughter of

muscular tension, restlessness, fatigue

Zion, you will see that she is a captive

and problems in concentration.

of something. I picture this daughter of

Major life events and hassle of life can sometime trigger anxiety for example when writing an exam; perhaps you are thinking, “what if I fail the exam”, what

Zion with chains around her neck and she must have tried to escape several times that is why she has dust all over her.

if the questions are hard that I cannot

There is a chain around her neck; it is

even answer any one of it? What if the

possible she can stand up and can use

instruction says “Answer All”?

her hands. She is hopeless as a result

43

of not been able to come out of that

clothe yourself with strength. Put on your

situation, discouraged where she sits

garment of splendour, shake yourself

because she can’t find a way out. She

from the dust, rise up, sit enthroned.

looks tired in her ragged clothing.

Free yourself from the chains on your

Now imagine this, someone (lets say a man) arrives and sees her in that situation, filled with compassion & love

neck, O captive daughter of Zion. You are not meant to be like this, rise up and free yourself ”

reaches out to her. He brings her head

As a man thinketh in his heart so is he or

up and calls her name and begins to

should I say in these situation as a lady

speak:

thinks in her heart so is she?

“Awake, awake, O daughter of Zion,

Renew your mind on the word of God.

clothe yourself with strength. Put on your

I want to remind you that God cares

garment of splendour, shake yourself

about you. He loves you so much. You

from the dust, rise up, sit enthroned.

are the apple of His eyes.

Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. You are not meant to be like this, rise up and free yourself ” I see the man declaring it over her again & again. Now this daughter of Zion had Hope. She is hoping the man will rescue her. However the man is saying you can do it, there is a way of escape; there is a way in God. It appears she can’t see the way. She keeps hoping, she can’t seem to see the way out.

Perhaps today all you can see is Impossibility;

you

are

depressed,

frustrated and lonely. I am here to tell you like the man in Isaiah 52:1-2 said and I quote: “Awake, awake, O daughter of Zion, 44

All you have to do is cast you cares and burdens to God and leave it there. Don’t go back for it. Simple.

Rejoice, Give thanks continually. Trust in the Lord and again I say Rejoice in the Lord.

Labake Olaoye

Purpose Driven Lady

3Ms

Music Movie Meditation

45

Music

46

Music: “That’s Just The Way The Father Is” by Kurt Carr

[Chorus] [Hook]

[Verse 1]

He’s great & He’s faithful...

How could He love me?

He’s great & He’s faithful.

How could He know me?

Morning by morning, a brand new

How could one so awesome, ever

mercy I see, ohhhhhhhh.

care so much for me?

How could He love man, enough to

[Chorus]

redeem man?

How could He sacrifice, His only son

[Bridge]

to set me free?

That’s just the way, that’s just the Father is. [5x]

[Chorus] That’s just the way the Father is.

He’ll be a friend when you’re not His. That’s just His way, that’s just the way He is.

He’s nothing like your other friends.

He’ll be with you until the end.

That’s just His way, that’s just the way He is.

[Talking] I don’t always live like I ought to live, but He loves me.

I don’t always pray like I ought to pray, but He blesses me anyway.

[Bridge 5x] That’s just the way, the Father, is.

[Verse 2] Why did He choose me?

And why does He use me?

How could He put, His trust in me, to carry out His will, ohhh.

How could He love me, knowing all He knows about me?

How could He look beyond my faults and find success in me?

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics kurtcarr/thatsjustthewaythefatheris.html

47

Movie

48

War Room is a 2015 American Christian drama film directed by Alex Kendrick and cowritten and produced by Stephen Kendrick. War Room is the Kendrick brothers’ fifth film project and their first film project through Kendrick Brothers Productions.

Regarding the title of the film, director Kendrick says “We called it ‘War Room’ because, like the military, we should seek God for the right strategy before going into combat. By combat, I mean daily issues we face in our culture. The film was released in North American theaters on August 28, 2015.

Nick Olszyk of Catholic World Report similarly praised the film, writing it successfully portrayed “prayer... forgiveness, temptation, conversion, and, most importantly, the cosmic struggle between God and the devil that occur in every home and every heart.

Plot

looking at.

Tony (T.C. Stallings) and Elizabeth Jordan

Elizabeth, a realtor, goes to work with the

(Priscilla Shirer) have a big house, a beautiful daughter, and plenty of money. Despite their apparent success, they face a strained marriage. Tony, a pharmaceutical salesman, is almost never there for his daughter, Danielle (Alena Pitts); has been verbally abusive with Elizabeth; and has thoughts about cheating on his wife with other women he has been

elderly Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie) to sell her house. Miss Clara senses the stress Elizabeth is under, and suggests that Elizabeth fight for their marriage by praying for Tony. Miss Clara shows Elizabeth a special closet she has dedicated to praying, and calls it her “War Room” because as she puts it, “In order to stand up and fight the

49

enemy, you need to get on your knees and

isn’t nearly what he was making as a

pray.” As Elizabeth starts to seriously

pharmaceutical salesman, he realizes

pray for her husband, Tony is away on

that with the income from this new job

a business trip but is having dinner with

combined with Elizabeth picking up extra

a beautiful woman who invites him back

work, the family can make a budget and

to her apartment. Just as he is about to

survive.

leave with her, he becomes nauseous and runs to the bathroom to throw up.

The film ends with Tony giving Elizabeth her favorite dessert while he gives her

Shortly afterward, Tony is fired for

a foot massage, something she loves,

inflating his sales figures. Realizing he

and Miss Clara, now living with her son,

has hit rock bottom, he rededicates his

praying a powerful prayer in the still of

life to God. Unknown to Elizabeth and

the night

Danielle, he has been keeping several samples for himself. He now realizes that he has to return them, even though

Cast •

Priscilla Shirer as Elizabeth Jordan

Tony’s former boss is moved by his

•

T.C. Stallings as Tony Jordan

willingness to admit his wrongdoing and

•

Karen Abercrombie as Miss Clara

it could potentially send him to prison.

make amends, and decides not to press

Williams

charges. Tony begins to show an interest in his daughter’s jump roping skills and

•

Alex Kendrick as Coleman Young

offers to participate with her and her

•

Michael Jr. as Michael

competition at the local community

•

Alena Pitts as Danielle Jordan

center. Tony’s team takes second place

•

Beth Moore as Mandy

•

Tenae Downing as Veronica Drake

•

Ben Davies (American actor) as

friends in the upcoming double Dutch

in the competition creating a new bond between him and his daughter.

Elizabeth successfully sells Miss Clara’s house to a retired pastor who notices the knee indentations in the closet floor

.

Policeman

and realizes someone has been praying in the closet. Shortly afterwards, Tony is offered a job as the director of the community center. Although the pay 50

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Room_(film)

Meditation

51

Meditation Christian meditation is rooted in the Bible. In fact, the Bible commands us to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God says to meditate on His word day and night so we will obey it. The psalmist says “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Actually, the Bible mentions meditate or meditation 20 times.

In the Old Testament there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation: Haga, which means to utter, groan, meditate, or ponder; and Sihach, which means to muse, rehearse in one’s mind, or

contemplate.

These

words

can also be translated as dwell, diligently consider, and heed.

Christian Meditation: A History One form of Christian meditation that has been used by believers since at least the fourth century AD is the lectio divina. It has been traditionally used in

monastic

enjoying

religious

resurgence

orders

and

is

today. Lectio

divina means “sacred reading” and has four stages: lectio (reading), meditation (discursive meditation), oratio (affective prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation).

In thelectio (reading) stage, one finds a passage and reads it deliberately.

The next stage, meditatio (discursive meditation), is where one ponders the text. In the oratio (effective prayer) stage, one talks to God about the reading, asking Him to reveal the truth. In the

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final, contemplatio (contemplation)

ourselves and from the world so that

stage, one simply rests in the Lord’s

we reflect on God’s Word, His nature,

presence.

His abilities, and His works...So we

One important thing the Bible tells us to do is to think about God’s Word.

words of Scripture....The goal is simply to permit the Holy Spirit to activate the lifegiving Word of God” (133).

dit at io

Our thoughts determine our behavior

n

prayerfully ponder, muse, and ‘chew’ the

and so what we think about is very

Christian Meditation: How do we do it?

important. That is why God wants us to think about His Word, or meditate on it.

Jim Downing in Meditation (NavPress)

says God considers meditation a “vital

exercise of the minds of His children.”

Rick Warren, in The Purpose Driven Life (Zondervan), describes meditation

this way: “Meditation is focused thinking.

It takes serious effort. You select a verse and reflect on it over and over in your

mind...if you know how to worry; you

already know how to meditate” (190).

Warren goes on to say, “No other

habit can do more to transform your

life and make you more like Jesus than daily reflection on Scripture…If you look up all the times God speaks about

Me

meditation in the Bible, you will amazed

at the benefits He has promised to

There are three times during the day we can actively turn our minds over to God’s Word in Christian Meditation. Just before we fall asleep, we can have God’s Word be the last thing that occupies our mind.

Upon awaking, we can have God’s Word be the first thing to fill our minds to start the day. Finally, we need a specific time each day to be in God’s Word so it can speak to us throughout our day.

What should we focus on in Christian meditation? “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8, NASB).

those who take the time to reflect on His Word throughout the day” (190).

In Satisfy Your Soul (NavPress), Dr. Bruce Demarest writes, “A quieted heart is our best preparation for all this work of God...Meditation refocuses us from

Source: http://www.allaboutgod.com/christianmeditation.htm

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YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

BIBLE VERSES

I can't ďŹ gure it out.

I will direct your steps.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I'm too tired.

I will give you rest.

Mathew 11:28-30

It's impossible.

All things are possible.

Luke 18:27

Nobody Loves me.

I love you.

John 3:16

I can't forgive myself.

I forgive you.

Romans 8:1

It's not worth it.

It will be worth it.

Romans 8:28

I'm not smart enough.

I will give you wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:30

I'm not able.

I am able.

II Corinthians 9:8

I can't go on.

My grace is sufďŹ cient.

II Corinthians 12:9

I can't do it.

You can do all things.

Philippiians 4:13

I can't manage.

I will supply all your needs.

Philippiians 4:19

I'm afraid

I have not given you fear.

II Timothy 1:7

Source: https://myspiritualbreakfast.com/2014/08/08/you-say-but-god-says/

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