The halls of American University of Health Sciences were filled with love, song and praise as faculty and staff gathered in the university chapel for their weekly noon prayer last Wednesday, November 16th, 2016. AUHS co-workers came together in the the name of Jesus Christ, held hands and sang “I’ve got the joy” and “This is the day.” Wednesday Noon Day Prayer is a time for AUHS associates to worship God and to support and pray for their Christian brothers and sisters.
Attendees sat in a circle and were given a list of passages from both the Old and New Testament of the Bible. They took turns to read each passage out loud and shared what the excerpt meant to them on a personal, professional and spiritual level.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.
“Even when you are dealing with the feeling of loss, God will always be with you,” said Pastor Gregory Johnson, the co-founder of AUHS, “The mistake that most people make is that they fail to realize that God may allow terrible things to happen in order to help us grow as individuals. Extreme hardship forces growth.”
People get in their own way sometimes because they let go of their faith. Whether it is with school, work, family, or friends, there are times in life when people feel overwhelmed or have had enough.
“God never puts on you that he knows you can’t bear,” said Pastor Johnson, “God allows you to go through trials and tribulations because He knows that you can get through it.”
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
All that we have and all that we are is because of God’s blessing.
“Whether you know it or not, God chose you even before you choose God,” Pastor Johnson looked around the room and said, “God orchestrated this. Indeed, He is the one that brought us together.”
But there are voices that may cause you to doubt yourself and others around you, causing chaos, confusion and disunity.
“We have to be careful of two things. The voice of others who don’t share the same dream and the voice in ourselves that may not believe enough in our own dream,” said Pastor Johnson, “Remember that God knows what He’s doing.”
There are times when we lose confidence in ourselves. There are tasks that seem impossible to do and you find yourself unsure of the potential in you. Be strengthened by God and see that you have potential. Believe in yourself because God believes in you.
Psalm 18:32-34 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
In times of sorrow and adversity, remember to seek strength and comfort through Christ. If you open your heart to God, you are never alone. He is with you, always.
“We’re only human. Sometimes we get overwhelmed but you need to take a breathe and go to God first. The more we go to Him, the stronger we become,” said Cynthia Chambers, AUHS Financial Aid advisor.
Even moments of extreme hardships can be a blessing in disguise. These extremes exercise the tools intended to increase our faith.
“I don’t think our God is a denying God,” said Pastor Johnson. “‘God’s promise us ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen.’ He wants you to seek Him and He wants you to know that He is the giver and supplier of all things.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
God does not put us into a situation where we cannot resist or run away from temptation. God has given each of us free will so we can choose to do good or to do evil.
“The things we go through are things that all people go through. It’s all been done under the sun,” said Kim Dang-Johnson, the co-founder of AUHS, “Temptation is our ‘Achilles heel.’ We are not tempted by the things that we don’t have a problem with but by those decisions struggle with. You may be able to drink (alcohol) all day and will still be able to walk away from it. But some people just can’t put the bottle down.”
People should always believe in their abilities as much as they believe in God. It is important to be wary of evil and always look to God for guidance and protection.
“The devil only comes to steal your confidence in yourself and your ability. Don’t cast away your confidence,” said Kim Dang-Johnson, “Evil uses people, situations and circumstances to derail you. If you give up, the rewards waiting for you will not come to pass.”
You receive what you give in this life. Be strong and courageous in your walk and God will hear you and help you bear that cross.
Genesis 22:1-3 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
“Abraham was willing to give up his only son for God. Blind faith is not easy because we are human. We doubt, we question our faith, but our blind faith will be rewarded,” said Chantal Jura, the Director of Affiliation and Career Services, “God stopped Abraham before he could kill his son. God rewarded him with many more children. Trust in God.”
It would be very understandable and very human reaction for Abraham to defy God’s command in order to save the most precious thing he had in the world, his son.
“The temptation is to ignore God,” Pastor Johnson said.
But God’s will is bigger than what we can do in the natural world. Though this task was more than what most fathers could bare, Abraham trusted God’s will and in the end, was rewarded.
About American University of Health Sciences
AUHS is a Christian based, minority-serving university, which educates students for careers in the healthcare professions. AUHS emphasizes the values of faith in God, love of humankind, and belief that all people have a right to healthcare and deserve a good quality of life based on wellness of body, mind and spirit. The university celebrates diversity, and reaches out to groups currently underrepresented in healthcare and research. AUHS provides the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, hands-on practical training and supportive environment required to create competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
American University of Health Sciences is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001.
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