"Daughters Arise Ministries"

Balm in Gilead A Three Part Devotional Series Hymn: There Is a Balm in Gilead Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church  When Discouragement Comes Key Text:  “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9, KJV “Sometimes I feel discouraged, And think my work’s in vain.” There is something deeply honest about those words. Even people of faith become discouraged. We pray and wonder if anything is changing. We serve and wonder if anyone notices. We keep showing up, keep giving, keep trying, and still there are seasons when very little seems to happen. Sometimes we begin to ask ourselves, “Is this making any difference at all?” Discouragement can make faithful work feel pointless. It can make progress seem invisible. It can convince us that because we cannot see results, nothing is happening. But the hymn does not stop with discouragement. It continues with hope: “But then the Holy Spirit revives my ...

Balm in Gilead Part 1: There Is Healing Key Text:  “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3, KJV Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church  “There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole.” Some wounds are visible. Others are carried quietly in places no one else can see. Life can wound us through disappointment, rejection, grief, broken relationships, betrayal, mistakes and experiences we wish we could forget. Sometimes the wound happened years ago, yet the pain still shows up in the way we think, respond, trust and relate to others. We can become very good at functioning while still hurting. We smile. We work. We worship. We care for others. Yet beneath the surface, there may still be a place that aches. But this hymn reminds us that there is healing. In Jeremiah 8:22, the prophet asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” The spiritual answers that question with hope. There is a Balm. There ...

I Am a Child of the King Key Text: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs.” Romans 8:16, 17, KJV Sharon Campbell-Danvers Kings Seventh-day Adventist Hymn: A Child of the King Words: Harriet E. Buell Music: John B. Sumner Have you ever questioned your worth? Have you ever felt like an outsider, as though you did not quite belong? Perhaps even within your own family, among friends, at church, at work, or in spaces where you thought you would be accepted, you somehow felt different, unseen or out of place. There is something painful about not feeling that you belong. Sometimes those experiences can cause us to question ourselves. We wonder whether we are good enough, important enough, wanted enough, or worthy enough. But the hymn “A Child of the King” reminds us that our identity is not determined by how others see us, where we come from, what we possess, or whether people make room for us. Our identity is ground...

by: Dr. Alicia Valasse-Polius Odsan SDA Church, St. Lucia  “But Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and a hammer in her  hand and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple  until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast  asleep from weariness. So he died.” — Judges 4:21   We often picture warfare as sweeping landscapes with blankets of smoke, roaring chariots, and thousands of soldiers clad in armor, all standing in tactical formation. The constant roar of explosions and gunfire fills the air, leaving behind the stench of sulfur and burning debris. War. But in the Kingdom of God, some of the most strategic battles are won in quiet, unexpected places by ordinary people using everyday tools. The biblical armory includes trumpets, ceaseless prayer, a shepherd’s staff, hornets, strategic marching, rehearsed shouting and a tent peg ( Exodus 23:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Joshua 24:12; Judges 7; Joshua 6; Judges 4:21 ). The story of Jael...

’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Key Text: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5, KJV Hymn: ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus Words: Louisa M. R. Stead Music: William J. Kirkpatrick Those of you who have been following my journey know that I have had a challenging past. Some of the experiences of my childhood shaped the way I learned to see people, relationships and trust. Children who experience adversity sometimes find it difficult to trust later in life. They may struggle with assurance, vulnerability and believing that people will remain present and dependable. When the people or circumstances that should have provided safety become sources of pain, disappointment or uncertainty, we can learn to protect ourselves by becoming cautious. Even as adults, those lessons can remain with us. We may expect disappointment before it comes. We may hesitate to become vulnerable. We may question whether promises will be kept because exp...

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour Key Text : "And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me."  Luke 18:38 (KJV) Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church  There are moments in life when our prayers are long and carefully expressed, and then there are moments when all we can do is cry out, "Lord, have mercy on me." "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour" was written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1868 , with music by William H. Doane . It became one of Crosby's first hymns to receive worldwide recognition. There are two accounts connected with the origin of this beloved hymn. In Fanny Crosby's own account, she tells us that William H. Doane, who would become one of her dear friends and musical collaborators, gave her the subject, "Pass me not, O gentle Saviour." Crosby took that simple thought and turned it into a heartfelt prayer that has touched generations. There is also another account that has been shared through the...

When We All Get to Heaven Key Text:  "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3 (KJV) Sharon Another hymn that is very dear to me is "When We All Get to Heaven." The words were written by Eliza E. Hewitt in 1898 , with music composed by Emily D. Wilson . There is something about this hymn that fills my heart with hope. It reminds me that no matter how difficult the journey becomes, this life is not the end of our story. There is something greater awaiting those who love and faithfully follow Jesus. Life has a way of making us weary. There are seasons when we pray and wait, yet the answer does not seem to come. There are times when we give our best and still experience disappointment. We may face sickness, grief, rejection, financial difficulties, broken relationships and circumstances we simply do not understand. Sometimes the journey feels long. But then I remember tha...

Holy Sabbath Day of Rest Key Text:  "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  Exodus 20:8 (KJV) Sharon There are some truths we learn because someone teaches them to us, and there are others that God seems to place before us again and again until we stop, listen and understand. For me, the Sabbath became one of those truths. Approximately thirty years ago, while I was still in high school, a friend told me about the Sabbath and invited me to church with her. At the time, I had no real knowledge or understanding of the Sabbath. Saturday was simply another busy day. It was the day we washed, cleaned, went shopping and took care of the many things that needed to be done. Nevertheless, I accepted my friend's invitation and went to church with her. I did not realise then that this invitation would become part of a much greater spiritual journey. Sometime afterwards, I came across an old book in my aunt's bathroom. Once again, the subject of the Sabbath was before me. I...

Sharon Campbell-Danvers  A Child of the King Key Text "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16–17 (KJV) There are some hymns that remind us not only of God's promises but also of who we are in Him. One of my favourite hymns is "A Child of the King," written by Harriet E. Buell in 1877, with music by John B. Sumner . Being told that I am a child of the King has such powerful meaning for me. When I was growing up, I never knew my father during my early years. I never knew what it felt like to have someone call me "daughter." There were times when I lacked proper housing. I worried about tomorrow and often wondered what my future would hold. In those moments, I cried out to God and asked Him to help me so that life for my generation would be much better. Then I came to know my Heavenly Father. When I accepted Jesus Christ, eve...

Sis. Corrie Chambers  Women's Ministries Director Cayman Islands Conference  Blessed Assurance Key Text Hebrews 10:22–23 (NKJV) "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith… Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hymn "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine" "Blessed Assurance" has deeply blessed my life because it speaks of a personal relationship with God. The words, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine," remind me of the confidence we have as sinners saved by grace. There is great comfort in knowing that Jesus is mine and I am His. This hymn also reminds me that, even in our imperfection, we can still praise God and rejoice in His salvation. We do not need to be perfect to receive His love. His grace meets us where we are and gives us hope, joy, and a reason to worship. The third verse is especially meaningful: Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and...

Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary Key Text "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) Some hymns have a way of speaking directly to the deepest needs of the human heart. "Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary," written and composed by John M. Moore in 1952 , is one such hymn. You will agree with me that days can be filled with hurt, pain, failure and disappointment. There are seasons when life feels overwhelming. There are times when it is difficult to get out of bed and face another day. The weight of grief, financial pressures, family struggles, illness or unanswered prayers can leave us feeling exhausted and discouraged. The Apostle Paul understood that life was not always easy. He wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19). Our hope is not limited to this present life. It is anchored in the risen Christ, who has overcome sin, death and the g...