Thursday 29 January 2015

AN INCOMPARABLE POWER

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. Colossians 1:11
The last hydrogen bomb ever exploded was a hundred-megaton weapon tested by the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
The force of that bomb was so powerful that pressure pulses from its detonation went round the world two times.
It was over five thousand times more powerful than the one dropped on Hiroshima by the United States during the Second World War.
Currently, scientists are designing bombs with far more capacity than those early bombs.
Mankind has created awesome destructive weapons in its history, but the power contained in those weapons is nothing compared with the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the believer.
What man seeks to accomplish in the physical world is a minute fraction of what God has made available through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Just consider the power that holds this planet in space, keep it rotating on its axis at a speed of about 1,500 kilometres per hour, and keeps it revolving in its own orbit around the sun at a speed of about 10,000 kilometres per hour.
If that power ever got weak for a moment, our planet will spin out into nothingness. That power is a tiny little part of the entire force that holds the universe together and holds all creation in balance.
That is not the work of a scientist in a laboratory but the power of the Creator at work in His creation.
When the Apostle Paul speaks of God's glorious power, he uses the Greek word, 'dunamis' which refers to the 'explosive and creative power' of God.
Whereas mankind creates power to kill and destroy, God's power creates, builds and sustains.
Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to the explosive power of God. He has given us His power so that we can live powerful lives to His glory.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live a powerful life through Your Holy Spirit.
Scriptural Reading: Colossians 1:9-18

THREE THINGS

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19
Paul's letter to the Ephesians exhorts believers to experience three important things in their spiritual lives that he experienced personally.
As a good mentor, he desires those he is leading to follow his example.
First, God wants you to have the eyes of your heart enlightened in order to know the hope to which He has called you.
God has called each of us to a future and a hope. Some do not ever realize the dreams they envision for their lives. Paul prays they will experience this.
Second, God wants you to know there is an inheritance for each believer in Jesus Christ. There are riches to be had - not financial riches - but spiritual riches that are laid up for every saint.
As you are faithful to His calling in your life, there will be a reward for your faithfulness.
Third, God desires you to tap into the power that is available to every believer. Paul often exhorted believers not to look at his persuasive words, but the demonstration of the power of God in his life. He wants you to know this same power is available to you.
After all, Jesus said we would do even greater works than He did after He sent the Holy Spirit to us.
So these are the three things God want you to know: the hope and the future He has for you, the glorious inheritance awaiting you, and the incomparably great power that resides in you awaiting your release by faith.
Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my understanding.
Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

Suicide Prevention: How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal

A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn’t mean that help isn’t wanted. Most people who commit suicide don’t want to die—they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.
Understanding and preventing suicide
Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. Blinded by feelings of self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation, a suicidal person can’t see any way of finding relief except through death. But despite their desire for the pain to stop, most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they just can’t see one.

Warning signs of suicide

Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these warning signs and know how to respond if you spot them. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a doctor or psychologist involved.
Major warning signs for suicide include talking about killing or harming oneself, talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs. These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, suffers from alcohol dependence, has previously attempted suicide, or has a family history of suicide.

Suicide prevention tip #1: Speak up if you’re worried
If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to say anything. What if you’re wrong? What if the person gets angry? In such situations, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help—the sooner the better. see more@

Suicide prevention tip #2: Respond quickly in a crisis
If a friend or family member tells you that he or she is thinking about death or suicide, it’s important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in. Those at the highest risk for committing suicide in the near future have a specific suicide PLAN, the MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it, and an INTENTION to do it.

Suicide prevention tip #3: Offer help and support
If a friend or family member is suicidal, the best way to help is by offering an empathetic, listening ear. Let your loved one know that he or she is not alone and that you care. Don’t take responsibility, however, for making your loved one well. You can offer support, but you can’t get better for a suicidal person. He or she has to make a personal commitment to recovery.
It takes a lot of courage to help someone who is suicidal. Witnessing a loved one dealing with thoughts about ending his or her own life can stir up many difficult emotions. As you’re helping a suicidal person, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Find someone that you trust—a friend, family member, clergyman, or counselor—to talk to about your feelings and get support of your own.

Tuesday 27 January 2015

A woman wants baby with deceased fiance

Stephanie was looking forward to starting a life with her fiance, Cameron, when she got word that he had been in a terrible motorcycle accident and  was not expected to survive. Stephanie immediately got on a plane so she could be by Cameron’s side. Three days later, he was declared brain dead.

“I had a hard time accepting it, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him,” Stephanie says. “Thinking about having a future without him, I regretted not having a family with him and not starting that sooner.”

Stephanie arranged for a doctor to extract sperm from Cameron and freeze it, in hopes that one day she could still fulfill her dream to have his child.

“Some people ask me, ‘Why not just fall in love with someone else eventually and have a family with them?’ and my answer is that, ‘It’s not the same. It’s not going to be a family with Cameron.’”

The Doctors send Stephanie to fertility specialist Dr. John Jain to find out more about the process she would need to go through to get pregnant when she is ready. Dr. Jain says he has experience helping others with posthumous reproduction.

“Whenever we’re working in these situations, I always make sure you’re at a point in the grieving process, in the healing process, where you’re ready for it,” he says. “It’s a big step.”

Dr. Jain explains that because Stephanie is 22 years old, her eggs should be at their healthiest for at least the next five to seven years, and he says that the frozen sperm will not expire.

“The one message I had for you today, Stephanie, was that you have time,” Dr. Jain says. “And after such a traumatic event in your life, you have to give your body and your mind and your soul time to heal. You’ll know when you’re ready, and when you’re ready for it, it will be here for you.”

Dr. Jain explains that he can take one sperm and put it into one egg and create an embryo, and because of Stephanie's age, there's a 65 percent chance she will become pregnant. He says that frozen sperm is good for decades, so she can take time to grieve and make the life-changing decision when she is ready. Dr. Jain says he would be happy to give Stephanie a free in vitro fertilization cycle when she is ready to make the decision, whenever that might be. Source:thedoctorstv.com

Monday 26 January 2015

FORGIVE

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3
Because God forgives us when we sin, He commands us to also forgive others who sin against us. Forgiving others can be very difficult for us - especially when the offence against us caused a lot of pain and hurt.
There are times when we even doubt the sincerity of the one who is asking for our forgiveness because they keep making the same mistakes again and again.
We may say, "If he was really sincere he wouldn't have done it again." The truth is that, sometimes people can be sincere and yet not have the discipline to overcome a practice that they know to be wrong.
Let me ask you a simple question: Have you ever had a hateful thought? Did you repent? Were you sincere?
If your answer is 'yes', are you saying that you will never again have a hateful thought? I am sure your answer to that will be, 'no'.
The truth is that all of us struggle with sin even after we repent—and sometimes we have to keep coming back again and again for forgiveness.
In the same way, God demands that we keep forgiving those who sin against us. It is tough but that is God's way.
The offer of forgiveness, however, is not a license for us to sin against God or for people to offend us and wilfully treat us with disrespect.
Sin must be rebuked and corrected because it is destructive. As we forgive those who offend us continuously, we must be wise not to place ourselves in a position where they are capable of harming us.
Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to forgive my neighbour as much as You forgive me.
Scriptural Reading: Luke 17:1-4

Relationsip: 4 S'xual Sins Every Christian Should Avoid

Excessive sexual sin and nakedness is one of the marks of our Western culture and much of the world today. Everything is sensual. Everything must be sexy. We live in a sex-crazed world, and nakedness jumps out at us from everywhere. It is becoming more and more difficult for men and women to keep themselves in a state of moral purity. Sexual sin and neglecting the laws of purity in the body of Christ is one of the elements that can potentially bring weakness, sickness, and even premature death to many in the Church. It is one forgotten aspect of not discerning the Lord’s body (1 Cor. 11:29-31). Those last statements sound so primitive in today’s contemporary church. There is a lack of ministry from pastors in this area because of the fear of forthcoming accusations of being unloving, judgmental, legalistic, and ministering guilt and condemnation. Frankly, we’ve lost our way in this regard. Correction, rebuke and reproof are clearly missing from our counsel in these new crooked days of false comfort and unscriptural mercy. In days of old it was rather common for correction to be made not only using the Scriptures but through the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For instance, it was observed by one old timer that in praying for the sick, individuals who had been unfaithful in their marriage and had not repented, but who nevertheless sought healing, had been rebuked sternly by the Spirit of God. Back then they understood that only deep repentance and cleansing through the precious Blood of Christ could the gravity of such a crime be pardoned. Today, as I said, we are considered condemning and judgmental if we minister in such a manner. Yet it is common for many to get in a healing line and seek deliverance, or submit prayer requests while living in gross immorality without any earnest desire for genuine repentance. Those who practice sexual sin, or any other sin for that matter, and profess Christ, are partaking of the body of the Lord unworthily; and in doing so they are receiving a curse rather than a blessing. “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:29-31). I realize that sexual temptations are great, no one is exempt from them, and none should boast of their self-righteousness. I’m also aware that in seeking to turn someone from the error of their ways we must do so in gentleness and humility (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25). But if there is to be victory in this area, it must begin with a reverent understanding and a scriptural estimation of the defiling and degrading nature of sexual sin and its terrible dangers. Before people obey God, they must be thoroughly awakened. Only then will they overcome counteracting forces. Carefully read these words of one of America’s greatest evangelists, Charles G. Finney: “Worldly desires, appetites, and feelings prevent true Christianity—the human will is, in a sense, enslaved by fleshly and worldly desires. It is therefore necessary for God to awaken people to a sense of guilt and danger and thus produce an opposite excitement or feeling and desire. This counter-feeling breaks the power of worldly desire and leaves the will free to obey God.” That ideology, my friends, is clearly absent from the mainstream of contemporary Christianity, yet it is so sorely needed. As in modern-day America, sexual sin and nakedness were celebrated in the city of Corinth too and was infiltrating into the church there. Thus Paul had to remind the Corinthian saints that their bodies were now the temples of God and not their own. Their bodies, as ours, are now members of Christ, so a sin against our bodies is a sin against Christ. “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:15, 19-20). As far back as the Mosaic books we find some interesting references to sexual immorality and nakedness.

The first recorded human curse was over nakedness (Gen 9:20-23).
Nearly two entire chapters along with many other references were a code of ethics on nakedness and sexual immorality (See Lev. 18 and 20).
Exposed genitalia or nakedness were common in Canaanite demonic worship. Instructions and prohibitions to Moses were so Israel’s altars would not be like the Canaanites’ (Ex. 28:41-43; 20:26).
When Moses returned from the mountain, Aaron had lost control of the people as they worshiped a golden calf, “unrestrained” (Ex. 32:25), as the New King James says it. The Old King James says “naked,” and the Living Bible says “committing adultery.” And all this happened shortly after a move of God.
One of the keys to overcoming sexual sin lies in the meditation of the Word of God concerning it. This will nurture the fear of the Lord in you. For example, in Gal. 5:19-21 the works of the flesh are divided into four basic categories 1) sexual sins, 2) sins connected with pagan religion and the occult, 3) sins of the temper, and 4) sins of drunkenness. It is interesting that sexual sin is listed first, not only here, but also in several other scriptural references in the New Testament.

Romans 1:24, 6:19 – Uncleanness is singled out.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Sexual sins listed first.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Sexual sins listed first.
Ephesians 4:19 – Lewdness and uncleanness singled out.
Ephesians 5:3 – Fornication and uncleanness singled out; let it not once be named among you.
Colossians 3:5 – Fornication and uncleanness listed first.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – Sexual immorality singled out in our walk of sanctification.
1 Peter 4:3 – Lewdness listed first from our past life.
There are at least four primary sexual sins the Word of God speaks of: adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lewdness.

Here are the definitions of these four sexual sins:

1- Adultery: Unlawful sexual intercourse involving at least one married person. Adultery is incompatible with the harmonious laws of family life in God’s kingdom, and is under God’s judgment since it violates God’s original purpose.

2- Fornication: Pornography, illicit sexual intercourse including prostitution, whoredom, incest, licentiousness (lack of moral restraint), and habitual immorality (would include sexual fantasies that lead to masturbation).

3- Uncleanness: Often refers to homosexuality and lesbianism

4- Lewdness: unashamed indecency, unbridled lust, unrestrained depravity (a disposition or settled tendency to evil, the innate corruption of unregenerate man), the person with this characteristic has an insolent defiance of public opinion, sinning in broad daylight with arrogance and contempt. Again, this often refers to sexual sin. Here’s where many people err in their understanding of their sexuality. Notice the following verses. “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Cor. 6:13-14). Paul is correcting the dangerous misconception among the Corinthians who believed, “as the stomach is designed for food, the genitals are created for sexual experience.” This mind-set is not only common among unregenerate human beings but also among Christians who justify sexual immorality. Paul shows how this analogy is false because your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and belongs to Christ. Eating food is a secondary and temporal arrangement, but sexuality reaches into the eternal and metaphysical depths of one’s being. An essential identity exists between the present physical body and the future glorified body (v 14). Sexual intercourse is more than a biological experience; it involves a communion of life. Since Jesus is one with the born-again believer’s spirit, it is unthinkable to involve Him with immorality; thus the strong admonition not to let the sin of fornication and all uncleanness “even be named among you” (Eph. 5:3; emphasis added). Sexuality is a uniquely profound aspect of the personality involving one’s entire being. Sexual immorality has far-reaching effects, with great spiritual significance and social implications (v18). Such immorality is not only a sin against the body but against the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the body. It is one of the ways we are to discern the Lord’s body, which when consistently neglected, as I stated earlier, often brings weakness, sickness, and even premature death. Regardless of how satisfying and fulfilling sex is in its rightful place within the marriage, it is still a temporal arrangement and not a part of our eternal existence. And yet by it we procreate and give birth to eternal spirits. Sexual immorality messes with the power of procreation with someone to whom you are not married. The sexual drive is not sinful, but it is hurtful if not kept in its proper place. Scripture forbids sexual immorality in order to protect you. Politicians, businesses, schools and our public institutions are not qualified to handle the subject of sexual immorality and deviate sex problems we have in our culture. They are a part of the problem, not the solution. Sadly though, the church has fallen so short of addressing this problem from a strong scriptural perspective. Some churches no longer even believe what the Bible says about sexual immorality is pertinent. One high-ranking church official said that the church is going to have to come to an understanding of homosexuality according to the changing culture. That is one of the biggest problems in the church today. Many of us are conforming to the standards of the culture around us. Another well-known charismatic television preacher told his audience that homosexuality is not sin but brokenness. “What do you think David and Jonathan were doing? What do you think Ruth and Naomi were doing?” implying that they were involved in homosexual and lesbian relationships. I had to shake my head at that one. And yet this preacher is considered one of the greatest preachers in America with a very large following. It turns out that one of his own children is a homosexual. Although this is a very crushing trial for any godly parent to have to face, one cannot be loyal to his family at the expense of betraying God’s holy Word. When influential preachers say erroneous things like that, it opens the door for deception and compromise among masses of people who respect these preachers. This will lead to a flood of evil, immorality, and all kinds of perversion among the hearers of such. It is sad to see the dilution of sound doctrine in much of the church today. It is grievous to the Holy Spirit to see such cowardice and compromise among preachers who have either departed from the true faith or who are afraid to teach sound doctrine in the area of sexual morality. As a result, our children and young people are getting educated by the reprobate minds of the world. Let the preachers of righteousness speak up with strength and conviction, for the time is here when many are not enduring sound doctrine, but with itching ears are heaping up teachers unto themselves.

Bert M. Farias

DON'T BE DISCOURAGED

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11
As human beings, we all have our moments of discouragement and doubt. It is not unusual for even the most spiritual people to have their days of doubt.
Moses, that great prophet of God, on one occasion at least, was overwhelmed by his circumstances.
After he had witnessed the consistent disobedience and murmuring of the children of Israel, he was grieved in his spirit and said to God, "I'm fed up. Just kill me. I don't want to deal with this stubborn people another day."
The prophet Elijah, after his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, heard that Jezebel was seeking to take his life. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances, so discouraged, so uncertain, and so filled with doubt that he said to God, "Take my life."
Jeremiah, the great prophet, faced it as well. He was ridiculed and harassed for giving out the Word of God. Because he was tired of the pressure he was facing, it made him want to stop giving out God's Word altogether.
He said, "The word of the Lord has brought me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name' " (Jer 20:8-9).
Even the great apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, "We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8).
It is comforting to know that even the great prophets and apostles of God also got discouraged sometimes. So don't give up. It is in your moment of weakness that power of God is made perfect in you.
Prayer: Father, I ask for strength to overcome discouragement and despair.
Scriptural Reading: Psalm 42:1-11

Singles: 3 Things to Remember While Waiting For Mr. Right

Since the beginning of time, woman has been a gift to man. Eve didn’t have to do much to
win Adam over in the perfect garden. She probably hadn’t shaved or spent tons of money at the salon and definitely hadn’t learned 50 ways to cook chicken to win Adam over. He knew that she was a gift and he was thankful.
Unfortunately today women are doing all they can to convince a guy that they are worth having. Magazine articles, books and well meaning friends and family constantly remind us that we are not doing enough. We are told that if we are still single, it’s our fault (either directly or indirectly) and we should be doing A, B & C to win the affection of a man.

I’ve been there. I’ve read through all the articles only to find myself a little more discouraged. These articles usually tend to reinforce that I’m not good enough and that I need to act a certain way for the right man to fall for me. Talk less, talk more, play hard to get, don’t play games, tell him how you feel, don’t tell him how you feel, wear more heels, sneakers are hot, and the list goes on. All the advice is ever changing and it’s hard to keep up with the best way to attract a man.

This quote stood out to me the other day “ Act Like a Prize and You will Turn him into a Believer”.
This quote got me to thinking that if women were truly the prize, why do we stress out so much over relationships. Do guys run to the mall to buy a new shirt to impress a girl on a date? Do they fall asleep reading articles entitled “How to get a girl to notice me”? Do they take a cooking class just so they can make their girlfriend the best dinner ever? Maybe some do but I think we can all agree that sometimes women worry too much about getting a man and keeping him.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we are the prize!
We want to feel like a prize but often times we don’t. We put in a lot of energy to get little attention from a guy that we may be interested in. If we want to be treated like a prize, we need to learn how to act like a prize. Here are three things to remember when acting like a prize.

  • Prizes are earned. In a race, all the runners have the same chance of winning, but only one gets 1st prize. This means that we don’t have to make ourselves available to every man that presents himself to us. We are available to the ones who value the prize so much that they are willing to put in the extra work it takes to win us. This doesn’t mean that we have men jumping through hoops, but it does mean taking notice of the guy who picks up the phone to call and makes his intentions clear versus the one who sends many mixed signals and leaves you confused.


  • Prizes have worth. Keeping with our race analogy, we can’t expect the runners to give their all for a prize that they don’t value. As women, instead of trying to accomplish and do things to prove our value we need to start believing the value that we already have as God’s beloved daughters!  I have accomplished quite a few things in my life that add to my “worldly” value but none of those things has gotten me a husband. Believe that you truly are God’s prized possession and you will begin to shine and everyone will notice.


  • Prizes don’t compete. The only people who should be competing in a race are the runners, not the prizes! Each level or variety of prize is unique and valuable in it’s own way. As women, we sometimes forget that we should not be in competition with one another. We are all valuable prizes and we should be celebrating each other and not competing. A woman who is constantly in competition with other women is communicating that she doesn’t see her own value.
In all these things, remember that instead of being frustrated that men don’t see you as a prize you should challenge yourself to start acting like the prize that you believe you truly are.
source: theprayingwoman.com

Prayer for new week

 God will make a way out of all the problems that are facing you. He will give you massive victories
over all your obstacles! God will use you as an instrument to solve other people's problems in Jesus Name.  God will make you a voice and not an echo.

The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore" (Ps 121:5–8).  In whatever you do, situations will bow down before you; systems, ordinances, institutions, policies and legislature will adjust for you to have your desired breakthroughs. Go forth and possess your possessions in Jesus Name. 

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

Thursday 22 January 2015

TIRED? BROKE ? GOT A BOAT?

I heard a story about a doctor who had had a hectic day at work.
His shift had been so busy, all he wanted to do was go home. He was to take his son out on a father-son time that night....he was looking forward to seeing him. But as the day was nearing the end, he heard the news, his son had been hit by a car and died on the spot.
As he was stepping out of his office, on the way to view where his sons body was laid, the emergency bleep went off. A little boy had been brought in, he was almost at the point of death.
This doctor turned back and ran to attend to the emergency. The father of the sick child screamed at him, saying that he wasn't responding quickly to his son. Putting his sorrow under, he joined the team and they laboured until the sick boy was restored.
As he made a leave of the intensive care unit where the boy was being managed, he was met by the father of the sick child, with tears in his eyes.....asking for forgiveness for his insensitivity.
I heard you lost your son today! And I have behaved towards you in the most insensitive way. The doctor could not hold back the tears......he had done what most people would not do, help others during their own dire need.
Anyone can be nice when they are happy, but there is an attitude that will single you out from everyone else. Choosing to be a blessing in spite of your own need.
Most of us will gladly give out 5000 naira when we have 50,000 naira.
We will offer a hungry man a bottle of coke when we have a banquet to feast on. If you belong to that category, I am sorry, you have common virtues. Unfortunately, you need to do better to get Gods attention.
Let me share something I found....
Luke 5:1-7 CEB
One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, "Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch." Simon replied, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets." So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink.
These men had laboured all night...no results to show. They must have paid the FISHING FEE for that night, probably rented some nets, hoping that a good catch will offset their bill and the wives will be happy.
They waited and sweated and nothing happened. They gave up and started cleaning the nets....tired, deflated and discouraged......sleep deprived and totally exhausted.
Then, here comes Jesus, the man who 'wanders everywhere', teaching people all sorts of funny things, He had just woken up from an all night sleeping, fresh and clean, asking for them to loan him their boat!
I mean .....you are tired......and all you need is a clear head to know how to explain to the wife that there is no food money for tomorrow. ..and someone is asking for a lift!
Simon obliged.....thank God he did.....
I am sure that Simon had to stay on the boat or around it whilst Jesus preached on the boat.....SPENDING EXTRA TIME.....on a non-paid job! Imagine, you chose to help someone, they are now delaying you with their own success!
He allowed JESUS use that boat for a short while.....I am sure that Jesus did not use the boat for as long as the fishermen had been on it.....after HE finished using the boat, He decided that their act of simple obedience and selflessness deserved recognition.
In the same way HE asked for a favour, He declared a favour, the favour that turned a tired, laboured unproductive man into an instant millionaire.....
He released the boat......He had his own problems to deal with, but He released what he had in his hands.
Brethren, our world is a selfish world.
People only want to be a part of something that looks like they will get something back instantaneously. But THERE IS A SACRIFICE THAT YOU WILL GIVE THAT WILL GET HEAVEN'S ATTENTION.....It will hurt at times......
Your labour is not enough to sustain you anyway, why dont you lend the boat to Jesus. There are many around you who could do with that which you say is not enough, to them, it will be raw gold. It will meet their need. It will be an answer to their prayers.
Stop looking at just your own needs. .....ask, WOULD YOU NEED MY EMPTY BOAT LORD?
Simon lent Jesus a boat, he partnered with HIM for a harvest of souls. Stop looking to meet only your own needs. That boat that hasnt caught anything in spite of your sweat and stress may soon be sinking with fish, just lend it to the Lord.

TRUE WORSHIP

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. Mark 14:3
Although the gospel of Mark does not tell us the name of the woman in our text, the gospel of John identifies her as Mary, the sister of Lazarus.
Her gesture of worship is unique in three ways.
• Her worship was planned. She left her home having come with a box of costly ointment.
This indicates that regardless of feelings, people that were at the house, food that was on the menu, or any other circumstances, she had come to Simon's house with one intention...to worship Jesus. Her praise was planned.
• Her worship was original. To our knowledge, nobody had ever praised the Saviour in this manner. It was not something that she learned ahead of time; it was an expression of the love in her heart for her Master.
Without a manual to tell her how, she built praise for Christ that He said would last forever.
• Her worship was without reservation. It is possible that as she made the trip to Simon's house, she pondered how much of the costly perfume she would use.
Should she pour out everything or reserve some for herself? When the moment came, she held nothing back from her Lord.
Mark's gospel says that she "broke the box." Her praise was lavish. Her gift was extravagant. Her devotion to the Lord was given with no thought of the cost involved.
She brought a lavish and extravagant worship to the Lord, and He in return established her act as an eternal monument of worship.
Prayer: With all of my heart, soul and strength, I offer my worship to You, O Lord.
Scriptural Reading: Mark 14:3-9

Kids: 3 ways you unknowingly destroy your children's self-esteem

  • "Mom, I'm starting a new piano song! Will you sit by me?" my youngest son asks.
    I walk in and sit down at the piano bench. When he starts new songs, he likes me nearby.
    A bright smile flashes across his face and he starts playing. After a few mistakes his smile fades and a frown appears. I sense his growing discouragement.
    From my perspective the song is quite simple, it is easy for me. I almost say, "Oh come on this is easy, you can do it." Instead I pause and think, "What I say will make my son feel encouraged which helps his self-esteem grow or cause discouragement which can lower his self-esteem. The choice rests with me."
    Parent's want their children to grow up self-confident and capable. Sometimes without even realizing it, your responses may be doing the exact opposite which lowers your children's self-esteem.
  • Saying "It's easy"

    When your children are struggling with a task, it may seem easy to you, however, it is not necessarily easy to them. When you say, "That is easy, you can do it." You are trying to motivate and encourage them, yet it causes your children to think, "Something must be wrong with me because it's not easy to me, therefore, I must be dumb." This causes your children to feel discouraged and want to give up. It decreases their self-esteem.
    Instead tell them, "This can be tough or this is difficult." Then if your children complete the task, they tell themselves, "I did something hard." If they cannot figure it out, at least they know it was tough to begin with. This approach helps children stay encouraged and increases their feelings of self-worth.
  • Doing too much for them

    Your children want to do tasks on their own. This gives them a great sense of accomplishment and helps them feel good about themselves. You may feel one way to show your love is doing things for your children. This robs them of the opportunity to learn life skills and the satisfaction of feeling independent. It sends your children the hidden message, "You are not capable."
    Instead of doing too much for your children, break the task into smaller more kid-friendly tasks. This gives your children the chance to feel the personal satisfaction of completing it on their own. Their self-esteem will soar.
  • Freaking out when they make mistakes

    Mistakes are part of life – we all make them. You may feel you need to rescue your children from making mistakes or help them avoid making mistakes. This does not help them – it cripples them for life.
    Your children will make mistakes and the way you respond either helps your children learn and grow from the mistake or teaches them mistakes are bad. Mistakes are painful, but they can cause great growth if handled in a healthy way. Don't rob your children of the opportunity to rise to the occasion, admit they are wrong, fix the problem, and feel great about themselves.
    Instead of freaking out when your children make a mistake, teach them how to make amends and be accountable for their actions. This promotes a healthy view of mistakes and allows your children to feel good about who they are.
    Many parents do not realize these three parenting responses diminish their children's self-esteem. If some of these ideas are new to you – take heart because reading and learning shows you are interested in improving as a parent and doing the best you can.

Tuesday 20 January 2015

GOD IS FAITHFUL

For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. Genesis 21:2
Sarah conceived. On the face value, that statement should not mean much; the idea of conceiving a child is normal to women.
But when we consider who Sarah was, then the idea of her conception takes on a very new meaning.
She was not a woman in the prime of her life. She was a woman approaching ninety years of age. Some months ago, scientists managed to get a fifty-five year old woman to carry a baby to full term through artificial insemination.
Before science could do that, God had already done the seemingly impossible with Sarah.
She conceived because:
• God promised it. What made the difference for Sarah was the word of promise that God gave to her and her husband Abraham. They were both faithful and obedient worshippers of Jehovah who had challenges with childbirth.
For years they tried having a child without any real results until God stepped into their situation and made a promise to them that they would be the parents of a new godly nation.
• God set a time. The promise of God to Sarah and her husband had a time frame to it. After years of frustration, God stepped into their lives once again and gave a time limit to the fulfilment of what He had promised them.
The story of Sarah's conception reminds us of the faithfulness of God. Even when our faith is stretched to breaking point and frustration dogs our every step, we must reserve a place in our hearts that does not give up on the Lord's promises.
If He promised, He will do it. What is it that you are believing God for? Never lose your hope in God. He is a faithful God.
Prayer: I praise You Lord, for You are faithful and Your promises are sure.
Scriptural Reading: Genesis 21:2

5 Healthy Habits for a The Year

If you're like me, you ushered 2015 in with lots of sugar, a few extra pounds and promises to adopt some healthier habits. I'll admit, these healthy habits are dragging me kicking and screaming. I found it so much easier to pop tasty treats in my mouth without worrying about calories or exercise.
Unfortunately, God didn't make me with a metabolism that lets me snack my way through the day or avoid exercise, so here are 5 ways I am making 2015 a healthier year.
1. Devotion
Our biggest battle is often in our mind. Starting our the day in God's Word, prayer, worship and meditation on verses that address the areas we are seeking to adjust will help to reform faulty thought patterns. The truth of the matter is: We can live physically healthy lives, but if our mind and spirit are not healthy, our bodies will still suffer in the long-run. Proverbs talks about this when it says that bitterness dries up the bones (depletes them of calcium).
2. Water
Lets take a moment to reflect on the last time we drank a tall, cool glass of water. Some of us are really having to think. Water is essential to our health. It helps our kidneys function better to flush out toxins from our blood stream, and it helps keep us hydrated so our skin looks younger and healthier. One added side benefit is that it also helps to keep hunger signals at bay. Many times when we think we're hungry we're only really thirsty. You should drink 8-10 8-oz. glasses of water a day. However, if you consume caffeinated beverages, you'll need to drink an extra glass of water for each beverage you drink, because caffeine is a diuretic.
3. Vitamins
Sadly, we do not get the necessary vitamins and minerals our body needs from the foods we eat. Even produce that is picked early lacks the essential nutrients it would otherwise give. All of the processing our foods go through before they reach our digestive systems have depleted them of most nutrients, and the vitamins they enrich them with are not very useful.
Taking daily vitamins helps keep our bodies strong and energy levels high. When choosing a vitamin, the best ones are whole food vitamins, capsules, chewables or alka-seltzer tablets. These types do not have heavy binders that prevent them from being fully digested.
4. Exercise
In the spirit of full disclosure, this is by far the hardest discipline for me. I do not enjoy exercise—I never have. I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle. But more and more studies are showing the elevated health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, so I am working hard to carve out time in my busy schedule for at least 15 minutes a day of exercise.
It will be easier in the spring because I like to walk in the mornings—the only form of exercise I actually enjoy. We have a nice, steep hill where I live and I enjoy walking and praying. I can't wait for the sun to rise earlier so I can get back to prayer-walking.
5. Fruits and Vegetables
I don't know why it is easier to make an unhealthy meal than it is to grab an apple. I can't explain it. I'd rather make my famous french bread, Gouda cheese and green olive grilled sandwich than just grab something from the fruit bowl (which, by the way, is a full 99% of the time). I'm working at making healthier habits, because the benefits of choosing a fruit or vegetable over a calorie-, carb- and fat-laden meal are obvious.
By the way, did you know that frozen vegetables are sometimes healthier than fresh? Its true. Frozen produce is picked ripe, blanched and flash-frozen to preserve the nutrients. So when you see produce in the produce section that is out of season, you may be better off running to the frozen food isle.
What healthy choices are you making in 2015?

20 scriptures that can be hard to do BUT by God's grace We can

Admit it, there are parts of the Bible that are difficult to digest. Certain words sting going down and sometimes cause us to question our faith. 
Let’s be honest, we are all sinners. We all fall short at times because we are all human and you and I both know there’s no such thing as a perfect human. Even if you feel like you are perfect at something, there’s something that you are struggling with. Whether it’s forgiving someone, Fornication, or telling little white lies every now and then.  Myself included.
We sometimes try to twist the words of the bible to read the way we want them to read, when in actuality God’s word is pretty straightforward and clear.

Here are 20 scriptures that can be hard to digest at times:

1. “Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” -Luke 17:4

2. “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”- Matthew 5:39

3. “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” - Leviticus 20:13

 4.  And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” -Matthew 19:9

5. “And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Mark 10:12

6. “And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” -Matthew 5:32

7. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” -Mark 11:25

8. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.” -1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

9. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” -James 4:17

10. “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.  And he has given us this command:Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” -1 John 4:20-21

11. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.”- Ephesians 5:22-24

12. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” -2 Corinthians 6:14

13. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Matthew 5:44

14. “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” -Matthew 5:42

15. “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” -Proverbs 14:31

16. “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.  You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you.”- Matthew 7:1-2

17. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.“- Luke 6:31

18. “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;”- Proverbs 3:9

19. “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” -Proverbs 11:24

20. “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”- 1 John 2:4

…but the good news is that it’s not too late to get it right. With God’s help, we can all strive to live righteous. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9. Source: theprayingwoman

Monday 19 January 2015

Family: Why Setting Rules With Your Child Doesn't Work

Many parents use a simple behavior modification approach to raise their children. "If you get your homework done, then you can go out and play." "If you clean your room, then you can watch a video."
Unfortunately children trained this way often develop a "What's in it for me?" mentality. "If I don't get something out of it, why should I obey?"
God is concerned with more than behavior. He's interested in the heart. The heart contains motivations, emotions, convictions and values. A heart-based approach to parenting looks deeper. Parents still require children to finish their homework and clean up their rooms, but the way they give the instructions is different.
Instead of just getting things done, parents look for long-term change in their kids. Sometimes children aren't ready to change on a heart level and parents must work to address the heart. That may mean more relationship to open the heart or it may involve more boundaries to show kids that they way they're living just isn't going to work.
A heart-based approach shares values and reasons behind rules. It focuses on character development, not just correct behaviors. It requires more dialogue, helping children understand how their hearts are resistant and need to develop cooperation. A heart-based approach is firm but also relational. It's a mindset on the part of parents that looks to develop heart qualities that then bring about significant change. read more
As you consider your kids remember the words that God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, "For man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

Prayer for new week

The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore" (Ps 121:5–8).  In whatever you do, situations will bow down before you; systems, ordinances, institutions, policies and legislature will adjust for you to have your desired breakthroughs. 

Go forth and possess your possessions in Jesus Name. God will make a way out of all the problems that are facing you. He will give you massive victories over all your obstacles! 


Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 
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