Doxa

Delivered by Pastor Stella Babalola at the DOZ conference, “Things to Remember and things to forget”, is a message that both men and women, young and old, can make practical in their daily walk with God.

In her introduction, Pastor Babalola emphasized the importance of having the oil in our lives in order to perform the works of God, just as Jesus did.  She said, “If Jesus needed to be anointed to fulfill the purpose of God, then we will certainly need it as well.”

Acts 10:37-38

“You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” 

Before we can move forward and appropriate God’s purpose for lives on earth, there are certain things that we must forget and others that we must remember.  These things, as discussed below, can either compromise or enhance the oil in our lives.

Isaish 43:18

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

Psalm 103:2

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”

7 Things to Forget

• The mistakes you have made personally – at your job, in your marriage,  or things you have said to people.  Forget these bad decisions you have made and make the best of your current situation, looking unto Jesus for a new dawn, a new day.
• The evil people have said and done to you –  remember that it is not about you; what is at stake is the work of God.  Holding back forgiveness prevents God’s oil from flowing in our lives.
• Past failures –  if you fail an exam twice, you may require a third try to pass.  Don’t stop at your point of failure,  don’t not dwell at your level of loss.
• Your sinful past:  we are all saved by grace.  So long as you remain in the sins of your past, you cannot transcend into the new.  It is a new day, a new dawn.  If God has forgiven you, then you need to forgive yourself.
• Your achievements/success:  whatever we are is what God allows us to be.
• Your kindness and generosity:

  Isaiah 64:6

  “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf,  and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

• The grudges you hold compromise the oil in our lives

7 Things to Remember

• Remember the faithfulness of God:

  Malachi 3:6

  “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

• Remember the source of the good things in your life.

  James 1:17

  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

• Remember to pray
• Remember the mercies of God: when you ask something from God, instead of doubting, remember what God has done in the past.
• Remember the word of God:  there is a word for every situation in your life
• Remember the suffering of Christ:  Christ said, “..in this life you will have tribulations”
• Remember that life is too short: you don’t want your life to be shorter. Some things we carry eat us up from the inside, compromising our service to God and our relationships with our spouses.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Dr. Maureen Muoneke, doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was a speaker at the Daughters of Zion annual conference – “Oil in My Lamp”. During her brief talk she focused on issues related to women’s health.

She began by telling women (and everyone in general) the importance of identifying stressors in their daily life, “Good sleep, good nutrition, and exercise are important for women to incorporate into their daily lives.”

Understanding Family History

It is important to know your family history.  Many people from third world countries typically tend not to have a full picture of their family medical history. In women’s cases this could be family history of breast cancer and other cancers and diseases that plague women.

“If you don’t know your family history of diseases, then it is imperative to take advantage of the preventative procedures available for women”. These include regular doctor and gynecologist check-ups, breast self-exam, Pap smear, etc. It is important to become knowledgeable about health conditions so that we don’t become victims of myths that especially plague the African cultures.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

DOZ members consulting Dr. Muoneke

Prevention is better than cure, and second opinions are always encouraged, especially when in doubt.

Uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers are key diseases that can be prevented by a 5-minute visit to the doctor. Cervical cancer is one of the more dangerous because it is asymptomatic (meaning a patient carries a disease or infection but experiences no symptoms).

Fibroids in the uterus are very common in women between the ages of 25 and 45. If untreated, fibroids can cause so much bleeding leading to organ damage. It can also impinge (or invade) upon the bladder or bowel.

A number of the women present had a lot of questions to ask. One of them was related to the Gardasil vaccine for teenage daughters. Dr. Muoneke stated that giving this vaccine to teenage daughters can greatly reduce the likelihood of contracting cervical cancer at a later age.

She also talked briefly about menopause, and the impacts it has on older women. It generally causes a lifestyle change, and she discussed how women can prepare for it, and get through it.

Dr. Muoneke and Pastor Funmi Akhigbe

___________________

Original notes compiled by Bade Adedayo

Maureen N. Muoneke, MBA, M.D., FACOG is a doctor of Obstetrics & Gynecology who practices in Ellicott City Maryland. Her practice, Women’s Care, LLC is located at 9055 Chevrolet Drive, Suite 102 Ellicott City, MD 21042.

Disclaimer: Everything discussed on here is for informational purposes. It is recommended that each person consults with their doctor or primary care physician to learn more about issues discussed here or before taking medical decisions.

Popularity: 76% [?]

HOG “Daughters of Zion” had another successful annual “Oil in My Lamp” conference Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2009. The event wrapped up on Sunday with a thanksgiving service, and the women of the church running the show.
The conference on Saturday took place at a community center in Columbia, Maryland a couple of miles of the beltway. Attended by both women and men alike, this conference highlighted a variety of events geared towards women, their role in their families and in the church.

There were icebreakers and other fun activities such as how to tie a fashionable “gele” (a striking head-tie worn by Nigerian females as an accent to traditional attire worn particularly during notable events and festive occasions) and how women (and men) can make themselves presentable with health, supplements and beauty products – A consultant from Ardyss International, Brenda, walked through the Ardyss product suite.

Following this, Pastor Roselyn Phillips gave a short motivational anecdote encouraging the women accordingly:

• Daughters of Zion should endeavor to be like the proverb 31 woman. 
• Daughters of Zion have the power to set the tone of their homes…
• Each woman should make her home a haven for our husbands. 
• She cautioned that whatever a wife (mom) does, her children tend to follow after
• When a woman respects and loves her husband as the bible commands, her husband will be more than willing to go to the ends of the earth for her.
• Each Daughter of Zion should make her home the kind where her husband looks forward to come home from work to.  She should take care of the home, and take care of her husband so his eyes do not wander.

The keynote speaker, Pastor Stella Babalola spoke on “Things to remember and things to forget”, urging that we should learAn to let-go of things so they don’t hinder our progress and future. Dr. Maureen N. Muoneke, Obstetrics & Gynecology, give a brief talk on women’s health, urging the women to be aware of their bodies and live a preventive lifestyle so as to protect from diseases common to women.

The conference was well represented by guest from churches in the Baltimore area.

“Oil in My Lamp” is inspired by the biblical story of the Ten Virgins, one of the parables narrated by Jesus illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven. Oil in My Lamp Conference seeks to refresh and recharge the Christian woman, as she goes about her daily walk as a covenant child of God.

Popularity: 29% [?]