RISE UP! WHAT ARE YOU STILL WAITING FOR?

For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Romans 4:3

Contrary to what some might believe, the Bible doesn't teach that if you are a Christian, you will never stumble. It doesn't teach that if you are a true believer, you will not periodically make a mistake or fall short. 
But it does teach that if you are a true believer and have had a lapse or a stumble, you will always get up and move forward. That is the way to truly determine whether someone is a real believer.

Although Abraham was a friend of God, which Scripture specifically mentions three times, it is also clear that he had his lapses of faith.

The Bible says that "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Does this mean that Abraham was declared righteous because of the good things he did? Did God justify Abraham because he lived such a holy, pure, and flawless life? No.

Any honest look at the life of Abraham would clearly show that he wasn't a perfect man. Having said that, it is also important to point out that although Abraham deviated occasionally from the straight and narrow path, he always came back.

If someone says he or she is a Christian but falls away and never returns to the faith, then he or she wasn't a believer in the first place.
As 1 John 2:19 says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us."

One of the evidence that you are a child of God is that you feel miserable whenever you miss the mark, and you quickly beat a path back to the cross of Calvary.

Prayer: Father, keep me from falling, and in case I do, please, help me back quickly to repentance and restoration.

Scriptural Reading: Romans 4:1-8

Health: Is Lemon a Cancer Cure?‏

With an increase in reporting by major media outlets discussing the many health benefits of various fruits and vegetables and how they play a part in fighting disease, you may have already heard that lemons cure cancer. While this isn’t completely factual, there have been several studies that purport to show a strong basis in using lemons for cancer treatment. It should also be noted that there are conflicting reports detailing that, while lemons and other citrus fruits do contain cancer-fighting properties, exactly how effective they are against particular types of cancer has yet to be accurately determined.

Health Benefits of Lemons for Cancer: In addition to the Vitamin C found in lemon juice, which is already a very well known alternative cancer treatment in its own right, the peel of the lemon also offers many health benefits, one of the most important being that lemon peel can help to eradicate toxins in your body. This may be why lemons for cancer are being studied and touted as a great remedy.
The connection between cancer and lemons isn’t something new; for decades, scientists have wondered, “Is lemon a cancer killer?” and have developed numerous studies to determine its validity.
Studies have revealed that lemon extract can successfully destroy malignant cells in a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. Several research studies also make the claim that lemons can destroy cancer much more effectively than chemotherapy, and in a safer and healthier manner. Additionally, the studies also show that lemon extract therapy only affects malignant cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Additional health benefits of lemons include: It is antibacterial It is antiviral It aids in digestion It can be used to treat acne It helps to regulate blood pressure It fights against parasites and worms It possesses antidepressant qualities It helps to reduce stress and anxiety.

Lemons for Cancer: How Much Do I Need to Consume? So the question you may be asking yourself is, “Do lemons cure cancer and how much lemon do I need to consume on a daily basis?” Before answering this question, it must first be noted that while numerous studies have shown effectiveness in the consumption of lemons as a cancer killer, and is still undergoing a variety of testing and research to even come close to making that assertion.
What is known is that specific compounds found in lemons (and other citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit) known as flavonoids and limonoids may either stop the formation and growth of cancer cells, or will kill them outright. These studies have mainly been conducted on animals and in laboratory conditions using human breast cancer cells.
In Europe, a study was conducted with participants afflicted with various forms of cancer, in which they consumed 150 grams of citrus four or more times a week. The citrus proved effective in decreasing the risks of cancer by significant percentages, with the exception being breast cancer. However, an American study did show a decrease in the risk of breast cancer in participants using the same portions of citrus—so long as they did not previously undergo hormone replacement therapy.
When consuming citrus, it is also important to not just consume the juice, but also the pulp and the peel, and even the seeds when possible. Further research shows that 75 grams of citrus on a daily basis might be the optimal minimum intake for those wishing to reduce the risks of cancer.

How to Add Lemons to Your Daily Diet: Because lemons are very versatile in a wide variety of dishes, it can be very easy to ensure that you have lemon in at least one of your meals each day. At the very least, you can add lemon juice to water and drink a glass of lemon water every day. This ensures that you get a good dose of Vitamin C. However, because the peel of the lemon actually contains a much larger amount of important vitamins than the juice, it is recommended that you find ways to incorporate the peel into your daily diet as well.
One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to either peel a lemon and place the peel in the freezer, or simply freeze a whole lemon. Then you can grate as needed, adding it to salads, soups, fish, chicken, rice, pasta, and many other dishes. You can add it to seltzer, to smoothies and other drinks.

Source:
Dr. Subrata Chakravarty (Hope4Cancer.com)

Prayer for the new week

I decree and declare a new level of success, promotion, and prosperity over your work, your business, your finances, your relationship and family. Your heavens will be open and hindrances shall give way. You shall excel in all good things, at all times, with all people, and under every circumstance. 

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 mighty name. I don't know how God will do it, but very soon you will experience a sudden miracle and breakthrough that will attract global attention! Your dry tree shall become fruitful soon in Jesus Name.

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

BE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORLD

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavour? . . . You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Matthew 5:13-14

We Christians are sometimes tempted to isolate ourselves. We want to submerge ourselves in a Christian subculture of our own making and not get too involved in the world.

But Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." When He made that statement to His disciples so long ago, they understood the significance of what He was saying. It can be lost on us today because we don't know what it means.

In those days, salt was considered to be very valuable. In fact, the Romans considered salt more important than the sun itself. Roman soldiers would even be paid with salt.

So when Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth," He was saying in a sense, "You're valuable. You're important. You're significant. You can make a difference."

Stop and think about salt. It really can do a lot. A little salt on a bland piece of meat can make all the difference.

Have you ever had someone put salt in your water when you weren't looking?

You immediately noticed the change. A little pinch of salt can alter the flavour of a meal, just as one Christian in a situation can effect change.

Have you ever been in a dark room and someone turned on a torchlight? The light wasn't hard to find, was it?

In the same way, one believer who lets his or her light shine can really make a difference.

The Lord has appointed you as His ambassador to the world. He is counting on you to make a difference - a strategic difference on His behalf.

Prayer: Lord, help me make a strategic difference in someone's life today.

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 5:13-16

GET READY FOR HIS COMING

And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Matthew 25:6

Many people believe they are Christians but nothing in their life shows that they are looking forward to the return of Jesus.

When you take a look at the world today, you will realize that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, and that Christ is returning soon.

But even if Christ should delay His coming, nobody knows when he or she will depart from this world. It is therefore absolutely important that we live our lives in constant anticipation of that Great Day.

In the parable of the ten bridesmaids, Jesus told the story of bridesmaids who were attending a wedding. Five were wise, and five were foolish.

The five wise bridesmaids had oil in their lamps, while the five foolish ones did not. And when the cry went out that the bridegroom was coming, the five bridesmaids who were wise were ready to meet him. But the foolish bridesmaids were unprepared.

Jesus told this story to illustrate the importance of being always ready for His return. It is the earnest expectation of Christ's return that inspires us to holiness and righteousness.

Without this expectation and readiness, we will live just as the people of the world do: "Let's eat and drink, tomorrow we die."

If we are truly Christians, then the truth that Christ could come back at any time should dramatically impact the way you live.

The Bible says, "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3).

In other words, if you really are a Christian and you believe Christ is coming back again, you will want to be a holy person.

You will want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. You will want to avoid the things that are spiritually detrimental to your walk with the Lord.

Prayer: Come, O Lord Jesus, Come!

Scriptural Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

JUST LIKE THE FATHER'S LOVE

I was so tired. I plopped down on the chair, looked around and asked “Who would like to get me a glass of water?”

“Me! Me!! Me!!!” came the chorus answers from my children. They both ran to the kitchen and I could hear them arguing

“I’ll get it”, said my daughter

“No, I’ll get it”, said my son

They both got cups, went to the dispenser but my daughter got there first. She filled her cup with water and brought it to me. I smiled and thanked her, drank out of it and next thing you know, my son came running with his own cup of water for me. His was not as full as his sister’s but he said to me “Mummy, I brought you water too. Will you drink mine too?”

Of course I will and I did. I ended up with 2 cups of cold water and that was more than enough for me. I had excess, all because my children showed me love.

I heard the Holy Spirit impress upon my heart the depth of the Father’s love for me. He will give me excess when I ask. He will cause people to bring to me what I deserve plus more, and He will make sure I never lack that thing because He will give me more than enough. Hallelujah!!!

1 John 3:1a - Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (NKJV)

Proverbs 16:7 - When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

My children showed me love because I first showed them love. I try a whole lot to be a good mother to them. They see my efforts, as young as they are, and all I had to do was ask. They didn’t ignore me (bless their dear hearts).

Several lessons you can learn – embrace God’s love, respond to His call, don’t ignore Him, obey His instructions and experience the joy and reward that comes from having a loving relationship with the Heavenly Father.

All the ‘worries’ I had at that time melted away while I basked in the euphoria of my children’s love. I was overjoyed! Just like the love of the Father  by sis Deby mile emoticon

Ways to Raise Up Godly Girls

It was the end of a long day and I was relieved to be home. Running through the door, I dropped my

purse and keys in the chair, kissed my husband warmly, kicked off my shoes, threw off my cardigan and headed for my overstuffed chocolate-colored couch which I affectionately call, "The Dove Bar."

Then up from the lower level of our home like two little Labradors came bounding my daughters, Naomi and Camile. "Mommy's home!" they cried and jumped on top of me, making one hilarious and heavy hog pile! "Come on, Mom, get up! Come watch us play the Wii! I'm hungry mom, when will dinner be ready? Mom, I need you to do my hair, my braid came out. Can we go outside and wash the car?" Rest time was clearly over!

I love my daughter's enthusiasm and zest for life—on most days! It reminds me of the best of childhood—spending warm summer days catching butterflies and ladybugs, playing kickball, digging in dirt and savoring delicious icy popsicles on the front steps.

I also know that these years of innocence can often fade and become years of pain, isolation and rejection without proper parental intervention. I want my daughters to maintain their sense of joy and wonder through the ups and downs of life, particularly during their high school and college years when their identities are forming and are most fragile. I want them to have a healthy sense of self-esteem that is not dictated by magazines or models, and I desire that they have a healthy standard of beauty, which is best presented in the pages of Scripture not at the cosmetic counter.

As a working mom and as a campus minister, that means keeping my faith and my family the priorities in my life. It also means learning from my own past mistakes and listening to the advice of other sisters in the Lord who have raised their daughters successfully.

Here are a few things that I have learned make a big difference in raising healthy, godly girls for Christ:

1. Listen well. Sometimes as parents we can do more talking and dictating than listening and learning. Learn to talk less and listen more, particularly when your daughter seems distressed or her moods are changing. These could be indicators that something is wrong on the inside and she is having a hard time naming what it is. Listen without judgment and be slow and thoughtful in your response to what she has to say. It will open a door to her heart and keep it open for years to come.

Sometimes as parents we can do more talking and dictating than listening and learning.

2. Pray with intention. In her book Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian talks about praying with intention. This includes being still before the Lord and asking Him how to pray for your children, inserting their names in Scripture as the Lord leads and using quiet times as a time of journaling and writing a list of prayer requests for each child. Pick up a journal today and get writing.

3. Remain available. We all know that time is a commodity these days, particularly for the busy family. Nevertheless, our kids need to know that they matter more to us than our deadlines at work or redecorating the den before Christmas. Find ways to remind your kids that you are here for them no matter how busy life seems. Slip a note in her backpack or under her pillow, text "I love you" to her before a tough test or tryout. Pray with her through a frustrating situation and encourage her to keep her own journal with how God has answered her prayers.

4. Model grace and humility. When you do fail, be humble enough to admit your mistake and repent.

Your daughter gets her first cues on how to talk, think and act from you. Beyond being her first standard of beauty, be her greatest model of godly grace and humility. When someone hurts or disappoints you, do you talk harshly about that person with your girlfriend on the phone or do you pray for that person instead? When the house is messy and company is coming do you fret and complain or do you put on your iPod and dance around while you dust and vacuum? Teach your daughters how to press into God not crack under pressure. And when you do fail, be humble enough to admit your mistake and repent.

Laurel Bunker