"Daughters Arise Ministries"

The Tree Was Never the Problem Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Educator and Motivational Speaker Key Text: "Every branch in me that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2, KJV). Years ago, I planted a cherry tree. It grew beautifully and reached full maturity, but there was one problem - every season the cherries were filled with worms. I tried everything I knew to do. I gave the tree more water, but that did not help. I trimmed back the branches, hoping it would make a difference, but year after year the same problem remained. Eventually, I made up my mind to cut down the tree. I thought perhaps I should remove it and plant another tree in its place. One day, while talking about the matter, someone suggested that I spray the tree because it might have a fungus or disease causing the issue. I decided to try one last time. To my surprise, the tree produced a bountiful harvest of beautiful cherries. We ate cherries to our heart's desire! God t...

Ready at Any Hour Matthew 24:44 (KJV) "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist  For years, I noticed something interesting about my son. He slept on only one side of his bed. At first, I thought it was simply a habit or a preference. But what caught my attention was what occupied the other side. Neatly arranged beside him would be everything he needed for school the next day. His uniform would be laid out carefully. His socks would be paired and ready. His lotion, cologne, school bag, and any other items he needed would already be in place before he went to sleep. Night after night, the pattern remained the same. One day I finally asked him why he went through all that trouble. His answer was simple. "I don't want to be late for school." He understood something that many adults struggle to learn. Preparation is easier when it happens before the moment arrives. He...

by: Dr. Alicia Valasse-Polius  Odsan SDA Church, St. Lucia   “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all   manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I   am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16)   Dearest Reader,   In the “hustle and bustle” era, the life of the working  professional is defined by strategy workshops in Zone A, proposal presentations in Zone B, board meetings in Zone  C, consultant briefings in Zone D, virtual training sessions,  team check-ins and the occasional face-to-face interaction  to foster serendipitous partnerships. In the midst of this  maze, the occasional date night slips in and weekend  afternoon naps are forced. Hey…it’s a busy world with  distractions here and there. Without prioritising, even  Christians can be caught up in the aura of busyness,  trading obedience to God for convenience. But the Word of  God encourages living holy in the hus...

I Thought You Would Always Be Here With Me Mark 10:14 (KJV) "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Sharon Campbell-Danvers  This morning, I dedicate this devotional to K. Chin. As I walked through a familiar place, memories and emotions accompanied me. Every pathway seemed to whisper stories from days gone by. Memories of laughter, learning, correction, encouragement, celebrations, and even challenges came flooding back. It was a place that once occupied a significant space in my daily life and in my heart. Although time had passed, the memories remained vivid. As I made my way through the garden, I noticed a young man staring intently at me. At first, I did not recognise him. He had grown so much. The little boy I remembered had become a young man. As our eyes met, he waved. I smiled and waved back. That simple exchange was all he needed. Without hesitation, he began running towards me. As he approached, his arms...

Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Nothing Is Impossible with God Luke 1:37 (KJV) "For with God nothing shall be impossible." In 2022, I made a bold decision to return to school amidst the many demands and challenges of life. Balancing work, family responsibilities, health concerns, and academic studies was not easy. What began as an exciting journey soon became overwhelming. The pressure became so intense that I made the difficult decision to pause my studies for a year. At the time, I simply could not see how I could successfully manage everything that was competing for my attention. The dream was still there, but my strength and motivation had diminished. As time passed, I thought long and hard about returning to school. Deep within, I knew I wanted to continue, but I lacked the willpower to pick up the books and begin again. The journey seemed too difficult, and the road ahead appeared uncertain. Then God gently reminded me of where He had brought me from. He reminded me of the obs...

  Faith Moves the Mountain Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church  Matthew 17:20 (KJV) "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Sometimes when we think about faith, we think about something big and extraordinary. We imagine dramatic miracles, remarkable breakthroughs, or life-changing events. Yet, often God calls us to exercise faith in the small, everyday moments of life. The truth is that many of us struggle to demonstrate genuine faith at the beginning of a situation. We analyse, worry, and try to figure everything out on our own. It is often somewhere along the journey, or even at the very end, that we finally begin to trust God with our thoughts, decisions, and circumstances. I remember a time when I was working on a major project for some...

Sharon Campbell-Danvers  Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church    I Will Come Again John 14:1–3 (KJV) "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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." Reflection During a certain period of my life, I had to make a transition that was deeply personal and emotional. It meant leaving behind little ones whom I had come to love as my own. As the day drew closer, and I realised that the moment of separation was inevitable, I wrestled with the thought of telling them that I would be leaving. My heart ached, and the tears were often uncontrollable. I tried to hide my pain, but there were moments when the emotions became too overwhelming to conceal. Looking into each little face was enough to break my heart all over again...

  June 30 – Faithful Is He That Promised Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" Sharon Campbell-Danvers  As I reflect on this verse, it takes on a deeper meaning for me. The foundation of our confidence is found in the simple but powerful truth: "for he is faithful that promised." God's faithfulness is unchanging. Human promises may be broken, forgotten, delayed, or abandoned, but God's promises are secured by His perfect character. He cannot lie, fail, or turn away from His word. What He has spoken, He will accomplish in His perfect timing and according to His perfect will. One of the realities of life is seeing how quickly people can change. Memories fade, loyalties shift, and promises once spoken with sincerity can be forgotten. Sometimes power, position, influence, or success can alter a person's perspective to the point where they no longer remember those who stood be...

Safe in the Arms of Jesus Sharon Campbell-Danvers  "As we reflected on the hymn 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' the line that resonated most deeply with me was, 'In His arms He'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.' Immediately, a picture came to mind of a crying baby who finds instant comfort when lifted into the arms of a loving parent. This image became the foundation of my reflection." Key Text:  "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) As we sang the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus , one particular line captured my attention: "In His arms He'll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there." Immediately, I pictured a crying baby. The baby may be upset, uncomfortable, frightened, or simply longing for reassurance. Yet the moment that child is picked up and held in the arms of a loving parent, something remarkable happens. The crying begins to stop. The fear subsid...

  He Will Keep You in Safety Psalm 121:7–8 (KJV) "The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Sharon Campbell-Danvers  There have been many times when I have put something away so securely that I could not remember where I placed it. Hours have been spent searching through drawers, cupboards, bags, and shelves, retracing my steps over and over again. Sometimes, after exhausting every possibility, I simply stop and pray, "Lord, please touch my mind and help me remember where I put it." More often than not, in the quietness of the night or during a moment of stillness, the Lord gently nudges my memory. A forgotten detail comes back, a particular movement resurfaces in my mind, and I am able to retrace my steps and find what was lost. As I reflect on Psalm 121:7–8, I am reminded that if I cannot always trust myself to remember where I place ...

  God Gives Wisdom Generously Sharon Campbell-Danvers Kings Seventh-day Adventist Church  James 1:5 (KJV) "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." There are times in life when we find ourselves facing situations for which we simply do not have the answers. We may be confronted with difficult decisions, unexpected challenges, or responsibilities that stretch us beyond our comfort zone. In those moments, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what to do next. James offers a simple yet powerful solution: ask God for wisdom. This verse reminds us that wisdom is not reserved for a select few. God freely gives wisdom to those who seek Him. He does not criticise us for not knowing the answer, nor does He withhold His guidance. Instead, He invites us to come to Him with our questions, concerns, and uncertainties. I have experienced moments when I was faced with responsibilities that s...