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Showing posts from April, 2025

April 30- Vashti: Standing for Dignity

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  Theme:  Knowing When to Take a Stand for Self-Respect and Values Corry Chambers Shepherdess, Women’s Ministries Director, CIC  Scripture: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV) In  the year 2000 I finished teachers’ college and received a letter which stated that I was a nominee for the student of the year award but one of the criteria for receiving the award would be attendance at the graduation ceremony. It was inevitable, graduation was held on the sabbath and so I did not attend. It was my belief that I should not attend such functions on the Sabbath. I n a world that often pressures women to conform, compromise, or shrink themselves to fit into others’ expectation, it takes courage to stand up for dignity and self-respect.  Queen Vashti is a lesser-discussed biblical figure, yet her story carries a powerful lesson for women today.  In Esther 1, King Xer...

May 1 Editors Message

Sharon Campbell-Danvers , Shepherdess, Founder and Manager, Cayman Islands Conference  Corry Chambers, Shepherdess , Assistant Manager, Women's Ministries Leader, Cayman Islands Conference  What began as a simple task laid on my heart by the Holy Spirit has grown into something truly impactful. The numerous testimonials have demonstrated how powerfully God has used this devotional to bless lives and prepare women for His Kingdom. Initially, I told God this devotional would only be for January 2025. Then I felt moved to extend it for another month and thought, *“This is it.”* But God has a funny way of showing up and rewriting our plans with purpose. He brought Sis Corry Chambers into my life—someone who carries the same passion and heart for this mission. Together, we journeyed through Phase 3 of the project, and it has been such a joy to collaborate with her. Through this ministry, I have  come to call her "Odean"— the name of my best friend. This reflects how deeply thi...

April 29 Peninnah: Peninnah – Overcoming Jealousy and Embracing Grace

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Theme: Conquering Envy and Rejoicing in Others’ Blessings Author: Ash a Singh - Georgetown SDA Church Key Verse: "And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and daughters, portions, but unto Hannah, he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb." – 1 Samuel 1:3-4 Who Was Peninnah? Peninnah was one of Elkanah’s two wives, who lived in the hill country of Ephraim. Unlike Hannah, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, had children, a distinction that became a source of rivalry and emotional pain. Peninnah’s jealousy fueled the tension between them, as Elkanah’s deep love for Hannah was evident despite her barrenness. Peninnah often tormented Hannah, provoking her to tears. Scripture describes how Peninnah “taunted her viciously” (1 Samuel 1:6, BSB) year after year, particularly during their annual pilgrimage to Shiloh. Her actions likely stemmed from her own insecurities and desire for Elkanah’s af...

April 28 Delilah: Guarding Against Distractions

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Recognizing and avoiding the pitfalls of worldly allure Jewel Meikle, George Town SDA Church   Do not love this world nor the things it offers you,  for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you – 1 John 2:15 Delilah was the beautiful Philistine woman who bribed and entrapped Samson into revealing the secret of the strength of his long hair. She took advantage of his confidence and betrayed him to his enemies and this story is recorded in the Bible in Judges, chapters 13 - 16. Her name has since then become synonymous with a voluptuous and treacherous woman.   Nonetheless, we cannot deny the fact that Delilah’s story is a part of Samson’s story. Their entwined life’s choices impacted not only themselves, but an entire nation. And as His custom is, God expects us to search the scriptures to find the gems of truth in plain sight, so here are a few insights I have gleaned from Delilah:   Lesson # 1: Our true identify lies in ...

April 27 Lot’s Wife: Looking Forward, Not Back

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  Theme: Letting go of the past to embrace God's future. Jolen Whyte  Kings SDA Church There’s a powerful moment in the story of Lot’s wife when she looks back—despite the warning, despite the escape to freedom. Her gaze back toward the city of Sodom cost her everything. God had a future for her, but she couldn't fully embrace it because she was too focused on the past. In Genesis 19:26, it says, "But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." This simple but tragic action reminds us of the danger of looking back when God is calling us forward. I’ve had moments in my life where I was tempted to look back, to return to the familiar, even though I knew deep down that it wasn’t where God wanted me. There were times when moving forward felt uncertain, and I wanted to retreat to what was comfortable. But through it all, I kept hearing God whisper, “Don’t look back. I have a plan for you.” And with every step forward, I saw His faithfulness. When I made the d...

April 26 Jezebel: Avoiding the Spirit of Manipulation

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 Theme:  Recognising and rejecting behaviours that oppose God’s will. Asha Singh George Town SDA Church Key Verse: "Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah saying, so let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." – 1 Kings 19:2 Would you name your child Jezebel? Likely not, and for good reason. Though she was a queen and the wife of King Ahab of Israel, her character was marked by manipulation, control, rebellion, and idolatry. The Bible (1 Kings 16-19) paints a picture of her as a ruthless leader who sought to eliminate the worship of God in Israel. Two key events highlight Jezebel’s dangerous nature. First, she aggressively sought to exterminate the prophets of the Lord, replacing true worship with Baal worship (1 Kings 18:4, 13). Her greatest opponent, Elijah, challenged her priests in a dramatic contest on Mount Carmel, proving God’s power. Yet, despite witnessing miracles, Jezebel remained u...

April 25: The Shunammite Woman: Hospitality and Faith

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Theme: Blessings come through generosity and unwavering faith in God's power.   Marlene Harry, Shepherdess CIC,  SDA Church, Kings   Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-37  The story of the Shunammite woman is a powerful testimony of how generosity and faith can open the door to unexpected blessings. She was a wealthy woman from Shunem who, along with her husband, showed great hospitality to the prophet Elisha.   The Blessing of Generosity   In 2 Kings 4:8-10, we see that this woman recognized Elisha as a man of God and insisted on providing him with food whenever he passed by. Not stopping there, she and her husband built a small room for Elisha to stay in whenever he visited. She gave without expecting anything in return, simply out of kindness and reverence for God’s servant.   Her generosity did not go unnoticed. Elisha, moved by her hospitality, sought to bless her. Though she had not asked for anything, he prophesied that she would have a son—a desire she...

April 24 The Woman with the Issue of Blood: Reaching for Healing

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  Theme: Having Faith to Reach Out to Jesus for Healing Dionne Clarke Berea SDA Church Life's storms can be relentless, seeking to overwhelm us. They can make us feel out of control and try to hinder God’s purpose, plans, and blessings for our lives. These physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges can aim to discourage us. However, on the flip side, these storms can also serve as spiritual battles to strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with God. For years, I unknowingly suffered from menopausal symptoms that severely affected my mind. It was a constant struggle to stay sane. Confused and unsure of what was happening, I sought medical advice but received varying diagnoses, with no relief in sight. One early morning, I woke up in a panic, my mind seemingly turning against me. It felt like I was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. Desperate, I grabbed my hymnal and started singing, as I had done before, but it wasn’t enough this time. I cried out to God, aski...

April 23: The Canaanite Woman: Faith That Breaks Barriers

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Theme:  Demonstrating persistence and faith that overcomes obstacles   Scriptural Passage: Matthew 15:21-28   Jusene Brown Kings SDA Church What Are You Hoping For? What Are You Praying to God For? How important is the breakthrough you are seeking from God? Have you done everything you can to seek Him while also bringing your request before Him in prayer?   Jesus desires for us to have great faith, but faith is often tested.  Many times, obstacles stand in the way of our miracles. Let us explore the story of the Canaanite woman and the extraordinary faith she demonstrated. A faith that we, too, can have.   The Canaanite woman had a deep problem, her daughter was severely demon possessed. Imagine the torment she faced every day, the anguish of seeing her child suffer with no relief in sight. Desperation drove her to break every cultural and religious boundary. She was an outsider, and according to Jewish tradition, someone unworthy of God’s bless...

April 22: Priscilla: Teaching with Boldness

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Jewel Meikle, George Town SDA Church Theme: Partnering in ministry and using your gifts to instruct others.  Scripture: Try to do good, not evil, so that you will live, and the Lord God All-powerful will be with you, just as you say he is – Amos 5:14  I had to do a Google search on Priscilla of the Bible, and I discovered a wealth of information. I cannot share all the details that I have learned, but I will share some of the core ideas of the article, Why is Priscilla Significant in the Bible, written by Hope Bolinger on the Crosswalk webpage. You can check out the complete article at  https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-is-priscilla-significant-in-the-bible.html .   When we think of Priscilla, we also think of Aquila (her husband), and Paul, the apostle. We also think of tent-making, hospitality and house-meetings. But there is so much more that God wants us to learn from the lives of this tent-making power couple who were faithful friends of ...

April 21: Phoebe: Supporting the Mission

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Theme:  Understanding the significance of being a helper and encourager in ministry. Carol Nyack Shepherdess  Cayman Islands Conference  of SDA Phoebe As I pondered on the story of Phoebe, captured in just two verses of Romans 16:1-2, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own life. At the age of sixteen, I made the most important decision of my life by surrendering completely to the Lord through baptism. However, joining the tiny Seventh-Day Adventist Church in my remote village of Cedros, south of Trinidad and Tobago, was not the most popular choice. That day, my unforgettable thoughts and silent vow were, “I’ll go where You want me to go and do whatever You want me to do.” This quiet promise led me to embrace various responsibilities in church and ministry.  Alongside senior elders, I would visit my neighbors to answer questions from the Bible. Like a sponge, I absorbed everything shared by these seasoned leaders. I also eagerly attended services, whether there wer...

April 20 Lydia: A Heart Open to God

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Theme:  Being receptive to God's call and sharing faith in your sphere of influence.   Scripture Passage:   Acts 16:14  (NIV)  "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message." Evadne Harding Kings SDA Church With all the noise and distractions around us, it is easy for us to miss that still, small voice of God. Yet, in Acts 16, we find a beautiful example of a woman whose heart was open and ready to receive His message. Lydia, a successful businesswoman, was gathered with other women at a place of prayer when she encountered the apostle Paul. The Bible tells us that the Lord  opened her heart  to respond to Paul’s words. Lydia’s story reminds us that an open heart is not about status, knowledge, or even religious background—it is about being receptive to God’s voice. My mom was seriously ill. I was home ...

April 19: Dorcas (Tabitha) - Serving Others with Love

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Asha Singh George Town SDA Church Theme: The Power of Kindness and Service in Ministry Key Verse: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." — 1 Corinthians 15:58 In Acts 9:36-42, we encounter the poignant story of Dorcas (also known as Tabitha), a woman whose brief mention in the Bible continues to resonate. Her story is impactful because of her selfless life of service, especially to the widows in her community. Despite the few verses dedicated to her, Dorcas' life serves as a profound example of love, kindness, and the ministry of serving others. Why is she such an inspiring figure? Dorcas lived in Joppa, where she devoted her life to sewing clothes for women in need, particularly widows. The grief and sorrow expressed by those who gathered to mourn her death highlight the deep impact she had on her community, so much so that they sought ...

April 18 Under His Wings

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A Devotional on God’s Protection Dr. Diane Ricketts Berea SDA Church Scripture:  “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” — Psalm 91:4 (NIV) One morning, as I prepared to leave my home, I made it my duty to ask for God’s protection—not just for myself, but for my family as well. My prayer was intentional, a direct request for His extra coverage over our lives. Upon arriving at church, I heard the sound of chickens. At first, I saw nothing, but then I heard God’s voice prompting me to look down. Right before me was a mother hen, gathering her seven little chickens under her wings. I stood there, captivated by this simple yet powerful scene. The hen instinctively knew that danger was near, and without hesitation, she covered her little ones under her protective embrace. At that moment, the image of God’s divine protection became real to me. Just as that hen sheltered her chicks, so does God gath...

April 17, Mary Magdalene: Freedom in Christ

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 Theme:  Embracing deliverance and restoration through Jesus Evelyn Linton  Kings SDA Church I once read a book called “Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgs. I was drawn by the title and comforted by the reminder of how many real, raw stories of reformation and restoration are included in the Bible for our instruction. I am so happy that Jesus came, not for the righteous (who are non-existent according to Romans 3:10), but to call sinners to repentance. This includes all of us. It doesn’t take much reflection for us to identify some of the bad decisions we have made and to see the evidence of God’s grace and redirection. Mary Magdalene’s experience, however, was not confined to a few bad decisions. Her reality before meeting Jesus was that she had SEVEN demons (Luke 8:2). This implies that she had little control over her choices and that she was trapped in a whirlpool of sin. Can you imagine what it must have felt like for her to meet Jesus? While we do not have mu...