Pampering with Rita Powell

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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians:3:15

Inspiration:
Peace, sadly, seems almost remote in our modern times. Whilst some may have done abhorrent things in the name of our Lord, it serves us well to be reminded that the Christian faith, as quoted above, is one of peace and goodwill. The body is one in which the Lord our Father sits at the head, but is also comprised of many members, including his only begotten son, the Holy Spirit, the Angels, Apostles and Saints. For the body to function, it requires harmony between all parts, as a peace emanating from God and culminating within us.

Prayer:
God almighty, in your peace, I worship you and adore you. In your goodness, I pray for your forgiveness. Grant peace upon fellow men, and show mercy towards your followers. For we are all messengers of your serenity amidst the darkness in the world, or a flame of good will still, amidst the errors of our ways. May your body of peace reign once again Lord, as we strive to do your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Our Glendale SDA Church Food Shelf will not be open Sunday November 9,2025.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians: 6:9-10

Meditation:
In the quiet corners of our lives, we often find ourselves weighing the significance of our contributions against the grand tapestry of the world. The tale of a woman with an alabaster box, as recounted in the scriptures, serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty inherent in our offerings to the Lord, no matter how the world perceives them.

This woman, carrying her precious jar of perfume, approached Jesus with a heart full of devotion. Her actions, though met with scorn and misunderstanding by those around her, were a genuine expression of her love and reverence. Jesus, seeing the purity of her intent, recognized the sacrifice and proclaimed, "She did what she could."

This affirmation from Christ echoes through time, calling us to recognize the value in giving our best, regardless of the judgment we may face. It is not the magnitude of our gifts that matters but the heart from which they are given. When we lay our talents, our time, and our resources at Jesus' feet, we are doing more than enough in His eyes.

Let us take courage from this story and strive to do what we can, for in God's grand design, every act of kindness, every moment of service, and every humble offering is a fragrant perfume that pleases Him. As daughters of the King, we are called to embrace our unique gifts and use them to glorify His name—without fear, without hesitation, and with a spirit of joy.

Pray:
Heavenly Father, Giver of all good things, I come before You with a heart ready to serve. Grant me the courage to use the gifts You have entrusted to me, to honor You without reservation. As I walk through this day, let me not be swayed by the voices of doubt or the glances of those who do not understand Your calling on my life.

Teach me to be like the woman with the alabaster box, to pour out my love and service upon You without counting the cost. May my life reflect the beauty of a heart surrendered to Your will, a heart that delights in doing what it can for the glory of Your kingdom.

I pray for the strength to persist in well-doing, even when the path is lonely or the burden feels heavy. Infuse my actions with Your grace, so that in every gesture of kindness, every word of encouragement, and every sacrifice of love, Your light may shine through me.

In the precious name of Jesus, the One who affirms and cherishes our every offering, I pray. Amen.

Then He said to them all,
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily,
and follow Me.
Luke: 9:23

Meditation:
In the quiet moments of reflection, the dreams of our childhood often dance before us, full of hope and unbridled potential. With eyes shimmering with possibilities, our children remind us of our own youthful aspirations. These tender exchanges are a beautiful tapestry of God's design, each thread purposefully woven to display His grand vision for our lives.

Our Creator does not call us to a life muddled by worry or marred by comparison. Instead, He extends an invitation to a life orchestrated by His divine guidance—a life where trust outshines trepidation, and surrender unlocks the gates to glory. Embracing His sovereignty, we acknowledge that our steps are directed by Him who is infallible, Him who is all-knowing.

The road to surrender is not without its challenges, yet it is the very essence of our calling. What burdens are we clutching that hinder our complete devotion? What fragments of our heart remain in the shadows, untouched by His transformative grace? True surrender calls for an unreserved offering of our entire being to the Almighty.

Today, let us stand in the presence of our Lord with open hands and open hearts, proclaiming, "Lord, use me for Your honor. May Your will be the compass that guides my path. Shine Your light into the corners of my heart that I have yet to yield, and teach me to relinquish all to You." For in the act of surrender, we find the freedom to walk confidently in the direction He leads us—towards His purpose, for His glory.

Pray:
O Gracious Father, You are the architect of all that is good and right in my life. With a heart full of gratitude, I acknowledge the unique plan You have for me—a plan crafted with love and intention. I seek the courage to trust You wholeheartedly, laying down my own understanding at the foot of Your throne. Guide me in surrendering every facet of my existence to Your will. May my life be an instrument of Your peace, a vessel of Your love. Teach me to walk the path of surrender with grace, knowing that in Your hands, my journey is complete. In the precious name of Jesus, I commit my life anew to You. Amen.

Strong in Hope

Psalm 31 is a heartfelt prayer of King David, a man who experienced numerous trials and challenges throughout his life. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God remains steadfast and faithful to those who seek Him.

In Psalm 31:21-22, David feels trapped. He recalls a time when he was in a city under siege, feeling cut off from God's sight, engulfed by feelings of despair and isolation. But David didn’t lose sight of God's character and faithfulness. He cried out to the Lord for mercy and, in response, God heard his plea and extended His hand.

Have you ever felt trapped?

This passage is a reminder that God's love and mercy are never far away. When we call out to Him with sincerity, He hears our cries and responds with compassion.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Psalm 31:24 NIV

This verse is a rallying cry, an invitation to anchor our souls in the hope that comes from our relationship with God. But there are two things we have to remember about putting our hope in the Lord.

First, hope isn’t just optimism. It’s a profound trust in His character and promises. It’s knowing that God is our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1) and that His love for us is steadfast and unchanging (Psalm 136:26). When we place our hope in God, we tap into a source of strength that transcends our circumstances.

Second, hope in the Lord is not passive—but active. It empowers us to face challenges head-on, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. Our hope rests on the One who hears our cries and responds with love and mercy.

In times of distress, when we feel like we are cut off from God's sight, remember the wonders of His love displayed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Him, you’ll find the ultimate expression of God's unfailing love.

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected.
Habakkuk: 2:1

Meditation:
In times when the world around us seems cloaked in darkness, where every corner echoes with the cries of injustice and the silent weeping of the oppressed, it is not uncommon to feel abandoned by the heavens. Questions flood in like the tide, wondering why the Almighty seems to linger in silence while turmoil reigns.

It was within such shadows that the prophet stood, his soul wrestling with the divine silence amidst the chaos of Judea. He, too, questioned the heavens, yearning for a glimpse of light, for a whisper of deliverance from the grip of corruption and suffering that clenched his people.

And then, the unexpected unfolded. God's voice broke through, not with the comforting solace of immediate rescue, but with the stark foretelling of further trials, a greater storm before the calm. A response that might have shattered any hope remaining in the prophet's heart.

Yet, Habakkuk's reaction was not of despair, but of unwavering resolve. He proclaimed with a steadfast heart, "I will stand watchful at my post, I will position myself upon the fortress and I will keep watch to see what He will speak through me..." In his faithful vigil, the prophet embraced a truth we too must hold dear: that in the silence of God, there is a purposeful preparation, a divine orchestration beyond our comprehension.

Dear sisters in faith, let us take heart and learn from the unwavering stance of the prophet. When God's whispers seem faint and His actions unclear, let us run to Him, our strong tower, and stand firm at our assigned post. For it is from this vantage point that we gain strength, that we may gaze beyond the chaos and see with clarity the unfolding of His sovereign will. In the waiting, in the watching, there is a movement of God, a silent working on our behalf that will bring about redemption and glory far greater than we could imagine.

Pray:
O Gracious and Almighty God, my refuge and my fortress, I come before You with a heart seeking solace and strength. In the midst of life's storms, when shadows loom and Your voice seems distant, grant me the courage to stand unwaveringly at my watchpost. May Your spirit infuse me with the steadfastness of Habakkuk, that I may remain vigilant and faithful in my calling.

I plead for clarity and understanding as I navigate through the uncertainties of this world. With a heart full of worship, I praise You for the assurance of Your presence and the inevitable deliverance that is woven into the fabric of Your grand design.

Thank You for the promise of Your watchful eye and the certainty of Your plans for me. In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, I offer this prayer. Amen.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Romans 6:11

Inspiration:
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.

Prayer:
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.