SELMA DEAN TEAM

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4, NIV).

When I’m feeling offended or overwhelmed, Ms. Negativity very politely knocks on the door of my mind. If I fail to send her away immediately, she somehow finds her way inside my head. Once inside, she becomes extremely comfortable. Worse of all, she refuses to leave, and I become her captive.

What about you? Is there something you are doing that has become a bad habit? Read on.

1. Is something you do a problem for someone else that you know well?
2. Does it adversely affect your health?
3. Do you feel guilty and shameful whenever you do it?
4. When you are not doing it, or you constantly thinking about it?

If you answered “Yes” to any one of the above questions, you could be battling a bad habit.

You Can Break That Bad Habit Forever! 

1. Awareness – “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalms 51:3

For most of us, our bad habits are obvious. For some of us, there is this thing called, “denial.” You took the quiz above. Now, have a serious talk with your loved ones. They will tell you the truth. Believe them.

2. Acknowledge – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Now that you are aware of your bad habit, admit the problem to God.  His response to you is:“Do you want to change?”  “Are you ready to change?” God will not force you or do it for you. But, He will absolutely lead and strengthen you for the task.

3. Action – “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9

Make a plan to succeed. Memorize scripture to fight temptations. Pause before speaking that lie. Replace going out drinking with a trip to the gym. Avoid online pornography.

Start with your most serious problem. After you succeed, move on to another. One young person struggled with cocaine, alcohol, and cigarette addictions. First, she focused on the cocaine and alcohol addictions. After a year of being drug free, and sober, she was ready to stop smoking.

4. Educate -“Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I trust in your commands.” Psalms 119:66

Start attending a Bible-centered church whose members demonstrate love and kindness. Read articles and books about how to stay healthy.

Unhealthy habits are outward signs of underlying emotional problems. You may need additional  help from your doctor, pastor, or support groups.

Finally, …
Transformation is a life-long journey. But remember, you are not alone with this problem. God’s Holy Spirit is always there with you. (John 14:16)

We love hearing from you. Please click here for questions or comments. Thanks. God bless!

Father God,

Thank you for your love and grace to us. We are asking for your protection and these blessings for our children as they return to school: 

• Keep them safe from those who would harm them physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Protect them from severe illnesses and diseases, and if any become sick in this way, please heal them completely.
• Bless and encourage their school personnel to serve them fairly and competently.
• Help our children to listen, learn, and be respectful to others. 
• Help us to be an example of your love as we live faithful and fearless before them.
• Bless us financially to provide for their care. 
• Please give us the wisdom to lead them to you as their personal Savior so they can have eternal life.​​​​​​​

We pray all this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

We love hearing from you. For comments or questions, please click here.

On September 8, 2022, we heard of the death of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth. However, four days before that, we heard of the passing of another royalty, Queen Bertha Louise Lester. She was 105 years old.

Many of you were introduced to this extraordinary Centurian when she was honored for her 101st birthday in our April 11, 2019, broadcast.

Meanwhile, SDT sends sincere condolences to the Lester family. We pray that you will continue to share your mother’s legacy with the world. 

Click here to be directed to Mrs. Bertha’s original broadcast.

We ended last month’s observation of breast cancer awareness with sad news. One of our beloved team members, Tremaine Deuntae Hawkins, passed after fighting a six-year war with breast cancer. Tremaine was a devoted mother, a beloved daughter, a queen among us, and my darling niece. 

We introduced you to Tremaine in one of our three broadcasts, Journey to Victory, in 2019.  Then in November 2020, she updated us about the reoccurrence of metastatic breast cancer. 

On August 22, 2022, Tremaine’s fight with breast cancer ended. She bravely passed the “fight” mantle in an early morning departure to Heaven. However, before leaving, she told her family not to say goodbye but instead to say, “Later.”

We are grateful for Tremaine’s reminder that our lives do not have to end at death. God’s message to us in 1 John 2:17(NIV) says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 

From SDT and all who were touched by her love and story, we join Tremaine’s loved ones in saying, “Later.”

Father God, please comfort those who are affected by Hurricane Ian by meeting their needs physically, financially and emotionally. Give them hope and peace as only you can.​​​​​​​

We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We love hearing from you. For comments or questions, please click here.

Mondays can sometimes feel overwhelming to me. Yet, Mondays can be sluggish at other times, and I’m not inspired to do much. 

Either way, I can turn to this scripture in Philippians for reassurance. Whether I need to slow down, speed up, follow through, or rethink, I am sure God will help me accomplish whatever is required for today. 

Whether employed or retired, you are performing your God-given purpose each day. Stay on the job! Your Heavenly Father will strengthen you to complete your task. 

Peace and blessings to you today. To leave a comment, click here.

What is your answer to Jesus’ question highlighted below?

The answers to Jesus’ question, “But who do you say that I am?” will vary according to your religious beliefs, church denomination, culture, or family upbringing. Perhaps this is why Jesus presented His diversified group of disciples with this personal query. (Matthew 16:13-26, KJV)
As we Christ-followers share our testimonies and faith with others, let’s not forget to share the simple, unified truth of who Jesus is. The three scriptures below will help affirm your faith and witness to others.

Who is Jesus?

1. Jesus is who he claims to be: The Son of God – “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrew 11:6-10, ESV)
2. Jesus promises his Spirit to live within you – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17, ESV)
3. Jesus helps you discover your life’s purpose – “Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, ESV)

We love hearing from you! To leave a comment or question, click here.