Oak Park Church of God BLING Ladies Ministry

06/17/2026

June 17, 2026

Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commands. John 14:15

Jesus’s tells us to love one another, to love our neighbor as ourselves, not to hold grudges, to restore relationships, to forgive and let go of what others have done to you, to help the needy, to encourage our brothers and sisters. He teaches us to have peace with everyone.

After the resurrection Jesus made it a priority to go to Peter and restore him to relationship with Jesus. Jesus held nothing against him. Jesus healed many, he saw the needs of the people and he helped them. He saw their pain and he cared. Even when he knew he was about to suffer and die he focused on loving others.
If Jesus forgives and restores relationships holding no wrong toward us when we mess up and repent, how then can we as “Christians” not do the same thing to others when they mess up?
Lord help us to have your eyes, your heart, and your devotion to love like you do.

Do we as Christians truly love like Jesus?
Do we see need in others?
Do we want to help those who need it?
Are we there for one another when we face hard times?
Do we sacrifice ourselves to put others before our own desires?

Jesus gave up his life so that we can be restored.

That’s true love. HE COMMANDS US TO LOVE LIKE HIM.

Do you?

06/14/2026

June 24, 2026
Choosing to Break Strongholds

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” — 2 Corinthians 10:4

Many people want freedom, but few realize that freedom often begins with a choice. It’s not about your emotions or how you feel right now. It’s seeing what is right and making a chose to not let the enemy keep you bound. A stronghold is anything that has gained control over our minds, hearts, or actions and keeps us from fully walking with God. It may be fear, bitterness, pride, addiction, unforgiveness, anger, lust, insecurity, or a lie we have believed for years.

The enemy wants us to believe that strongholds are permanent, but God’s Word says they can be torn down. The first step is recognizing them. The second step is deciding that we are no longer willing to live under their influence.

Breaking a stronghold isn’t always a one-time event. It is often a daily choice to reject the lie and embrace God’s truth. It is choosing forgiveness over bitterness, faith over fear, purity over temptation, humility over pride, and obedience over compromise.

God has already provided the power, but we must choose to surrender the stronghold to Him. What we continue to feed will grow. What we surrender to God can be destroyed.

Today, ask yourself: What stronghold have I allowed to remain that God is calling me to break?

Prayer: Lord, reveal any strongholds in my life that are keeping me from fully following You. Give me the courage to confront them, the faith to surrender them, and the strength to walk in the freedom You have provided. Help me replace every lie with Your truth and every chain with Your peace. Give me strength,a softened heart, love, compassion to obey your commands, love people with Mercy, Grace, forgiveness and to embrace the broken. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remember: The strongest prison is often the one in the mind, but the truth of God’s Word holds the key to freedom.

****You cannot conquer what you refuse to confront. Freedom begins when you “choose” to let God tear down the walls you’ve learned to live behind

06/10/2026

June 10, 2026

It Depends on Me?

Scripture: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18

One of the greatest tools the enemy uses against the Church, Family, and Friends is division.
Broken relationships between believers can hinder unity, damage our witness, and create spiritual barriers that affect our walk with God. While not every relationship can be fully restored if people are not willing, God calls us to do our part in pursuing peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Jesus taught that our relationships with others matter deeply to God. In fact, He said that if we come to worship and remember that a brother or sister has something against us, we should first seek reconciliation before presenting our gift to God (Matthew 5:23-24). This reveals how seriously God views unresolved conflict.

When believers refuse to forgive, hold grudges, spread offenses, or allow bitterness to take root, the consequences can be devastating. Bitterness hardens the heart, damages fellowship, blocks prayers, and gives the enemy an opportunity to sow greater division (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32).

Restoration does not always mean trust is instantly rebuilt but it does give the foundation for it. True reconciliation often requires repentance, humility, accountability, and time. However, God calls us to maintain a heart that is willing to forgive, come back to fellowship and seek peace whenever possible.

The impact of refusing restoration can be far-reaching. Families become divided, churches become weakened, ministries become ineffective, and unbelievers see conflict instead of Christ. But when believers choose humility and forgiveness, they display the Gospel they profess—a Gospel built upon reconciliation.

Today, ask God if there is a relationship that needs healing. Whether you need to ask forgiveness, extend forgiveness, or simply pray for reconciliation, take a step toward peace. If another believer is willing to reconcile but you choose not to, then you have allowed division between you and the Lord.

The same God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ can also restore what has been broken between His children.

Prayer:

Father, search my heart and reveal any bitterness, pride, or unforgiveness within me. Give me the humility to seek peace and the courage to make things right where I can. Help me forgive as You have forgiven me and pursue reconciliation in a way that honors You. May my relationships reflect the love, compassion, mercy and grace of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Key Scriptures:

* Matthew 5:23-24
* Romans 12:18
* Ephesians 4:26-32
* Colossians 3:13
* Hebrews 12:14-15
* 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Thought for Today:
Unresolved conflict builds walls, but humility and forgiveness build bridges. Every step toward biblical reconciliation is a step toward reflecting the heart of Christ and allowing him to Restore what can be used as a testimony for his Glory and your good. God allowed Job to be tested by Satan. Job stayed faithful to God, even tho he questioned, God didn’t stay in that place of pain, hurt, bitterness, but he chose to move.
In return God gave him what he had lost plus more. God has a plan for you and the enemy has come in to steal, kill, and destroy. When things happen between believers, don’t allow the enemy to continue to use it to keep division, bitterness, unforgiveness, and strife in you or against others. But instead be the one that sees them as Jesus does with love, compassion, mercy and grace. We are not perfect people and we all have fallen short, sinned, lost tempers , ect because We are Human. As a True Christian it is our job not to hold offenses but to forgive and make peace. God wants his children in fellowship. He does not want his family divided. He commanded us to love one another.

06/09/2026

Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go

Hurricane season… Those are words that use to never bother me. Where we live in Ga, it’s very rare we get major impact from a hurricane. Maybe a few storms with winds, rain, tornados here and there but nothing too devastating.
The weather channels always warns that every hurricane could possibly bring impact to our area.
You know that little story about the little boy that cried wolf, well once it’s said over & over and never happens, you don’t take it seriously any more when the warnings are coming.
Well, until it hits and devastation is surrounding you and that’s exactly what happen to my family. The one time that I didn’t get water up, or prepare the storm from a hurricane hits!

Life can be like this as well. There are storms we can see are coming and we can prepare for them, but then there are storms that we take lightly thinking it won’t hit us, until it’s too late.
We must stay Prepared not Paranoid. We must keep watch. Notice how the two P words can make you feel even saying them.
Prepared-sounds and makes you feel protected, ready to go no matter what. Peace of knowing the storm may hit but your good.
Paranoid- sounds and makes you feel stress, anxious, concerned, not concerned enough. You question everything.

As a Christian, we know storms will come and we can face them with confidence, as long as we do the things in preparation.

Reading the word, understanding the word, praying, having a strong committed relationship with the Lord and living our life’s as true “Christ like” followers of Jesus is our way of Preparation. We will have the knowledge, the boldness even in the toughest storms to speak the word against the enemy. Even when we fail, are weak, exhausted, we know that we are still prepared. If we fail and you will in this life, we repent get up and keep preparing. More storms will come.

There may be damaged done but I promise you will make it and what damage has been done God will turn into good if you will allow him to do so.
But one thing is for sure as a follower of Jesus, you WILL NEVER BE ALONE in them.

-3 Hebrew boys thrown to the fire but there were 4 walking around!
-God was there to part the Red Sea to protect the Israelites from pharaohs army
-Jesus showed up to people in time of sickness, disease, demonic possession and in the temple to stand against those religious leaders doing wrong
-Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of us so that the same spirit that raised him from death lives in us!

He will never leave us, nor forsake us! He is with us, in the good times, bad times, sunny days, rainy days, and he is always with us in the storms, even when we can’t see him! Know he is

04/20/2026

04/09/2026

Ladies mark your Calendars for April 19th! IT’S A BLING THING! Special guest speaker! Dinner, Dessert and Devotion! Cost $10.
***MUST SIGN UP at the connection desk and PAY BY April 15th!!!

02/26/2026

Achy Breaky Heart

Trouble and heartbreak are part of everyday life.
Sometimes they come from our own decisions.
Sometimes they crash in through doors we never opened.

They show up as disappointment, failure, frustration, rejection, or loss.
Every single one of us has felt that sting.

Thrifting and yard selling are some of my mother-in-law’s and my favorite things to do. On a trip visiting my aunt, she found the most beautiful owl at a yard sale — absolutely priceless in her eyes. She couldn’t resist it.

She knew getting it home through the airport would take care. So she bubble-wrapped it carefully. Added extra paper. Cushioned every side. She did everything right.

When she got home, she excitedly unwrapped it… only to find it shattered into pieces.

Her face fell.
The excitement disappeared.
All that time protecting it — and it still broke.

Have you ever felt like that?

You did your best.
You tried to guard your heart.
You thought you wrapped everything carefully.

And it still shattered.

Instead of throwing the owl away, she made a decision. She loved it too much to give up on it. For days she patiently pieced it back together. I’ve never seen a surgeon do such precise work! She found every tiny fragment.

And when she finished?
You couldn’t even tell it had been broken.

Honestly, it looked even better — the glue she used strengthened the fragile places.

That’s life.

One minute everything feels fine — then BAM.
The crash.
The disappointment.
The betrayal.
The failure.

Sometimes it floods in so hard that you want to quit. Numbness settles in. You stop caring because caring hurts too much.

I’ve been there more times than I can count.

But I’ve learned something:
I can stay down… or I can get up.

It’s my choice.

God does not call us to give up. He calls us to look to Him and keep moving. He is our strength when ours is gone. It’s okay to have breaking moments. We must feel our emotions — but we cannot let our emotions lead us.

People will let us down.
People will hurt us deeply.
People will choose others before us.
We will experience loss.
We will experience loneliness.
We will experience failure.

But we have God.

He never leaves.
He never fails.
He leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one.
He gives beauty for ashes.
He gives joy for mourning.
He lives within us.

You have permission to cry.
To scream.
To fall on your knees and call out to Him.

But you cannot stay in defeat.

When you’re done crying, breathe.
Lift your head.
Pull your shoulders back.
And speak the Word of God over your life.

Jesus is our hope.
Our refuge.
Our peace.
Our fortress.
Our strong tower.
Our defense.

Psalm 143:3–4 says:
“For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed;
My heart within me is distressed.”

But if you keep reading verses 5 and 6, David immediately shifts. He remembers what God has done. He turns distress into worship.

That is the key.

Cry — and then praise.
Break — and then believe.
Feel it — but don’t live in it.

My prayer for you today is that when life shatters something you love, you don’t throw yourself away with the pieces.

Let God be the One who patiently puts you back together.

And when He’s done, you won’t just be restored.

You’ll be stronger and closer to him at the broken places because you have been in the hands of the father.

Lift your head.
Square your shoulders.
And walk with the Lord.

02/23/2026

But I’m Comfortable…

Let me introduce you to my Maltipoo, Millie.

Most mornings, she follows me everywhere as I start my routine. But one morning, she didn’t. A little concerned, I went back to check on her — and there she was, snuggled deep under the covers, perfectly content. Spoiled rotten.

I told her she missed breakfast snacks. The moment she heard the word “snack,” she sprang out of bed.

Isn’t that how we are sometimes?

Have you ever woken up wrapped in warmth, all cozy under the covers, debating whether you should just stay there? I have. I’ve laid there knowing that once I throw off the blanket, the cold air will hit. The comfort will be gone. The day — with all its demands — will begin.

It would be so easy to stay in that soft place of contentment instead of stepping into the responsibilities waiting outside those covers.

But if I don’t get up, things won’t get done. The people depending on me will lack what they need. So, reluctantly, I take a deep breath… and I pull off the protective layer.

As Christians, we can do the same thing spiritually.

We get comfortable. We stay where it’s safe. We settle into routine. And in doing so, we miss out on the “snacks” — the blessings, opportunities, and divine appointments God has prepared for us.

We were not created to remain comfortable. We were created to move. To go. To tell.

Yes, there is a time for rest. But we must not overstay in comfort. If we stay too long in the bed of ease, we fall asleep spiritually — missing the life God intended for us to live.

There is work to be done. Souls are searching. Time is limited.

Don’t grow weary. Don’t grow sleepy. Arise, my brother and sister.

Hear the birds. See creation waking up. Give glory to the Creator. He formed you with intention. He placed purpose inside of you.

The enemy would love for you to stay right where you are — comfortable, hesitant, overthinking — because he knows God has placed something powerful inside of you. He knows that if you remain still, what’s inside of you may never fully bloom.

But what if you are the very key God wants to use today for someone else?

Get up.
Pray.
Go.
Tell of the Father’s love.

Don’t stay comfortable.

Movement brings growth.
Obedience unlocks blessing.
Action fulfills purpose.
• You have purpose.
• People are relying on you.
• You matter.
• Stop overthinking under the blankets.
• Get up and see what “snacks” are waiting for you.
• You were made for more.

Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) reminds us:

“…Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Now… what’s waiting for you outside the covers?

02/18/2026

Am I going crazy?

Am I the only one that feels this way?
I have asked those questions a million times!

Life has a way of throwing the unexpected, the overwhelming, frustrating, and uncertainty while we are balancing our spiritual life, marriages, motherhood, career, caregiving, finances, cleaning, health,(HORMONES), meals, washing clothes, ect… this list goes on and on.

It could be little Suzy is calling you over and over to say watch mommy, while your husband is in the refrigerator screaming where’s the ketchup that’s staring him in the eye. As you get up off the floor from cleaning up spilled milk, your pet dog leaps on to the table where little Jonny’s project of unglued macaroni noodles scatter all over the kitchen! Just then the ovens timer is going off, as you notice the smoke arising from the ovens door!
Yes, Our life can definitely make us question if we are going crazy!
I’ve got good news for you, you are NOT loosing it! You just need to be anchored.

The truth is life is hard.
The only way through it is to hold on! what you choose to hold on to matters!

Only Jesus, our anchor can hold us steady through the storms of life!
The waves will come and go but as long as we are anchored to Jesus we will not be moved!
We can praise him in the middle of the storm because we know that he has us!!!!
So no matter what you’re going through today, make sure you’re connected to Jesus!

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19

02/16/2026

For every woman leading, serving, carrying vision, and showing up when no one else sees it…

You don’t have to strive to be powerful. You already are!
You’re planting seeds in conversations.
You’re carrying hope into rooms.
You’re leading with gentleness and grit at the same time.

Galatians 6:9 says don’t grow weary in doing good, because at the right time we’ll reap a harvest if we don’t give up. That includes you! The prayers you’ve prayed. The women you’ve mentored. The hard seasons you’ve walked through quietly.

Keep walking the field. Keep carrying what God’s placed in your hands.
You are not “just helping.” You are building Kingdom legacy.

It’s a new week. Let’s lead with courage, humility, and joyful.