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A Life You Love

Cultivate Empathy Among Children

by Rhoda Gayle February 3, 2022

How can we cultivate empathy in children?

Cultivate Empathy

In an episode of The Mum Show, Marina Magdalena, Emma Browne and Claire Hooper talk about cultivating empathy in children. How can a parent teach their kids to have empathy for other people?

Claire admits that she hasn’t figured it out herself but one thing she does is teach her children to not let something go on forever. Take time to know what’s going on, to self-reflect, and decide on how to act about the situation. Rushing to react would just make things bigger. Being patient is the beginning of being empathic.

“Looking at the short account side of it, the only thing to teach empathy, you can teach them to not allow something to go on for a long long long long time. Let’s just pause, self-reflect, have a look at what’s going on,” Claire said.

Children

Every age and gender reacts differently, there’s no template in teaching the kids empathy. As a parent, you should know your children well and teach them according to what suits them best. When you’ve got children struggling with forgiveness, pause and take time to teach them to think about other people.

Jesus even showed us how to teach forgiveness to others. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, Jesus told a story of the servant who owes a debt to the king. He begged for mercy and the King forgave him. However, when he went out and met a fellow servant who owed him money, he demanded payment and threw him in prison when he couldn’t pay.

“I just love the way that Jesus captures this moment about forgiveness which is God’s greatest message to the world at this point. He is coming to lay His life down on a cross, forgiveness is everything, you are forgiven. You are free is this big message coming from Christ,” Marina explained.

“Jesus really took the time to discuss the whole process of forgiveness and what that means.”

Cultivating Empathy Among Children | The Mum Show

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Reference: YouTube | GOD TV https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1_JSuk0BSA_FWzSvMsezGg

February 3, 2022 0 comment

Articles

How To Set Boundaries In Your Life

by Rhoda Gayle January 29, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

Here’s how to set boundaries in your life.

Set Boundaries

In an episode of A Life You Love, host Renee Evans and guest Havilah Cunnington, founder of Truth To Table, talk about setting up boundaries in life. We are all allowed to say no and set up boundaries in our lives. We are our own steward of our own life.

Havilah shares her own experience of how she was able to learn about boundaries. As a Christian leader who grew up in a minister’s house, she has always made herself available to everybody. She never allowed herself to say no because she thought that it was not Godly.

“I did not understand boundaries or know anything about boundaries until I had a crisis in my life,” Havilah said.

Your Life

When she experienced postpartum depression, God led her through the process of healing. And one step towards her healing was setting up boundaries in her life.

“Boundaries are simply where I begin and where you end. Or where I end and you begin. We’re owners of our own space and that’s our stewardship. So, when I’m clear on what I need to own, life gets so much easier. When I am owning everybody else’s space, life gets really complex,” she explained.

For us to learn how to set up boundaries, we must first need to know that God made us responsible for ourselves. No one else is responsible for our life, our attitude, and our choices, it’s ours and only we can take care of those.

“I had to learn what God held me responsible for and those were three distinct things. My feelings, how I feel about life, my attitudes, what I think about life and my choices, what I do in my life. Those things were in my yard and I get to steward those areas and no one else is responsible.”

How To Have Boundaries | Havilah Cunnington and Renee Evans

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Reference: YouTube | GOD TV

January 29, 2022 0 comment

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Moms Are Allowed To Set Up Boundaries

by Rhoda Gayle January 27, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

Mothers are allowed to set up boundaries to steward their families.

Set up boundaries

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Havilah Cunnington tells moms that it’s okay to set up boundaries. Today’s culture has taught us to be more active in our social platforms. It has taught us to respond to every email, text messages, chats and calls. But that’s not what God wants us to always do.

“In our culture we learn that every phone call deserves a phone call and every text deserves a text. What’s happened now is that the world is now dictating where our time is going because of what they are wanting from us.”

Good Steward

God wants us to have authority over our time and over our lives. If we continue to let other people dictate our everyday lives, we end up having little to no time to do what really matters the most. God wants us to be a good stewards of what He has blessed us with.

“Instead of feeling bad about saying ‘no’ or not responding, I want you to say to yourself, ‘I have chosen to be more obedient to God.’ Because it comes down to obedience. That’s it, I’ve chosen to be more obedient to God by stewarding my time. Period.”

Havilah then encouraged mothers to not be sorry for prioritizing our family. It’s okay to say no and set up boundaries.

“You can set up boundaries that have more of a filter… You’ll start to set your boundaries up to where people can’t quite get to you and have the access.”

“You’re not sorry, you are stewarding the most precious thing that God can give you and that’s a human life. And so, we are allowed.”

Setting Up Boundaries | Havilah Cunnington and Renee Evans

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January 27, 2022 0 comment

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Staying Still In God’s Presence

by Rhoda Gayle January 22, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

How can you stay still in God’s presence amidst your busy life?

Stay still

In an episode of A Life You Love, host Renee Evans and guest Lorissa Miller, co-founder of Upper Room shares the importance of staying still in the presence of God. In this busy world, we live in, we tend to associate our busy schedule with our purpose and significance. The busier our schedule gets, the more we feel significant. But that is not what the Lord wants us to feel. He wants us to see the eternal perspective of life.

“I want to have an eternal perspective of my life, I want to find the best thing,” Lorissa said. “They’re all the things, but what is the best thing? I could be scrubbing my floors but what is the best thing? So I think that stillness is so like in sitting, not just sitting in stillness, the world can sit in stillness, but we sit with Him.”

God’s Presence

Just like the story of Martha and Mary, most of us choose to be like Martha and be preoccupied with our works for His Kingdom. The truth is, Jesus wants us to be like Mary, staying still in His presence amidst the things happening around her.

“It reminds me of the Scripture that talks about not getting away from the purity and some simple devotion to Jesus. Jesus is simple and if I think about the people listening today, I want them to know that He’s simple. When He preached, He preached to illiterate crowds,” she explained.

It’s just simple to stay still in His presence and it’s what matters the most to Jesus. Turn everything into worship and no matter how busy your life gets, always put God first.

“Simple, it’s simple to come before Him and ask for what you need and let Him feed your heart.”

Staying Still In God's Presence | Lorisa Miller and Renee Evans

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God Has A Purpose For Your Life

by Rhoda Gayle December 16, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

God has a purpose for your life, right where you are right now.

Jamie Ivey

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Jamie Ivey shares a message for every woman that thinks that they should be like someone to have a purpose. The mom of three high school boys is reminding us all that God has a purpose in our life. Where we are, right now, God is using us for His Kingdom.

“I just wanted to encourage women that God has a purpose for their life right where they were, with the gifts He gave them, with the influence He gave them, with the people He surrounded them with. And that they could do something for the Kingdom. They don’t have to be like her, they could be themselves,” Jamie said.

Purpose for your life

She then urged every Christian to be content with where God places us. Whether it is our family, our ministry, and our career, God called us to be in those places; because He’s doing something through you.

“That’s what the journey is like of us saying, ‘I’m content with where God has been, because He’s doing something in my own personal life.’”

We don’t have to be like someone else to have a purpose. Everyone is unique and has his or her own journey to take.

“We’re on a journey, our own individual journeys.”

God’s faithfulness

If you are thinking right now that you are not making any progress in your life, look back to where you came from. Look back on how you progressed into the person you are right now. You are in a different place than where you were last year. God is faithful and it is evident in your personal growth as you seek Him more every day.

“Not only are you reminded of like look at the faithfulness of God, but then you can look back and think ‘I was in such a weird place then, maybe, and look what God’s done for me now.’”

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Reference: GOD TV

December 16, 2021 0 comment

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Sharing The Gospel Through Creativity & Social Media

by Rhoda Gayle August 25, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to the millennial generation through creativity and social media.

Jenessa Wait

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Jenessa Wait shares how God called her to do missions through social media and her gift of creativity. Jenessa began her hand-lettering journey in 2015 when she heard the voice of the Lord whispering to her to try that form of art. What started as a hobby quickly became a successful online business and a platform for missions.

With the success of her art business, the young pastor in Austin, Texas, also began to use her art to share hope and the Gospel to this generation.

“I know my generation, the millennial generation, is so hungry for truth and for people to share the good news of Jesus. And they’re just hungry for identity,” Jenessa said. “So being able to use that platform [Social Media] to really speak into that and through creativity, which I love so much, has been such a fun process for me.”

Creativity & Social Media

The young mom also encouraged other artists to keep on creating art out of who they are in Christ. A lot of artists struggled to create arts according to the liking of the people, however, God doesn’t want you to create art for people. God wants you to create art for His glory.

“I never ask you to create for people, for the purpose of filling their need. I’ve asked you to create out of the overflow of who you are. Just like the boy who gave the fish and the loaves and Jesus took that and He multiplied it and He said, ‘Just give me what you have, just give what you have and I will multiply it and I will take it further than you could ever have thought possible.”

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!

Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now on Google Play and Appstore

Reference: GOD TV

August 25, 2021 0 comment

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Using Creativity To Reach Those You Would Not See In Church

by Rhoda Gayle August 16, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

It is through our creativity that we can bring the Kingdom of God to the least suspected places like coffee shops and even bars.

Jasmine Tate

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Jasmine Tate, Visionary of AXL Creative Co., shares her story of how she is bringing the Kingdom of God outside the church building. AXL Creative Co. is a community that equips and empowers Christians to advance the Kingdom of Heaven through their creative expressions.

“I started doing music outside the four walls of the church,” Jasmine shared. “Just really getting to see the Kingdom come in some of the least suspected places, so coffee shops, bars. I fell in love with doing it because I think there’s a lot of people in places like that that maybe would never come into a church building. But Jesus loves them and wants them.”

Creativity

Throughout the Bible, we can also see how Jesus is a creative person Himself. Jesus was seen oftentimes sharing the Kingdom of God to people through creative stories, the parables.

“If you look at Jesus Himself, there are so many different ways that we could have presented the Kingdom to people. And God decided that the way He wanted Jesus to present the Kingdom of heaven to people was through stories.”

Creativity is a gift given by God to His children to be used as a tool for advancing His Kingdom. Oftentimes creative people are being overlooked by people and their gifts are given less importance in the Kingdom works. That culture should be changed and we should start honoring the God-given gifts of creativity inside every person.

“When we honor the gift inside of someone, it amplifies the gift and gives it permission to grow and to show itself.”

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Reference: GOD TV

August 16, 2021 0 comment

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Every Woman Is Called To Raise Up World Changers

by Rhoda Gayle August 14, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

Every woman, whether you’re single, married, a natural mother, or a Kingdom mother, is called to raise up world changers.

Bethany Hicks

On an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Bethany Hicks shares about being a spiritual mother. When we hear of the word “mother,” we often think about women who gave birth to their biological children. But, being a spiritual mother doesn’t just mean being a biological mother.

Bethany believes that being a spiritual mother is raising up world-changers no matter where you are. May it be you’re a spiritual mother to your children, your congregation, your subordinates at work, or even in your community. Every woman is called to be a spiritual mother to the people that they’re influencing.

“It really is about the assignment of a mother that every woman I believe is called to carry,” Bethany said. “I think every woman is called to raise up world changers. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, if you’re married, if you ever had children, if you never had children, it doesn’t matter what stage of life [you’re in].”

World Changer

To be able to raise up world changers, you must first be one yourself. In that way, you are showing the people that are looking at you the ways of becoming a world changer.

“In being a powerful mother, a Kingdom mother, and a natural mother, the first principle is that the best way to raise a world changer is to first be one yourself.”

Spiritual Mother

Bethany then encouraged every mother to become the person God has called her to be.

“To every mother out there, whether you’re a mom at home, or you’re out in the world, in the workplace, be the fullness of who God has called you to be. Because you’re going to model not only what’s necessary but what’s possible for those that are watching you, that you’re influencing.”

Being a mother is not just the sole identity of a woman. It may be one of God’s calling for us, but it’s not the only thing that God wanted us to become. We can be a mother and a pastor at the same time. We can be a mother and a CEO at the same time. Let us live according to the calling of God for us, no matter where may be called to.

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!

Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now on Google Play and Appstore

Reference: GOD TV

August 14, 2021 0 comment

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Sex Trafficking Victim Encounters God On A Public Bathroom Floor

by Rhoda Gayle August 11, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

A sex trafficking victim encountered God on a public bathroom floor after she said a three-word prayer.

Holly Christine Hayes

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, guest Holly Christine Hayes shares her story of how God brought her out of her dark past. Her story started when she was sexually abused as a child. At the age of 14, she became addicted to drugs and alcohol and had many sexual partners.

By the age of 18, she became a sex worker and two years after, a man with who she was in a relationship with began trafficking her. The trafficking went on for years until she finally escaped her trafficker. Soon, she found herself on a public bathroom floor, in desperate need of help. That was when she said her very first prayer.

Public Bathroom Floor

“I ended up on the floor of the public bathroom in February of 2001 and I said my first prayer. I just said, ‘God, help me.’ I never believed in God, I had no experience of God, I didn’t know any God people, I had no idea who this God I was crying out to, but that very night I ended up meeting someone who got me into a recovery program. I’ve been sober since that day.”

It was on that day that she encountered the Lord and He saved her from the dark pit that she was in. God freed her from sex trafficking and all of her addictions. The Lord gave her a brand-new life.

Today, she is now an instrument of God to help those who are also victims of sex trafficking. Holly founded Sanctuary Project, “a non-profit social enterprise that employs and empowers women coming out of trafficking, violence, and addiction.”

If you are also someone who is also struggling with the same issue, seek help. Know that God will save you if you just call upon His name.

Grow closer to God daily by getting exclusive video teachings on God Today!

Read God’s Word For You Today directly from your phone. Download the Daily Word app now on Google Play and Appstore

Reference: GOD TV

August 11, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Teaching Your Kids The Lifestyle Of Worship

by Rhoda Gayle August 7, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

How can you teach your kids the lifestyle of worship?

A Life You Love

In an episode of A Life You Love with host Renee Evans, Kes Evans shares about how she imparted her faith to her kids and how she was able to teach them the lifestyle of worship.

Kes grew up in a Christian home where her parents shared their faith with their eight children. Because of how her faithful parents taught them how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ, Kes saw the hands of God always working in their lives. That inspired her to grow more in faith.

“They just chose that faith would be the thing that how they made all their decisions,” she said. “And they passed that on to us and we watch them live out their faith in such a real and inspiring way. I could never run away from that, I never wanted to run away from that because I just saw the hands of God so clearly coming through in every situation.”

Lifestyle of Worship

Today, as a mom herself, she and her husband Jahi are teaching their kids a lifestyle of worship. She does so by setting an example to them of how a faithful Christian should live.

“One thing that’s so important for me is that our kids see us the same at home as they see us in the church service,” Kes said. “For them, it’s just showing them that this is who we are, not just in one place, not just in front of people.”

“Just encouraging them that their lifestyle is a lifestyle of worship and not just church and home.”