HOPE

So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish. - Job 8:13

It has been said that man can live 40 days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only one second without hope.

No matter what we are facing, we all need hope. But where are we going to find this hope that we so desperately need? We are not going to find it in people or things.

Nor are we going to find it in a politician or a political persuasion, regardless of what side of the divide we are on. Nor are we going to find it in technology or science or in a relationship or in an accomplishment.

Sometimes people will put their hope in their investments or their bank accounts or their home.

But listen to what the Bible says in Job 8:13-15: "The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web. They cling to their home for security, but it won't last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure."

These are very poignant words in the light of the world's present economic situation. We should not put our hope in people.

We should not put our hope in things. We need to put our hope in God. That is what the Bible teaches.

Psalm 42:5-6 says, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again—my Saviour and my God!"

This will give us the strength to go on in life, because we know that we serve a God who is faithful. There may be times when you feel helpless, but you never should feel hopeless.

The Bible brims with promises of hope for every follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, my hope is in You alone.

Scriptural Reading: Job 8:8-18

Relationship: 10 reasons we need mom no matter how old we get

We sit around the table, listening to the elevator music coming from the television. It is the only thing we use it for now, but because Mom refuses to master Pandora we continue to pay the monthly cable bill. I shuffle the cards and pass them around the table. The game is called "Bohnanza" and you can only play two cards a turn. It is Mom's turn and she lays down three and we all laugh because no matter how many times we explain the game she never gets it (like the time we tried to teach her Mario Kart on the Wii.) She buries her face behind her cards and starts to laugh so hard tears come out.

These are some of my favorite times with Mom, and it has nothing to do with what music is playing in the background or what game we play. It has everything to do with being with her because she makes life happy. Even when you grow up and move out, get married and become a mom yourself, you never stop needing mom. Here are ten reasons why:

1. She listens to you without judging and understands how you feel

This is perhaps my mom's best quality. She always seems to know when I need to talk, vent and get it out. And her advice never begins with, "I told you so" or "You should have known better."

2. She is your best shopping buddy

Let's face it: No matter how wonderful your husband is, it's more fun trying on jeans with Mom.

3. She intuitively knows when you need help

Even though we claim we can take care of ourselves, Mom always seems to know when we need that extra $20 each month to cover the phone bill.

4. She brings you NyQuil, chicken noodle soup and Sprite when you are sick

But perhaps the best medicine of all is her hug.

5. She takes you out of school to spend the day at the museum, going to lunch or making cookies.

My mom believes that being educated is more than sitting at a desk for eight hours. Although an avid supporter of our successful schooling (my dad is a teacher), she knows it doesn't hurt to spend a day together every once in a while.

6. She always lets you pick the movie

She says she'll pick "next time," but "next time" never seems to come.

7. She goes out of her way to make you feel special

Think of the countless birthday parties, school plays and graduation celebrations your mom has organized and supported through the years. Whether it's staying up late to make party decorations or leading the cheering section, you always know who your number one fan is.

8. She spends her money coming to visit you

Even when you live halfway across the country, she's there.

9. She is the first on your list to call with news

Whether you have exciting news like a new job or a pregnancy, or disappointments like a miscarriage or a bad day, sharing with Mom just makes life better.

10. She loves you and is always there for you

When I moved away, what I missed most wasn't the homemade meals or the folded laundry. It was being with Mom and feeling her constant love and support. Friends may be fleeting, but family is constant.

Some may be reading this right now and feel discouraged. There are women who may not have a close relationship with their mother, or others who do not know who their mother is. Many women are single moms working two jobs, trying to keep their family going. read more

No matter the situation, what makes all moms special is that they embody characteristics like peace, support and unconditional love associated with womanhood. By honoring mothers, we are honoring women. Whether it's moms, sisters, aunts, mothers-in-law, stepmothers or close friends, everyone has someone to appreciate.

Let's take this month to celebrate womanhood and the women who make our lives worth celebrating. Thank you, Mom. I will always need you no matter how old I get.

Prayer for new week

This month, God will level every mountain of opposition. He will fight your battles and give you rest round about. Expect unusual open doors. Expect victory on every side. It is your month of supernatural triumph in Jesus name. 

You will encounter love that's genuine, true and pure, even if you have been hated, you will become everyone's delight. Your expectations for greatness shall come in double portion. 

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

Relationship: 7 Lies the Enemy Tries to Sell You About Marriage

I've come to realize that there are a lot of lies out there about marriage that people are not only believing, but also are embracing.

Here are 7 lies about marriage:

Lie No. 1: Marriage is a contract. If we accept this lie, we think that marriage is a mere transaction. That it's an "I'll do this, only if you do that" kind of relationship. And, "If you don't do that, I'm terminating the contract."

I have shared previously that "Marriage was never meant to be a contract to be broken, but a covenant to be cherished.  [There] is the clear difference between a covenant and a contract ... In a nutshell, a contract is all about what you get. A covenant is all about what you give."

Lie No. 2: Marriage is an outdated institution. If we accept this lie, we are saying that this God-ordained institution established since the beginning of mankind and intended to last while mankind is on this earth can be set aside and disregarded by the whim of man. The institution of marriage may be under attack, but it is still unchanging.

Lie No. 3: Marriage is a 50-50 partnership. If we accept this lie, we excuse ourselves from putting our 100 percent into the relationship. We will constantly be comparing our efforts against our spouses and questioning who does more in the relationship. In such a scenario, husbands and wives may even find themselves keeping a marital scorecard of who spends more, disciplines more, does the dishes more, cleans more or works more. Marriage is a 100 percent-100 percent, give it all you've got relationship.

Lie No. 4: Marriage will end the battle with lust. If we accept this lie, we set ourselves up for disappointment and failure. Most struggles we bring into a marriage are not solved by marriage, but rather in marriage.

Lie No. 5: Marriage will fix my problems and make me happy. If we accept this lie, we put unrealistic pressure on our spouse to fulfill us and take care of all our problems. Marriage should bring happiness and satisfaction. Spouses can help one another to work through issues, but our spouse can never be the be-all and end-all of our lives. Only God can.

Lie No. 6: Marriage is about what I can get from my spouse. If we accept this lie, we will crush our spouse with our selfishness. When our marriage is focused on giving, instead of getting, it's more rewarding and enriching. Love is all about giving.

Lie No. 7: Marriage shouldn't be hard work. If we accept this lie, we misunderstand the true nature of man and marriage. Because we humans are inherently selfish, husbands and wives must constantly work against that nature and seek to give to rather than to get from their spouse.

Donald Trump once said about working on a marriage: "Well if you have to work at it then maybe it's not worth having. I have to work at everything else in my life. I have to work at my work. I just think a marriage should be easy, not hard."

Actually, we do have to work at marriage, and it is worth having. Like most other things in life, when we really work on our marriage, it only gets better and better.

What are other lies about marriage? Have you ever believed any of the above lies?

Mark Merrill

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:33

Are you a disciple? Just because you are a Christian doesn't necessarily mean that you are a disciple.

Every disciple is a believer, but not every believer is a disciple. Jesus gave us the definition of a disciple in Luke 14.

Three times in this passage, He said that if we do not do these things, we cannot be His disciples.

First, Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (verse 26).

A statement like that is shocking, but let's understand what Jesus was saying. He obviously was not telling us to hate in the traditional sense.

Rather, Jesus was saying that your love for God should be so strong, so intense, that all other loves would pale in comparison.
Second, Jesus said, "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple" (verse 27).

If you want to live life to its fullest, then you must deny yourself and put Christ first. You take your goals, desires, dreams, and aspirations, and you present them to God. And ultimately you will discover that God's plans for you are always the best.

Last, Jesus said, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it? . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple" (verses 28, 33).

You must count the cost to follow Jesus. Yes, it costs to follow Jesus. But it costs more not to follow Him. Jesus called us to go and make disciples. But it takes one to make one.

Prayer: Lord, make me a true disciple.

Scriptural Reading: Luke 14:25-35

Happy New Month and Workers' Day

Happy new month of May, this month of may will bring to you and family favour and grace, the hand of God will be upon you.

Happy new month and workers' day

THROUGH THE FIRE

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. - Isaiah 43:2

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Jewish teenagers who walked with God in the midst of a godless society.

When King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem and carried away captives to Babylon, he singled out Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for royal service.

The king was grooming them to be leaders in the kingdom of Babylon, and they were being schooled in all the ways of that twisted, idolatrous culture.

One day, Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden statue of himself and commanded everyone in his kingdom to bow down before it and worship.

The penalty for disregarding the king's order was death. So all of the people obediently fell before this image — except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

The outraged king called them into his presence and gave them one more chance to bow down. But they told him, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty" (Daniel 3:17).

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tied up and thrown into the furnace, heated seven times hotter than usual, as ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar.

But as the king watched, he saw not three but four men in the furnace, free and walking around. King Nebuchadnezzar saw the Son of God walking with them through the fire. And Jesus will walk with you through your fire.

He will walk with you through your hardships. We are never alone in life. That is the message from Genesis to Revelation. He has said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt 28:20).

Prayer: Thank You Lord, for Your assurance never to leave me nor forsake me.

Scriptural Reading: Isaiah 43:1-5