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Proverbs 3:27 'Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.'

Galatians 6:10 'Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers'

Today I was sitting and thinking about all the people that helped me to get my grade 10 Accounting DVD project going and assisted me in my business idea...... It meant so much to me, but the significant thing is that these people gave of their time, their skills, their wisdom and their resources, not money.

This made me realise that we don't always need money to show people we care, to help them or even just leave a footprint on the heart of someone in need of our help. So I thought, how about we create a platform for people to do good and connect them with needy people.........that is how The Love Campaign birthed in my heart.

The Love Campaign offers you the opportunity to give what you have in resources to someone in need. Your little difference, could make a world of difference in the life a needy person. I invite businesses, organisations, churches and individuals to come on board and make a difference.

You can give of your time to mentor an orphan, help a young person draw up a business plan, provide someone with wooden planks to build a home, offer your unused furniture to those who need it, teaching someone computer skills, tutoring a student etc.

How you can make a difference: email me at joyinthemorning7@gmail.com, with the resources/skills/goods/services you have available to help/offer and your name and contact numbers. Or leave a comment on this page with the detailed specified above.

Remember, love is giving, so give of yourself today :-)

The Power of Encouraging Yourself

1 Samuel 30 verse 6 : David encouraged himself in the LORD his God

Have you ever had those moments when people have belittled you? Made you feel like a drop in the ocean? Have you ever had someone that made you feel crap about something you never even did wrong because of their own insecurity? Have you ever just felt down in the dumps because of the cares of this life?

If yes, what do you do in those situations? When you heart is down and spirit low? Here is what I do: Encourage myself in the Lord my God!

I have had people really upset my spirit, so much so that I have been moved to tears at times. In these times, I had a choice to just mope the whole day or to slander that person or to facebook about it (hoping the person that hurt me would see my status) or throw a brush or just whatever would release the hurt and anger I was feeling at that point in time.

But, are these really the ways God wants us to respond when we are down? I hope NOT.

My response to the latest episode of down ‘troddedness’, is to encourage myself in God. Uhm, Cheryl, how did you do that? Simple, no fluffy rituals or fancy works. Godly music and a positive confession.

 I listened to a song by Marvin Sapp called ' Best in me'......some snippets of the song goes like this:

'He saw the best in me When everyone else around Could only see the worst in me'

'Does anybody have that testimony? When folk walks you off Said you would never make it, what did he see? He saw the best in me (When everyone else around you yeaa) When everyone else around(Ooohh, could only) Could only see the worst in me, He saw the best, the best, the best in me'

'Said that he is mine ,See he’s mine I’m his And I am his , It doesn’t matter what I did'

As I sang along, it was like a heaviness lifted off me and I had indescribable joy that could not be stolen.

In those time of downheartedness, hold fast to a positive confession. Encourage yourself in God, instead of make yourself a victim. Satan will do what he can to steal your joy, but DON’T give him the benefit of the doubt, he is already DEFEATED!!!!

Here is a positive confession the next time you have people that make you feel like nothing and lie to you about your worth:

‘Thank you Father that I am your child, fearfully and wonderfully made. Peoples’ opinions do not define who I am, but my identity is found in Christ Jesus. I am a positive, faith filled, confident man/woman of God, that walks in the will of God, irrespective of the present temporary circumstances of life. I am God’s set apart one. Nothing separates me from the love of God – a love which is immeasurable, unlimited and surpasses all human comprehension. I am a royal priesthood, set apart for God. I cast out all lies that people have told me from my mind and bring every thought into the subjection of Christ Jesus. I love God and life. I walk uprightly in the purposes of God for my life and will not doubt that He has good plans for my life. I will not allow the lies of the enemy to get me down, but I will rise as more than a conqueror every time I put my trust in God. I declare that Satan is under my feet. I now walk in the victory that Jesus gave His life for. I will never act as a victim when people hurt me, but I will forgive and love at all times, just as God has loved and forgiven me. In the name of Jesus, amen.’