GET UP AND MOVE ON

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2 Timothy 4:7

God has put dreams and desires in each person's heart. He has given each one of us a hunger for things that are spiritual as well as things that make our lives useful. Those are the dreams that we run in the race of faith to attain to.

In the race of faith, you run to win. And you run to finish the race. It's not enough simply to start. We have to finish the race, too. So if you have stumbled out of the race that the Lord has set before you, get up and get back on track. There is a race to run and a prize to be won.

The main character in the film “Chariots of Fire” fell in this important race. He was hurt and discouraged. But he got up again and continued to run.

He finished the race and he won it. Even when you stumble, even when you fall, you can still get up and run. You can still win. God still believes in you.

You may have stumbled. You may have fallen in the race of life. Or maybe you have been discouraged by harsh criticisms around you; or something has happened to set you back. It's not too late to get up and start running again. The Holy Spirit is there to help you.

You will never be truly happy until you have pursued both your spiritual and self-actualizing dreams.

So when you fall by the wayside while pursuing your dreams, allow the Lord to lift you up again and inspire you for success. Whatever the Lord starts with you, He is able also to finish it. Run in His power.

Prayer: Lord, I know that You have planted dreams and goals in me; Help me to pursue them with Your strength.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

You don't need a lot You just need you

I noticed that when God speaks to me, He does it when i am alone. When i am away from distraction. When i am just with myself, alone.

Then i started to wonder at scientists of old. Most of these men spent a lot of time in isolation, trying , failing and eventually succeeding. Once they succeed, we hear the news.

Most of the people who make great impact in life were loners! The difference in the world today....most of us don't like isolation. We love the attention of the crowd , we desire it a long way before we deserve it.
At times, when we see someone who is alone, it seems like that is a sign that they are of no value or that God is not with them.
Let me give you an example.....In most churches today, there are matured sisters who live alone and are waiting for the God's choice of a husband. People look at them with pity. At times, people even think that they are single because God does not love them as much as He loves the married ladies!!!!!!

There is something about loneliness, it can either make you or break you. You can either look at yourself and think you are a failure because there is none else around or you can look in yourself and discover what those who left you were unable to see.

1 ki.19.4-15.nlt
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, lord ,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” He replied again, “I have zealously served the lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Then the lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.

The story in the bible is that of a man who was on a mission. A prophet who had a clear message from God. After killing the prophets of Baal, a little threat scared him and he panicked and forced himself into a SOLITARY STATE...
Tired out, he started to feel lonely.
He may have started to associate the company of many men and women of God as the yardstick for success. He was worried that he will die just like others.....He looked at himself with pity and it wasn't long before he started suggesting suicide to God, as a way out of his state.

Are you lonely today.....?
I should ask....ARE YOU ALONE? If YES, wait.....find out why you are alone!
If God put you there, its because you need to learn something crucially needed for the journey ahead.
If God didn't, trace back your steps and find out if you are there because you are scared of what awaits you out there.
Before you start to seek the crowd, ask, DO I HAVE A LESSON TO LEARN FROM THIS PHASE?

Gods mercies are great....He refreshed the prophet and provided energy needed, then asked him to retrace his steps....
DON'T RUSH TO THE CROWD....They are not a yardstick for success. The journey ahead of you is personal. Even if your co-travellers are all dead, your destiny is in no way tied to them.

CROWD HAS NEVER BEEN GOD'S STANDARD FOR SUCCESS

sis bola.

Health Benefits of Okra Also Known as “Lady’s finger”

The mucilaginous content in okra sets it apart from other vegetables for its extraordinary benefits.

Okra is also known as “lady’s finger” in some parts of Asia. And various other names in other parts of the world. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world.

Okra is an edible pea pod and although can be eaten raw, I’ve never acquired the raw taste. You can lightly blanch, steam or give it a quick stir-fry to reduce the “green” taste.
Use when it’s tender, as it gets very fibrous when it’s older. In the okra pods, the white soft seeds (edible) are arranged in 5 to 10 vertical columns, giving it the angled appearance on the outside.

Nutritional Benefits:

Okra is very low in calories and dense with nutrients. It is high in fiber, vitamin A, C, and folate content.

It is also a good source of the B vitamins, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and traces of magnesium and manganese.
Okra is one of those few vegetables which have the highest content of phytonutrients and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein.

Health Benefits

Okra is one of the best medicinal vegetable although it is not everyone’s favorite. You may like to try it if you knew about its immense health benefits:

Anemia:
Helps red blood cells production and prevent anemia.

Anti-Cancer:
The high antioxidants in okra helps protect the immune system against harmful free radicals and prevent mutation of cells.

Asthma:
The high antioxidants and vitamin C content make okra useful for reducing asthmatic attacks.

Bone Strength:
Folate in okra builds strong bones and density, preventing osteoporosis.

Cholesterol:
The soluble fiber helps to lower serum cholesterol, thus also reducing atherosclerosis and the risk of heart diseases.

Constipation:
The rich fiber and mucilaginous (slimy) content in okra pods help increase bulk, bind to toxins and ensure easy bowel movements with its natural laxative properties. Regularly eating okra also reduces the risk of colon cancer.

Diabetes:
It has insulin-like properties that help to reduce blood sugar level.
Gut flora: The fiber helps improve the population of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Immune Booster:
The high antioxidants and vitamin C content make okra a good immune booster food that reduce your catching the cough and cold.
Peptic Ulcers: The mucilaginous content provides a temporary coating to the digestive tract and stomach lining while healing the ulcers.

Pregnancy:
The rich folate content in okra can help decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in babies.

Skin Health:
With good bowel movements, skin health will improve. Helps reduce acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Vision Health:
Okra contains beta-carotenes (precursor of vitamin A), xanthin and lutein, all antioxidant properties that are helpful for vision health, preventing eye problems like cataract and glaucoma.

Consumption Tips

Choose smaller-sized okra over the big ones. The feel should be crisp and firm to be sure they are tender and not overly fibrous. Avoid those which color does not look fresh and are soft.

As with most vegetables, okra may be subject to insecticide/pesticides. Buy organic if possible. If not, soak okra in water with apple cider vinegar and seasalt for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Cut off the tops and cut okra into smaller pieces of 2-3 inches if desired. Lightly blanch, steam or quickly stir-fry to reduce the mucilage and the “green taste”. It can be added into your salad, or dipped into your home-made chilli sauce, or eat it just on its own.
Okra cannot be juiced due to its very fibrous texture and mucilaginous (slimy) content.

Caution

Like most vegetables, okra has a small amount of oxalic acid and does not generally bother. Avoid okra if you have a history of kidney stones.

Prayer for new week

God will remember your requests today and grant you speedy answers. He will remember all your

good works and reward you greatly. Your sins and curses shall no longer stand as hindrances to your manifestations.The Almighty God will proof to the whole world that you are His favourite. Your own case and situation shall be exceptionally enviable. Do not despair because of what you are going through now, the journey is not far anymore. You will reach your goal very soon. It is your time to shine in Jesus Name.

Happy new week to you all from us ASBS'World.

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Five clever ways to apologize to your spouse

Sometimes we let our thoughts and emotions get the best of us. When we get upset and angry,

we take those emotions out on the people we care for the most, especially our spouse. If you have offended your spouse, do not fret. You can make amends. However, don’t just settle for a simple “I’m sorry.”

Tell your spouse just how much you do care by apologizing with one of these fun ideas.

• Write

  Words are an excellent way to show how much you care. Write a letter to your spouse asking for forgiveness. Be willing to open your heart and share your emotions with him. Share the frustrations and sadness that may be in your heart.
  Another fun and simple way to apologize to your spouse is to write a list of all the reasons why you love him. Preface or conclude the list by asking for forgiveness and tell him why you did what you did. Throughout the list, share with him all of the reasons that your heart begins to beat fast when he walks in the room, and how much you love cuddling him on the couch. This type of list will not only make him happy, it is also an excellent way to strengthen your marriage and remind both of you why you fell in love with each other in the first place.

• Physical touch

  Sometimes all it takes is a hug, a handhold or snuggling on the couch to show that you are truly sorry for what you have done. Physical touch is a powerful thing. Think about the times when you have had a bad day, did a hug or a kiss turn it around? Think about a baby or young child when they are upset, frightened or sad. Does the embrace from a loving parent help calm him down? Be willing to get close to your spouse when you have done something wrong. Ask for forgiveness, explain the feelings in your heart, and then give your husband a hug, a kiss or even just put your hand on his knee. There is power in touch.

• Use candy or treats

  If your spouse likes gifts, give meaningful or clever “I’m sorry” gifts. These gifts could be anything from your partner’s favorite treats to flowers or jewelry. However, don’t think that every time you mess up you can buy your way out of a mess. After some time, the gifts begin to lose their meaning.

• Plan alone time

  Find a babysitter, plan a romantic dinner and show your spouse that you want to spend time with him. Before the alone time begins, ask for his forgiveness and tell him you are sorry. Then, you can enjoy some alone time together and really work on strengthening your relationship.

• Use your own talents

  Each of us has our own unique talents. Use these talents to tell your spouse you love him. If you are clever at coming up with quotes, bake him a treat and attach a saying. If you are musically talented, write or sing a song to your partner telling him how much you care. Think about the unique talents you possess and how you can use those gifts to better the relationship with your spouse.read here
  We all make mistakes. Some are much larger than others and some can offend and hurt others, especially our spouse. When you make these mistakes, be willing to say “I’m sorry” and make things right.

YOU ARE A REFERENCE LETTER

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men.- 2 Corinthians 3:2

Have you ever gone on a job interview? Some of the things your prospective employer wants to see are references and letters of recommendation.

There are very few things in this life that speak more strongly for you than when someone is willing to put their reputation on the line for you.

Reference letters from people of repute give weight to your résumé. People tend to accept a new idea or way of doing things when it is backed up by success stories.

As the early church spread with the good news of Christ, the stories of changed lives flowed with the message.

As Christianity grew, its greatest strength was in the lives of those who had been converted to the Lord and lived lives of purity and holiness. Those people became the recommendation letters for the early Apostles and missionaries.

The reputation of the church, the changes in the people, the things they willingly gave up, the lengths to which they were willing to hold to this Jesus went ahead of those first missionaries and opened doors for ministry.

As a child of God, your conduct becomes a letter of recommendation for Christ. You are the letter that the world reads to determine whether the claims of Jesus are true or not. In you they seek to see the evidence of Christ.

They judge the Lord and His Church by your daily conduct. With the letter of recommendation, in the form of the reputation of the first century church, doors opened wide to the message of salvation.

Be a letter for the Lord to your family, friends, neighbourhood and working colleagues.

Prayer: Lord, may my life be a living testimony of Your love and power.

Scriptural Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Prayer for New Month of September

Welcome to the" EMER" months, 

God will send His healing to you and your family. He will proof to u that He is Jehovah Ralpha Before the week gets to an end, you will sing a new song of favour and breakthrough, Your weak prayer life will become strengthened in Jesus Name. All benefits due you shall be given to you in Jesus name.
God will release healing upon your spirit, soul and body. Healing upon your home and marriage, upon your work, business and finances. There shall be no more afflictions, there shall be no tragedy. You shall not die young; the God of Heaven will give you long life, prosperity, and good days to enjoy His blessings in your life in Jesus mighty name.

Happy New Month of September folks from ASB'S World.