Leaders, I would like to share something with you that has helped me.  This was sent to me back in 2007 when I took on a unique role in Leadership, as the Supervisor of Southern California Fourth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Women’s Department.  I pray that it will help you.

SEVEN SECRETS OF STRESS MANAGEMENT

Do you ever feel like your life and schedule is out of control?  You cannot eliminate stress but you can manage it.  It's not how much stress you bear but how you carry it that makes the difference. Jesus Christ experienced enormous stress and pressure, yet it didn't seem to disturb his peace of mind.  In spite of opposition, constant demands, and little privacy his life reflected a calm sense of balance. What was his secret?  A closer look at his lifestyle reveals 7 keys "stress-busters":

1. PRINCIPLE OF IDENTIFICATION: KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

 · (John 8:12) Eighteen times Jesus publicly defined himself.  There was no doubt in his mind as to who he was. If you are unsure of your identity you'll allow others to pressure you into their mold.  Trying to be someone you're not causes stress.

 2. DEDICATION: KNOW WHO YOU WANT TO PLEASE.

 · (John 5:30) You cannot please everyone.  Even God can't.  Just about the time you get Crowd A happy, Crowd B will get upset with you.  Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him.  No one can pressure you without your permission.

 3. ORGANIZATION: SET CLEAR GOALS.

 · Jesus said in (John 8:14) "I know where I came from and where I am going."  Preparation prevents pressure but procrastination produces it.

 4. CONCENTRATION: FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME.

 · (Luke 4:42-44) You can't chase two rabbits at the same time!  Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.

 5. DELEGATION: DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF.

 · (Mark 3:14) We get tense when we feel it all depends on us.  Jesus enlisted 12 disciples.  Don't allow perfectionism, or the fear that others may do a better job keep you from involving others in the task.

6. MEDITATION: MAKE A HABIT OF PRAYER.

 · (Mark 1:35) No matter how busy Jesus got, he found time to get alone to pray every day.  A daily "Quiet Time" is a great stress decompression chamber.  Use this time to talk to God about your pressures and problems, evaluate your priorities, and discover the rules for successful living by reading the Bible.

 7. RELAXATION: TAKE TIME TO ENJOY LIFE!

 · (Mark 6:30-31) Balance is the key to stress management.  Work must be balanced with fun and worship.

 Will you please share these 7 Key Points with every leader in your group?

 Love you,

Mother JoAnne Smith Hooks 

joannesmithhooks@gmail.com

 God is Calling us to Fast & Pray Against this Suicide Demon

***Here's the Petition****

The Spirit of the Lord has impressed upon our heart to petition the people of God for the sake of our "Children."  After 97 days of fasting & praying from August 1 – November 5, 2019.  The Spirit of the Lord called us back into a 40 day fast.  This fast started November 18 – December 26, 2019, which will end at 4:00pm.  We pray all day long for our children.  There is a suicide demon out there that's trying to take our children out and we serve notice on the devil, this day.  He cannot and will not have our children.

When Jesus was speaking to the disciples in, Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."

In other word:  Jesus was teaching a principle here.  Some illnesses and demons are so severe that just prayer will not make them well.  Fasting will bring great results!  Therefore, we are coming against:

• Suicide
• Depression
• Oppression
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Hopelessness
• Helplessness
• Doom
  • Fear
  • Bitterness
  • Attitudes Problems
  • Resentfulness
  • Overcoming Hurts
  • Pain
  • Evil Thoughts
  • Envy
  • Gangs
  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Lust

There are many more that you may want to add to this list....

We must cry out for our young people.  Our children are precious and they are made in the image of God, just like we are.  They are seeking for love in the wrong places.  They need to be loved by (US), and encouraged by (US).  Please, let’s not forget who and where God has brought us from....

Remember, we are eating only one meal a day.  If you cannot join us in this fast, please do not hinder others from joining forces.  No one knows better than a parent(s) and God, as to what their child/children maybe going through.  For those that cannot join us, we are soliciting your prayers, please?...  This fast is strictly for our children that are 35 years old and under in every nation… (meaning:  the whole wide world) ...

If you have a prayer request(s).  Please send an email to:  joannesmithhooks@gmail.com

Love you,

Mother JoAnne Smith Hooks

www.joannesmithhooks.com

Dear Friends, 

We often ask God to use us for His glory.  He created us in His image and has given us a plan and purpose for our lives.  We realize that He used a donkey to talk in the Book of Numbers, Chapter 22; He used an ax head to float in the Book of 2nd Kings, Chapter 6;  A cock to crow in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.  He used numerous of people and things in the Bible for His glory!

The Prophet Ezekiel sticks out in my mind.  God used Him to do, "Strange Things" in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapter 4.

God has used me to do, "Strange, yet beautiful things."  One thing that He uses me to do is, Twirl in a circle in my church, at times.  I've notice this happens when I am going through trials and tribulations that seems difficult to bear.  

God will use us only if we want to be used by Him.  We must seek His guidance through fasting and praying.  It is imperative that we Study His Word because He speaks to us in His Word.

The Prayer:  Father, we come to the Throne of Grace, thanking You for wisdom and knowledge as we seek Your face to take us to, "Higher Heights and Deeper Depths."  We realize we can do nothing on our own because all of our help comes from You.  Thank You Lord for Your goodness and mercy.  Please keep us in Your Perfect Will.  We believe by faith that is done and it is so.  In Jesus name, we pray.  Amen

Love you,

JoAnne Smith Hooks

www.joannesmithhooks.com 

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we come to the Throne of Grace seeking Your Face for answers in our lives.  We realize there is no other way we can survive without your guidance and strength.  As we pray Your Word and only Your Word, we are asking You to deliver us from the snares of this world?  We see Your Legacy that You left for the world to abide by through a simple prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, which says:

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” Amen.

You showed us how precious we are through the eyes of King David in Psalms 23 by saying: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

 You told us to be careful of our words in Proverbs 6:2, which says, “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.”

Father, we see how You led us to 1Peter 2:9 which says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”:

We are so grateful what Jesus shared with us in John 14:6 by saying, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Yet, in Psalms 121, You are telling us when we are down there is something we should do and that is to, “Lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”

For we realize, that if sickness should come upon us, we know we can always trust Isaiah 53:5 which tells us, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

You know why, Father?  Because You promised us in Hebrews 13:5 that, “You would never leave us, nor forsake us.”

Therefore, we honor what You told us in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Father, You gave us the assurance in Hebrews 11:1 when you said, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And we know without a doubt that 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”

Father, in Closing:  As we refer back to when we were sinners, we remember quoting;  Roman 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Heavenly Father, we as a people are coming in agreement thanking you in advance for Your Mighty Miracle Working Power because we trust in Your Word and we believe by faith that it is done and it is so.

In Jesus name, we pray……Amen

Love you,

JoAnne Smith Hooks

www.joannesmithhooks.com