You Have What It Takes To The Top

1. Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy living, career development, education etc. They also share God’s Word with you.

2. Start facing your problems head on. – It isn't your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them.

Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you've done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.

3. Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always.

4. Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you.

5. Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning.

Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving.

Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.

6. Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.

7. Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it.

If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.

8. Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Trust God to lead you to the right people at the right location and at the right time.

9. Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.

10. Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be.

Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.

World Health Organisation(who)to declare Nigeria Ebola-free today

The World Health Organisation is preparing to announce that Nigeria has not had a confirmed case of Ebola for 42 days – or two incubation periods of 21 days – just as it did for Senegal on Friday.

WHO on Friday declared Senegal free of Ebola after 42 days passed without a new confirmed case.

“WHO officially declares the Ebola outbreak in Senegal over and commends the country on its diligence to end the transmission of the virus,” the UN health agency had said in a statement.

The benchmark of 42 days is twice the maximum incubation period for the disease.

A similar WHO statement on Nigeria is expected on Monday (today) after the requisite period without a new infection.

Prayer for new week

For every thing lost, there shall be unusual discovery. God is replacing your ashes with His beauty.

The years that the locusts have eaten shall be restored. You will recover all in Jesus name.

Whatever you lay your hands on shall prosper, anyone you touch most surely be blessed because you are a blessing. 

Good morning and have blessed week. God will send you help from far and near. You will not be stranded, neither will your foot slip. Against all odds, you are going forward in Jesus name.J

Happy New Week from us ASB-World. 

Aim to break your own personal records, go for the BEST

* Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work.

Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory.

Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.

* Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.

* Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start rejoicing about other people’s victories. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.

* Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t. Surrender everything to God. Count on Him to see you through those moments.

* Start forgiving yourself and others. – We've all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn't mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.

* Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so forth. Have the spirit of empathy. Love your neighbor as yourself as our Lord Jesus Christ admonished us.

*Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks.– Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.

GOD IS A COVENANT KEEPER

After these things, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I Am Your shield, Your exceedingly great reward." - Genesis 15:1

God made this promise to Abram after he emerged victorious from a great battle. He came out of the battle with great spoils and was met by Melchizedek, a High Priest of the Most High God. 

In appreciation for God's protection in the battle and the subsequent victory, Abram tithed a tenth of all the income from the spoils of battle to Melchizedek.
As a response to His offering, God appeared to Abram and affirmed His promises to him.

I Am Your Shield: That referred to protection in time of battle. In the days of Abram, people fought constant battles both to acquire property and to defend their property and so protection was crucial.

As a result, people formed alliances with stronger individuals whom they called upon for help.

God entered into battle alliance with Abram and joined Himself to Abram's army.

I Am Your Exceedingly Great Reward: God promised Abram He would fight not only in his army but would also reward his work. He did not promise just a reward but exceeding great reward.These are all blessings associated with entering into a covenant of tithing with God.

When we tithe, Jehovah becomes our partner in battle. In these days, we do not fight with literal swords and shields, neither do we as individuals battle with nations but the principle is the same.

Whatever battle you fight, God becomes your shield and rewards your efforts exceedingly when you covenant with Him through the tithe.

Prayer: Lord, as I honour You with the tithe, I receive my full covenant blessings in Jesus' name.

Scriptural Reading: Genesis 15:1-21

THE WORD WORKS But Empty words don't do much hmmmm!

Empty words don't do much. Even God the creator of heaven and earth watches over His words to bring it to pass.

So many of us have been taught the power of POSITIVE CONFESSION.....when we confess and confess and profess and confess again and yes as though nothing is happening, before you know it....I know becomes , I think, then I think becomes maybe, then Maybe becomes I thought and then we go back to level zero.

I wonder how many times we start a a warfare and we back out of the war before we have the chance to celebrate and declare victory?

A story , out of many , in the bible teaches about persistence in the place of prayers.

Elijah....the man who defied kings and authorities...backed up by the word of God..He could confront anyone, anyone at all...even an army!
Elijah spoke to Ahab.....he told the king that rain was coming. Then he went to work! He said to the king...I hear the rains coming......he proclaimed. He declared it .....the kind heard him and took what he said to heart .....but still there was no actualization just yet!

Here is the story!
Elijah said to Ahab, "Up on your feet! Eat and drink celebrate! Rain is on the way; I hear it coming." Ahab did it: got up and ate and drank.
Meanwhile, Elijah climbed to the top of Camel, bowed deeply in prayer, his face between his knees.
Then he said to his young servant, "On your feet now! Look toward the sea." He went, looked, and reported back, "I don't see a thing." "
Keep looking," said Elijah, "seven times if necessary."
And sure enough, the seventh time he said,
"Oh yes, a cloud! But very small, no bigger than someone's hand, rising out of the sea." "Quickly then, on your way. Tell Ahab, 'Saddle up and get down from the mountain before the rain stops you.'"
Things happened fast. The sky grew black with wind-driven clouds, and then a huge cloudburst of rain, with Ahab hightailing it in his chariot for Jezreel. And God strengthened Elijah mightily. Pulling up his robe and tying it around his waist, Elijah ran in front of Ahab's chariot until they reached Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:41-46 MSG)

After Elijah declared, he went unto the mountain and prayed earnestly.....after you have released your words...are you watering it or just watching it. Empty words not backed up by power and prayer ....get blown away so easily!
They are weightless!

A lot of empty words are flowing about in the spiritual waiting for action to back them up. For serious prayers to give them wings.
Some people will type prayers and post them , some other will be typing amen , if answers were that cheap no one will have a problem in this life.....NOTHING COMES FOR FREE...If the prophets of old had to chase it up, you don't think that going from one website/ group to another and typing amen on every prayers will give an answer..do you? ...naaaaaaahhhhhhh
..YOU NEED TO GIVE SOMETHING TO GET SOMETHING....even spiritually, nothing is free...the salvation that we claim is free today, someone paid for it..with their life!

Start by giving good prayer backing to all the amen you type, otherwise, it's a waste of Internet bandwidth!!!

He kept sending the servant...GO AND LOOK....WHILST HE PRAYED THROUGH.

If he did it and got result....you can.
Whilst he prayed, he watched for results! It was obvious to everyone, imagine the poor servant, he must have thought that the master had finally lost his mind! UNTIL.....BOOMMMMM....HE SAW THE CLOUD.....as small as the hand of a man.....it was......it was something....the beginning of a downpour...looked like the hand of a man...to the ordinary eye, it's a common cloud. To the rating Elijah....that s the downpour he requested from God! When you are waiting and expectant, it's easy to know....

The bible says things happened fast!

Your persistence will give speed to the materialization of your desire....even the devil knows that he dare not stand in the way of someone who , armed with the truth of the word of God...has a reckless persistent faith!

Don't talk empty talk. Pray a heart wrenching prayer!
Jesus paid for it, you got to get up and get it .....

Keep going, until you get what you want.

Hannah went to Shiloh year after year. The more she went, the more she got mocked by her adversary.

The more she got mocked, the more weary and discouraged she became. But you know what. ...she was bent on going again and again until her change came....

God is not tired of hearing you talk to Him...go on.....back up your positive confession with word-based prayers. Results are inevitable. THE WORD WORKS.

By sis Bola

Prayer For New Week

You are blessed in your going out and coming in, God is breaking asunder every gates of wickedness, sickness, hardship, oppression and afflictions holding your life back. The Lord shall transform and restore your destiny! Where others have dug empty wells you will find water In Jesus Name.  

I decree that every area of your life will move forward In Jesus name! Regardless of any obstacle in your way, because God has said it, as you move forward your obstacles have no choice but to give way! Expect favour and miracles today J

Happy New Week from us ASB-World.

Just One Big Fight Doesn’t Mean the End of Your Marriage

How many times have you been involved in a fight with your wife, left the situation unresolved and

felt like the easiest thing to do would be to end the marriage? Get where I am going?

Here are a few of my typical thoughts I used to have immediately after a dispute with my wife:

"Why do I put up with this time and again?"

"Divorce would put a quick end to all of this stuff."

"There has to be an easier way than this."

Just because these are my typical first thoughts, it doesn't mean they need to be the first course of action I take after the fight. Never forget that we have an enemy and he lurks daily in our marriage (1 Peter 5:8).

So, let me share what I use to do and what I now do. If you're with me so far, then you might want to keep reading.

Before our wedding day, we didn't receive a whole lot of training for our marriage. We did have to go through some marriage counseling, but I'm pretty sure my ears were turned off half of the time. Blame it on my age and immaturity. I mean, I had been through verbal disputes with family growing up and with other people throughout my years. How hard could solving disputes in marriage really be?

They were much harder than I thought. And when disputes did come up, I was typically left standing in an empty field that smelled like a freshly loaded dumpster. I was completely oblivious as to what I needed to do, how to handle the conversations and how to seek a resolution. This didn't make for a great start to marriage, and for those of you who read Manturity often, you know what I'm talking about.

So here are a few ways I handled disputes with my wife early in marriage and some ways I've seen other men handle their issues. If you can relate or have your own old ways, please share them after the article in the comments.

• Shutdown and want to leave her
• Shutdown and wait for her to speak up
• Shutdown and seek attention elsewhere

Leave Her
Leaving her was typically the first thing that would come to mind after a tough verbal dispute. It didn't matter what the issue was or what was being discussed, I just felt like being on my own and away from her would be the best option. If we couldn't work it out, I would want to at least just leave the house. Go somewhere! Anywhere! I was never sure what to do or where to go, but I don't think it ever really mattered.

Shutting down and leaving your wife after a tough dispute is never the right answer.

Wait for Her to Speak Up
Again, it didn't matter what the issue was or about, I would assume it was up to her to bring it back up and apologize. I would typically give her the silent treatment until she decided to realize how wrong or disrespectful she had been to me. It never occurred to me during this earlier years that it was my responsibility to take the lead and seek the resolution.

Shutting down and waiting for your wife to speak up first does not show leadership in your role as leader and husband.

Seek Attention Elsewhere
Porn, masturbation and seeking another woman all sounds pretty extreme until you are shutdown due to a tough marital dispute with your wife. Quite frankly, these three are the most damaging activities a husband can engage in after a fight.

Porn happens because during the ongoing dispute, a man knows he won't be having sex anytime soon. He defaults to fantasy and suffers greatly from it. Masturbation happens for similar reasons. Again, sex and pleasure are most likely out of the question, so he takes matters into his own hands.

And finally, husbands who are shutdown are suddenly open to the idea of maybe another woman is the best option. Maybe a co-worker or a neighborhood friend can be a better fit for you? This isn't the answer and you'll destroy everything you've built with the woman you vowed your life too very quickly.

Shutting down and seeking attention from another source will only bring you pain and despair.

So what is the answer? How can a fight with your wife not lead you to one of the three areas mentioned above?

Here are the top ways I seek resolution after a dispute in my marriage these days:

Stop and Pray
That's right, no matter what the situation is now or no matter how mad I get at the fight, I turn to Jesus first. Now, it's not going to sound like a sweet lullaby or a quiet prayer, instead I typically start with these questions. Why God? Why is this happening in my marriage right now? What do you want me to do or how do you want me to react?

Father, show me how I can be a good husband and leader through this situation. These are just a few things, but you get the idea. So the next time you and your wife are going at it, stop and pray. Either pray with her or pray alone, but talk to God first. And stay there as long as you need.

Seek Resolution
In the past, our marriage issues could go on for days, even months! I'm sure you can relate to that timeline and agree that there is nothing fun about that time. I now try to seek resolution quickly. For example, my wife and I were at a baby skills class before our little dude was born and something happened to where she embarrassed me in front of everyone in the class. Granted, I didn't know anyone, but it still crushed my spirit. I gave her the look of "what did you just do", and went on with the class.

Afterward, I had a choice to make. I could either let the issue sit for days or I could bring it up in a loving way to her. Well, I swallowed what little pride I had left and spoke in a very soft tone. I mentioned that I didn't appreciate the way she treated me in the class and was very embarrassed. I told her that I was trying my best and didn't feel like I deserved that kind of treatment. Because I addressed it quickly and in a loving way, she was able to understand my side of things and we agreed to work on it in the future. That was the end of it.

I understand that there are many types of issues and mistakes that can be made in marriage, but I encourage you to not give up on your spouse or your marriage, and especially your children. Prayer must be your first priority. Accountability with another man or your Pastor could be another option. But please, don't default to one of the top three scenarios mentioned above.

Are you struggling in your marriage? Let's talk about it and seek a resolution.

Have you overcome big disputes in your marriage? Share your tips and ideas with the community!

Manturity

Give Thanks

TEXT: LUKE 17:11-19

Key verse: “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?” (Luke 17:17).

Those who bear the stigma of HIV/AIDS know the sorrow they go through every passing day even though society has come to realize that not all sufferers came by it through careless lifestyles. Those who have received their miracles from such embarrassing condition know what it means to be free.

Likewise, the stigma of leprosy in Bible days was so strong that the victims were isolated from all forms of social associations and interpersonal relationships to avoid any possible contact, because it was a deadly contagious disease. Those who received the divine intervention of being cleansed owed it a duty to give thanks to God. Giving thanks to God for His kindness, mercy and goodness is a function of individual heart’s condition and capacity to reflect correctly.

Our text today is an eye-opener to the danger of forgetting to offer praises to God after miracles of healing, deliverance, salvation and breakthrough in life. Ten lepers cried to Jesus for healing and cleansing. In answer to their plea, Jesus sent them to the priest for a confirmation of a gracious healing received. Their miracle was based on the simple principle of asking and receiving. Unfortunately, only one of them, a stranger, came back to give thanks. The rest nine went their ways. Jesus then asked with concern, “where are the nine”?

It is common in modern days to receive great miracles of healing, deliverance, provision and escape from danger with an ungrateful disposition. Those who do not sit back to count their blessings will not see sufficient reasons to thank God.

Of course, refusal to thank God for all the benefits received does not diminish His divine attributes of showing mercy and compassion on His creatures; yet, giving thanks to God opens more doors of greater miracles and benefits from Him. He that offers praises glorifies God. Grateful Christians grow in grace and understanding. How often do you remember to say “thank you Lord”? Those who have received God’s love, mercy and salvation with other physical and spiritual blessings must endeavour to come back to Him with grateful hearts of praises.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY : Praise is comely for the upright.

Transparent Holiness

TEXT: JOB 31:1-12

Key verse: “If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands” (Job 31:7).

The Jews picked up stones to put a woman taken in adultery to death. But a question by Jesus that any of them who was free from sin should cast the first stone disarmed them. They were hypocrites in the garb of religious people. They knew they were fake! But Job’s example of righteousness stood out in prosperity and in adversity. He left no one in doubt, including his friends-turned-detractors, when he had to defend himself over flimsy charges levelled against him. It is interesting that Job was so confident to make pronouncements as in verses 5 to 10, more like pronouncing curses on himself, if he had done evil.

How many Christians are as sure of themselves today as Job was then? Whereas the trends in fashion and dressings have turned the attention of many a professing Christian to outward appearances, Job was concerned about not paying attention to these outward shows. Paul, in Ephesians 4:17-24, obviously stressing the same factors Job earlier pointed out, warned believers not to walk in the vanity of their minds.

Job did not speak of the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God’s commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases, we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God to solemnly protest our innocence of every false allegation levelled against us.

Let us therefore walk circumspectly and carefully avoid all sinful means of getting wealth. Let us dread all forbidden profits as much as all forbidden pleasures. What we have in the world may be used or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honesty and faithfulness in our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet, how many professors are unable to abide by this touchstone!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Self-deceit if unrepented of will eventually result in self-destruction.

Recipe: CUTE FROZEN BANANA PENGUINS

If you want to try a snack recipe for your kiddos then try these cute and adorable banana penguins. To make these first cut bananas in half and melt some chocolate. Dip the top part of bananas in chocolate and some lower part too. 

Detail the chocolate dipped bananas with candy eyes and orange chocolate candies. Pop them in the freezer and serve frozen.



Your kids are surely going to fall in love with these little banana penguins. For more details about this snack head over to momma told me blog.

BLUE RIBBON DIFFERENCE

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made.

Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time.

First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community.

She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony.

Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning.
He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt.

Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going.

Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius.

The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him.

His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart.

As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else?

The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today.

I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius.

Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says ‘Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor.

As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you.
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you.

Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me.

Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook.

He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

REFLECTION:

In life we are to encourage and build up each other; not to discourage and tear down one another.

In life we are to add, not subtract; to multiply, not divide.

In life we are to leave an enduring impression; not a careless dent.

In life we are to smooth out the rough roads along the journey; not create new potholes.

In life we are to sing a joyful song; not just drone a groan.

In life we are to add our harmonious strains to life's symphony; not strain the symphony with clatter and clang.

In life we are to soar on eagles' wings; not to peck and cluck with our beaks in the dirt like chickens.

In life we are to radiate light into unseen places; not permit unknown fears to dim our radiance.

In life we are to leap in faith; not to limp with doubt.

In life we are to give freely of our time, our love, our resources; not to cling on to them greedily.

In life we are to lift up others; not push them down.

In life we are to open our hands to those in need; not to clutch our hands in fists of distrust.

In life we are to lend a helping hand to make loads lighter; not use heavy hands to hold others back.

In life we are to be messengers of peace, signs of joy; not Chicken Little portents of gloom-n-doom.

In life we are to enjoy, to savor, to remember, to reflect; not to overlook, to forget, to ignore, to reject.

In life we are to seek conscious awareness; not doze in the doldrums of half-awake.

In life we are to dare mighty things; not to fear things gravely.

In life we are to show up, stand up, step forward and speak up; not to cringe in fear, choosing to sit down, or to step back, allowing the voices of silence to speak so loudly.

In life we are to exercise proper stewardship of earth's resources; not pillage the heritage of future generations.

In life we are to move forward through forgiveness; not grind to a halt mired in bitterness and resentment.

In life we are to be wacky, weird, and wonderful in our own unique God-given way; not to be staid-n-proper lemmings, stuck on life's treadmill.

In life we are to reach, to stretch, and to soar; not to slink in fear, held back by mistrust and doubt.

In life we are to realize: "I am a remarkable Somebody!";
not listen to other's jabs: "You're a Nobody, an Everybody, an Anybody."

In life we are to comprehend, "I am worthwhile"; not tremble with feelings of worthlessness.

In life we are to create, to laugh, and to live life nobly; not to despair, to moan, or to live life less.

Believe in Yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things aren’t the way you had hoped they would be.

That’s when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people disappoint you and let you down.

But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept them.

Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.

So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.

Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant to come true for you.

Keep Believing in Yourself!

How I Met & Fell In Love With My Husband, Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo of KICC

Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo is the First Lady of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) one of the largest and fastest growing churches in Western Europe, with branches all over Africa.

Pastor Yemisi, who added another year on September 23rd, 2014 is married to KICC Senior Pastor, Matthew Ashimolowo and she is the proud mother of two sons, Tobi and Tomi. In a recent chat whith City People, she opened up on her love story...enjoy:

Now, let’s go personal Ma, how long have you been married to Pastor Matthew?
I have been married for 33 years.

Did you envisage that you were going to be married to a Pastor as a Pastor’s daughter?
No, no, no! Marrying a Pastor was the last thing in my mind. Because my Dad is a Pastor and as a Pastor’s daughter, I dreaded marrying a Pastor. My Dad has 2 brothers that are Pastors also but of different denominations. I never really wanted to marry a Pastor but God knows the plans He has for our lives.

So, how is being married to Pastor Matthew like?
First and foremost, I thank God that I never listened to the Unilag lecturer who warned me against marrying Pastor Matthew otherwise I would have been probably in a one corner room here in Lagos. But see how my life has turned out to be traveling all over the world to preach and minister. The lecturer never saw any future in Pastor Matthew as a Pastor but the lecturer is late now.
I didn’t know that marrying Pastor Matthew will end this way even I didn’t want to preach when I married him, I just wanted to be a full house wife but he was the one who really discovered me, and saw the beauty of God in my life. So, he mentored me to be what I am today. And I never knew that KICC would be a big church that it is today.

How did it all happen between you?
Okay! I can still remember vividly, it was January 1980, when Pastor Matthew came to my Dad’s church to assist him as an Assistant Pastor. He just came out of Bible School as a fresh graduate then and he was immediately posted to Foursquare Bible Church as an Assistant Pastor to my father even though he had CAC background. And I saw this young vibrant man who was posted to my Dad’s branch. I remember, we were having a serious challenge at that time and we were worshipping outside because our properties were been thrown outside by our landlord over land problem in my area at that time.
It was at this period of time that this young and fresh man (Pastor Matthew) came. This man was so committed and the way he was serving God swept me off my heels. Then I told God that God, if only you can give me a man like this young and vibrant man that is newly posted to work with my Dad for a husband but must not be a Pastor, then I will forever be grateful to you. It was his commitment to the Lord that attracted me to him. This young man was so committed to the things of God.

Was it love at first sight?
Not really because he was a Pastor and I didn’t want to marry a Pastor but I was only attracted to him when I saw him. I must also confess, marrying Pastor Matthew is the best thing that has happened to me. But you know, as a Pastor’s daughter and having 2 Uncles as Pastors, I wasn’t interested in another Pastor again. But I thank God I married one now.

What has been the challenge(s) so far?
Definitely in life there will be challenges. But you need the grace of God to deal with them. And in the ministry, you have to meet and deal with different kinds of people and all of these takes the grace of God.

Marriage-wise?
Every marriage has its ups and downs and every marriage goes through challenges and as I said earlier, it only takes the grace of God.

HOW LONG?

LORD, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. Psalms 94:3-4

Sometimes in the Bible, prayers of intercession take the form of a question. On some occasions, people get so desperate before God that their prayers for help turn into questions, crying out for an answer to their troubles.

Often, when we observe the arrogance of the wicked people and the boldness with which they defy God, we wonder about the Lord's fairness. With arrogance, they speak as if they own the whole world and can determine the outcomes of our lives.

As we encounter such arrogance of power, we ask questions, 'How long O Lord?'

These prayers, daring as they may be, are still expressions of hope in the ability of God to overturn the situations that perplex us.

They are not the cries of people who have given up on God; neither are they the sarcastic or rhetorical questions of doubters.

Instead, they are cries of intercession, from a people whose only hope is found in their God.

In asking questions, we express our total dependence on God. The Psalmist in our text cries out with this searching question because he acknowledges that God is powerful enough to change the situation facing him.

He also acknowledges that God will not delay in executing judgment for the righteous.

In other words, God is strong enough to intervene, and He is always perfectly on time.

He is always there even when we do not see Him or feel His presence. Yes, the wicked may seem to triumph over the righteous but when God lifts up His arm, the battle will turn.

Prayer: Turn the tide of evil O Lord and favour the cause of Your children.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 94:1-15

RCCG’s Living Faith Connections Choir nominated for Mobo awards 2014 ‘Best Gospel Act'

Award winning Gospel group Living Faith Connections Choir are flying the flag for a new wave of Gospel music in the UK and Africa at large. Having already been nominated at the Africa Gospel Music Awardsfor ‘Group/Choir Of The Year’ and reached the finals of the BBC Gospel Choir of the Year finals, the London based choir have now been nominated for ‘Best Gospel Act’, at the prestigious MOBO Awards.

The Living Faith Connections Choir released their debut album in 2013 titled Beyond The Norm, collaborating with award winning songwriter Evans Ogboi to create what has widely been regarded as one of the best modern Gospel albums to come out of the UK and Africa in recent times. The album’s lead single “Nobody But You” went on to win ‘Song Of The Year’ at 2013’s Africa Gospel Music Awards.

Living Faith Connections Choir now need your help to bring the MOBO Awards home! Taking place on October 22 at London’s renowned Wembley Arena,  Living Faith Connection Choir, are nominated for a MOBO award.

Please vote for Living Faith Connections Choir to win the ‘Best Gospel Act’ at the MOBO Awards here.

Living Faith Connections Choir - “Yahweh” (Music Video):

Living Faith Connections Choir Perform “Total Praise” On BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p027fg60

To make this scrumptious recipe

To make this scrumptious recipe first dice 1 medium onion and sauté it in 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1 teaspoon crushed garlic. Cut 1 medium zucchini, 1 medium yellow squash, 1 medium potato and 1 medium tomato in slices. Spread a layer of sautéed onion in a greased baking dish and arrange the slices in the way shown. 

Sprinkle pepper, salt and thyme over the vegetables. Wrap the dish in foil and pop it into preheated oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. After 30 minutes remove the foil and sprinkle with 1 cup grated cheese. Then bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and brown.
Source: stylishboard.com

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